FORESTS: Thickets and thick heads

It is sad we have so many mentally challenged folks in the world today. This was displayed April 19 in the article on page A5 of The Press and that day’s editorial.

The liberals like Mr. Haverstick would prefer to let the forests continue to develop a dense undergrowth that is a tremendous source of fuel for wildfires. Mr. Haverstick does not name the “scientific studies” he refers to that supposedly show that forest thinning does not help the condition of the forest and that “fungi, bacteria, insects, disease and wild fire are the function of a healthy forest.” I wonder if he has ever visited a forest after a major fire. Visible signs still remain from the 1910 fire east and north of us.

Our homeowners association has a sizable bit of undeveloped forest land that was becoming overgrown with small bushes and dead trees. We wanted to clean it up and the local fire department applauded our decision. Unfortunately, we had a small group of residents that objected, even as we were taking an action that improved the fire safety of their property. As liberals have a tendency to do, they throw out all sorts of nonsensical objections such as the project only benefits the logging industry. Thankfully, they were not listened to.

I commend The Press for their editorial on the subject.

RALPH HALLOCK

Hayden