Letters June 24, 2009

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

By Planet User

Transparent process
I’d like to publicly thank county planning commissioners Larry Hamilton, Forrest McCarthy and Tony Wall for voting to recommend that the county commissioners send the draft Comprehensive Plan back to staff to rework, to better reflect public comment.

They are looking after the public interest. I was outraged at the end of today’s (June 22) workshop between the county commissioners and planning commissioners, when County Commission Chairman Hank Phibbs exhorted the public to “stay involved,” and expressed a desire for a “transparent” process. 

Well gee, thanks Hank, I’d like to stay involved, but I’m not sure what good it does.  And I would like a transparent process!  I’d love to know why the draft plan is about 180-degrees opposite of what the pubic wants.  
–Steve Sharkey, location unknown

Support recommendation
Here is why I support the Planning and Zoning Recommendation and hope that you are listening:  the people do not support the Plan as it is being presented. Not long ago I revisited an area of Switzerland that I had been to nearly 50 years ago, and was pleased and frankly surprised to find that it looked much the same as it had then:  beautiful open farm land and small villages.

The people there had resisted “growth for the sake of growth” and the special flavor of their region was still alive and well. I ask you to be bold and act to save and protect what we love about this valley.  Our children and grandchildren and the visitors of the future will thank you for having the vision to step up to protect what is special about this place.
– Jean Jorgensen, Jackson

Imperiled Elk
In perusing a recent newspaper article regarding the “imperiled” National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, I would like to comment in a cautious, yet realistic manner, and avoid negativity. This may be an arduous task considering the well-renowned group of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibilities (PEER) analysis of the Elk Refuges’ current condition and their grim outlook. Allow me to express my candid views on this issue. Let their facts, statistics and predictions be damned.

These beasts and their hereditary kin have been migrating to this area for time millennia, long prior to that of European-American settlers with the self appointed obligation that it had become their responsibility to control, manage and dictate the welfare of such said ancient Wapitian tradition. I believe that with less human interference and imposition of what they feel is best for these elk the better the chance for them to thrive as they have hitherto.

My point here is that humans should simply stand back and tend to their own fragile affairs and let proverbial nature take its course, disease being a part, and bear witness to the resilience of a species in its natural state and what it may overcome minus their assistance.
– Patrik Troiani, Jackson

Correction
JH Weekly incorrectly reported on the state of a local theater company [“Summer in the Arts,” June 17]. Riot Act Inc.’s fundraiser on June 19 was its fourth, and the company will collaborate with local dancers, who are also members of Dancers’ Workshop.
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Letters June 24, 2009 | Planet JH News Article: Letters To Editor

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