Herald and News

Letter to the Editor

February 7, 2012

   A few days ago a guest commentary, written by an individual who recently moved here from Sacramento, urged the removal of the bucket from in front of the county administration building and suggested it was time for the county to “move on.” I strongly disagree.

   The bucket is emblematic of the willingness of the citizens of Klamath County to resist the idiotic dictates of the federal government. Donated to the community from our supporters in Elko, Nev., the bucket also represents the support of others across the West. It embodies the very character of Klamath County. As such, I can’t think of a location more fitting than its present one.  

   Beyond that, the controversy out of which the bucket was created remains unresolved. The Endangered Species Act remains unchanged and a sucker still trumps a human. If you don’t believe that, just wait until spring if the current dry winter weather pattern persists.

   Many changes have occurred in our area over the last 30 years or so to accommodate the influx of moneyed retirees from California. The gun stores on Main Street are all gone — replaced by wine stores. The Running Y offers them an upscale enclave with the illusion of rural living but the amenities of urban life — all comfortably insulated from the pedestrian swill of Klamath Falls. Many more changes have been made and will continue to be made for the comfort of newcomers — but we should not be asked to compromise on the fundamentals.  

   The bucket reflects the generally conservative views of our citizens — the belief that government of the bureaucracy, by the bureaucracy, for the bureaucracy cannot long endure. For those seeking a more progressive atmosphere in their adopted community — Bend is just a couple of hours up the road.

   Kevin Rafferty

   Klamath Falls