Good ideas exist; we just have to find them

I cannot legitimately disagree with anyone who voted for or against the jail levy.

Those who voted for the levy did so out of fear the criminals in our community are destroying our way of life and tarnishing Klamath County's reputation.

Those who voted against the levy did so because they lack confidence in our elected county officials to resolve the issue of funding law enforcement for the long term.

Before the levy election, the county commissioners refused to discuss in public their plan "B" if the levy failed and refused to discuss long-term funding of law enforcement or for that matter seriously study how we are going to economically rebuilt Klamath County so tax increases are not necessary.

In five months of attending every Tuesday commissioners' public meeting, there has been only one presentation on bringing in new businesses to our community.

The commissioners have forgotten that both business and hardworking citizens are the source of job growth and increased tax revenue. What we need out of the commissioners is creative funding solutions that work for most citizens and do no harm.

Example: Why are we giving away, at public expense, 90,000 acres of the Mazama Tree Farm, via the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, when the county could purchase the land and manage all aspects of timber and biomass production for the benefit of all citizens of Klamath County?

The county could contract with local private companies to manage, harvest wood and materials or plant trees on this land for the benefit of all citizens.

The profits would help fund the county budget. The sheriff would have a nice place for inmate work crews to do useful work and help pay incarceration costs.

I would like to read in the H&N other citizens' creative ideas on this subject matter. The solutions are out there.

Dennis Jefcoat

Chiloquin