Klamath Falls Herald and News

Letter to the Editor

Scheduled for Friday's (6/10/11) print edition.

While there are parts of Steve Kandra's June 7 letter that I might agree on, there are also parts that totally miss the mark for me.

The assertion that the "glory days" of Klamath timber industry were when the reservation existed is inaccurate and appears to be very self-serving in my opinion. The point is that some would say the "glory days of agriculture" were pre-water crisis.

Personally, I don't agree with either statement, having grown up around agriculture and now, of course, making a living in the timber industry. I believe that wood products and food production are pretty important and the economic impact of both are significant.

The Mazama Tree Farm is not all that important in my opinion under any ownership.

The lands have very little to offer with regards to timber production so that makes me wonder why they are so coveted in the water negotiations but I'll leave that one alone for the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and Tribe to work on.

In the meantime, though, Steve should remember that not everyone supports his position or the negotiations that have lead to the Mazama Tree Farm's use in spending public money.

Additionally, it would have been very helpful for the agricultural industry to hold the line together instead of splintering into dissenting groups much like what happened to the timber industry. The result was public confusion over the issues and the perception for many of a self-serving approach to the solution.

Best of luck on all of this and I will simply continue to support both industries as they have and will be the backbone of Klamath County's economy.

Mark Slezak