Nero the hero fiddles away while Constitution burns

Our president shows many signs of confusion/mental decline/inability to concentrate, which should be honestly addressed.

In addition, I question all those Republicans who slavishly support policies which are detrimental to our residents and to our country’s standing in the world — in economics, education, health, science, diversity, trade, environment, trust, law and morality.

A country of law and order does not bomb an unidentified boat in international waters. You can say it was carrying drugs to our country, but no proof.

A country of law and order does not declare war on its own cities. You can say it’s because of crime, or it’s “a hell hole,” but no proof.

Troops could have been called out when we did have crime in Washington, D.C., high crimes against our country, but that did not happen then. Those convicted of conspiring against our government have curiously been pardoned by this president. Law and order?

If he had rhythm, this Nero who keeps telling us he’s a hero would fiddle while our Constitution burns.

Becky Durr

Aberdeen

Trust lands under threat in Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Skamania counties

Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove’s plan to remove 77,000 acres of forest from sustainable harvest is one more act of dismantling a special trust the state has with counties like Grays Harbor.

I’m disappointed but not surprised. Since day one, his Department of Natural Resources has paused timber sales on county trust land. As much as $1.3 million in non-tax revenues — money that could be supporting classrooms, county roads and essential services like hospitals, libraries ports and school districts — has been frozen for Grays Harbor, Pacific and Skamania counties. Does the Commissioner know he’s breaking an agreement almost a century old? If he doesn’t, here’s a short history lesson.

During the Great Depression, counties like Grays Harbor deeded thousands of acres of tax-foreclosed timberlands to the state. The Legislature affirmed the state would manage them as working forests; revenues would return to counties to sustain vital services.

Ultimately the State Supreme Court confirmed these are enforceable trusts, requiring the state to act as a fiduciary with undivided loyalty to the counties.

What should alarm Grays Harbor’s leaders is that Upthegrove knows there’s another even bigger hit coming.

A new regulation from Olympia requiring extreme additions to existing buffers on streams with no fish would reduce harvests from private working forests, shrinking the timber excise tax base. For Grays Harbor, that means $8.6 million in potential excise taxes — dollars that could pay for general county services such as law enforcement, courts, elections and administration.

It’s time to insist that Olympia unfreeze timber sales, stop the permanent set-aside, and reject the proposed Np rule before more damage is done.

Wade Boyd

PhD retired

Forester

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