Walking path

The walking path approved by the Lincoln County Commissioners is a more significant economic development tool than most people realize.

That path, connecting J. Neils Memorial County Park and the Heritage Museum links two community treasures and creates a third — the path. When that project is completed, our quality of life improves immediately and so does our desirability as a community.

I know it seems like such a small thing, but it is not. Anything that makes living here better for the local resident already here, is a significant lure to outside investment.

Speaking of investment, many communities in the West start non profit organizations for acquiring "open space." While that seems a little odd in a region where open space is not in shortage, it becomes that way close to fast developing communities. In the forested areas of the Inland Northwest, what is becoming rare is private timberland.

We need to follow up on the idea of community timberlands by starting an organization for acquiring those timberlands. Someplace people can donate money or land. A place that can accept grants, large grants from the various agencies, and organizations nationwide interested in the concept of community timberlands. — Roger Morris