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I encourage Ryan Zinke's stand on land management

| August 8, 2017 4:00 AM

With the negative responses to Ryan Zinke’s stand with land management issues, I want to encourage him.

We’re fourth-generation Flathead Valley natives and our great-grandparents homesteaded, developed and worked very hard to raise their children. We’re brought up to balance loving this beautiful country God has allowed us to live in and care for. We use the resources to make a living. We’ve sustained our livelihoods by being loggers, farmers, builders, mill workers, preachers, postal workers, truck drivers, homemakers, teachers ...

Towns were built around the lakes and rivers to carry the logs from this valley to this nation. Railroads and vehicles made life easier. The building of Hungry Horse Dam, the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier Park and the ski lifts created jobs to support families along with sharing the beauty to future generations.

It’s sad to see farm land disappearing and big business come. It’s hard to comprehend the same people holding up signs at rallies against Zinke not protecting farmers, or lumber companies, when it is where they get their food and homes. We need a balance, not extremism.

It takes us forever to drive the North Fork Road with so many pot holes and dust. How can slowing down protect the wildlife if neither we nor they can breathe because the dust is so thick and trees can’t give oxygen? Where is an environmental study? Are we preserving or protecting? It’s a hazard!

I love the North Fork. Please build a nice scenic road! Covered wagons couldn’t make it up there!

As for the grizzly bears, they’ll drift over the mountains due to over-population or there will be more “Night of the Grizzlies” stories and fewer tourists.

Part of the Silent Majority but still behind you, Mr. Zinke!

—Ronda Neitzling Kalispell