Let's set the record straight on BLM plan Editor: I would like to set the record straight in response to a letter to the editor recently submitted by Mr. Bill Ward (“BLM Travel Plan flawed,” Nov. 14 issue of the Journal). Mr. Ward made some salient points in the hearing we had on Nov. 7 and definitely influenced my own opinion. But some corrections are in order. Separation of Users: Although the county is proposing that the BLM lands in the valley be managed for multiple use, we know from the results of 16 focus groups our residents feel they benefit more from their experience if they can go to areas specifically managed for their favored pursuit. For instance, much of the land west of Hailey will be managed for motorized recreation. You can also hike, ride your bike or horse in the same area, but you know ahead of time to expect the motorized users. If you prefer not to have that experience, we are proposing designated areas that are primarily managed for hiking and others for equestrian. It is true that in these areas, dirt bikes will be excluded but as a percentage, they are very small. For example, almost the entire east side of the valley will continue to be managed for summer multiple use. Winter Closure: The initial plan also proposed a winter closure to almost all areas east of Highway 75 other than several snowmobile access corridors because managers from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game identified the area as critical big game winter habitat. However, as a result of public input that pointed out Fish & Game contradictions, I now believe that the plan needs modification and will have a new proposal by our Dec. 3 meeting to review. Private Land: Bill also brings up the point that the management maps included private land. Ed Urhig made some good points on this in the meeting so I have asked our GIS department to screen out those lands on another map product so we have a better visual understanding of the area and to distinguish lands on which we recreate that are private but we assume are public. Deadline: Bill is incorrect about a Jan. 1 deadline. Although the County Commissioners will hopefully be able to come up with a recommendation to the BLM by the end of this year (it's been in process for two years), there is no hard deadline. After we conclude our process and make a recommendation to the BLM, provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) require that the proposal be once again scrutinized by the public which, if we are lucky, will only take two years and input will be solicited once again. The rest of Bill's comments are his own opinion and it is helpful to have him involved so those views are represented. However, a large majority of the public comments from people who understand the plan are generally in favor. The focus groups we organized that are the foundation of this proposal were well advertised but I understand people are busy and may have missed them. We do want everyone interested to understand and comment on the proposal so please plan to attend our next meeting, which is Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Old Blaine County Courthouse. New maps will be available for review at the Courthouse by Nov. 28. Please call me at 788-5500 if you have any questions regarding the next hearing. Tom Bowman Chairman, Board of Blaine County Commissioners
Flexibility needed on public lands Editor: We have lived in the Wood River Valley for 25 years and have lived in Indian Creek for a large part of that time. In looking at the proposed BLM Travel Plan we have a lot of concerns that we would like to bring to your attention for further consideration. We realize the amount of time and effort that has been spent on developing the new Travel Plan and I am sure it is very difficult to make all of the various user groups happy. It does seem to us that the Winter/Seasonal Area of Critical Environmental Concern has not been given enough thought or possibly not enough public input has been gathered to make a rational decision. We moved to the Wood River Valley to enjoy the recreational opportunities that exist right out our back door. I look back at the many hours my 10-year-old daughter has spent with her friends towing each other around on a sled behind their little snowmobile on an open field in BLM land adjacent to Indian Creek property. We go out our door and back country ski the peaks we can see from our living room. We ride right from the house on our snowmobiles to enjoy the mountains we love to live in. We put on our snowshoes and hike the mountains to take pictures and look at animal tracks in the snow. The Winter/Seasonal ACEC closure plans to take all of this away. I enjoy hunting and spend a lot of time in the mountains in the spring, summer, fall and winter. I have watched the elk herds over the years, and like most people I know, respect their wintering grounds. In Indian Creek for example, the elk winter on the south facing slopes generally very close to the mouth of Indian Creek bordering Buttercup road. The elk generally winter on slopes and valley bottoms that have the least amount of snow. These areas aren't so appealing to the recreational user. These are relatively small areas that the animals return to year after year and are areas that we have stayed away from for years. It seems to me that there must be a way to educate people on these wintering areas and leave the thousands of remaining acres open to public use. In considering the new travel plan, please allow the various user groups to work together. It seems as though the proposed Travel Plan is trying to pigeon hole every user for a very specific area and use. We are a nation of freedom and integration. I think we should be able to manage our public land in a simple way where we are considerate of each other and the animals we coexist with. Please keep our pubic land open to the public. Johnny and Shauna Unser Hailey
Speak now on recreation plan Editor: I read with interest the letter written by Bill Ward regarding the BLM Travel Plan in your last publication. I was so moved by the letter that I felt compelled to contact Mr. Ward. The passion with which he embraces the problems and complexities of the BLM plan were evident during our conversation. I do not live in the valley but I regularly visit to enjoy the many outdoor activities the valley has to offer both residents and non-residents. I visit, I stay, I play and I spend my hard-earned dollars at local hotels, restaurants and shops. I have seen first hand the camaraderie shared by the multi faceted users of the trail systems and their shared love of the outdoors mentioned by Mr. Ward. Last summer I had a great conversation with two women on horseback who had stopped to talk with a mountain biker. The mountain biker had a flat tire and we had a spare tube for him in our gear from a previous mountain biking trip. I was riding a motorcycle. The respect for fellow users that Mr. Ward talked about was more than evident in that encounter. It is time for valley residents to stand up for their right to use and enjoy the surrounding mountains, trails and access points on public ground that is paid for and in many cases maintained by the public. It seems that the study done omitted a very important component in that it neglected the opinion of the users that enjoy and financially support these areas. I would urge Blaine county residents to be the “vocal majority” lest they will forever be robbed of the treasures surrounding their communities. Your right to use these lands will terminate in just a few short weeks if this is allowed to take effect on Jan. 1, 2008. Your right to speak and voice your opinion will be gone after the next meeting on Dec. 3. As to Mr. Wards mention of wildlife management and predator control he again hits the nail right on the head. Although this is a hot button subject it must be one of concern for outdoor enthusiasts of every stripe. As Idaho residents we must think biologically and not emotionally. Neglecting these proliferating predator issues will eventually not only endanger the users of the areas in question but will also lead to possible loss of pets, livestock and human tragedy. The optimum numbers for all game animals, large and small, given the carrying capacity of the land, is endangered by the overpopulation of predators and the lack of management of same. The clock is ticking. Don't let Mr. Ward and a handful of others go it alone when your voice could make the difference. Bart Lockhart McCall Elk and sleighs in Warm Springs Editor: This is just a little note to thank the Fish & Game Department for protecting the elk at Warm Springs Ranch. For 14 years, we ran the Warm Springs Sleigh rides and fed the elk that got trapped on that side of the ski hill by the snows and the skiers. We fed the elk to keep them from getting into the pens with our horses and to prevent stress from our presence. The neighbors usually appreciated that as this helped them to maintain their expensive landscaping. Unfortunately, the former owner at Warm Springs died and the new owners are being put through their paces by Fish & Game and the bureaucrats at Fish & Game are wielding their power with a heavy hand. I have it on good authority that if the new owners ever want to get any cooperation from them they have to continue with their waltzing lessons. Word is that they have been told not to let us in there to run our little business on their property, as we might disturb the elk. When we fed the elk (at our expense) it didn't disturb them. They settled in to the routine in about three days. However, we did comply with the new rules for two years, running our sleighs without feeding anything but our horses. They got used to us, even without the extra grub. We built our fences high enough to keep them from getting in and damaging our horses. Now for no apparent reason, Fish & Game are earning their wages by telling Ketchum businessmen who they can collect rent from, and putting Blaine County residents out of business. On a further note, two years ago (the first year we didn't feed them), I got reports from the neighbors that the calves were starving. This must have gotten back to Fish & Game. Last year, they spent your tax money to feed those unfortunates so they could trap them, saw off their antlers, and haul them to a less public area to feed them. They seem to have been introduced to stress by the Fish & Game. I know just how they feel. I've been selling sleigh rides since before most of those pencil pushers were out of diapers. It took them three years but they have stressed this old handicapped veteran out of business. Thanks again Fish & Game for protecting our elk. Lawrence Kimball Warm Springs Sleighs
Vote for Marvel Editor: Stefanie Marvel has impacted and improved all our lives in the City of Hailey. I had the privilege of first working with Stefanie on the library board 20 years ago. At that time our one small room library wanted to purchase a set of encyclopedias. Stefanie, as the Library Board President had the vision and motivation to pursue a campaign that not only purchased the encyclopedias, but obtained a bond, which allowed our city to purchase the Fox Building and build our present library and city offices. Stefanie's experience and commitment to Hailey will continue to work hard for you as she has done over and over in the past. She has gone on to be a founding member and served three years on the board of the Parks & Lands Board, served on the Hailey Arts Committee, the Hailey Transportation Committee, and the Hailey Development Impact Fee Committee. At present she is current chairperson on the Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission. Stefanie's passion to continue to make Hailey a flourishing community, without sacrificing its “small town” atmosphere and values makes her my choice to elect as an outstanding member of the Hailey City Council. I urge all Hailey registered voters to get out and vote for Stefanie Marvel on or before Dec. 4. Her hard work and achievements for Hailey deserve our support.   Geegee Lowe Hailey
Master planning, anyone? Editor: In the discussion concerning the development proposed at Warm Springs Ranch, one issue seems to be frequently ignored-the need for a comprehensive master plan for all of Warm Springs, from Highway 75 to Upper Board Ranch. The city of Ketchum should be applauded for beginning a transportation study for much of this area but transportation is only one part of master planning. How will the proposed hotel and development affect existing and future community and emergency services, infrastructure, recreation opportunities, workforce housing, etc.? What will be the cumulative impacts from this project in the context of future development for the entire Warm Springs area, including another proposed hotel at the base of Warm Springs? How will this project affect existing uses and influence future development? Many who support this project argue that our resort community is stagnant, that we must act now and rush the proposal through. I understand and appreciate their concerns. Unfortunately, good planning takes time to consider all the consequences. Spot zoning any project should be undertaken skeptically and master planning is a better process to analyze a project of this magnitude. As an organization, Citizens for Smart Growth believes in careful, peer-reviewed, community supported planning as the best tool to manage all the interrelated aspects of growth. Careful planning builds vibrant and livable communities with healthy economies. Steve Wolper Board Member Citizens for Smart Growth
Grateful for caring community Editor: Until something bad actually happens to you, you can only guess at what a great community we live in. A perfect example is the outpouring of love, compassion, prayers and friendship shown to us at the time of our dad's passing. We are so profoundly grateful to have you all as our neighbors and friends. Sun Valley Company, thank you for everything you did. Dad loved you all and you have shown us why. The venue was incredible; he would have loved the party. Theresa at Our Lady of the Snows Church and Choir, the service was perfect. You sang so beautifully. Thank you. Carolyn and the Hospice volunteers, you made it possible for him to be at home; the home he built over 40 years ago. Thank you. Friends and neighbors, your food, flowers, cards and calls will never be forgotten. Dad loved the people in this valley, with very good reason. You are awesome and we thank you. Now if Dad can just put in a good word for some snow, now that would be the icing on his cake. The Jack Flaherty family Ketchum
Book Fair successful Editor: A huge thank you goes out to all the people who generously donated time and materials to the Bellevue Elementary School Book Fair. The successful book fair will benefit our students with new books available to them through the school library. A special thank you goes to the following people: Janet Barton, Lisa Avison, Doreen Neel, Kitty Barber, Lia Johnson, Jennifer Card, Erica Lauritsen, Pamela Reichman, Melissa Ayres, Ken and Cindy Ward, and also a huge thank you to Greg and Tiffany Nielson with the Books Are Fun Company for supplying us with a wonderful selection of books. Thank you to the many people who generously donated books to the library and classrooms. Without all of these people working together, we would never have been able to accomplish such a worthwhile fundraiser. Norma Yager Bellevue Elementary Librarian
Pumpkin Festival a smash Editor: The Bellevue Park committee would like to thank the following people for another very successful Pumpkin Festival: Jim B with Hagerman Pumpkins for Pumpkin Donation; Atkinsons' Market for food and candy donations; Leo Schoefield for donating the train rides; Bellevue Fire Department and Hailey Police Department for assistance with the parade; Business as Usual for the discount on the flyers; Inflatable Bouncy Toy Rental Company for the discount on the bouncy toy; Big Wood Cinemas free movie passes; Subway for gift certificates ; Park Volunteers Sabrina Bourgette, Callie Bourgette, Jared Levasseur, Jasmine Schoefield Eaton and Zully. We would also like to give a special thanks to the community for their continued support of the Pumpkin Festival.   Brian Bourgette & The Bellevue Park Committee  
Ford should be held accountable Editor: We are writing this letter for several reasons. Our son, Jess, was injured in an automobile accident three years ago on Lower Broadford Road. He was a seat belted passenger in the front seat of a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The driver had just recently acquired his license and his lifelong friend was in the back seat. None of the boys were drinking or doing drugs. They had just been out to dinner at Zou 75 with one of the boy's parents and were on their way home to watch a movie when the accident happened. Jess suffered a severe traumatic brain injury known in the medical world as a TBI. He is at home with us but confined to a wheelchair and cannot walk, talk, laugh or cry and he is on a feeding tube. We are not trying to cry on your shoulder, we want to ask for your help. We want you to listen. A few months ago, an article was published regarding a lawsuit that we were involved in, Matey v. Ford. The article stated that there was a punishment enforced on several jurors that had not showed up for jury duty. We want to thank those of you who did show up. We realize it was a grueling procedure in which more than 100 people were questioned and put on the spot to express their opinions and their thoughts about lawsuits, accidents, car manufacturers, Jess, our family and brain injuries. Many stated how they did not believe in “suing” and wanted no part of the legal system. Several were very emotional because they did know us and felt they could not be bi-partisan. The rest had every excuse in the book, some legitimate, some pretty unbelievable. Two days later, the jury was selected. We sat for three weeks in the courtroom reliving the accident, hearing over and over again the grim medical evaluations of our son's condition, watching, listening and hurting. We became very emotionally drained and frustrated. We wanted so desperately to tell the world why we were really there. We were not there for the reason many assumedŠfor the money. No amount of money can replace what Jess and we have lost. We were there to help prevent another son, daughter, mother, father, precious life and family from going through what we have been through. How do we tell the world about the tragedy of losing a son to such a catastrophic injury and the helpless feeling knowing there is nowhere to turn or nothing we can do to change the outcome? How do we tell the world without a lawsuit? Who would listen to a mother and father crying out to the world and asking it to do the research and to look at the statistics of how many rollovers, in particular Ford Explorer rollovers and roof crushes exist. How could we show that for a minimal $46 Ford could have reinforced it's roof and our son would be laughing, doing the sports he loves, going to college with his peers, hugging family and friends and sharing his dreams and goals? For a mere $46 the course of events could have been so different. Yes, the driver was speeding and inexperienced. The driver lost control of a vehicle known for its instability and weak roof system and rolled into a tree, crushing the roof at only 12 miles per hour. The roof crushed onto our son's head. He and the driver had no chance to get out of the way of the roof coming down on them. The driver did cause the accident, but the vehicle caused our son's severe injury. How do we make the public aware and make the manufacturer of that vehicle responsible for what happened to our son without going through a lawsuit and “hitting them in the pocketbook”? Who would listen to the outcries of brokenhearted parents who want so desperately to alert other parents, other teenagers and the world of how lives can be destroyed in 1.2 seconds? There is a purpose for lawsuits, there is a reason to prove negligence, there is reason to make headlines, there is a reason to serve as a juror and there is a reason for everyone to listen. We tried to prove that the laws governing these large auto manufacturers are not tough enough with the help of experts. We couldn't disclose the hidden documents or the fudging of numbers to meet the weight restrictions. “Ford has obtained protective orders in 24 courts prohibiting the public from seeing what we released today - dynamic roof crush tests that show Volvo XC90 occupants escape serious injury in multiple rollover crashes while Ford Explorer occupants suffer serious injury,” said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. Ford owns Volvo. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) needs to update the FMVSS 216 rule to require more roof protection. The 216 rule governs the roof strength of our vehicles in this country and at present, it would pass a convertible. How do we change rules that put our loved ones in danger when we don't even know they exist or understand the system? We are told that our vehicles are safe and we trust that information. You can do your own research. Only in the last year has there been any public information on this very serious situation. Go to this Web site: www.peoplesafeinrollovers.org. A mother of 7, the Erin Brockavich of rollovers and roof crush started a non profit foundation to help bring this issue to the attention of the public. She has been before the U.S. Senate Committee with petitions and proof. We need your help. Sign a petition from her website. Support this foundation that is trying to safe lives. Is the car you trust your life or the life of someone you love safe? We lost our lawsuit. The jury found a 19-year-old boy, our son's friend, 100 percent responsible for the accident and the injury to our son. They awarded Jess $31 million (because they felt he deserved all he could get) from a boy who has nothing. That boy was also injured with a TBI and lost the sight in one eye from the roof crushing on him. For some reason, we, with our incredible experts could not get across to the jurors and judge that Ford was really responsible for the injuries to these innocent wonderful boys. The jury did not understand that they had the opportunity to right a wrong and to help us change a company's attitude to its obligation to the safety of their consumers. They could have helped us show that Ford should not be driven by the “all mighty dollar” and that they should stop devastating lives. Don't be afraid to do your part as a juror. What if it was your son that needed defended? What if it was your cause you wanted to be heard? Who would you want to show up? Even though we lost the lawsuit, our story will continue to be heard. With donations and help from HYPERLINK "http://www.peoplesafeinrollovers.org/" www.peoplesafeinrollovers.org, we are putting up a billboard “In Honor of Jess Matey” in Boise that will alert the public of the need for safer roofs and stronger regulations in our automobiles. We hope to also put up a banner in Hailey. We have a wonderful information highwayŠthe Internet. Watch this videos on www.peoplesafeinrollovers.org, look up “TLPJ and Public Citizen Challenge Court Order-Sealing “Smoking Gun” Documents that Show Ford Weakened Explorer Roof”, look up the major class action lawsuit going on right now in California on behalf of 414,000 Explorer buyers that want Ford to be accountable for their actions. Ford has always known that the Explorer had major stability and roof strength problems but decided it was “more profitable” to produce the vehicle without changing the dangerous design. Ford has been ordered to pay out over $200 million in damages over these issues so far. At least someone is listening. Will you? Pam & Chris Matey Joey, Angela & Jamie Campbell
The troops always deserve our support Editor: I'd never heard of “A Hero's Welcome” www.AHeros-welcome.org) or its unabashedly selfless and inspirational creator, Sharon Hyland Keyser (who left a six-figure corporate job to start it and whose husband, Ian, is currently serving in Iraq), until I saw her interviewed Nov. 13 on CNN's “Glenn Beck” program. But she did inspire me-not only to send her very worthwhile and rather unique group a donation, but also to broach the subject of perhaps starting at least a couple of chapters here in Idaho, including one somewhere in Blaine County, and also in Boise or Twin Falls. Designed to “organize and encourage Americans to welcome home our brave military personnel from the War in a manner befitting a hometown hero,” A Hero's Welcome (webmaster@aHeros-welcome.org ) seems like the sort of group many regions of the U.S. would benefit greatly from ... but right now, sadly, Keyser's fledgling group only has enough money and members to serve the Philadelphia area-although it's clear from talking with her she'd love to have people in other regions follow her incredible lead. I'm not sure what it all entails, or how time-consuming it might be for those of us who do start a chapter here, but I'm certainly willing to do what I can to get a chapter here up and running so if you can help in some way (i.e, with a donation to her Pennsylvania-based chapter and/or with helping establish a Blaine County chapter-please call (725-4056) or write me (P.O. Box 5134, Ketchum) and let's see what we can do. Regardless of what we may feel about the Iraq War, thanking our troops for their service there is something all of us should be willing to do, and this group seems like a great way to do just that... John Pluntze Ketchum