Managing forests to limit fires: Letters to the editor, Sept. 16, 2020

Need to manage our forests again

I am so tired of seeing those idiotic articles regarding forest fires each week! What is the description of insanity? Doing the same thing each time but expecting different results. Why not try something different? It’s a new idea called “forest management”:

▪ Allow ranchers to graze cattle on government land to keep the grass and brush down.

▪ Allow logging.

▪ Forest service can cut down damaged and diseased trees and allow the public to remove the wood for their own use.

BLM can lease land for a small fee. The public can build a small cabin and mine the land, then show proof of improvements.

This is what the state did for 100 years and we didn’t have the horrific fires and loss of life. In 1992 when Bill Clinton was elected, his minions ran off the public and destroyed all of the cabins. Some families lived there year around and raised cattle and cared for the land. The logging was stopped, the cattle were removed. Now California has to bring in logging from other states to remove trees and spend billions each year fighting fires. Liberal idiots!

Valadao did not solve water issue

David Valadao touts his ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans in a publication in The Fresno Bee on Aug. 26. He claims that delivering water to the Central Valley was his No. 1 goal when he represented the 21st District. He goes on to say that we need a representative in Washington who truly has our community’s needs at the forefront and is willing to work across the aisle.

He then criticizes TJ Cox for taking credit for the inclusion of a water infrastructure project funding in a bill. He then claims he has enough experience to know the bill’s language was crafted by Nancy Pelosi and radical Bay Area environmentalists. Sounds like a real bipartisan candidate.

Valadao was in Cngress for six years (2013-19) and acts like he solved all our water problems while there, which is not true. We still have water issues. Valadao claims all this knowledge and experience, but fails to mention that he has filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy asking the courts to forgive $13.6 million dollars in debts to over 100 creditors.

Can’t understand private schools

What are some private schools thinking? COVID-19 infections among children jumped by more than 20% during August, with now almost half a million coronavirus cases in the United States among youngsters. Yes, everybody wants “normal” education to continue, but at what price? Children who become ill can infect staff and family who may then have more serious cases than the kids themselves. We will never get out of this pandemic if people don’t obey medical and scientific advice, as well as use common sense.

I am glad to hear that Fresno County is still pursuing an injunction against the Immanuel Schools in Reedley. The schools’ administrators and family supporters are taking that iconic path to hell that is paved with good intentions. And they are taking the rest of us with them.

Farmers to Families a great help

I’m the lead pastor at Fowler Worship Center Church, a community-minded church with a great emphasis on compassion ministry. Our community and the Central Valley have been hit extremely hard by the current pandemic crisis. Many families have lost their jobs and are experiencing challenging economic times. The Farmers to Families Food Box Program has been an invaluable resource and a tremendous blessing to our community.

Because of this program, we are able to supply thousands of families all over the Central Valley with fresh, quality produce. People are lined up hours in advance at our weekly food outreach because of the great need for food. The food box program exudes the spirit of America — people help people in need. It creates a spirit of unity and connection as those less fortunate realize that others care and their needs are important.

The Farmers to Families Food Box Program is impacting the lives of the most vulnerable. The people who receive these much needed resources are so thankful and pray the program continues to be available.

This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Managing forests to limit fires: Letters to the editor, Sept. 16, 2020."