April 1, 2006

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BLM is proud to have helped the Stivers family

The safe return of the Ashland family stranded west of Glendale was a wonderful outcome for the family, searchers, and everyone involved in the rescue. We at the Bureau of Land Management are proud of our employees, Deston and John, who were part of the search and rescue effort and responded so effectively when they met the Stivers couple as they were hiking out on the road. Our people who work in the field were alerted to watch for the family, but nobody expected people to be on that route at this time of year. The seamless response from local, county and federal agencies was a key to getting the family back together.

The BLM employees who found them, and then led the rescue party back to the other four family members, were typical of all our employees. They work for BLM because they believe in public service. When called upon, they are there to help. Whether it’s fighting fires, or this week’s rescue, BLM employees work quietly and effectively. These two men, Deston and John viewed this as simply doing their job.

While we at BLM are proud to have played a part in the rescue of the Stivers family, we really value partnership efforts like those with the Ashland Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s offices from Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and Del Norte Counties, and Search and Rescue workers around the region. They worked diligently over the past two weeks trying to locate the family. We are fortunate that they led this effort and will be there the next time their services are needed. I know that all of us are delighted that this rescue resulted in a safe return of the Stivers family.

Thank you to all the local, county and federal employees who helped rescue this family.

Tim Reuwsaat
District Manager of the Medford District
Bureau of Land Management

Reflection upon the anniversary of war inspiring

I woke up Saturday morning full of gratitude. I want to thank the visionaries who realized that we need to remember and grieve on the anniversary of this day of infamy and who provided this opportunity for everyone. The day was flawless. Their vision, “Listening to All Voices,” is the only one that will move us past war.

I’ll be at the A Street Marketplace again this morning at 9 a.m. in hopes that we can go deeper still in dialog. I’m glad to have a place to express my grief and outrage, my frustration. It’s more important yet that I can learn how to step back from these and listen to what I have in common with people who don’t agree with me. I know from personal experience that Ashland is not a friendly place when we don’t fit the liberal profile. I heard it again recently from a woman who’s son is deployed in Iraq and whose daughter decided not to return from Germany when he was deployed because she felt that what she was going through would not be supported here in Ashland. Today, I hope to learn what I can do to continue engaging in face to face dialog.

Thank you Peace House, the League of Women Voters and everyone who worked to make Saturday so wonderful.

Priscilla High
Ashland

AFN has much to be appreciated

I’m not current on all the ramifications of the relationship between AFN subscriber numbers and their (our) financial problems.

But it seems rational to think that if the city/AFN could convince many who are paying another provider to support our community instead, the financial problems would be lessened.

To that end, I’d like to mention two special channels available on AFN, that most people don’t seem to be aware of: 1. FSTV has various programs on our government and what it is doing, our culture, and social issues, that are not covered elsewhere. 2. LIME provides coverage of environmental issues of interest. And, AFN offers our local access channels.

In my view, local ownership and local channel selection committee (rather than a corporate, profit-driven entity) is a big plus.

We’ve got AFN. Let’s appreciate it for the resource it is and come together to make it work.

Morty Smith
Ashland

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