Letter to the Editor:
My usual style in writing letters to newspapers is to be brief and non-confrontational because readers and writers in print have usually made up their minds about an issue, nor are many people changed by heated partisan rhetoric in public meetings.
So, those of us in favor of land preservation – wilderness or national monument – should focus our attention toward our elected representatives in the U. S. Congress and the White House.
National monument designation has a better chance than wilderness because it can be achieved by Presidential declaration without requiring Congressional approval.
Senators John D. Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, and Respresentative Nick Rahall have access to the White House. Rockefeller has nothing to lose politically because he is retiring at the end of this term Although Manchin initially was in favor of a national park designation, he became politically timid when challenged. Rahall is a supporter of land preservation, but he faces re-election and may also be timid. But they all need to hear from us. Here are their office phone numbers – call them to express your support.
Senator John D. Rockefeller 1-202-224-6472
Senator Joe Manchin 1-202-224-3954
Representative Nick Rahall 1-202-225-3452
Dick Evans
Hillsboro
