Going up in smoke

Thank you, Idaho Rivers United and organizations like yours, for protecting our environment and our way of life.

Thank you all for suing the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management and creating the conditions on our national forests and range lands that allow for catastrophic wildfires.

Thank you for caring so much that policies like yours are destroying critical species habitat, and millions of our wildlife perish every year because you think you know better how to manage these lands through litigation rather than the agencies and their trained personnel.

Thank you for caring so much for our children. Your actions to prevent the Idaho Department of Lands from managing our timber has led to the reduction in funding for Idaho's school children by $1.6 million.

Maybe you can make up the difference with the proceeds you collect through the American taxpayer using the Equal Access to Justice Act. Out of the goodness of your hearts, you can help rebuild the lives of those who have lost loved ones, those who were left homeless and help fund our children's education.

This might help us to understand that your actions are really for our benefit.

Jim Chmelik

Idaho County

commissioner

Cottonwood

Condolences

I just read with sadness Clarence Binninger's letter confirming that Flora Teachman has lost her home in the fires. I actually had been wondering how Flora was doing.

Flora, I am so sorry you lost your home. I have not been here that long. But in the time I have been here, you have written about your love of your home.

I know you said you are an early riser, as I am, and like to watch the wildlife while doing your Sudoku puzzles and probably composing your letters to the editor.

One thing we can agree on is that a place you love is not a house but a home. You also spoke of your family and some of your pets that enjoyed your home.

I can't remember if you said Joe and you built that home or not, as I believe you said Joe was a contractor/builder. I remember you talked about a sneaky cat that used to go to your daughter's room, slipping through a pocket door just in time!

All else aside, Flora, I am really sorry for your loss.

I hope you got whatever is most precious to you out of the home. I guess you did because you have all your memories.

Best to you, Flora.

Melodie L. Benker

Lewiston