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Sample Letter 1
Stress Away Therapeutic Massage
P. O. Box 294
Jasper, IN 47546
July 30, 2010
Dear Senator Young:
As a citizen and small business owner, affected by the economy, the environment, and the future of Dubois County, the county in which I live and work, I would like to share a concern as well as propose a solution to the concern.
I certainly understand the need to keep our economy strong and am appreciative of the effort you are making to support Indiana as we work our way through this recession. I also understand the importance of utilizing our resources to the best of their ability for the sake of our citizens.
I am deeply concerned with the extensive increase in cutting of the Ferdinand State Forest. Not only is this a small, public forest, but it is practically my back yard. I have educated myself on the various scientific opinions regarding healthy cutting/harvesting/logging and recognize that some are more long-term sustainable than others.
I realize that not all foresters adhere to the same sustainability practices, but the ones that recognize the value of long term sustainability could be incredibly valuable to our private, commercial landowners. Instead of targeting such small public lands to log, could we not offer the consulting services of these foresters to our private landowners?
This consultation could yield increased harvests for the private land owners, resulting in greater revenue. As a business owner, I would value and expect to pay for such revenue-building services. A stipend for the foresters could be established based upon a percentage of increased logging revenue, benefiting Indiana’s bottom line. I am sure there would be a variety of details to work out, but it seems like a win-win to me. I have heard bits and pieces of this concept mentioned by those that better understand forest maintenance than I do.
It seems supporting, instead of competing with, the private landowners would more effectively improve our economy. In addition, our Ferdinand State Forest could continue to develop without cutting, perhaps allowing for the growth of trees that would increase tourism, as is available in other parts of the country. Southern Indiana is so beautiful and could be marketed and enjoyed by more families with our forest in tact and unblemished by logging.
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion on this matter and I wish you the best as you continue to serve the great State of Indiana.
Sincerely,
Kris Lasher, CMT
Stress Away Therapeutic Massage
812-631-2020
stressawaylasher@gmail.com
Sample Letter #2
Dear John Davis,
I think that it is bad public policy to log on publicly owned land. I am not against responsible forest management, but I believe that selling timber creates a potential conflict with ‘best practices’ that can and should be avoided.
Thank you for your time,
Bruce Liles
1316 Kundek
Jasper, Indiana
