Klamath River - Thomas Jefferson once said, “To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt … I am for a government rigorously frugal and simple.” Now we go to the polls to have our say on what will transpire so many years later!

October is such a beautiful month along the Klamath River! It is getting colorful slower than most years, but the colors are coming. I was told that the drive over Greyback is beautiful! If snow comes it will be closed, but that is the adventure of it all. It is always easiest to get to the Page Mountain Snow Park when there isn’t any snow! The beautiful weather isn’t what the deer hunters want to see, of course. I’ve talked with several who are still looking for that elusive big buck, but no one who has got their venison yet. Did hear about someone out to get a bear who found out that the bear reports were a bunch of woodpeckers rustling in the dried leaves and brush.

A friend was hearing lots of things falling in her backyard. Upon investigation, it wasn’t anything mysterious at all. The acorns were falling from her tree. Since I have some recipes from last year’s Selma Acorn Festival to try, I’m hoping there is a big crop this year! Speaking of acorns, since squirrels harvest nuts in October, this month is designated Squirrel Awareness Month. Who comes up with these “month designations?” – Probably the Squirrel Lovers Club. Doesn’t it also coincide with squirrel hunting?

One wildlife enthusiast blogger, who is especially fond of squirrels, says he advocates “Creation Stewardship.” He wants to “protect God’s wild creatures and recognize the complex and special role He gave each of them in their niche.” That’s my view, if we don’t exclude eating some, but I know that Happy Camp is a wonderful collage of various views on every topic! Only once in many years of column writing, has someone yelled at me over the phone. I’m always open to hearing the other side of the story, never felt endangered, and was really surprised to read that Chuck Lent feels it is “politically pretty dangerous to be too vocal” in the North Coast Journal. Heidi Walters suggested a name change for our town in an article titled “Unhappy Camp.” They certainly don’t know how much joy we have living here, walking in beauty everyday!

Heidi’s article was about the sign posted on Parry’s Market. Anyone who knows the Parry’s Management knows how very much they contribute to the community, from a banquet for the Boy Scouts, to fund raisers for 4H and myriad other organizations. They have been most ardent supporters in efforts to keep the children of our community sober and safe from drugs and alcohol – with their beautiful family! But even if that were not the case, they have just as much right to state their stand as those whose views are different. Freedom of speech is guaranteed by our Constitution in the United States.

They think a sign saying “No monument” is angry? How about Klamath Siskiyous Wildlands Center, proposing the federal monument status for our lands? Yet they refused to meet with Siskiyou County supervisors, as if they don’t want to talk about it or don’t have a rational explanation. We have heard their claims that it would help the area economically before. Taking the USE of one’s private property is the problem. We aren’t concerned with road BUILDING as much as road closures as in past experience with monument designation.

They complain about trails not being maintained, but want to cut out more roads? Yet there is no scientific proof that taking our dams, stopping dredging, or locking up all the land here will help the salmon or any other wildlife. Those who live here are ones fighting invasive weeds and caring for the habitat.

KSWC literature says that they protest the fire salvage up Elk Creek. It’s really amazing that anyone would prefer that burned DEAD trees should remain after a wildfire. Lightning repeatedly starts fires there that race toward homes, Elk Creek Campground and the town of Happy Camp. Dead trees and fuel will just make the next wildfire increasingly catastrophic. And their propaganda promotes “preserving this area with little or no human habitation.”

So good to read comments on the article from a Layton who, growing up in Happy Camp “had a great life. What a beautiful place to raise a family, and be able to make a good living, We swam in Elk Creek, Indian Creek… floated the Klamath, rode horses and camped on the beautiful mountains….before the spotted owl and environmental insanities set in.” Good to hear Reno Flores and remember the cute kids, that, no doubt, have grown up by now!

We are grateful for our neighbors even if their views differ from ours, we learn through honest debate. Thank the Lord for our freedoms of speech. Today we can all express out views and we can go to the ballot box and make our decisions about making things right in our community!

Judy Bushy lives along the wild and scenic Klamath River in the town of Happy Camp; contact her at (530) 493-5248l or Klamath Neighbors Mission, P.O. Box 1675, Happy Camp, CA 96039.2