Apparently, Michael Bard of Waterbury Center was at a different set of meetings hosted by the U.S. Forest Service than the rest of us attended.

If he had been at the same meeting he would have seen time and again for years, overwhelming support for federally designated wilderness in Vermont, easily three times the proposed amount in the Forest Service's proposal, a handout in the end to special interest lobbying, like OHV and Big Timber.

It is never about management and always about money! As far as one percent of Vermont "using" forest preserved as wilderness, if you breathe, you should think again. More wilderness, not less, is the priceless alternative to rampant profit-driven destruction and disrespect!

Michael Feiner

Marlboro