In 2002 , we moved to Arizona. Two weeks later Arizona experienced the largest wildfire in its history. This year that fire damage was exceeded by the Wallow Fire. The question is Why. Having lived thru the Rodeo Chediski fire, and studying the issues, such as forest management, fire suppression, fire fighting, specifically with aircraft. I came to some obvious conclusions. The western states were under attack by Environmental groups,USDA,BLM,Interior Department,Sierra Club,Nature Conservancy, State agency failures and an uneducated group of County Commissioners not just in Arizona, but in every state in the Union. Well that’s all changing now.
Over the past few years , we have seen the process of taking our country back one county at a time. Otero County New Mexico and the County Commissioners there have steadily been working on restoring the authority granted to them by the U.S. Constitution. In short the authority to oversee and manage county land within their boundaries lies with in the power of the County Sheriff and the County Commissioner. The authority that can exist outside of the County Sheriff and the County commission exists by a granting of said authority by the County Sheriff and the County Commissioner. In addition any authority granted to any agency out side of the Sheriff and Commission , does not go into perpetuity. To many people falsely believe that the ultimate authority exists in Washington DC. Remember, the Local Government Elected body is the Grantor, the State and Federal government is the Grantee. Period.
So here is the news that will shake up every county, for certain , in every county in the 17 western states. On September the 17 2011. There is going to be a Tree Cutting ceremony, Lincoln National Forest in the town of Cloudcroft New Mexico. It will take place in conjunction with Lumberjack Days. Sanctioned and authorized by the Otero County Commissioners, led by Commissioner Rardin, and Sheriff Benny House. U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce will personally cut down the first tree. Congressman Steve Pearce is the Chairman of the Western Caucus. We are looking for constitutional common sense support from this caucus going forward. There will be several hundred there, from New Mexico, and Arizona, including myself. A logging company from the state of Washington will be there and will continue with the thinning of Lincoln National forest. Bringing with them a ready to go sawmill.
A study was done back in 2001 by Doc Garrett that concluded that Lincoln National Forest was the worst managed forest in the United States and faced massive damage from wild-fire not to exclude devastation to life , liberty, and private property as well. In that study, the Apache/Sitgreaves National forest came in second. However in 2002 the Apache/Sitgreaves National forest lost 489 thousand acres of prime timber , lives , wildlife and property damage, and again in 2011 the Wallow fire consumed in excess of 500 thousand acres of prime timber, several homes, wild life and property damage also. Several years ago, the Otero County commissioners had the wisdom and spine to refuse those traitors that were wanting to designate Lincoln National Forest as a World Heritage Site. It’s unfortunate that Arizona and Colorado failed to save the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National park from that same fate. But stand by, it aint over.
So to sum up , many of these issues that local , county and state governments have turned over to the federal government. Americans now understand more and more, that Washington DC is not the answer. We now have Sheriffs all over the west stepping up , Sheriff Paul Babeau Pinal County Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpio Maricopa County Arizona, Sheriff Glenn Palmer Grant County Oregon, Sheriff Benny House Otero County New Mexico, Sheriff Louis Burkhard, Sierra County Sheriff Joe Baca. These Sheriffs are the cornerstone for your protections under the Constitution.
Many of us that have been fighting the failures of the Federal Government thru their agencies such as the US forest service,blm,department of ag, and department of interior. Have long waited patiently for the events that are unfolding every day.
America, this is our country, it does not belong to the beltway or anyone, any agency,any political party or president. It belongs to “We the People”. Let us never forget that.
So on September 17 2011 , lets all show our support for life , liberty , and private property,. Join Congressman Steve Pearce , the County commissioners, led by Ronnie Rardin, County Sheriff Benny House , in this historic , revolutionary event. An event that will jump-start local economies thru out the west, by returning to the proper management of our forest lands. Providing jobs, lumber for homes, preserving water and other natural resources that have been under threat for decades. It’s a good time to be alive in the West.
Bruce Olsen The Arizona Sentinel
Navajo County Arizona See below:
Monday, August 29, 2011
Pearce to attend emergency tree cutting; Cowboy Dinner & Dance postponed so folks can support Otero County
Otero County “Emergency Plan” Launches Local Environmental Resource ManagementCloudcroft, NM (August 26, 2011) Congressman Steve Pearce will participate in Otero County’s emergency tree cutting plan on September 17, 2011. Cutting will take place on one acre of the Lincoln National Forest near Cloudcroft in efforts to clean up the forest and decrease the spread of fires.
“This is an important day for New Mexico,” said Pearce. “I look forward to joining in this effort to restore common-sense forest management to New Mexico. It has been an uphill battle to begin logging again in New Mexico, but September 17th will mark the beginning of increased public safety and local environmental resource management. Fires have devastated overgrown forests, and it is time to take back our forests and protect our families. I commend the Otero County Commissioners for their efforts to bring the power back to local government.”
The Otero County Commission voted in June to create an emergency plan, allowing the county to forego U.S. Forest Service policy and cut trees in the event of an emergency. They created an 80,000-acre plan that calls for responsible management to protect local watershed and prevent fires that have threatened Cloudcroft for many years.
Otero County Commissioner Ronny Rardin has spearheaded efforts to thin the forest around Cloudcroft. “This is not just about a tree,” said Rardin. “It’s about the fact that our county has been in a declared state of emergency for quite some time now because of severe drought. Our forest has been overcrowded for too long. We are going to show the world what an acre of forest land should look like.”
The public is invited to attend the event, which will take place during Cloudcroft’s annual “Lumberjack Day” festivities at 12:00 noon on September 17th.
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Hidalgo County Cowboy Dinner and Dance Postponed in Support of Otero County’s Emergency Tree Cutting Plan
Animas, NM (August 30, 2011) The 3rd Annual Hidalgo County Cowboy Dinner and Dance, scheduled for September 17, 2011 in Animas, NM will be postponed in support of Otero County Commission’s emergency action plan to assume responsibility of forest management in Lincoln National Forest. Cutting of the first tree is planned on September 17, 2011.
“For years Otero County has been trying to get the U.S. Forest Service to properly manage National Forest lands in their county. Now they’re drawing a line in the sand. Either the Forest Service starts actively managing the National Forest in Otero County or the county will”, states Judy Keeler, President of Hidalgo County Cattle Growers and one of the sponsors of the dinner/dance. “We’ll be there to show our support on September 17th when Congressman Peace and the Otero County Commissioners cut down the first tree” she
declares.
The music for the fourteen Cowboy Dinner and Dances held since August 2008 has been provided by Joe Delk and Bucky Allred with The Delk Band and other musical friends. The events are held in honor of rural families, rural traditions and our rural heritage. There has never been an admission charge for these events. Financial support is only through donations.
“The multiple-use of our federal lands is crucial for our local economies and counties have got to stand up and assert their authority to insure involvement in the management decisions of federal agencies, especially when it impacts the socio-economic fabric of the community. Hidalgo County folks will gladly forgo this year’s dinner/dance fundraiser to stand up for Otero County’s decision to take back their forest” states Delk.
Cowboy Dinner & Dance fundraisers are held to support the efforts of the Gila Livestock Grower’s Association and the Catron County’s Americans for Preserving our Western Environment to raise funds to fight the actions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction program. The citizens of Catron County are bearing the disproportionate share of the socio-economic burden of this absurd program.
Judy Keeler says, “Come to Cloudcroft on September 17, 2011 to show your support”!
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