Reader responds to Moore

To the Editor:

Mr. Moore omitted a few things regarding Gov. Evers announcement on the completion of the Pelican River Forest (PRF) easement.

(As reported in the Jan. 30 edition of the River News). 

There is tremendous support for the PRF.  Local units of government and tribes along the first 100 miles of the Wolf River signed resolutions in support, from Schoepke to Shawano County. Rhinelander passed a resolution to support the PRF. Fifty nine local businesses and various groups signed public letters in support of the PRF. 

At the Oneida County PRF meeting last spring, where Sen. Mary Felzkowski spoke for 20  minutes against the PRF, there were over 100 citizens who came in support of the PRF and allowed only 3 minutes each. There was only one citizen who spoke against it. So I dispute Mr. Moore’s claim that Gov. Evers acted despite local opposition. There was ample support shown from day one, if only our politicians and newspaper paid attention.

 Mr. Roach’s comments, which he expressed in the County Board meeting on May 16, 2023 relative to the PRF, illustrate the contempt some on the Board have for constituents. He said, “But I don’t do necessarily what my constituents want.” In the same meeting where 50 people showed up to support the PRF, Mr. Roach proclaimed, “…These people that came here, there’s 50 people here. These are the people maybe that aren’t working that keep showing up.”  That’s an incredible insult to constituents who took time from work to be there in support of the PRF.

In the June 14, 2023 P&D meeting’s discussion on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the American Legion Forest, Scott Holewinski made his feelings regarding county constituents and conservation efforts clear, saying,  “Because they made that forest [American Legion Forest] for a handful of people who want to experience the wild. Well, if they want to experience the wild, move to Canada and get lost. There’s a lot of land up there to get lost in.”

Holewinski and Briggs sent letters to the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, purportedly on behalf of the County and all municipalities in the County, asking for “coordination” and asking that the funding for the easement be retracted.  These were not on county letterhead. Were these letters vetted by Corporation Counsel? I’d like to know. First off, four towns in Oneida County have resolutions supporting the PRF, so he does not speak for all the towns. Secondly, I do not see in any county meeting or minutes that Mr. Holewinski was granted authority to speak for the Board and seek the engagement of the US Forest Service in this matter. Official letters on plain paper using official titles seems a little suspect to me.

They and Mr. Roach do not care what their constituents want. Holewinski and Briggs presume to speak for everyone without consent from their respective boards. They have gone rogue. Election time is coming up. Why are we voting for people who don’t care what we think?

Dan Butkus

Waunakee and Crescent