Pubdate: Sun, 12 Aug 2007
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2007 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: Bill Hyde

METH LABS ARE DANGEROUS

I understand that it is customarily editors and not the writer of a 
news story who pens the headline, but in reading your recent 
"Homeless face new harsher wilderness" article, I concluded that the 
title fits the tone.

I commend the efforts of Ranger Rick Lint and his staff to make the 
Ocala National Forest a cleaner and safer place for visitors. 
However, the newspaper's article makes it sound like the ranger is 
harassing the poor and disadvantaged. This is simply not the case. 
Reading the comments posted online, it would seem that other readers agree.

My wife and I are just a couple of old folks who would like to be 
able to enjoy a quiet picnic there, but until recently, we chose not 
to do so. Our first experiences in Ocala two years ago caused us to 
abandon that activity. We were unable to find even one camping or 
picnicking site where we were comfortable. A typical site would be 
filled with homesteaders who used the campground for their personal 
residence and made it clear to "outsiders" that we were not welcome 
in their home. We found that unoccupied tables would be piled with 
personal belongings or trash, mostly empty beer cans so as to keep 
casual visitors from using the area.

I would hope also that the newspaper realizes the danger to the 
public posed by the meth-lab situation. You will not get me to 
believe for one second that many of these homesteaders were not 
engaged in this highly dangerous illegal activity.

The recent efforts by the forest service to clean up the forest and 
make it a safer, more enjoyable place for visitors should be lauded, 
not lamented.

Bill Hyde, Oviedo
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom