Supporters of byway are in the minority

After reading Mr. Lawrence Fury's letter in the Daily Bee (Aug. 30, 2006), I felt compelled to respond. Mr. Fury should understand that his viewpoint is in the minority. Citizens of Sandpoint and the surrounding area who care about the environment, who care about the aesthetics of the beautiful Sand Creek area, and who care about the future of Sandpoint will never allow a highway to be built along the banks of Sand Creek. It simply will not ever happen.

It is time for ITD and other state and local government agencies (including Mayor Ray Miller) to realize that public opposition is simply too strong. It is time to move on. I do not know if Mr. Potter's proposal for a tunnel is realistic or not, but at least it will start some productive thinking on alternatives that preserve the natural environment and beauty of the area.

Mr. Fury's ideas and values come from an era when it was acceptable to trample the environment in the name of progress. These times are long gone. While I am no particular fan of California, I do know one thing for sure. A highway along a scenic waterway like Sand Creek could never be approved in million years in that state. Maybe there are some things Idaho can learn from California after all.

I would ask that concerned citizens write to ITD and other government agencies to demand a thorough evaluation of alternative bypass routes that do not damage the scenic beauty of the Sandpoint area. Let's get on with it so that a viable bypass route can be built.

THOMAS NELSON

Sandpoint