No headline

Dear Bonner County neighbors.

As the May 15 primary approaches, rhetoric regarding the Scotchman Peaks vote is getting hotter — particularly from opponents. Personally, I’m prejudiced in favor of the issue. I want to see that wilderness become designated wilderness. First, I’ve lived within view of Scotchman Peak for a total of six decades. I’m also on Friends of Scotchman Peaks staff.

So, wilderness supporters aren’t all freshly arrived from California or back east. But some of are. So are some opponents. We all came from somewhere else.

What I wish to point out here is the difference between the messaging of the opponents and that of the supporters of the wilderness bill Sen. Risch proposed in November 2016.

For the past 18 months, plus, opponents have engaged in personal attacks, name-calling, accusation, exaggeration, inflammatory language, and misinformation.

Supporters have presented calm, logical, verifiable information about what wilderness designation means, and what it doesn’t mean. Not many supporters yell at opponents — I know of no such cases, anyway — and they certainly haven’t charged across a room to threaten anyone. And they’ve posted absolutely no non-biodegradable lawn signs.

Proponents of a Scotchman Peaks Wilderness rely on civil discourse, polite conversation, cool heads and facts — imagine that — to support their cause. They’re also able to face of the opposition’s vitriol and confrontational flak because they know they’re right.

I urge you to get the facts at voteforscotchmanpeaks.org and vote in favor of the Scotchman Peaks proposal May 15.

SANDY COMPTON

Heron, Mont.