HIRA coverage defended


Published on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 8:07 PM PST

I would like to respond to the scathing letter by John Perry about what he perceived was a biased article about the recent Forest Service HIRA fee accounting meeting. Mr. Perry’s most pressing issue seems to be that I did not mention his comment about green sticker funds. I would like to point out that while I did hear his comment, when Ms. Terrell said that those funds were not included in the Recreation Funds being reported on in that meeting, I thought Mr. Perry’s comment was irrelevant to the article. Had I included every comment, the Sun would have consisted of nothing BUT the Forest Service meeting article.

Since Mr. Perry was at the meeting, he cannot take issue with my reporting the sentiment and comments made by other attendees. I’m sorry if it hurt Mr. Perry’s feelings that his comment that had nothing to do about the matter at hand was not included in my writing. The Courier also reported that the meeting raised the suspicions of its attendees rather than answering questions; perhaps because it is the truth?

I would also like to clarify that I am an employee, not a board member, of Sequoia ForestKeeper, which is a watchdog organization whose purpose is to ensure that the Forest Service abides by their own laws and regulations on Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. As to our litigation history, since its inception eight years ago, SFK has filed only three lawsuits, and won every time. We win because the laws and science are on our side.

As for my being against OHV use in the forest, why, I don’t believe we’ve ever met, Mr. Perry, so I wonder how you can know my opinion about anything? Besides the fact that you do not know me, since the article in question was about a meeting that had absolutely nothing to do with OHV issues, I don’t see how my opinion about that is relevant.

I did not request this assignment, but did what I was assigned to do as a freelance reporter. In order to produce a newspaper one has to work within one’s time constraints, i.e. deadlines. There are always armchair critics who will sit on the sidelines and criticize others, and I feel sorry for those people with nothing better to do than worry about what other people think.

Valerie Cassity

Kernville

Copyright © 2012 Kern Valley Sun

Comments

7 comment(s)

    Valerie Cassity wrote on Mar 19, 2009 12:42 PM:

    " Mr. Perry- You can call me what you like, but I seriously doubt that the vast majority of people who know me would call me either arrogant or a zealot. I told the Sun that you had the right to question my objectivity, as I had a right to address your allegations, so I don't know where your hostility toward me is coming from? I respect that you have a right to your opinion, as you should respect my own right to mine. The Courier ran an article with similar sentiments, by the way. "

    Republican wrote on Mar 7, 2009 3:59 PM:

    " To RU4 REAL: I guess that person must have thought you were referring to their comment, when you talked about going somewhere Republican. John's writing had nothing mentioned about being a Republican nor had it any mention of moving somewhere Republican.....read it again and you will see....careful phrasing and words are needed when attempting to change opinions, sometimes it can backfire. "

    RU4Real wrote on Mar 6, 2009 9:47 AM:

    " Way Way Right...this is no longer "Repbulican country" and it's not the 60's. Change happens...roll with it or stay miserable but stop whining. Besides, my original comment was for Perry....not you. "

    Way Way Right wrote on Mar 5, 2009 8:30 PM:

    " To RU4REAL...this IS Republican country, has been in every election for over 40 years, it is the liberals that want to change right...and make it wrong! I have been here for almost 40 years, and I am not moving, you people go back to where ever the liberals congregate, North Beach for instance.... "

    RU4Real wrote on Mar 2, 2009 8:14 AM:

    " It's quite sad that you're entire life, based on your comments on this website, is about them and us. Why don't you open your mind a little and you just may discover that we're all after the same end result...and while you're at it, stop the whining! It is what it is so live with it or go find a 100% Republican city to live in....maybe down south somewhere? "

    Republican wrote on Feb 18, 2009 11:01 AM:

    " Well John, I guess you can now see why the articles in the Sun, and here on this blog, all mirror the Bakersfield Californian, all liberal, all wanting to make sure their side of the story "holds higher then the truth, or logic."
    Most of the liberal articles are not too far out there, just enough to let us know the liberal way of thinking is "the keeper."

    Welcome to OBamaland! Wait until you see the "lines which commence here in this valley" and end in the "pens bordered by the UN troops!" "

    John Perry wrote on Feb 17, 2009 1:12 PM:

    " I guess the Sun is trying to tell me that I should never again have a differing point of view than the Kern Valley Sun, their reporters or the Sequoia Forest Keepers.
    Ms. Cassitys was given the area next to my letter to refute my assertions and on the front page of this website.
    I hope in the spirit of fair play that I am allowed as much print as Cassity to further prove my point.
    Ms. Cassity and the Sequoia Forest Keepers are arrogant zealots that are endangering our forest. "

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