I had deep misgivings when reading about Plum Creek, and all the goodies they were to provide. I’ve followed their progress for some time.

If really interested in what this company has done – and will do – send for some of the stories in any number of small-town papers dating back a few years. They have an unsavory reputation in the Western timber states. There is still quite a bit of hunting area on some of the lumbering concerns in Maine. Five dollars will let you in for a day.

Roxanne Quimby has bought 90,000 acres. This gives you some idea of these megadeals. Guess what? That whole parcel, which provided some employment, is now closed for hunting, fishing, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. This is in the Millinocket area, where they need every job they can find.

Plum Creek is the largest private landowner in America with 8 million acres. Sadly, many people consider our beautiful wilderness a place for shopping malls, and employment in chain stores, which offer few decent wages. These macadam fringes don’t offer solace such as our beautiful forests and our lakes and streams.

I can just see the condos going up, fenced and gated with security guards patrolling the grounds and swarms of fishermen polluting the water of Moosehead Lake.

Archie Travers Sr., Auburn