To the Editor:

I am writing to inform the various trusts and conservative organizations of Bethel that I understand one of your various goals is to support and promote local jobs. I happen to know that locally grown pine logs from one of the conservation lands are being shipped out of town.

The local Hancock Mill needs logs because of low inventory, has had to cut back on hours, and may have to lay off local workers. The foresters employed to manage our local forests did not even talk about pricing to the Hancock representative.

I was told by a conservation representative that Hancock’s prices were not competitive. I don’t see how they can determine this if they refuse to negotiate. Common sense tells me that monetary yield would be more than competitive due to the cost of shipping logs over 30 miles or more.

Most importantly, Bethel jobs are at risk, please consider questioning your foresters about their motives for sending logs out of the area.

Robert Blake

Bethel