As your new President I realize I have a big pair of shoes to fill. (Not a reference to Chuck’s feet!) I’ll do my best.

As we begin 1998 we await the acreage report on the last CRP signup. Heading into spring I am hopeful the Governor’s Wetlands Working Group will complete its work. More on these issues in future newsletters.

I’m going to ask the membership to become more involved and assist me with the job that needs to be done. When you have finished reading your newsletter, don’t burn it. Instead, give it to a neighbor (if you have one left). My next request is that all of you with writing talent whip up a couple of paragraphs and send them to LeAnn at the LAND office. To those with speaking talent, make presentations at the local coffee shop and ask the neighbor to join. To those who are gifted politically I will assign the task of twisting the arms of the business people on Main Street and the people in the Legislature. After all we’re in this together every time we sit at a table covered with an abundance of high quality food. At this point the entire membership should be involved.

My point in all of this is that everyone needs to be active in some way. Apply yourself in a manner with which you are comfortable and can afford. Some of you have great talent and others have common know how with a few resources you might be able to share. Whatever you do, don’t rely on Mr. Smith down the road to do it for you because you could wake up in the morning to discover he sold his land to USFWS yesterday and left with your wife in the middle of the night.

Remember, it’s your property and it needs your protection. Also, if some non-profit group sees something on your property worth saving it means you’ve done an excellent job up to now. Please help LAND have a successful 1998.