Last week's report of Ann Bleed's "resignation" as Director of Nebraska's Department of Natural Resources is yet another major step for Nebraska toward environmental disaster. Under current State leadership, Corporate agriculture, irrigators and other related interests are progressing nicely in joint efforts to suck the Ogallala Aquifer and our surface waters dry. Ms. Bleed proved herself to be a formidable obstacle to those ambitions. It was necessary to deal with her resistance immediately, sternly, and with finality. Anyone who follows Nebraska's water wars is aware that Corporate agriculture, Irrigation interests and the parasites who cling to that beast demanded action from the Governor, and got it.

Ms. Bleed's "resignation" has a familiar ring. In August, 2006, the very competent administrator of Nebraska's Environmental Trust Fund, Mary Harding, suddenly and mysteriously "resigned" under similar circumstances. Could the current administration simply be anti-feminist, or could it be that two extremely well qualified, diligent and dedicated women had to be disposed of because they did their jobs too well?

Through Ms. Harding's capable management, the Trust Fund was administered under strictly enforced "pilfer-resistant" standards. The fund was established to protect, maintain and enhance Nebraska's wetlands and to finance other worthy environmental projects. Could it be that ETF, under her guidance, did not consider rampant, non-sustainable irrigation development an "environmental plus"? Was the fund guarded too strictly from other greedy interests to suit politicians?

Is it possible that the administration, faced with a multi-million dollar water settlement with Kansas, wanted to get their hands on ETF dollars to help pay the anticipated debt? Even more disgusting, could most of those dollars be headed for Nebraska's irrigation dynasty to finance even greater plunder of out water resources and to "pay off" irrigators?

Using ETF money to pay for irrigator's blunders and greed would certainly be a political victory for the administration. The governor's office could boast, a savings of taxpayer dollars. That statement would be correct since ETF money is not tax dollars; it is Nebraska's share of State lottery funds. Perhaps we are to assume that "gamblers" are not also taxpayers.

Ironically, if irrigation interests have their way, those funds will go for purposes directly opposed to Nebraska's environmental well being. It will be interesting to see just how and to whom the $14.2 million dollars of ETF monies are awarded. How many of those dollars will go directly to CPNRD irrigators to finance accelerated depletion of our water resources? How much will go to protect, maintain and enhance Nebraska's environmental treasures as was the fund's original intent?

On the other hand, maybe state government, ETF, CPNRD and the State's 22 other NRD's may know what the rest of us can only anticipate in horror. With irrigation now using over 97 percent of our water and clamoring for more, and with ethanol / bio-fuel production going totally insane, Nebraska soil and water resources are already far beyond sustainable levels. Perhaps they know that it is foolish to support a fund meant to enhance a nature-oriented environment because, if they get their way, and they usually do, such an environment will no longer exist in Nebraska.

Robert O'Dell

1824 Garland Street

Is this the time to raise gas taxes?

Raising the Nebraska gas tax has been a major topic of interest for several weeks. The majority of Nebraskans really want the right thing for Nebraska and its future, and look to you to provide the leadership we need.

You as a member of the Legislature first, and then you Governor Heineman, will make that decision this week. I don't know what your answer will be, but it ought to be based on a few objective questions.

First, is there a need? Does the Department of Roads really need the money now or can we wait, or is the long-term need real? If the answer is no, your course is clear, vote "no". If the answer is yes, there are further considerations. If the need is real, should we wait to fix the problem? Should we just provide for "stop-gap" fixes? Should we address long-term solutions during a financially difficult time? Should we just put our "head in the sand", and hope the Fairy Godmother (the Federal Government) comes and solves our problem?

I believe the answer is fairly obvious.

Do I want higher gas taxes? Of course not. Like every other citizen, I don't want to pay any taxes. But in fact we do pay taxes, because there are consequences if we don't.

Is this the right time? Was the middle of the worst Depression in history the right time to build a new State Capitol?

The choice is clear. If there is no need, vote the gas tax increase down. If the need is clear and present, vote yes. And if not now, when? Leaders lead, not follow!

Thank you for reading this, and hopefully considering these concepts.

J. Paul McIntosh

Norfolk

Lincoln should not host every event

I am so tired of Lincolnites believing that Lincoln is the center of the known universe! They want and expect every function to be in Lincoln. How many people have to travel several hundred miles for state high school sporting events, as well as most every other event?

If Grand Island is too far for Lincolnites to travel life's rough. I guess they really don't support the fair at all!

Here's an idea! If everything needs to be in Lincoln for those spoiled brats, maybe the people of Lincoln should be responsible for all of the state taxes and operating costs! After all, if Nebraska begins and ends at Lincoln, why should us other dumb folks be responsible for the cost of the state budget?

We're talking about the State Fair, not the Lancaster County Fair! The entire State should be involved, not just Lincoln and Omaha.

The people of Lincoln need to grow up!

Dennis Mott

Fullerton

Enjoyed penstemons flower story

I love flowers and have followed with deep interest of the penstemons planted (I won't say where or when) by the children (I won't say which school) and your latest article about the man (I won't say who) who said what each plant was valued at. Now will they have to post guards where the penstemons are planted to keep money-hungry persons from digging up these precious endangered plants? I am afraid to pursue any further intentions to buy one plant, even on my sandy property where I live.

Lillian Kingston

Arcadia