To the editor: The conflagration over whether ATV’s, horses or even people should have access to “Public Forest Lands,” seems to have fallen off the media radar screen lately. But, like in Gulliver’s Tale, a giant is stirring from slumber. There is a growing body of weary taxpayers who take offense at the very idea of “Public Forest Land.” The question is, when did it become fashionable to burden the taxpayer class with the maintenance costs of huge tracts of tax free land• There is no shortage of customers who would buy most of it at market value, and begin paying taxes on it. The American thing to do is auction it off in parcels to the highest bidder. Wa-la. No problem policing a liability the state should not own in the fist place. Consider some of the benefits of such an auction. Reduced taxes for all property owners as the tax base expands. Public debt relief, and budget surplusses as far as the eye can see due to the infusion of money from the sales. Development and jobs all over Pennsylvania as new owners pour money into their new purchases. “Statesman,” if you really want to see Pennsylvania boom, reduce the tax burden. Do whatever it takes to return state-owned property to productive citizens who will manage it better than any bureaucrat. Leave as much money and property in the private sector as possible where real jobs are generated. Americans love freedom, free enterprize and capitalism. We embrace it because by practicing it we have not only blessed each other, but the whole earth. More than 200 years of exponential growth is proof enough our system works better than any other. Heaven sent. You bet. Should we continue doing what works best• That’s a no brainer. Absolutely! It is time to reinstate the Homestead Act. Bill Ramer Kittanning RD1

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