http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2004/05/27/viewpoints/letters/letters.txt

Walker will be missed

John Walker's opinion piece that ran in the April 25 issue of the Herald and News ("Why leave Klamath? Family ties the most important ones in life") was poignant and heartfelt. Walker has written a piece that captures perfectly the reasons why the Klamath Basin is so appealing and important to the people who live here.

He observed that "the turmoil over water, the suffering of our farmers and their magnificent response" made the last five years "the most exciting times of his career."

I am a newcomer to the Basin, having moved here in late 2001. In the 30 months I have lived in Klamath Falls, I have thanked my lucky stars that John Walker was at the helm of the Herald and News during the water crisis.

While urban newspapers throughout the West consistently recycle the hype-driven press statements released by activists aligned against Klamath Basin agriculture, John, his editors and his resource writers have taken the time to research the issues, write balanced stories, and assume informed editorial positions.

Often in the past few years, Herald and News coverage on issues - as well as other Basin media outlets - provided the best opportunity for the outside world to understand the true nature of the challenges facing local irrigators.

I wish John luck in northern Michigan. He has been a credit to the Basin and will be an asset to his new community. He will be missed.

Dan Keppen

Klamath Falls

The writer is executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association.