METH LABS ARE DANGEROUS

I understand that it is customarily editors and not the writer of a
news story who pens the headline, but in reading your recent
"Homeless face new harsher wilderness" article, I concluded that the
title fits the tone.

I commend the efforts of Ranger Rick Lint and his staff to make the
Ocala National Forest a cleaner and safer place for visitors.
However, the newspaper's article makes it sound like the ranger is
harassing the poor and disadvantaged. This is simply not the case.
Reading the comments posted online, it would seem that other readers agree.

My wife and I are just a couple of old folks who would like to be
able to enjoy a quiet picnic there, but until recently, we chose not
to do so. Our first experiences in Ocala two years ago caused us to
abandon that activity. We were unable to find even one camping or
picnicking site where we were comfortable. A typical site would be
filled with homesteaders who used the campground for their personal
residence and made it clear to "outsiders" that we were not welcome
in their home. We found that unoccupied tables would be piled with
personal belongings or trash, mostly empty beer cans so as to keep
casual visitors from using the area.

I would hope also that the newspaper realizes the danger to the
public posed by the meth-lab situation. You will not get me to
believe for one second that many of these homesteaders were not
engaged in this highly dangerous illegal activity.

The recent efforts by the forest service to clean up the forest and
make it a safer, more enjoyable place for visitors should be lauded,
not lamented.

Bill Hyde, Oviedo