Supervisors should respect Johnston’s wishes

To the Editor,

I have read with interest letters from John Parsons and Mark Bowman. I would like to address Mr. Parson’s letter.

I don’t understand how anyone could not agree with his position. First, it was Ms. Johnston’s last request that if Jasper County took this land it would be used for a park or wildlife refuge. I don’t believe raising crops is what she had in mind. I certainly agree with Mr. Parson’s position that the bean stubble would not be recognized as a “wildlife refuge,” and that the land was accepted per the wishes and conditions of Ms. Johnston. If this — picked bean or corn fields — constitutes a refuge just because hunting is not allowed, could all farmers turn all their farmland into a refuge due to not permitting anyone to hunt?

I have not read the will, but I don’t know how anyone could consider the will “vague” when the terms are spelled out.

I understand the supervisor’s hesitation making it a park, but not a wildlife refuge. The cost of a park and the ongoing cost to maintain it may be prohibitive, but not the refuge. I know the cost of wild prairie grasses and flowers is fairly expensive, but I know that the money the county has made over the last five years would be more than enough to cover the expenses.

Why has the Jasper County Conservation Board not become involved in this issue? According to the JCCB’s website, this board’s mission is “to establish quality parks, recreation, conservation and outdoor education systems that give the most service to residents of Jasper County.” The board of supervisors is not doing this, and if the JCCB isn’t pursuing the issue, I don’t feel they are following their own mission statement.

Now to Mr. Bowman’s letter: You mentioned that Mr. Parsons and other lovers of wildlife and nature should volunteer with organizations that do this type of work. I believe Mr. Parsons is a member of the Izaak Walton League. Are you? I don’t believe anyone could question his concerns in regards to wildlife or the resources of the land. He served as director of another county board and park officer for 21 years for Jasper County before he retired.