It's kind of strange. The Dnr's Craig Engwall assures us the process is a real one, that decisions regarding the forest have not been set in stone. He assures us that when we meet in Cotton and in Rice Lake there will be a real openness to the ideas of the people.

Then we hear the ATV clubs from Minneapolis are coming. And we're told that everyone's mind on the County Commissioners Board is made up. There's no wiggle room.

This ought to make Dennis Fink just frolicsome with joy. He becomes positively effervescent when he talks about bringing thousands of OHV tourists to the forest.

And Patty Rutka says it's not an environmental issue. On Mars. No one finds it important to point out ole Patty's husband is the ATVAM lobbyist for our area. A paid professional promoter of ATVs right there in the living room.