To the editor:

We concerned citizens for the protection of our wildlife in Polk County are getting a better understanding about our commissioners and their resolution to the State of N.C. to rescind the ban on steel trapping.

We know now that the issue is “not out of their hands.” The commissioners have total control over whether protection against steel trapping expands or remains as it has stood for 35 years.

We have learned in addition to the Senate Bill 33, there has been a new NC Senate Bill 80, introduced Feb. 13 to repeal the 1975 local act altogether, leaving wildlife without any protection at all.  Those bills are being rushed through the N.C. Senate before the public can act against them.

We now know the reason for the secrecy on the part of our commissioners to get the resolution on the floor of the N.C. State Senate before the public knew about it.

The action taken by our commissioners and their representatives will have destroyed any protection for wildlife and those who have no regard for animals in general can commit wholesale slaughter at will.

Nice going commissioners. If a few can control the rights of the majority who are standing up for decency and what is right and good, there is something wrong with the system.

There is more to be done regarding this matter.

– R. Murphy Bole, Columbus