Dear Editor,

Am I the only one who knows that the Sept. 27 letter to the editor by the Ahwahnee Community Council Board opposing YARTS (Yosemite Area Rapid Transit) and sent to the Madera county Board of Supervisors, is propaganda and based on a YouTube video doing the same?

And am I the only one who knows that this propaganda is guiding the respected decision makers of our local organizations.

Am I the only one who knows that the 1980 Yosemite General Management Plan's decision to remove private vehicles from Yosemite Valley has been superseded, in writing, by recent Yosemite superintendents (ie. private vehicle access to Yosemite Valley will remain, regardless of mass transit)?

Am I the only one who knows that travelers are choosing to not stay along the 41 corridor because we do not offer mass transit into the park (all other gateways do)?

Am I the only one who knows that park employees choose to not live along the 41 corridor because we do not offer mass transit into Yosemite? Again, all other gateways do.

Am I the one who knows that this has a negative impact on our local economy?

I serve on the board of a local organization and "we" too sent a similar (yet much shorter) letter to the supervisors opposing YARTS. I was not at the meeting when the vote took place -- you can imagine my dismay when I read it in the minutes.

It begs the question, do our local business owners and citizens know about the letters sent on their behalf and do you agree with them?

If you support YARTS or if you want facts to base a decision, please write to the Madera County Board of Supervisors and your local Chamber board and challenge them to provide facts. Our respected leaders need to be guided by you and the facts, not the propaganda.

Tracy Ackroyd, Bass Lake