My hat goes off to Mitch Lansky in his Jan. 24-25 column, “Test your logging labor economic IQ,” about why there is a shortage of loggers in the Maine woods. His seven points hit the nail on the head as to why so many loggers have left the logging profession. Having worked more than 25 years in eastern Maine as a professional logger, I can understand the conditions loggers face each day of their lives. I love working in the woods, but there comes a time where you do not earn enough money to cover the costs to operate your equipment.

Until loggers are recognized as “professionals,” given proper bargaining rights and decent wages, the mills will be hard pressed to replace those who leave the logging profession. Being a woodcutter, whether on a hand crew or harvesting with machines, these men are the foundation of the wood industry.

Richard H. Tutt

Eddington