A BRIGHT NEW LOOK!
If you think you see some changes in this issue of LOOKOUT NETWORK, you certainly do. As we grow in size and projects, it is important to continue to improve our two major communications tools: the Internet and this newsletter.

The FFLA is on a roll, and we have no intention of slowing down. We can't afford to. Lookouts and fire towers are being sold and removed at a rapid pace. The good news is that we are seeing more of them purchased with the intention of moving them to a new location. That is certainly a better solution than the scrap yard.

Moreover, this is the year that the U.S. Forest Service is to implement its new Working Capital Fund for building maintenance. On the surface, that may sound like lookouts and historic buildings will finally have a reliable source of maintenance money. But it doesn't work that way. First the fund must be built up with annual assessments based on square foot measure. When one is dealing with surplus structures, which many lookouts and old guard stations are, what appropriation can be used to get the money? The answer simply is: very few and not enough.

It is going to take a lot of effort by many people to solve these money problems. FFLA can be a bigger part of the solution if we appear to be the dedicated and effective organization we are! We never get a second chance to make a first impression! For many, this newsletter is that first impression. We want to convey the information within these images in the best way we can. The full color on glossy paper is part of that response.

Can we afford it? Yes we can. This is entirely within the budget (see page 3). We got a comparable price through competitive bidding. We are using the same printer than now produces National Woodlands Magazine. They wanted FFLA's business, and made us an offer we did not refuse.

We have also continued to improve our website: www.ffla.org. Note the attractive layout, and the extraordinary number of links to useful information. Each year it gets even better as more of our state divisions complete their inventories of standing lookouts and former sites. Actually, "complete" may be the wrong word, as new locations, and sometimes, new standing towers that were long forgotten are found again.

The annual meeting of your Board of Directors was held in January in Oregon. A summary of that session appears on page 3. The minutes went up on the website promptly, confirming what was accomplished. Look for the annual report from your state. They are being added weekly as they come in.

In this and future issues of Lookout Network you will find much information about interesting and timely lookout projects. Also there will be listings of new projects for which you can volunteer through Passport in Time (PIT) and other opportunities.

Those who join FFLA soon learn that to get the best of the experience is to get involved. If there isn't a project near you, start one! We'll help you get going. And I'm sure your local fire tower will appreciate it!

Keith A. Argow
Chairman of the Board

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