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Show 4 - DIVERSE TIMES - FEBRUARY 15, 1997 LETTERS TO THE TIMES Response to “An More Consensus? from p. 1 Interested Resident” get in a car and head out of Castle Last month “an interested resident” asked what had become of the idea to build a large bulletin board in the area of the mailboxes for posting notices, sale items, lost and found. events, etc. As the writer observed, the current boards are too small for this, and a monthly paper like this isn’t printed often enough to really fulfill the need either. Well, it’s areally good question with several parts to the answer. First part: we don’t own the land. BLM owns it. We can’t just put up a larger community bulletin board without special permission from the BLM. The Post Office has a “right of way” from the BLM allowing placement of the mailboxes at their current location. The Town started to make an application for use of some of the BLM land at the front gate, but found that an individual had also filed a claim for the land. The process is presently in limbo waiting results of BLM evaluation of the individual’s claim. Even if the individual gets some of the land, there may still be enough Valley down toward the River Road, as they approach the "I’" intersection with the River Road, they will have to make a decision. They can decide to turn right or left or turn back. If they refuse to decide, they will crash off the road on the other side of the intersection. (Life rarely allows the “stop and do nothing” option.) At times decisions have to be made for a community as well as for a group trip. (A community really is a group trip.) In a community as diverse as this one, it’s extremely unlikely that everyone will want to make the same turn at each intersection. Rather than trying to reach consensus on issues where it is clear this is not possible leading to the frustration and animosity which is more likely to create a “crash”), I believe our energy would be better spent improving the quality and integrity of our community decision making process. —Jack Campbell for the Town to get enough land to build a kiosk-like structure where such a community bulletin board might be located. It could be a year or so before the Town finds out what is happening with the other land claim. Secondly: As far as I know, the Town would strongly support a project like this. The Town Council voted last year to begin the application process to ultimately acquire some of the BLM land near the front gate. In the Town Council meetings concerning this issue, there was support for getting the mailboxes moved farther away from the road to increase safety. It has also been suggested that a roof over the mailboxes would be desirable for shade as well as for rain and snow. Some trees could be added also. Thirdly: When things get done around here, it’s usually because an individual cares enough that they either do it themselves, or put out the time and energy to get a couple of friends to help. Individuals can and do make huge differences on this type of project. This is a worthwhile project just looking for someone who cares about it enough to keep it alive! Good luck! Please don’t give up! Qhaadra Pastas!) . : JANIE TUFT - SALES AGENT/OWNER Paradise Real Estate 47 E. CENTER STREET - MOAB, UT 84532 801-259-2650 - FAX 801-259-2699. P.O.Box 1121 - Moab UT 84532 Res. 801-259-8360 f Leave Message M.L.S. REALTOR CFI EAGLE FLOAT TRIP CFI, working with State and Federal Agencies, will again sponsor the eagle count on the Colorado River. This year’s full day raft trip will be held on March 1. Participants on last year’s trip spotted 14 golden eagles and 10 bald eagles as well as a wide variety of other bird species while floating the Lorna to Westwater stretch of the Colorado River. Local biologists will again be on hand to share their knowledge of these magnificent birds. Cost of the all day trip is $80 and includes lunch and snacks. Data collected on the trip will contribute to agency raptor counts. Anyone who is interested in participating should contact Canyonlands Field Institute at 1-800860-5262 or 259-7750. |