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Show anything else... And Iam not sure that it really matters. Whilea more ‘reform-minded’ governing body has been in office these last two years, it has still been, for the most part, ‘business as usual’ in Grand County. A recently passed subdivision ordinance will make development a little more costly and a little more organized. Anything one governing body chooses to do can be undone by the next. We give new meaning to the word ‘gridlock.’ FAVORITE FEEDBACK Over the years an outstanding number of well-penned barbs have come this way. Here are some excerpts from a small sampling of favorites. Dear Jim, From the January 1996 issue... This is the 76th issue of the Zephyr. Since I took Volume 1 Number 1 to the printer on March 14, 1989, this newspaper has experienced a number of changes and evolutions...Now it is about to change dramatically. This is the last monthly edition of the Canyon Country Zephyr. Exactly seven years after its first press day, this newspaper will be published bi-monthly and distributed FREE in the Moab area, with additional distribution in Salt Lake City and several southern Utah communities. ...50 that's it. I’m crossing my fingers that this works. But regardless of what happens in the future, thanks for your kind and generous support. 1996: SHOULD WE DRAIN LAKE POWELL? From the April/May 1996 issue... There were always those who hated the dam. Ken Sleight, Phil Hyde, Eliot Porter, Katie Lee, Kent Frost, Buz Hatch, Al Quist, Ed Abbey. There were others, many others of course, who floated the river before the dam was even a project to be seriously considered (and feared). And more who joined the ranks after construction began, including David Brower, who was devastated. In the thirty four years that have passed since Lake Powell began to rise behind the dam, thousands of people, tens of thousands, who never even saw Glen Canyon have added their voices and their anger to the once lonely chorus of dam haters. ..[t may well be that someday, a decade from now, or five decades from now, that intelligent minds will come together and agree that Glen Canyon Dam no longer serves a useful purpose (as if it ever did). That it has become a liability more than an asset. The decision to drain the lake may well be made for “economic reasons." And they may be right. But for me, the economics has nothing to do with it. It's what was lost, what lies beneath the water... all that beauty. That’s what motivates me. It's time to restore a masterpiece. 1997; THE NEW GRAND STAIRCASE/ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT From the December 1996/January 1997 issue... A state geologist predicts that coal reserves inside the new national monument "could supply our needs for the next 400 years." Now think about that a minute. The coal would keep us supplied until the year 2396 AD. Does anyone with half a brain think that this planet is going to still be depending on a coal as a basic energy resource in 400 years? Let's look at that concept in reverse. Imagine someone in the 16th Century proclaiming that he had enough leaches for Heodleiting until well eget the year 2000. Do you see what I mean? 1998: THE DEATH OF JOHN DINSMORE From the June/July 1998 issue... Our entire community was up in arms over the price of garbage collection last year. Tempers boiled over at packed public meetings. But the use of deadly force by the police against a suicidal man in a confrontation that lasted all of five minutes and ended with the flash of a 12 gauge shotgun generated a mild flurry of objections and by Christmas, the matter passed into history. ...Dinsmore was shot to death by the shotgun because the officer who fired somehow felt that five police officers with handguns against one drunk man with a kitchen knife was not an adequate response. John at least deserved some more time. ‘THUNDER ae conversations with him. Love that acid wit. As one who has watched Santa Fe deteriorate into the cutesy adobe Disneyland it’s become, I can only urge you guys—Keep Moab Ugly! Veronica Egan Santa Fe, NM...January 1992 Dear Jim, I would like to hear more from Mr. Groan about the proposed Coors drilling in Little Canyon which would "bump mountain bikers off the Gemini Bridge trail." Will I only experience this jolt on my mountain bike, or will motorcyclists be subjected as well? I wonder how far I might be bumped and will it be painful? I would also be interested to have Mr. Groan provide lessons detailing steps that could be taken to avoid "padding some lawyer's wallet." It seems to be a subject he understands well. What is his profession, anyway, and how did he become so smart? Could it be he’s done a little fleecing of his own? Speaking of piracy, if I spell his name wrong, do you think he might SUWA me? Dave Cozzens Moab...December 1991 Hey Stiles! What's this (dog) crap about dogs? They bark all night outside your bedroom window and poop in your yard. I think dog-free zones should be established in Moab. Perhaps dog-free fire zones would be more appropriate. My co-worker, Dave, likes dogs but he’s a jerk. Steve Brock Moab...October/November 1996 Dear Jimmy. I returned from vacation to learn that you had published my letter.I pointed out that it was ironic to see complaints in a publication that has done nothing but enhance such a negative climate. ..But Jimmy you really disappointed me. In response to my letter, instead of addressing yourself to the issues, you chose to illustrate my point by getting personal...If you are inclined to get personal, don’t you think that it’s only fair that you address yourself to me? Who am I? Let me help you out Jimmy. My name is Rose, just like the flower. ..You described me as "mad" and "hostile," saying of my letter that "the damn thing was on fire when I opened it." Come on, Jimmy, lighten up yourself. It was a plain white envelope containing a typewritten sheet of paper. If it was in flames, I suggest you be a little more careful with your smoking materials in the future. And get real, Jimmy my boy, if you’re going to dish it out, it would be a lot more pleasant for us all if youd learn how to take it, without all these silly dramatics. Rose Fryer Moab...May 1994 Dear Jim, Sign me up. I just passed through Moab after being away for six years, and I need the Zephyr to help me understand what the hell happened. Thanks, Ed Gimbini...December 1995 NOW...in the Spring of 1999...what next? Weed aa Who the heck is this Scott Groene? I’d move back to Moab just to have regular 1995: I CAN’T REMEMBER A THING 1996: A BIG CHANGE...A BIG GAMBLE HORSES ee Gourmet coprFee PANGUITCH, HOUSE UTAH 47 NORTH MAIN ST. Bo ok 5 ° Mu Sic : Art PANGUITCH HISTORIC DISTRICT TT Le (435) 676 8900 www.buffalojava.com |