|
written by Missy Votel
 With
2002 safely behind us, many Durangoans may be wondering
just what 2003 has in store. So, as a service to our inquiring
readers, the Telegraph
took an impromptu poll, asking local dignitaries, business
honchos, luminaries and pundits to pontificate on what
the new year holds. While no one claimed to have a clear
view of the crystal ball, we did find no shortage of people
willing to put their necks on the line. So, for better
or worse, here’s a look at how 2003 may shape up.
Rep. Mark Larson, R-Cortez.: “I’m
just so happy to get rid of 2002 and hoping and praying
2003 isn’t more of the same.”
Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus: “I
predict the State Legislature will work together in bipartisanship
fashion to work to balance what is probably one of the
most difficult state budgets to balance in a long time
- and try to come up with some well thought-out solutions
to get through this drought.”
Jeff Berman, executive director, Colorado
Wild: “Natural gas prices are going to continue
to climb – and electric, while we’re at it;
more so than people think – natural gas supplies
are going to start falling off, and it’s going to
start hitting home.”
Kristi Nelson Cohen, V.P. sales and marketing,
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: “It’s
going to require a community-wide effort to encourage
our friends and families to patronize our tourist companies
and vacation in Colorado – We’ll have a lot
of catching up to do but I look forward to a tremendous
2003. We’re very excited.”
Mysto the Magi, mystic and master of
illusion: “Things are going to look up –
we’re going to get more and more snow and the economy
is going to pick up – people are going to discover
their true selves and their paths in life – and
those looking for love are going to find it.”
Bob Kunkel, senior V.P.,
Durango Mountain Resort: “The view of the
crystal ball has gotten fuzzier – but we would see
this to be a very strong recovery year for the ski industry
and unless there’s some kind of repeat of last summer,
I think this summer will be great. We are planning a major
bike event on the scale of the last two years as well
as another concert like the Wildflower Festival. The additional
events should bring a lot of people back to Durango –
people are looking for places to visit just like Durango.”
Jim Pringle, forecaster, National Weather
Service: “It’s looking like we’re
going to see a moderate El Nino continue until late spring,
possibly into the summer months, which typically implies
above normal precipitation throughout the Four Corners.
After that, we go into a normal precipitation pattern,
which means a monsoon pattern similar to last summer,
which may not be good news for people living in the Missionary
Ridge Fire area.
“As for temperatures through the winter, the Four
Corners can expect to have temps slightly above normal;
late spring and summer will be near to slightly above;
and the fall will be above normal.”
Virginia Castro, Durango mayor pro tem:
“I think (2003) is going to be better than 2002
– I am expecting that the main segment of the Animas
River Trail will be completed, enabling people to bike
to work instead of driving. I would like to see us start
to participate in a renewable energy program, which can
have a ripple effect by helping the local situation as
well as the environment as a whole. Hopefully with the
new council, whether the same or new, we will remain focused
on making decisions that are the best on the whole, for
the planet and all of us.”
Josh Joswick, La Plata County commissioner:
One of the biggest issues is going to be a domestic rural
water system for the southeastern part of the county.
Probably even bigger than that would be whether or not
this drought will continue and if we’re going to
have another incident like last summer. There’s
nothing saying that it wouldn’t happen again, and
as soon as we start getting rain, it could also really
play hell with the roads. It’ll be amazing to watch
what happens – The hospital and Grandview are also
going to be big things. It’s going to be a really
big year.”
As you can see, predictions varied across
the board – from whimsical to solemn, scientific
to mystic – there seemed to be one general consensus:
There’s no where to go but up.
|
