Write to Red McCombs

Dear Editors,

Let me share a few reasons why Red McCombs should abandon his dream of a Village at Wolf Creek and return his ill-gotten parcel of Alberta Park to the Rio Grande National Forest. Thereby leaving a legacy proclaiming: here was a man who learned to appreciate the deeper value of his land, a man who had the insight to see its down to earth necessity for future generations ~ along with the generosity to secure that biological treasure that is Alberta Park for those future generations. - Alberta Park is at 10,000 feet in elevation, it receives some of this country’s biggest snowfalls, it is 200 miles from the nearest large population centers, and thousands of miles from the shrinking money capable of buying into such speculative ventures. - Economic winds have shifted. Current events are proving that the Reaganomics Faith, upon which the Village at Wolf Creek was conceived, is actually an illusion that hides cruel balloon payment liabilities. The Village, in any form, is simply not viable in the coming economic upheaval. - Climactic winds are shifting. Water storage and supply issues are going to take on greater urgency in a drier Southwest. - Alberta Park currently functions as a key component in a vast, nearly pristine watershed. This is a component that serves vital biological, life-sustaining functions such as holding and filtering water used in countless ways by millions of downstream Rio Grande River stakeholders. It is also a linchpin to wildlife migration. Given the habitat loss this past half century, any remaining parcels we can spare need to be protected - we can’t rebuild them. - Alberta Park: Its hydrologic, biologic and wildlife resources are worthy of being seen as national security items. (For more background on the value of wetlands visit: www.waterinfo.org/ ) Today, Red McCombs is back at the starting gate with his VWC development plans. Currently, they remain silent about future strategies – it can be assumed there are discussions about how realistic going ahead is. That means the table is open to suggestions. Regarding Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture, consider this. These people, rather brochures, assure us they can build a viable village, at 10,000 feet, under some of the nation’s greatest snowfall, along with all the tremendous infrastructure a running town needs. Yet, try finding them in the Yellow Pages, Texas, Colorado, nothing. Look up the Better Business Bureau, nothing. They can be found on the web, but their website is way out of date. LMJV seems to be a virtual company. Nothing wrong in that. But, do you want to trust a virtual company to build and maintain your town? If you agree the VWC makes no sense, and if it matters to you, now is one of those rare moments when some grassroots action could actually make a big difference. Quick, before new commitments are made! Write the man himself. A polite, reasoned plea or argument explaining why he should create the Billy Red McCombs Watershed Preserve. Since LMJV is elusive, here are some addresses that trace to Mr. McCombs himself:    

McCombs Enterprises, 755 E Mulberry Ave #100 San Antonio, TX 78212 210-821-6523

Red McCombs Media 6207 Sheridan Avenue, Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78723 http: //www.redmccombsmedia.com/us/contact-us

Clear Channel 200 East Basse Road San Antonio, TX 78209 lisacdollinger@clearchannel.com

Imagine if Mr. McCombs received lots of letters lobbying him to establish a wetland – biological preserve – bet it would have an impact. Send a copy to each address. A stitch in time may save nine ;-)

– Sincerely, Peter Miesler, Durango

Finding balance during the holidaze

Dear Editors,

Do you find yourself needing a vacation after Christmas vacation? Are you exhausted from all the shopping, running around, buying, wrapping, buying, wrapping, buying, wrapping? Let’s take a look at some simple ways to make this time of year one filled with joy and meaning.

At this time of year, we all feel the tug (perhaps bombardment is a better word) from our culture to spend as much as possible. It’s as if we’re not OK if we aren’t practically killing ourselves, running up the national debt, giving to everyone we know. It’s quite likely that with that agenda, any kind of balance goes out the window and you end up depleted and too wiped out to even enjoy giving or receiving. Why not make this the year that you design your own program to honor what really matters to you?

Start by making a list – not of gifts to give, but of what it is you really love about the holidays. The things that bring a smile to your face and give you that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. In order to do even this, take a moment to check in with your heart. Find a quiet place to sit and give your attention to looking within. Remember what from past years has stayed with you as the special moments. Fluff the memories up a bit; enlarge them and the feelings that go with them until you’re saturated with the love and meaning they bring.

Just enjoy this for a while.

When you’ve compiled the list of your favorite things, take a look at what you would need to do to make even half of them happen. What Yes’s and No’s are necessary to manifest the things you love? The beauty of your list is that it reflects the values that are an important part of your essence. By taking the time to fulfill your list, you are honoring who you are. This natural alignment, bringing your values into line with your actions, is what creates fulfillment. And fulfillment creates joy! Isn’t that what the holidays are supposed to bring?

At this point you may be experiencing the voice of what I call your Gremlin. The Inner Critic that thinks you should keep doing things the way they already are – no changes, thank you. As you prepare to leave some No’s in your wake, this voice can emerge softly or full on, like a hammer over your head. What?! Say no to more gifts? Say no to more enormous parties where you barely know anyone? What? Are you crazy? No one will love me anymore! While this voice can be helpful at times, it never will support change, so be aware of it’s language and short cut it with your own, more authentic voice that says I’m making these choices because I realize what matters the most to me and this isn’t it. I’m designing my version of the holidays to ensure that I/we experience what’s really important. Delivered like a loving parent, the voice will be reassured and more likely to release its hold over you and your life.

This holiday season, you can use these tools to stay committed to your authentic path, the one that allows you to design a True Life. Nothing is more worth the time. Nothing will bring you a greater sense of peace. Nothing can deliver Balance to your life more than making choices that honor who you are. So choose to renew yourself with a clear plan of what’s important and receive the gift of Balance this year. And when Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, rolls around, you’ll be grounded and ready to create your best New Year!

– Victoria FittsMilgrim, Durango 

The best of what’s left

Dear Editors,

Recently, Gov. Ritter announced that the State of Colorado secured a vital and welcome delay that throttles back the Forest Service’s rush to implement a new management plan for the state’s 4.4 million acres of pristine backcountry roadless areas. These lands represent the best of what’s left of a wild and natural Colorado, and their future management directly affects the hunting and fishing heritage of our great state. We, the Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, thank Gov. Ritter for taking the time to get it right.

The 4.4 million roadless acres in Colorado cover mostly mid-elevation terrain ideal for wildlife habitat, and Colorado has nearly 300,000 elk and 600,000 mule deer, more of each than any other state. They thrive in large part because of Colorado’s expansive backcountry. Conserving national forest roadless areas will help sustain important wildlife habitat in Colorado, not to mention our economy. Hunting, fishing and outfitting are not boom-bust industries like mining and energy extraction, but perpetually sustainable activities and traditional economic strengths of our state.

With the state’s best backcountry on the line, there’s no need to rush through a rule that, among other things, would allow roughly 100 new oil and gas leases to move forward in these wild areas. From the very beginning of this ongoing process, the Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and many others concerned about our hunting and angling heritage have marched on the front lines at all levels of roadless discussion. Throughout, our message has been the same: Assure that Colorado has roadless protections “equal to or stronger than” those provided by the national 2001 rule.

The sportsmen and women of Colorado applaud Gov. Ritter’s sound judgment against rushed implementation of an unbalanced plan for the management of our more than 4 million acres of roadless areas.

– David A. Lien, via e-mail