News
Opinion
While still being somewhat on the fence about Eagle River Station, I will say this: It's like watching a good tennis match, the kind where the volley goes on forever. Back and forth, back and forth.
But this is all going to end on Jan. 5. That, for me, is a big red flag. Why the big rush? I think if the community leaders where wise, they would postpone this referendum for at least one more year and see what the economy does.
Not to be a procrastinator or anything. I just think it's the conservative approach, and I think at this period in time that would be wise for everyone.
Problem is the county isn't being run by conservatives. It's almost as if there's a panic to get it voted on. Another red flag.
Don't get me wrong. I know all about momentum and progress, and if they postpone, they could loose momentum, which could be the kiss of death for RED Development.
The other question I have is why does the town of Eagle need all this extra tax revenue? No joke! Why is it costing so much to run this town? Where is all the money going from sales and real estate taxes? I own a commercial property down Chambers Avenue, and I'm going to be paying through the nose for my property taxes in 2010.
Here we live in one of wealthiest communities in America, real estate wise, and yet we still can't generate enough money to sustain the community. Is it greed? Is it the lust for more? Or is it just life in the mountains?
Well, if so, then let fate take its course and make those who are responsible for it pay the price or reap the rewards. For me, the biggest issue is and always will be water. I've attended a meet and greet party for the developers, and that was my biggest concern. They have assured to the fact that they own the water rights for that tract of land and that a new water tank will be part of the infrastructure. That's all fine and I couldn't imagine a development like this without a secondary water supply. But what the developer may not know is the devastating effect of a drought period and how fragile our ecosystem is up here in the mountains, especially with the current population.
Whether or not the community can sustain a development like this or not is a huge gamble. Do we really want to take that risk? Sure, taking risks is how many people have amassed fortunes, as well as lost their asses. Many cliches support this, like “fortune only comes to the bold.” RED Development is coming on very boldly. They have a pretty good track record.
Does anyone know what “manifest destiny” is? If not, read the Book “Blood and Thunder,” by Hampton Sides. If you are interested in how the West was really won, read it. It's the story of Kit Carson and the tragic events that led to the taking over of the West and Southwest, thus combining all the land between the East Coast and West Coast. How about Chaco Canyon, N.M.,and what happened there?
It was a major Anasazi trading hub, the New York City of the ancient world that became so populated that, as the history books say, it imploded, mostly from drought. Now it's the largest archeological site in North America.
What does this have to do with ERS? Everything. It's history repeating itself. If we study and know what happened in the past, it will help us make better decisions in the future. For those who are unsure, just hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
For those who are adamantly against ERS, brace yourselves. One thing that we humans tend to do is make the same mistakes over and over again. When the water dries up, we die or at least move on. Game over!
Edward B. Wallace, Edwards
But this is all going to end on Jan. 5. That, for me, is a big red flag. Why the big rush? I think if the community leaders where wise, they would postpone this referendum for at least one more year and see what the economy does.
Not to be a procrastinator or anything. I just think it's the conservative approach, and I think at this period in time that would be wise for everyone.
Problem is the county isn't being run by conservatives. It's almost as if there's a panic to get it voted on. Another red flag.
Don't get me wrong. I know all about momentum and progress, and if they postpone, they could loose momentum, which could be the kiss of death for RED Development.
The other question I have is why does the town of Eagle need all this extra tax revenue? No joke! Why is it costing so much to run this town? Where is all the money going from sales and real estate taxes? I own a commercial property down Chambers Avenue, and I'm going to be paying through the nose for my property taxes in 2010.
Here we live in one of wealthiest communities in America, real estate wise, and yet we still can't generate enough money to sustain the community. Is it greed? Is it the lust for more? Or is it just life in the mountains?
Well, if so, then let fate take its course and make those who are responsible for it pay the price or reap the rewards. For me, the biggest issue is and always will be water. I've attended a meet and greet party for the developers, and that was my biggest concern. They have assured to the fact that they own the water rights for that tract of land and that a new water tank will be part of the infrastructure. That's all fine and I couldn't imagine a development like this without a secondary water supply. But what the developer may not know is the devastating effect of a drought period and how fragile our ecosystem is up here in the mountains, especially with the current population.
Whether or not the community can sustain a development like this or not is a huge gamble. Do we really want to take that risk? Sure, taking risks is how many people have amassed fortunes, as well as lost their asses. Many cliches support this, like “fortune only comes to the bold.” RED Development is coming on very boldly. They have a pretty good track record.
Does anyone know what “manifest destiny” is? If not, read the Book “Blood and Thunder,” by Hampton Sides. If you are interested in how the West was really won, read it. It's the story of Kit Carson and the tragic events that led to the taking over of the West and Southwest, thus combining all the land between the East Coast and West Coast. How about Chaco Canyon, N.M.,and what happened there?
It was a major Anasazi trading hub, the New York City of the ancient world that became so populated that, as the history books say, it imploded, mostly from drought. Now it's the largest archeological site in North America.
What does this have to do with ERS? Everything. It's history repeating itself. If we study and know what happened in the past, it will help us make better decisions in the future. For those who are unsure, just hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
For those who are adamantly against ERS, brace yourselves. One thing that we humans tend to do is make the same mistakes over and over again. When the water dries up, we die or at least move on. Game over!
Edward B. Wallace, Edwards
