I have thought long and hard about writing this letter, and have decided to respond to the very poignant letter recently submitted by Herb Eaton.

The Eatons have been close friends of mine for many years, and our families are tied together through all of the events that life in this valley bring. While Herb and I have disagreed on the future of Eagle in regard to development, it has never marred our friendship.

So Herb, I must say there are those of us who moved to this area for reasons that had nothing to do with the mothership of Vail Associates. I fell in love with the land, the town and the people, as I know many others have who came here, and the only thing Vail has ever done for me is raise my property taxes.

I could be nostalgic and recall going to Little Britches Rodeos, brought here by the very uncle Herb refers to, and I too sat on his porch and watched the Flight Day's Parade.

But I will never forget helping another of Herb's relatives move cattle up Warren Gulch above what is now the Diamond Star Ranch.

As we were riding horseback side by side, this wonderful rancher-lady told me I was wasting my time trying to stop the inevitability of Adam's Rib Ski Area. That our valley was “done and gone” the day the Vail ski area became a reality.

For her, the fact that ranches no longer existed where gondola towers now reside was the ultimate measure of the destruction of the valley as she knew and appreciated it. “Why bother? It will all be ruined in the future anyway.”

It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it? All of the changes to our town and valley can't be erased, but is that reason to throw what's left to the wind?

Just as people predicted that Eagle would not survive without Adam's Rib, the prediction that Eagle's healthy future depends on Eagle River Station is negative speculation, and from my perspective, Eagle as we know it will not survive with it.

And what's left is absolutely worth crafting a future for that keeps Eagle the unique town that it still is today. Development at our eastern gateway needs to reflect our heritage, our past, our present and our recognizable future.

How about an equine-oriented development that houses a western Colorado major veterinary complex which currently doesn't exist this side of Grand Junction?

A hotel that caters to people moving their horses along I-70? Bridle paths through a Western residential setting? Hay fields that produce for the residents, while preserving a pastoral view?

These could all be fleshed out to make money and support say a Murdocks and other Western-based retail. There are so many ideas, and Eagle would stand out as the individuals that we are.

Just maybe if Target doesn't get past “go”, Trinity/RED would consider coming back with something that does fit, although I suspect their cookie-cutter Target mall is their sole interest.

Maybe it's time for Merv Lapin to step up to the plate and help plan for the remainder of that huge property, and let's put it all to the best combined use.

Show us your idea of an assisted living center, Merv, and let's see what else you have in mind. Let's do this right, all at once.

No one is trying to freeze Eagle in time; that would be folly. But I'd ask that the same brave and forward thinking people you refer to, Herb, dare to be just as brave as Vail's founders were in your eyes.

They succeeded by being different. So can Eagle.

Rosie Shearwood

Eagle