Letter: Current Vail council members aren’t the bad guys
The recent letter to the editor regarding condemnation and fiscal responsibility by nine previous town council members certainly caught my attention.
We can all agree on the importance of fiscal responsibility and the town’s historical legacy. However, the tone of the letter and its insinuation of impending loss of financial well-being by condemning the Booth Heights parcel is a big stretch. Especially when the signers are basing their concerns on a “rumor” that the council has a “no price is too high philosophy.”
It should be noted that other previous council members — one remembered as probably the most fiscally conservative ever — and numerous others of Vail’s founding fathers have spoken out in support of condemnation. Some, but not all, of the letter’s signers were here in the 1970s when what was then known as the Antholtz Ranch was acquired through condemnation. I don’t recall many of the details of that process, but no doubt there were skeptics and assertions of financial impropriety then, as well.
The result of that council’s vision, wisdom and determination is Ford Park, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and the Ford Amphitheater. What a gift that is — one that generations have enjoyed and will continue enjoying.
The current council members have not been financially irresponsible, and they are not the bad guys here. They have singularly dealt in good faith in acquiring the Booth Heights parcel and their vision of preserving it for future generations is admirable. And, their efforts and financial commitment to secure more workforce housing alternatives is equally admirable.
Support Local Journalism
It would be beneficial if the nine previous council members directed their concerns also to the large corporation that sits opposite the town at the negotiating table. That might ultimately help preserve the financial strength of the town and create a lasting environmental treasure at the same time.
Tom Vucich
Vail