Editor:
One of the main attractions of living near the San Juan Mountains is the opportunity to view its varied and abundant wildlife. However, because humans and animals travel along the same corridors, there is a high potential for wildlife vehicle collisions. Roadkill.
How many times have we seen it? I believe that collisions with wildlife are not just random and unforeseen encounters and that there are steps drivers can take to enable them to better anticipate and avoid wildlife hazards on the road.
The number one and most common sense strategy for preventing roadkill is for drivers to slow down, especially during the dark hours between dusk and dawn. Simply put, by slowing down from 60 to 50 mph, one gains 65 feet of stopping distance. The range of an average car headlight is only 200-250 feet - in order to avoid hitting animals at night, you should slow down to 45-50 mph on dry roads and 30 mph on icy pavement if you want to be able to stop to avoid wildlife.
There is serious talk of reducing the nighttime speed limit on Highway 550. I am for it. Sergeant Jerry Weisman of the Colorado State Patrol is taking comments and letters of support for this idea and needs your letters before the end of December. Please send your comments to him at this address: 2420 N. Townsend, Montrose, CO 81401.
Remember: A typical deer weighs 200 pounds. A typical car weighs 3,000 pounds. Statistics nationwide bear witness to 1.5 million deer vehicle collisions annually. Tens of thousands of people are injured in such collisions and several hundred people are killed.
Do we need to slow down? It could save a life.
Sincerely,
- Celia Clark, Ridgway
On the Road
To Ophir
Editor:
As Town Manager of the Town of Ophir, and representative of the people of Ophir, I sincerely express our appreciation to San Miguel County, the County Commissioners and the County Road and Bridge Department for the contribution of a 1985 772A John Deere motor grader to the Town.
We have the greatest respect and appreciation for each and every individual of the County Road Crews for their professional and dedicated work in keeping the Ophir Road maintained throughout the year, despite some challenging conditions.
To all, the very best of holidays from the folks of Ophir.
Sincerely,
- Paul Machado, Manager, Town of Ophir
Respecting The Flag
Editor:
David Glynn is definitely not a model consumer, but he is most certainly a thoughtful American. A thinking person does not readily wear logos and symbols that deliver messages inconsistent with their own philosophy. A thinking person questions everything, and it is a courageous person who is not afraid to think out loud.
His civic participation as past mayor and a county commissioner candidate, his service to humanity through many years of direct contribution to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, his $3,000 donation to the Valley Floor and his many other actions on behalf of our environment make him a card-carrying, flag-waving, patriotic American, in my book.
I challenge any of his recent critics to so actively live out their own convictions. While they are free to live in unquestioning apathy, they are certainly not going to change the world.
According to the U.S. Flag Code, the uniform sleeve patches could be considered disrespectful to the flag. Why perpetuate some Descente marketing gimmick? What is the message of the flag for international tourists, anyway? Illegal Aliens Proudly Displaced Here? Stay the Course - Ski America? Buy American? Descente, after all, is made in China. The patches should be removed, and employees should be able to optionally wear a flag pin or patch where it belongs - over the heart.
We question, we pray and we vote in the hope that the flag will once again represent who we think we are. I respect his thoughtful decision to remove his patch.
- Monica Carey
Reward for Stolen Emergency Equipment
Editor:
For the last ten seasons I have operated guided snowmobile tours into the Beaver Park/Lone Cone region of the Uncompahgre National forest. My guides and I pride ourselves on conducting a safe, enjoyable experience for the visitors of the Telluride area. For this season, we had cached an emergency litter approximately two miles from Beaver Park. This area is only accessible by snowmobile during the winter. The black plastic "TrailBoggan" litter contained a Zee first aid kit in an orange tool box, a blue back board, a neck collar and was established to allow the safe evacuation of a client in case of an accident. It was placed near a particularly dangerous corner where accidents have unfortunately occurred in the past. We are talking blood, broken bones and a long evacuation to the nearest medical facility.
Sometime between noon on Thursday, Dec. 14 and noon on Friday, Dec. 15, this equipment was stolen by two snowmobilers who hauled the gear across Beaver Park toward the Norwood trailhead. This equipment was placed there to save lives. To say that this is a stupid, shameful, reckless act is very much of an understatement. I am looking for the return of my emergency medical equipment and seek the identity of the thieves who endanger both my livelihood and the safety of my clients. This is not he Code of the West. Please help me identify these miscreants.
Every guide, every Ski Patrol member, every Search and Rescue member will recognize the downside to this event. This is a threat to a way of life as well as a threat to innocent tourists. The San Miguel County Sheriff's Office is investigating and offering a $500 Crime Stoppers award for the arrest and conviction of the guilty parties. I am incensed enough to match that $500 out of my own pocket. That is $1,000 up for grabs to anyone who can point the police in the right direction. Their phone number is 728-1911. I am also willing to offer $250 for the return of my property, no questions asked. My cell number is 708-2478.
People can die from such stupidity. Please, if you know someone with a two place trailer and two snowmobiles who have recently acquired a used black TrailBoggan in the past week, please, please drop a dime. It might be your relative lying in the snow with broken bones, 20 miles from the nearest paved road. If you are the thief, just return the equipment to the same place and the case will be dropped. Otherwise many people are looking for you.
- Dave Rote, Dave's Mountain Tours
Habitat Off to a Great Start
Editor:
2006 has been a big year for Habitat for Humanity of Telluride Region (HFHTR). In January we got a grant from the Telluride Foundation and contracted with Judi Balkind as our support staff. In June HFHTR became the 30th affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International in Colorado. HFHTR also received a grant from the Telluride Rotary Club.
In August the Board of County Commissioners of San Miguel County voted to transfer title to land in Norwood large enough for six Habitat houses and a Town Park.
HFHTR began the family selection process with four meetings, in Telluride, Rico, Norwood and Ridgway. We are reviewing applications now and will announce the first two Habitat families in February 2007. HFHTR has received donations and grants from a number of individuals and foundations totaling more than $130,000.
In addition, Mountain Village Owners Association included $50,000 for HFHTR in its 2007 budget. We appreciate all of the support we have received in 2006.
Joe Steinberg and Pine Ridge Winery have graciously offered to donate a trip to Napa Valley for the first 14 donors that have or will unselfishly donate $10,000 or more to Habitat for Humanity of Telluride Region.
The weekend starts July 30. It is hosted by Pine Ridge and Joe Steinberg ... it should be a great fun trip ... lots of good wine ... a great dinner at the Caves of Pine Ridge ... golf and poker ... a Gulfstream G550 will pick up in Telluride and fly directly to Napa ... more later...
If you want to go on this trip, send your checks to Habitat for Humanity of Telluride Region, PO Box 3852, Telluride, CO 81435.
2007 promises to be even bigger for Habitat for Humanity of Telluride Region. We are beginning the process to have our land annexed into the Town of Norwood, transfer part of the land to Norwood for use as a Town Park, and gain necessary approvals for the construction of the six houses.
HFHTR needs volunteers to assist with the infrastructure construction and house construction. If you would like to volunteer, call 728-5515.
We also need funds for the construction of two houses beginning in May 2007. Donations can be mailed to Habitat for Humanity of Telluride Region, PO Box 3852, Telluride, CO 81435.
For additional information, visit our website at www.habitattellurideregion.org.
Best wishes for the holiday season.
Sincerely,
- Mike Dorsey, President, Habitat for Humanity of Telluride Region
Good Will Stretches to Afghanistan
Editor:
On behalf of the Amnesty International Group at Telluride High School, we would like to thank the generous donations of Prospect Realty, Nevasca Realty, Linda Miller, as well as all the buyers of our treats at our bake sale before the screening of Turtles Can Fly.
Many people in our community heard the call for donations of warm clothing to be sent to the children of Afghanistan. The man who is organizing the distribution of the clothing is living in Kabul with his family. Below is an excerpt from a letter to the States:
"I arrived in Afghanistan in 2003, hired as a Defense Contractor with the mission of training the new Afghan National Army (ANA). During my first winter, the large number of small children scouring the streets each morning and evening looking for scraps of food and combustible material to stay alive during the harsh Afghan Winters struck me.
"During the first winter, I usually bought about 200 hard-boiled eggs each week and gave these little protein bombs out like candy to the street kids. They love them and they are very nourishing. Now, many donors send power bars and I give these out to the kids of the street each day on my way to and from work. Random acts are the way to go!
"As I became familiar with Kabul, I also began to notice a large number of displaced Afghans living in absolute squalor in tents, bombed out former Russian tenement buildings, and other makeshift 'homes' throughout the city. I decided then and there that I would see if I could marshal the good will of friends in the USA to send donations here to help these very poor people survive." -Matt Matteson
Thank you Telluride for your generosity and modeling for our students acts of good will.
- The Telluride High School Amnesty International Club
Make a Wish
Editor:
Each of us here at the Telluride Institute would like to express our deepest appreciation for all the hard work and perseverance, design input and beautiful craftsmanship that went in to creating the Wishing Well. It is a shining example of how collaborative effort can create something transcendent.
We're sure you've been following the tremendous response of the community and visitors alike to the well - over $9,000 contributed in the first weeks of December alone! That amount has been matched by the Lifton-Zoline Family and an anonymous donor. And that's just the first of the challenge matches!
We especially appreciate the large donation of labor and materials that Steeprock Builders contributed to the project. Your enthusiastic dedication shows deeply in the quality of your work.
Thank you so much from us, and we believe, from the spirits of the Valley Floor. That's what this is all about.
With heartfelt thanks,
- Pamela Zoline, Kris Holstrom, Ashley Boling and the rest of the Telluride Institute crew
Report From Peraliya, Sri Lanka
Editor:
It's been almost two years since the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami tore through much of this island's coastal region. I've watched closely and intimately the healing and rebuilding process of a people who've endured unfathomable pain, loss and hardship. In many ways the growth and infrastructure rebuilding has been dramatic in the past year. Schools, medical centers and homegrown businesses have been revitalized. Temples and community centers have sprouted amid rubble, debris and memorials to the dead. People are still quick with a smile, offering tea or an enthusiastic greeting.
Yet a lot of villages and people, often the poorest of the poor have fallen through the world's vision and societal cracks. They are still lacking such very basic needs as proper shelter, sanitation and the means to support themselves. Many are still living below a rational standard of human dignity.
Erratic weather patterns and tsunami residual toxins have drastically altered reefs and shorelines. Traditional shrimp and lobster fishing areas are now oceanic dead zones. Entire base economics have shifted. Rainforests that were ravaged for timber to build temporary shelters are now the scene of frequent mudslides, destroying homes, dislocating villages, indigenous wildlife and fouling fresh water supplies.
Hostilities between the Sinhalese government, Tamil "tigers" and Muslim factions in the north and east have resumed and spread to until recently unaffected areas. Bombings and attacks are increasing island wide, including a recent one just a few kilometers south of here, which have driven away most of the fledgling tourism, and creating tens of thousands of war refugees and exacerbating an already crippled economy.
It's a somber time in the psyche and hearts of this sometimes-idyllic island nation.
The Telluride community, and indeed the world have reached deep into themselves and their pockets to help these and other affected people.
These gestures of compassion and generosity are still today greatly appreciated.
A thousand thanks for your love, blessings and prayers during this important time of memorial.
Ayabowan,
- Bruce French
Season of Laughter
Editor:
I would like to thank everyone who came out and supported our show "Season's Greetings" at the Sheridan Opera House last week. We had a blast, and hope you did too.
Also, we could not have done it without the support of Ronnie Palamar and the entire SAF staff. Thanks again for being so great to work with! And of course Pip for the costumes. Everyone should go down to her store and buy something, stat!
Keep an eye out for the production of "Living Out" by Lisa Loomer next month at the Opera House, directed by yours truly. "Living Out" tells the story of the complicated relationship between a Salvadoran nanny and the Anglo lawyer she works for. A funny and tragic show that is very relevant to Telluride today. Auditions coming next week!
Thanks for supporting local theater!
- Jeb Berrier
P.S. Anyone want to buy a guillotine?
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