JOURNAL SUMMARY 01/08/06
Now that I've been proselytizing about all manner of other items, I have
left myself with perhaps enough time to offer up the week's digest. Details
will likely have to wait until later.

1) RE-1J
    Jaclyn was going to request a scheduled audience for the GVCA at the
Jan. 23 school board meeting. We are going to request publication of the
board's agenda prior to meetings, as well as making copies of the minutes
available. We also want to suggest an e-packet similar to the city's,
although it sounds as though the district does not have a website (the high
school does).

2) City Council Jan. 3
    The one item I forgot to include in my details last week came from
Police Chief Greg Anderson. He noted that we have one position on the force
that has been unfilled since before his arrival. it sounds like he might be
interesting in targeting older cops from elsewhere who might be looking for
a transition to retirement, rather than trying to recruit staright out of
the academy. Nationwide, police forces are having trouble recruiting. Few
want to be a man or woman in blue these days, apparently.

3) City Council Jan. 10
    I watched all but the first 40 minutes on TV, despite poor sound
quality. Several ordinances were passed, at least on first reading,
including an increase to trash and electric rates. The city also agreed to
contribute $5,000, to be paid late in the year, to the sage grouse
coordinator position.

4) EDC
    Ken Medina reported last night that the EDC accepted Mike Darnell's
resignation, effective Dec. 31, and decided to remain dormant for six months
-- I think while waiting to see if its mission gets clarified. The Chamber
of Commerce will field any calls, directing callers to members of the EDC,
and Thom Cox is going to serve as the interim director.

5) City Planning Commission
    The commission meets tonight for the first time since early December,
focusing on the master plan process.

6) Fires
    Johnny Towner's toxic bait farm burned within the last month, and those
of you who think private property is a sacred right held only by the
landowner take note (sorry, back on my soapbox): clean-up of this is liable
to cost county taxpayers a fair penny. The fire several months ago on South
Boulevard has resulted in an asbestos abatement problem for the city, with
the property owners impossible to find and two other liens already attached
to the property. The city is hoping to come close to breaking even on the
considerable costs of the clean-up.

    And, in keeping with an unhappy January tradition, another local
business has burned: A&W caught fire Monday night. Both the Cattlemen's and
the Oddfellows buildings were January victims as well.

7) Board of County Commissioners
    They met this morning with interested parties to discuss possibilities
for the detention center. Notably, Bill Nesbitt was specifically asked to
participate, but seemed adamantly disinclined to do so. The county is
interested in getting all factions to the table.

    The county is also holding four versions of the same meeting on the
proposed affordable housing regs this month. You should only need to attend
one: they're going to present the same info at all, and take public comment.
Wednesday the commissioners gather in Crested Butte; Thursday they're in
their meeting room at 7 p.m. Two additional meetings are set for the 18th
and 19th.

8) County Planning Commission
   The Whetstone Business Park was discussed last Friday. The town of
Crested Butte wants to see it light industrial; neighbors want residential.
Both north-end municipalities are wanting to diversify their economies
beyond second homes and CBMR, but Butch pointed out that what some residents
see as a pressing need is a place to store large items such as RVs.

9) Immigrant Integration
    We are invited Chief Anderson to our meeting this Sunday, I think at 5
p.m. unless that wasn't convenient for him. He has some thoughts on aiding
some of our residents who, for various reasons, may fear to come forward as
victims of crime.

10) 9 Health Fair
    We do want to stage our fund-raiser, instigated last year by Patrick and
Judith Farrell, perhaps in March rather than the last minute as we did last
time. The Farrells are planning an additional fund-raiser for
Gunnison-raised Erik Engquist, a classmate of mine (so he's 43) who has
pancreatic cancer.

Karen is wanting the names of folks who might be interested in volunteering
to work the Health Fair -- she will coordinate our volunteer effort with the
health Fair folks. If you want to volunteer, let her know ASAP.
Unforunately, I don't have the date of the fair.

11) Moving Our E-List
    For a variety of reasons, we are considering moving this list (so, this
means anyone receiving this e-mail) from Yahoo to Otherwhen, with Mike
Avery's assistance. It turns out even our archive can be preserved. If
anyone has an objection, this would be a good time to mention it; otherwise,
I'll proceed with the transfer.

12) Wal-Mart Watch
    We noted that retail sales continued to lag behind competitors this
holiday season; up 2.2 percent to Target's 4.7 increase. Bankers across the
country are now joining the groups opposed to Wal-mart, although I don't
know the status of Wal-Mart's petition, to whatever federal regulation
agency oversees that stuff, to charter its own bank.

13) Book Recommendation
    Karen, Ellen and Jaclyn, who is anxiously on the waiting list, are all
speaking highly of _Enlightened Power_.  I don't even have a good run-down
for you, except that it's addressing women in the political sphere. As
general reading for everyone, Ellen recommended the chapter on difficult
conversations.

You know, it turns out that I don't think I'll need to offer any details --
you got the guts of our meeting right here. If you want more information on
any topic, let the list know: I'm sure someone would be happy to offer up
their thoughts.

TL