HOW I SEE IT – 3

BIGGER ISSUES THAT NEED FIXING

The manner in which the St. George Municipal Election is shaping up, it appears to me, that the smart money has concluded the two incumbents have their re-election locked up. Perhaps this is as it should be. Only the voters can make that final determination. This being the case, only the third person is really at issue. Assuming this to be true one has to consider, what issue is to be used by the political powers that be, to enhance the image of the individual they feel will fill the bill for the third and final spot, mesh nicely with their way of thinking and doing things.

It now appears this issue may very well be The BLM Resource Management Plan. Most all of us connect this with the Northern Corridor and Turtle Reserve, located within the Red Cliffs and Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Areas.  Comments have been made by the Mayor and other prominent people that this BLM Plan appears to be a Land Grab by outsiders and not in the best interest of the community.  They may be right but this certainly makes the BLM out as the Bad Guy and the way the Federal Government has been acting concerning western land it is understandable.

Whatever the case may be it has certainly diverted public attention from many other important and meaningful issues that Municipal Government should be paying closer attention to and attempting to resolve.

The City Council Work Meeting held today, October 22^nd turned out to be most illuminating by the presence of Brian Tritle, Field Manager of BLM’s St. George Field Office. It was arranged for Mr. Tritle to be present by none other than the City Manager, who explained that it would be beneficial to the city. Underscored was the importance for having improved communication and interaction between City Hall and BLM on what is developing into a catastrophic situation, striking fear into the heart of those concerned with future development. It was learned that meetings dating back 20 years in which the City Manager had participated and thought to have produced an understanding that a NORTHERN CORRIDOR was virtually assured turns out to NOT to be the case today. 

My fellow citizens this OPEN Public Meeting has made it possible for me to inform you that the previously thought to be, done deal on the Northern Corridor could NOT be verified with written documentation. As of this writing public records or minutes could not be produced to establish the validity that such an arrangement had been made. Rather frightening to learn at this late stage that the BLM may very well be able to select anyone of four alternatives only one of which may include the building of a Northern Corridor. Mr. Tritle informed the council that BLM was required to obtain approval from the Fish and Wildlife Department on the selection of anyone of the proposed alternatives.  It appears the Northern Corridor is up for grabs and this will require full disclosure and documentation of how public interest is represented.

Please remember to VOTE on November 3^rd.  “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” Edmond Burke.  Vote for ED BACA to be your Eyes, Ears and VOICE on the City Council. VOTE on November 3^rd.