Two issues seem to be on the minds of Moabites recently. First the tram, which after $2 million in construction costs and overruns, sits idle on the north end of town like some abandoned ghost town oil derrick. Its owners are either, 1) quibbling over the future of their goofy enterprise, or 2) have run out of money. No one with a vested interest is speaking clearly and succinctly on the topic. And now it appears the tramway people never posted the reclamation bond that was required to get county approval.
But it really doesn't matter.
Nobody is going to tear that tram down. Bond or no bond. If these guys have to sell their contraption at a huge loss, if the owners, future or current, have to run the tram one day a year just to beat the requirements of the reclamation bond, that is what they'll do. Barring a miracle, that eyesore is going to be out there for a long, long time.
I found some comments by Grand County Council Chairperson Kimberly Schappert particularly bewildering. In a Salt Lake Tribune article on the tram by Lisa Church, Schappert said, "It's (the north end of Moab) going to be developed, so the question becomes what sort of look do we want that area to have, which is the gateway to Moab. Sometimes it takes projects like this to give people a kick in the pants to get going on planning."
That would have been a dynamic comment by an elected official if it had been made ten years ago, or six years ago, or even four years ago. But isn't it a bit late to be worrying about the appearance of Moab's northern "gateway?" Schappert's "sort of look" has already been decided...it's a tram and a waterslide and a concrete motel and a giant commercial campground and another motel under construction.
Sure there are a few blank spots left out there, particularly the big field across from the Ranch House. Twenty years ago, we used to watch thousands of Canadian Geese gather in that meadow during the winter. No more. And unless the County and City are prepared to take serious action, that field will be lost to more concrete condos and faux adobe shopping centers.
I don't see that happening. But I do agree with Schappert that a lot of Grand County citizens are furious right now. We're all beginning to look like a bunch of prostitutes. Is there anything we won't do for money?
I've told the story before, but this town, when it gets mad enough has forced significant and positive change. I'm fairly confident that, for instance, this community could tighten its zoning ordinances through referendum---a vote by the people. When Grand County stopped the toxic waste incinerator in 1988, we voted to prohibit that kind of use in a particular commercial zone that had previously allowed it. We could do it again.
For me, the north end of town is lost...the horse pastures, the old cottonwood trees, the unmarred cliffs...they're gone. But there is still a lot of untrampled ground elsewhere that deserves our attention. But it's up to you...
And speaking of activism and participation, please allow me to show my age for a minute, but I'm feeling grouchy and disgusted this morning even if it is "The Good News Issue."
I have a question: Is there anyone out there under the age of 30 who gives a damn about any of these issues? Are there any of you Gen X/Yers who regard yourselves as environmentalists? I know there are plenty of "recreationists" in this town. But I'm not talking about that vast Moab sub-culture that plays extreme sports and sees every rock as a climbing challenge and drinks a lot of espresso. Are there any of you under 30 who experience the kind of outrage I described on page two? If you're out there, and I suspect you are, albeit in small scattered numbers, please contact me. I'm serious. I want to know who you are. It'll make me feel better and more importantly, I want to introduce you to each other. You may have kindred spirits in this town that you don't know exist.
You guys could form the activist core of a group with a lot greater interest in Moab's future than I have. After all, you're going to be here a lot longer.
Call me. Email me. Stop by the house. Do something.