Flap construction
Today, I sat for 10+ minutes in a line of cars (eventually extending back at least 1/4 of a mile) along the Big Thompson River as it borders Moraine Avenue coming into town. Traffic was not moving in either direction, although eventually, a few cars appeared coming from the opposite direction, at which point we were allowed to progress into town.
I’m hopeful the construction is progressing. I do see some improvements (I had a lot more time than expected to look) as far as things being filled in that were previously dug up or exposed, but I also recognize a lot of heavy equipment moving on to the site that wasn’t there previously, with ominous looking drill bits.
I get that winter is always a time of slower construction. My guess is, December and January have seen a mix of days of warmer than expected conditions to permit some advancement, and snowy days that brought most things to a halt.
If I were in a less than sympathetic mood, I would say that these two months have been a big middle finger to those residents stupid enough to stick around town over the winter. I doubt very much if you would do this to tourists, but again, I get it on a certain “we’re all in this together RAH-RAH” level (although some of us are more in this than others), and I want the project done in time or before I die of sheer boredom just like everyone does.
So my proposal, which is unlikely to gain much traction, is this: What if you just declared the roundabout portion of the FLAP project on Moraine off limits to EVERYONE not involved with construction during the month of February, just use Davis Hill roads as the diversion for people who don’t want to sit forever when the area of the roundabout is not their ultimate parking goal, so that you could get this portion moving along faster and potentially showing residents an end is in sight. I get that you can’t do this as tourist season approaches, but why not get the inconvenience to town residents over all at once, pull off the bandaid quickly instead of torturing us, and, more to the point, making idling and pollution worse while people sit in their cars and leave them running, hopeful that the wait will not be a quarter of an hour, when one promoted notion of the FLAP grant would be that it would reduce pollution and idling.
Since this is unlikely to happen, how about trotting out a press release saying that the town is at least sympathetic to residents’ concerns, we are all in this together, etc. Because I am very much souring on the idea, even the idea, behind FLAP part 2, given the complete disruption of life as we know it by FLAP part 1.
The reason for addressing this to the trustees, a few of whom are running for office, is to ask them if they are willing to go on record, as voters go to the polls, whether they are in favor of FLAP part 2. Avoiding an answer is as much of an answer as answering the question in the affirmative or negative. Newspapers of record and LWV, please take note. Voters make decisions in prior elections related to support or lack of support among candidates for FLAP part 1 when they cast their votes. The same knowledge of positions related to major road construction projects lasting multiple summers should be transparent for all candidates currently on the ballot this April. Thanks.
John Meissner, Estes Park, jo.meis@gmail.com
Patriots for Peace
I would like to know if Robert Johnson is the secretary for Patriots for Peace, as reported elsewhere. The only Robert Johnson (about whom I found information) is deceased – https://www.estesparknews.com/local_obituaries/article_36f83e70-f0c0-11e7-96cf-cbfdec86620c.html). The e-mail information in question states that Robert Johnson is a current donor to a non-profit group in process of soliciting donations. I was unable to send a query to Patriots for Peace. Thank you.
Juanita Martin, Colorado Springs, blackbeatproduct@aol.com
