After my last visit to the meetings at the Steam Plant it has been an awakening journey. Lack of support by GARNA made me think of the lack of support needed from LTUA, and any other Chaffee County organizations which have the interest of our natural resources. We are sustained by water, wildlife, natural habitats, clear air, pristine headwater springs, a tourist based economy and just all around beauty and wilderness. Our 80% plus public lands prove that we are truly unique on this planet.
My fellow “realtors” whom I consider friends, professional business colleagues and valued opinions in this county stood up for the Nestle Corporation. Later, to my investigation, I realized they have vested interests in this application being accepted. As well as a local rancher with vast knowledge, respect of community and a voice to be noticed standing up for Nestle, others did. Be aware the reasons for these supporters. There are local residents in Salida who have seen the direct effect of Nestle’s destruction on there old “Home town”, which now has an outsourced water supply. Wake up, Chaffee County. Go out and ask questions if you care.
I visited Nathrop in April of 1981, my second and last visit to Colorado as I became a resident. I raised my daughter here in the outdoors, lived all over the county and now reside in historic downtown. I’ve seen more square inches of this county than most for many reasons, the main one being, I love the ability to enjoy the natural outdoors. It has given me the drive to stay in Salida, even in hard economic times. As a realtor I’ve definitely seen economic hard times.
Nestle Corporation has big muscles, like a Goliath standing right in the middle of the Arkansas River headwaters, near the pristine springs feeding it. We are the Davids. We are the keepers of the spring. We must protect the spring, the water, beautiful country that all of us have come to appreciate, enjoy and, obviously take for granted or we would all be up there at the podium. So as they say in the country where I’m connected to “Come Hell or high water”. Well, I’d rather see the high water stay in the high places and flowing in it’s natural state to the earth that supports us as humans. The minimal benefits Nestle would bring in the form of revenue (aka greed) will never replace the loss of our most precious resource of life in Chaffee County.
We must become aware this application does not meet the criteria needed to support approval by our county. Please listen to the voices of those hired to be professional advisors to us in this crisis. We are a small voice with a huge message. Save our water, save our livelihood.
I plan to show up and speak up at the next meeting. Show you care. Find out more and then follow your heart….right up to the podium. Thank you to all the last citizens which spoke up!
Judy Shuford
Salida, CO
Thank you Judy.
Nestle has been postponed. Many smart Chaffee County citizens are on the path to finding the legal loophole to stop them. The UAWCD is our liason. Next meeting at 1pm, Wed the 29th, Steamplant Theater, Salida. We need community support and speakers that can pull out their slingshots, but you must have a good aim. Bring your brains and find your rock! Go to chaffeecounty.org to see the documentation for your hunt. Stopping the 1041 Application and SLUP is our only hope. We need a minimum 2 vote from the 3 commissioners to halt this. Appeal to them with ammo they can use. We must keep trying and be very savvy about it. Judy