At Liberti

Colorado Citizens: Don’t miss the chance to give your input on Over The River. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to co_otr_comments@blm.gov or by fax to 269-8599, enter the words OTR Comments on the cover sheet subject line.

The volume of feedback will be important in the decision. Here’s a copy of my email feel free to use any part of it:

Please, please don’t compromise the safety and well being of many to satisfy one man’s ego. There are too many reasons to say no!

The project compromises our safety and well being!

Highway 50 can be a sometimes dangerous and difficult drive. I drive it regularly and have been stopped in traffic a number of times - once as much as four hours. I now carry emergency supplies including food for me and my dog, in my vehicle. If I had a medical emergency I could have easily died before I could get help. I know others have reported close calls, without the obstacles that OTR will cause. The report does not measure the cost of human hours - how much my time worth and the time of all of us subjected to Christo’s whim. what is the cost of wasted fuel?

The project damages the health of our wildlife.

I love Colorado and our natural resources. It was a primary reason for my move hear many years ago. I care about the wildlife and am deeply concerned with the risk to the bighorn sheep and all the others critters who will be adversely affected. Study show that the health and habit of one of our precious resources, wildlife, will be damaged. And they have a right to life but  no voice. For what? So one man can say “I did it” and profit enormously from the sale of his drawings and the publicity?

The project will damage our environment.

There’s no question that damage will be done that can not be repaired. We make public decision like this all the time basing our decision on whether or not such damage is “justifiable.” That is does it benefit more that the cost of damage. If we were talking about a project that saved lives or improved our well being it might be justified. The supposed economic benefit of extra money flowing to certain residents of our area is not sufficient justification.We should not be in the position of selling our natural resources to temporarily enrich some people.

This project is NOT about supporting art.

Rejecting this project does not mean we are rejecting art. We are simply rejecting the artist imposing cost and inconvenience to force us to experience his art. Love his art? Fine support him to create where the damage is not so great. 

Christo has an unfair advantage and You are our only voice.

Christo has the ability to acquire influence. He has the financing to purchase all kinds of worldwide publicity. He has the backing of the arts community because he is an artist. He gets invited to speak at colleges and promote his art. He has the backing of politicians and business organizations who only see the lure of economic benefits. He has used his influence to mobilize worldwide support. We the people do not have that kind of influence. We don’t get invited to speak. We can not buy public relations. We can’t compete with the millions Christo spends, just to get our voices heard.

You are our only hope. Please, please protect us. Preserve our safety, our wildlife, our natural resources and our quality of life.

Thank you!