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Category Archives: 2004
Special districts: The underground government
Three years ago, a not-so-quiet revolution occurred in Montezuma County when the board members of the Cortez Sanitation District were resoundingly recalled over a policy that the majority of its customers saw as heartless and draconian. The district’s manager had … Continue reading
Published in May 2004
Bush-bashing books may not make a difference
An awful lot of authors seem to have been inspired by the Bush administration lately. Every time I turn on the television Larry King or Charlie Rose is asking a concerned-looking, 60-ish male why George Bush thinks God appointed him … Continue reading
Published in janelle holden, May 2004
Lies, damned lies and Bush politics
“These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group I’ve ever seen – it’s scary.” — Sen. John Kerry “Mission Accomplished,” declared a huge banner the White House had prepared as a backdrop for President Bush’s visit to a … Continue reading
Published in April 2004, David Long
River of Sorrows: Drought strangles the Dolores
It’s been described as more of an elaborate plumbing system than a real-life natural river, its water caged, sucked and pumped away for the sake of farming and domestic use. But a revived movement is growing to promote environmental balance … Continue reading
Published in April 2004
Public-lands littering widespread
They had two choices: Clean it up, or just rename it Trash Canyon and let it go. Bureau of Land Management officials opted for the former. On Saturday, April 10, they’ll be hosting a community clean-up effort in the Cash … Continue reading
Published in April 2004
Missionary Ridge timber sale in limbo
If a tree falls in the forest, who gets it? That’s the question on many people’s minds these days when they consider the fire-damaged Missionary Ridge area near Durango. Two years ago in June, a wildfire raged across more than … Continue reading
Published in April 2004
Loose dogs wreak havoc, but penalties are few
“One who owns or keeps in his or her possession a domestic animal and has no knowledge of its vicious, dangerous or destructive habits or tendencies is not legally responsible for injuries or damage caused by such animal.” — Colorado … Continue reading
Published in April 2004
Is Kerry more than just the anti-Bush?
At a dinner party last weekend, a friend of mine announced that he had an important question to ask our host. “George,” he said, munching on a shrimp cocktail, “You have eight months to answer this, but I need you … Continue reading
Published in April 2004, janelle holden
Testing the yellow waters
While many right-thinking folks are focusing all their energies on getting rid of the scurrilous Patriot Act, our civil liberties are being seriously eroded on yet another front with hardly a whimper of protest. In one of several offensive propositions … Continue reading
Published in David Long, March 2004
Scientists urge restraint in thinning piñons
A group of scientists and researchers is challenging the conventional notion that dead piñon trees need to be aggressively cleared to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. However, some fire experts disagree and worry that the researchers’ advice may discourage … Continue reading
Published in March 2004
Former deputy marshal defends his performance in Mancos
In response to recent articles regarding the Mancos Marshal’s Office, ex-deputy Wesley Short has asked to tell his side of the story — the story of his employment with and dismissal from the marshal’s office. Short contacted the Free Press … Continue reading
Published in March 2004
Fog over the Four Corners: Part II
(Second in a two-part series) Click here to read Part I The quality of air throughout the Four Corners has slipped in recent years, partly because of rampant energy development in northwestern New Mexico. Now, the federal government’s plan to … Continue reading
Published in March 2004
Defense attorney files complaint against Olt
Prosecutors, who are enforcers of the law, have higher ethical duties than other lawyers because they are ministers of justice, not just advocates. . . . they must be forever vigilant that their conduct as attorneys not only meets the … Continue reading
Published in March 2004
C’etait une bon fete
For one night, Mancos’ Grand Ave was transformed into New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street. On Feb. 21, the town hosted its first annual Mardi Gras Ball, a benefit for the Community Center and Mancos Opera House. Despite stormy weather and … Continue reading
Published in March 2004
O’Neil seeks to revitalize Mancos Marshal’s Office
Look out, criminals, there’s a new marshal in Mancos and he aims to clean up the town. After months of unrest within the Mancos Marshal’s Office during the past year, things finally might be settling down. With a new marshal … Continue reading
Published in February 2004
Fog over the Four Corners: Part I
(First in a two-part series) Click here to read Part II The thought of smog polluting the rural Four Corners seems implausible, but in fact pollution levels in the region are already on the rise. And with major energy development … Continue reading
Published in February 2004
District attorney mulls second term despite critics
Editors’s note: The several attorneys and law-enforcement officers who agreed to comment for this story did so under condition of anonymity, since they must work closely with the District Attorney’s office in trying to deliver criminal justice in the 22nd … Continue reading
Published in February 2004
Bluff Balloon Festival sets skies aglow
If you have ever been curious about hot-air balloons, then Bluff, Utah, was the place to be Jan. 15-18 for the sixth annual Bluff International Balloon Festival. It was an event not to be missed. The festival draws pilots from … Continue reading
Published in February 2004
A city-county tug of war
Montezuma County was created in 1889. The city of Cortez was incorporated as a town in 1902. And probably ever since that time, the two entities have struggled to get along. Theirs is an uneasy relationship, one that has had … Continue reading
Published in February 2004
Football’s strange allure captures a reluctant fan
I commute to work with a psychiatrist. She’s become a good friend, and during our half-hour drive, we discuss our personal lives, the weather, and occasionally who should be president. She’s a physician, so when discussing medical problems, we use … Continue reading
Published in February 2004, janelle holden
Bush’s military career lacks ‘shared sacrifice’
I don’t eat turkey because growth hormones and antibiotics don’t agree with my system, but I got pretty nauseated on Thanksgiving anyway. The continuous cable-news coverage of President (you’ll never know how hard that is for me to write) Bush’s … Continue reading
Published in David Long, January 2004
Nuclear legacy clouds White Mesa’s future
“We thought it was over, but it’s just like it was. Will there ever be an end to the Indian Wars?” — Bruce Cockburn, songwriter, human-rights activist In the ramshackle community of White Mesa, Utah, a rusty swing-set ominously clatters … Continue reading
Published in January 2004
Investigators seeking ‘smoking gun’ in Mancos fire
The gaping black hole on Grand Avenue in Mancos has been there for so long, most folks don’t even notice it any more. Seven months after the old Bounty Hunter store and Nathaniel’s hat shop burned beyond repair in a … Continue reading
Published in January 2004
Evil Empire? Critics, fans debate Wal-Mart
“As Wal-Mart rolled out its franchises, it sucked commerce off Main Streets, destroying traditional retailers that had served their communities for generations. But in the face of the abundance Wal-Mart produced, in the form of new jobs, consumer savings and … Continue reading
Published in January 2004
Boggy Draw to get facelift
The popular Boggy Draw area near Dolores will get a facelift, official recognition as a recreation site, and more publicity under plans proposed by the Dolores Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest. The Forest Service is taking public … Continue reading
Published in January 2004
A-LP Lite grows porker
Skeptical citizens peppered Bureau of Reclamation officials with questions about the ballooning costs of the Animas-La Plata Project at a meeting Dec. 19 in Durango. “Isn’t lying to Congress a criminal activity?” asked Michael Black of Taxpayers for the Animas … Continue reading
Published in January 2004
‘Festivus’ for the rest of us
One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes is about “Festivus,” the holiday Frank Castanza made up to replace Christmas. Instead of a tree you get an undecorated pole. And instead of sharing good times with friends and family there is a … Continue reading
Published in janelle holden, January 2004