There are three issues with things that subtly come through their brief exchange.
The first is the issue of eminent domain. The Army keeps taking it off the table and then reintroducing it as a possibility. Mchugh is now saying it is not their "first path."
At some point however they'd have to use eminent domain to put together any kind of usable acquisition that they want.
At some point however they'd have to use eminent domain to put together any kind of usable acquisition that they want.
The second issue is the ever changing personnel within the Army. In the past three years, since we've been dealing with the expansion, we've seen three different commanding generals at Fort Carson, two different Secretaries of Defense, and now, two different Secretaries of the Army.
They all make statements, even "promises" but their words are only as trustworthy as their tenure. That's why we are pushing for federal legislation; something that will survive leadership changes.
They all make statements, even "promises" but their words are only as trustworthy as their tenure. That's why we are pushing for federal legislation; something that will survive leadership changes.
The third issue is "happy neighbors." Last week we did a presentation in Pueblo with Action-22, an organization which advocates for 22 counties in Southeastern Colorado, including El Paso County and Las Animas County. James Rice, Fort Carson's point-man on Pinon Canyon presented the Army's perspective on Pinon Canyon. He said his "focus" in now on rebuilding community relations by trying to offer contracts in Las Animas County, and by working to upgrade the Trinidad hospital.
He says he's not actively pursuing the purchase of land, but if somebody comes up to him "with 50,000 acres for sale, that's a different story". He brushed off the suggestion that there are not any funds available for answering such an 'offer'. But of course, it's not really an Army decision to "refocus" their efforts. They are prohibited from pursuing expansion by a congressional ban on spending.
He says he's not actively pursuing the purchase of land, but if somebody comes up to him "with 50,000 acres for sale, that's a different story". He brushed off the suggestion that there are not any funds available for answering such an 'offer'. But of course, it's not really an Army decision to "refocus" their efforts. They are prohibited from pursuing expansion by a congressional ban on spending.
We must keep pushing our Senators and our Representatives to put a permanent ban in place to take the hovering axe of single minded defense contractors from over the neck of our entire region and state.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment