Opposition Groups Honored by LaJunta Chamber

From the LaJunta Tribune

Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition and Not 1 More Acre! received the award together, with Lon Robertson and Steve Wooten accepting for PCEOC and Jim Herrell acccepting the award on behalf of Not 1 More Acre!

Newspaper publisher Candi Hill, who presented the award with Adela Licano and Chamber President Chandra Ochoa, said the two groups "have made significant contributions to protecting Southeastern Colorado's lifestyle and heritage. Through their efforts, ranchland in Pinon Canyon has been protected against expansion by the U.S. Army. Both organizations understand and appreciate the value of agriculture to this community. They are committed to protecting a way of life that impacts every person here. There will be future battles to protect our heritage and we hope both organizations know that they have the support of the communities they are helping to protect."

Hill said the groups should be congratulated "for being the voice of not only the agricultural community but for all people of Southeastern Colorado." Robertson said four years ago when PCEOC was started, people warned him the group couldn't win against the Army in its haste to expand it 238,000-acre training site southwest of La Junta.

"As a community we are here because we don't give up," Robertson said.

Herrell said even though the groups have succeeded in getting a congressional funding ban on expansion of Pinon Canyon and a moratorium on leasing or selling state land to the military, "it's like hitting a home run in the fifth inning. It's nice but there's still a lot of work left to do."

Herrell said the Army's plans to expand the site by 418,000 acres still stand. Congress needs to take the plans off the table, he said.  Herrell called the people of Southeast Colorado "among the most patriotic you will find in America," adding that the example set by the two groups in opposing expansion of Pinon Canyon means parents here "can still look their children in the eyes and tell them to stand up for what they believe in."

The two groups received a standing ovation from the crowd before they left the banquet stage.


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