Denver News Blog

Wake-Up Call: Army maneuvers appeal of Pinon Canyon ruling

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It's more than just......

While the “Pinon Canyon controversy” is often characterized as fight between ranchers and the Army, in reality opposition to the Pinon Canyon expansion comes from individuals and groups representing the entire political spectrum.  Opponents include conservatives and liberals, property-rights organizations, and environmental groups. They include groups representing peace and justice advocates and veterans. Opposition to expansion has been stated in the local and/or state platforms of both the Republican and Democratic parties, and has been expressed by candidates from both parties.  Expansion has been opposed by all levels of government, from county commissions and cities to regional councils and our state legislature, and both house of the U.S. Congress. Historical preservation groups and agricultural organizations have weighed in on the issue.

Obviously these diverse groups object to the expansion on the basis of differing interests. That is why the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition, PCEOC, calls itself a coalition. We believe that the fact that expansion is opposed from so many different is perspectives is why Colorado has been so successful in standing against this threat.  Ever since our organization began, almost four years ago we have endeavored to be inclusive and non-partisan, focusing on just one issue; stopping the Army’s plan to turn the Southeastern corner of Colorado into a huge, 6.9 million-acre, live-fire range.

It doesn't make sense...Federalize more private property for less diversity??

The Colorado Springs economy is the best test-case for what happens when an economy becomes overly dependent upon the federal dollars as it's base. Colorado Springs is going through tough times during a period of military expansion. Their difficulties began prior to the national downturn.

KVOR Blog points out McInnis is on WRONG side of Pinon Canyon issue

Many in the conservative circles are scratching their heads concerning Scott McInnis' - from being on the wrong side of the Pinon Canyon issue to refusing to debate with fellow candidates to continually getting his facts wrong.  Here is one example of people absolutely understanding that the Pinon Canyon expansion is wrong: CLICK HERE

Penry: one of the 'other' GOP candidates has differing views from McInnis' 'expand' position

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Penry wins kudos on base expansion

By PABLO CARLOS MORA
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

October 24, 2009 12:06 am

TRINIDAD - Josh Penry found a receptive audience Friday among Southern Coloradans opposed to the Army’s proposed expansion of its Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.
       “The Army needs to come clean with folks out here,” Penry said in meetings at Trinidad State Junior College and later in Walsenburg.
       “Until the Army takes eminent domain and condemnation off the table,” the Republican candidate for governor said he will oppose expansion.
       Penry, a state senator from Grand Junction, contrasted his stand on Pinon Canyon expansion with that of Scott McInnis, the former 3rd Congressional District representative who also is seeking to unseat Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter. Republican Dan Maes also is in the race.
       “McInnis said it was not about private property rights and people who oppose the expansion are anti-military. That is irresponsible and reckless,” Penry said. “Fort Carson is important. So are private property rights.”

Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition against McInnis

PCEOC Press Release Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition vehemently against candidate McInnis Defending against the Pinon Canyon expansion requires we use our voices and power of vote to keep him out of office. For immediate release Contact: Lon Robertson 719-980-5114 Steve Wooten 719-384-5813 KIM, Colorado (October 12, 2009)- Representatives of PCEOC again met with Scott McInnis in Walsenburg last week, in an effort to explain directly to Mr. McInnis that he was misleading the public with statements such as 'it's not the majority of residents down there that are against expansion' and other remarks that belittle all of our opposition efforts. Then to find today that he has placed a false statement on his website stating, "It was great to again meet with local ranchers who were justifiably upset by the Governor's needless legislation attacking military jobs." This statement is entirely fictitious as no ranchers were there that weren't against the expansion of PCMS and all of them present actually support the Governor's legislation to protect landowners in southeast CO. Thus the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition (PCEOC) will oppose the candidacy of Scott McInnis for governor. McInnis has spoken in favor of Pinon Canyon expansion because "Expansion will create jobs in El Paso County and the I-70 corridor". PCEOC president Lon Robertson pointed out that "McInnis has chosen the military industrial complex over the property rights, agricultural economy, and future of Southeast Colorado. We are a non-partisan organization. We are not endorsing any candidate, but we do feel compelled to counter the position of this candidate. The federalization of Colorado's land and the militarization of the state's economy are not the answer to our financial problems." Robertson added: "We are defending our region of Colorado against a direct assault. McInnis believes that it's okay to sacrifice our part of the state for the benefit of defense contractors in Aurora and Colorado Springs. A gubernatorial aspirant should be thinking about the interests of the state as whole; not destroying one region to benefit another." McInnis has given up the pretext that Pinon Canyon expansion is about National Defense. He says "Ft Carson [Pinon Canyon] expansion is about jobs, jobs, jobs". Grady Grissom, a PCEOC board member, observed that McInnis' position is ironic for a conservative. "Ultimately all wealth is created in the private sector. McInnis is proposing the destruction of private businesses and the federalization of private lands in order to subsidize local economies with federal tax dollars. I don't see that as a conservative position." PCEOC members include significant numbers of veterans and residents with sons and daughters that are actively serving in the military. Robertson pointed out that, "Our patriotic membership resents McInnis' attempt to use our military as an economic development tool. We support our troops. We fully expect our military to properly train our men and women in uniform, and we believe the mission of our troops is to defend this country, not to prop up local economies." Robertson says that PCEOC plans to mobilize its extensive statewide network in opposition to McInnis' candidacy. "We are fighting for the future of our community and our country and we are asking everyone that opposes the expansion to also oppose Mr. McInnis in his bid for office." Army planning documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show a multi-phased Pinon Canyon acquisition strategy which would ultimately displace over 17,000 people within 6.9 million acres of Southeastern Colorado. PCEOC is intent on protecting our land, our homes and our way of life. The Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition is a broad-based coalition representing communities across Southern Colorado in their opposition to the proposed expansion of PCMS. Bi-partisan PCEOC members include business owners, teachers, students, elected officials, ranchers, environmentalists and many others. The coalition is united in its opposition to any expansion of PCMS. No funding, no expansion. For more information, please see www.pinoncanyon.com. ### Blog with PCEOC Follow PCEOC on Twitter PCEOC www.pinoncanyon.com PCEOC www.pinoncanyon.com

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