A plea from Community Treasures | Guest column

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Submitted by Dwight Ware

CT founding member and board president

For all of you Community Treasures supporters who were unable to attend our Crossroads meeting at the Grange on Dec. 19, here is a summary of the issues at hand and the goals of that meeting.

I’ll begin, as I did the meeting, by starting with the three main objectives. We seek your commitment on one, two or all three of the following:

1. To write a letter to the San Juan County Council voicing your support of CT and seeking their action to secure permanent zoning appropriate to CT’s activities. We have a list of suggested points to make to help you if you make this commitment.

2) To gather signatures on the current petition to the council to change the land use designation to Rural General Use, and to further designate the property as an essential public facility.

3) To contribute $100 per year to the ongoing operation of CT, particularly as it can assist in the purchase of the property at 6739 Roche Harbor Rd.

The property owners have long contributed their land, time and money for the CT cause and sought to provide CT with the zoning changes needed for the permanent establishment of CT services to the community. After 15 years, they have reached an end of trying to bring these efforts to completion. The property is to be put on the market in the spring unless there are substantial moves on the part of the county to change zoning and use designation and/or there is a substantial response on the part of CT supporters to assist in this process.

In years past, there was some substantial progress made with the county’s action on behalf of CT as a result of letters and petition signatures. But that progress declined and never reached fulfillment. So, it is thought that repeating the same effort again will help jump start a renewed county response.

A year ago, at a nicely attended meeting of CT supporters at the senior center, a question was asked, “How many here would be willing to support CT at $100 per year ?” Nearly every hand went up but unfortunately, we lacked any method to solidify and follow up on that show of support.

So, at this critical crossroads, we are seeking your help. Contact Community Treasures at ctrecycling2@gmail.com to volunteer for one, or all, of the three commitments. Please provide your name and

You ARE CT. Only your efforts will ensure the continuation of this valuable & needed service to the community.