savemountcarbon.com: Steve and Maggie Holben request policy from City regarding structures on prominent vistas and again ask for relocation of the Mount Carbon golf course toilet facilities
Grassroots effort seeks to relocate golf course toilet building from the crest of suburban Denver's Mount Carbon to a location that doesn't interrupt the beautiful and historic 360-degree view. Initiative organizers, Steve and Maggie Holben, will share views with the Lakewood City Council June 10.
(PRWEB) June 10, 2002 - Lakewood residents, Maggie and Steve Holben, will speak during the public comment portion of the June 10th Lakewood City Council meeting. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. rather than the usual 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers in the Civic Center South Building, 480 S. Allison Parkway.
Steves prepared remarks are as follows:
I am here to address, again, what I believe is the need to correct a serious error on the part of Lakewood when it erected latrines on the summit of Mount Carbon here in Lakewood.
My visual aids demonstrate that what had been an existing sightline consisting of a totally unobstructed 360-degree view encompassing approximately 1,225 square miles has, by the erection of these latrines, had that sightline diminished by approximately 200 square miles (16%) when viewed from the picnic area.
I am here to ask City Council to relocated these latrines just a short distance down off the summit and out of the sight line so that this easily accessible world class view that has been used and enjoyed since man first walked this area can be restored, and visitors can, again, watch the vast constellation of city lights evolve or watch the hawks and eagles ride the currents or enjoy the front range vista that defines Colorado without having to watch people go to the bathroom.
My expectation is that Lakewood will demonstrate a responsible stewardship that shows the same respect for Lakewoods amenities as Douglas County shows to Daniels Park or that Denver shows to Red Rocks and Inspiration Point, that Boulder show to Chautauqua Park. There are no toilets blocking sightlines at these areas.
In the short 30 days weve been pursuing this issue, we have gained the support of absolutely 100% of the people weve spoken to. Additionally, weve gained the support of the Sierra Club, Dr. Tom Noel whose quote Toilets dont belong on mountain tops" reflects the feeling we hear from all we address. Additionally, I have gained personal support from all 5 of the 7 members of the Lakewood Planning Commission to whom Ive spoken. Their comments range from oh, how ghastly" upon seeing the picture of the latrines in the Lakewood Sentinel to boy that sure doesnt sound like a good thing, Ill check it out" to boy, Im sure glad we have people like you living here in Lakewood. Ill sure do everything I can to help."
The toilets are entirely modular, and poorly installed. So they can be easily moved. I believe a competent crew can move them in a week.
It is clear that no consideration was given to the sightline component of any decision making process and resulting damage to the view Mount Carbon offers when the current location was chosen.
Indeed, I was told in my first contact with Lakewood over this We kind of left where they went up to the golf course superintendent." It is also clear the toilets are for the golfers, as they have locks and the groundskeeper has the key.
In conclusion, I ask that the City Council recognize the damage being done to the wonderful amenity that is Mount Carbon, and to the image of Lakewood by demonstrating the stewardship toward a quality living environment it committed to on March 8th of this year when it adopted the core community values and to show not just Lakewood residents, but the world, that Lakewood respects and care for its earthly given amenities as much as any other community.
Please, relocate the latrines." Steve Holben says.
Maggies prepared statement follows:
Im the spokesperson for savemountcarbon.com.
My husband and I are involved in this issue because Mount Carbon is our backyard vista. Im providing a map and a packet of other support material for each of you. Steve runs and bikes there often; I go there during walks and picnics. We simply love the panoramic view and the arrival of the golf course toilet structures has bothered us just like anything garish and ugly thats sitting very visible in your own neighborhood.
We suggest that you draft policy to rectify the current situation and help protect against similar situations in the future that might involve building structures on vistas of prominence, such as Mount Carbon.
To review, our savemountcarbon.com effort so far has included media relations, a website with an I want to help" fax or mail-in page, direct mail, newspaper advertising and bumper stickers.
On a related subject, I want to address the behavior of my husband, Steve.
First, I think he has his heart in the right place regarding the toilet structure issue, and that his words and his intent have been interpreted wrongly and much too harshly. Second, although he may well be guilty of impatience, rudeness and uncivil communication style, he is not an extremist who needs to be investigated by the police.
Regarding the topic of extremist," Id like us all to recall the incident on February 22 – a little over three months ago -- when a number of our Lakewood residences were pelted and subsequently littered by rock-filled bags containing racist literature. I was the person who helped Paul Johnson at Channel 9 break the story on Saturday the 23rd and I also reported the incident to the Lakewood PD. The perpetrators, in my opinion, have well earned the label of extremist" – particularly if you study the related information on the Internet. Nonetheless, according to the Sentinel, our Lakewood police determined there was no crime there to investigate.
My point is that although Steve may have not chosen the best words in his dealings with city employees, I dont believe our Police Department has its lens in full focus regarding extremism. And, mind you, the February rock pelting/racist flyer littering incident Ive mentioned was just one day after the killing of journalist Daniel Pearl was announced to the world, just a few miles from Columbine and just a few months after 9/11.
Im saddened that the rock pelting litterers were not searched out and at least brought in for questioning, like Steve was, and put under surveillance.
But, to return to the main topic, our savemountcarbon.com issue is about golf course toilet structures on Mount Carbon, not Steves personality.
I appreciate your attention and respectfully request that the Council act as a good custodian of the Mount Carbon vista and move the toilet structures downhill onto the golf course property where they belong, plus take action to help City employees avoid a similar situation in the future.
Thank you for your time this evening," Maggie says.
The savemountcarbon.com initiative, which was just give a vote of confidence by the executive board of the Sierra Club-Rachel Carson Group of Jefferson County, supports moving the recently completed golf course toilet building off the crest of Mount Carbon to a more appropriate site. The mountain is located in southwest Metro Denver at Bear Creek dam. The northeast side of the mountain is the future home of the Homestead at Fox Hollow Golf Course. The toilet buildings are part of that project.
Details of what started as Steve Holben's one-man initiative to relocate the toilets from the top of Mt. Carbon to a less obtrusive location can be read in the May 23 Lakewood Sentinel article by LeRoy Standish: http://www.jeffconews.com/n2140yd.html
"Steve and I have enjoyed picnics atop Mt. Carbon for a number of years, delighting in the wonderful 360-degree view of Denver and the Rocky Mountains. We've been shocked that toilet buildings are located directly on top of the mountain.
"As Steve has reiterated many times, the 360-degree view is simply wonderful, and we believe everyone's needs can be met through cooperation and compromise," Maggie says.
Maggie Holben may be reached at 303-984-9801 or by e-mail at maggie@absolutelypr.com. The website is http://www.savemountcarbon.com
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