savemountcarbon.com: recap of the first 45 days to preserve the stunning, 360-degree view from suburban Denver's historic Mount Carbon, which is now marred by a city-installed toilet structure
Incensed by the installation of a golf course outhouse at the summit of a beautiful mountain vista near his home, Lakewood (CO) resident, Steve Holben, began the Save Mount Carbon crusade in early May. So far Steve's threats to "chain himself to the toilets" to show his sincerity regarding the matter have only come true in a political cartoon in the local paper, but the quest goes on nonetheless.
(PRWEB) June 27, 2002 - "I was shocked when my husband announced that he was going to chain himself to an outhouse. I was even more shocked when city officials twisted words and tried to paint my husband as an extremist crackpot by bringing him in for police questioning," Maggie Holben, Steve's wife, says. "I've loved our walks and picnics to Mount Carbon just as much as Steve loves his cycling and running up there, so I took up the cause with him by creating the savemountcarbon.com website, which launched May 27, plus began working on a strategy to encourage federal officials to help move the toilets from the 5,780.8-foot summit to lower ground."
It seems the toilet structure - actually the byproduct of a golf course that was recently built on the eastern side of Mount Carbon - is on federal land under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers. Hence, Maggie's letter appeal to federal entities on June 16.
"Don't get us wrong, this effort isn't in any way against the new Homestead at Foxhollow Golf Course that's scheduled to open at the end of the month. Or, are we against proper toileting facilities for the general public. We're simply disturbed that the 360-degree view would be obstructed with the new outhouse. There has to be somewhere else to put it.
"This is the first time I've ever gotten politically active. Why even in college I went to class and studied, so I don't know a single protest song, own a tambourine or even a headband, but these outhouses are such a stick in the eye for anyone who appreciates a natural amenity like Mount Carbon that something got inside of me like never before and is driving me, and bless her heart, now my wife," Steve says.
When Steve first queried a city employee about the obtrusive toilet structure, he was told they'd left placement of the toilets up to the golf course superintendent. By the time Steve had made overtures to that person's supervisor and his Ward 5 Council representatives, he was told that great thought and careful compromise had gone into locating the golf toilets in just the right place - to be convenient to both golfers and cyclists and hikers/walkers on the nearby Bear Creek bike path.
Bear Creek Bike Path has been toiletless for years:
Never mind that the Bear Creek bike path has been in existence for years and toilet free. Never mind that toilet facilities are found just a mile or so down the bike path on the western slope of Mount Carbon in the Bear Creek Lake Park camping area. And,never mind that this 25,000ish "deluxe two holer" is now obstructing a previously (probably since the dawn of man) uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view of Denver and the Rocky Mountains.
"This is simply an example of governmental decision-making and planning at it's worst. I got in the middle of this in early May and acted with a sense of urgency, because I thought someone had made a mistake and would appreciate my pointing out the problem before the two ROMTEC 'SST traditional single extended restrooms' were permanently installed. Instead, I learned that the view-obstructing toilet building had been put there intentionally and the City wasn't about to admit to a mistake and move it. What a travesty.
"I've studied the Golf course plan, and there are two locations that I feel would better serve the players, and for bikers there is an existing latrine just 1.3 miles away; I can assure you that as someone who has biked about 60,000+ miles, having to ride another mile or so is not a problem," says Steve.
Sierra Club and John Fielder endorse savemountcarbon.com:
Shortly after the website went live, the Sierra Club-Rachel Carson group of Jefferson County rallied to the support of the effort and shared its views with city officials. The endorsement was printed in the June 13 Lakewood Sentinel letters to the editor column. Here's what was sent via e-mail to Lakewood officials from Dave Chandler, chair of the Sierra Club-Rachel Carson Group of Jefferson County on June 4:
"The executive committee of the Sierra Club-Rachel Carson Group of Jefferson County, supports the efforts of Steve and Maggie Holben, Lakewood residents, who are leading the initiative to relocate golf course toilet structures from the summit of Mt. Carbon. It would be a shame to spoil the magnificent 360-degree view that now exists from this vantage point. Certainly the facilities could be moved to a less intrusive area while still maintaining accessibility and convenience for golfers, cyclists, hikers, and walkers.
"We hope that the City of Lakewood will consider the visual impacts of the current position of the restrooms, make the aesthetically responsible choice -- and relocate the structures to a more appropriate site," said Dave Chandler, chair, Sierra Club-Rachel Carson Group, 303-424-9897.
In addition, the renowned nature photographer and preservationist John Fielder shared these words on the subject: "Colorado views are almost as important as Colorado landscapes. They keep Earth-caring people sane and motivated, and convert Nature-disconnected folks from the dark side. Lakewood leadership: Find a better place for the Mt. Carbon toilets."
Response from the general public at this seminal stage:
The website includes an "I want to help" form that can be faxed or mailed to the Holbens. To date, 18 forms have been received. Regarding website activity to date, there have been 237 homepage hits to date for www.savemountcarbon.com, of which 94 visited other pages of the site, and 34 visited all five pages of the site.
In addition, the Holbens received a note from one of the couples who both sent in the website form: "We go to Bear Creek Lake Park almost every day to walk our dogs with Mount Carbon being one of our favorite destinations. You can see those restrooms from almost any location in the park. Wouldn't you think the City of Lakewood would have more pride (or at least aesthetic sense) than that? Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Also, a big thank you for all your efforts!" Sincerely, Linda and Ernie Hartman, Lakewood, CO, residents and registered voters.
"All the support has been tremendously gratifying, especially when I made calls to members of the Lakewood Planning Commission. I gained personal support from five of the seven members of the planning commission to whom I spoke by phone in May. Their comments ranged from "Oh how Ghastly" to "Boy. I'm glad people like you live here in Lakewood. Yeah this seems wrong," recounts Steve.
So what happens next? Federal intervention? Petition for a public vote?
First, the office of US Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell has requested a "congressional inquiry" from the US Army Corps of Engineers on Maggie Holben's behalf. Maggie received a call on June 18 from Senator Campbell's Denver office.
"What service. The same day I faxed my letter to the Senator's office, Brandy Dalton was on the case helping. They may not be able to get the toilets moved, but Senator Campbell's office was certainly responsive and helpful. And at a time when confidence in government is at a very low ebb, this was very encouraging... and very appreciated," Maggie says.
And second, the Holbens are seriously considering the petition process for bringing this to the voters of Lakewood.
"I've learned that it will take 4,570 signatures from registered voters to take this to the public. We'd have our work cut out for us. However, in just this first month of online exposure we've seen our efforts double from one to two - when I joined Steve - and now from two to four to eight to 16 and now 18, when we count the "I want to help" forms that have come in from the website so far. We'd just need to see that doubling effect occur a little more than eight more times and we'd have the voting initiative more than locked in at 4,608," Maggie explains.
And third, the Holbens are continuing their media awareness campaign, which has included creating and maintaining the website, www.savemountcarbon.com, newspaper advertising, direct mail and bumpers stickers. "We're currently deciding when movie theatre advertising would be most effective: now - during the initial awareness phase - or later, during petition signing or the voting phases," says Maggie.
The mantra of the savemountcarbon.com effort is: "Toilets don't belong on mountain tops." These are the words of noted historian, Thomas J. Noel, in a May 24th e-mail to Steve. "Dr. Colorado," as Noel has been nicknamed said: "Good luck in your noble effort."
Personal commitment, courage and fortitude:
Public involvement takes determination and commitment of time, talent and treasury. To date the Holbens have spent more than $1,600.00 in out-of-pocket expenses. Plus, Steve estimates that he has spent 48 hours on the project and Maggie estimates more than 200 hours, as she is the webmaster, program spokesperson, media relations strategist and creator of the advertising materials.
"As you may already know, to be an active, concerned citizen takes a great deal of courage. However, the only thing that makes this country function as a democracy is when ordinary people summon up that courage," Chandler of the Sierra Club, says.
So, wouldn't it be easier for the city to just move the toilets?
"Of course," chime in both Steve and Maggie. But Lakewood City officials have dug in their heels and fully support the disruption of one of Lakewood's most beautiful and serene spots: the 360-degree view from the Mount Carbon vista.
"Maggie and I are doing this because it is the right thing. Clearly no consideration was given to the sightline impact of the current location, and since these outhouses will be here long after the people responsible for their location are gone, we don't want Lakewood being known as the only community who places toilets on top of scenic vistas.
"As a builder, I am held to the standards of the communities I build in, including respect and consideration for natural amenities such as Mt. Carbon; Therefore I think it is correct to expect the municipality to express the same level of respect and consideration when it builds projects.
"Lakewood truly is a beautiful city and we feel it's very important for us to do our part to preserve the Mount Carbon view," Steve concludes.
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