Senator Wayne Allard's Office joins Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell's organization in issuing Congressional Inquiries to the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding the location of the golf course toilet structure on the summit of Mount Carbon
Colorado's two U.S. senators have issued Congressional Inquiries into the golf course toilet structure controversy on the summit of Mount Carbon in Lakewood, CO. 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. Concerned by the installation of the golf course outhouse atop a beautiful mountain vista near his home, Lakewood (CO) resident, Steve Holben, began the Save Mount Carbon crusade in early May before the toilets were installed. His wife, Maggie, joined him in the quest shortly thereafter.
(PRWEB) July 3, 2002 - The Denver offices of both Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Senator Wayne Allard have issued Congressional Inquiries to the US Army Corps of Engineers on Maggie Holben's behalf regarding the golf course outhouse structure at the top of the federally controlled Mount Carbon in suburban Denver.
Maggie was first aware of Senator Campbell's inquiry on June 18 when she received a phone call from Brandy Dalton in the Denver office. The current Westword has this to say about Senator Campbell's involvement: "The Holbens have taken their complaint to Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, whose staff sent a letter of 'congressional inquiry' on June 18 to the Army Corps of Engineers, asking how an outhouse wound up blighting federal land. According to Campbell spokeswoman Brandy Dalton, the Corps has thirty business days to respond."
Jeanette Alberg, Senator Allard's area representative, said the following in her letter of June 19 to Maggie: "I have sent a Congressional Inquiry on your behalf to the US Army Corps of Engineers. In particular, the inquiry outlines the problem you have having with the city of Lakewood and questions whether the Army Corps of Engineers has any jurisdiction over the structure's location."
According to Maggie, this effort isn't in any way against the new Homestead at Fox Hollow Golf Course that opened Saturday, June 29. Nor are the Holbens 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 - lower on Mount Carbon on the golf course property," Maggie says.
"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.
Shortly after the Holbens' website went live on May 27, the Sierra Club-Rachel Carson group of Jefferson County rallied to the support of the effort and shared its views with city officials. In addition, the renowned nature photographer and preservationist John Fielder offered 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."
Regarding public support, the Holbens received this note from a Lakewood couple: "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.
"Overall, response 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.
In addition to the federal appeal for assistance, 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 of an "I want to help" form, we saw our efforts double from one to two - when I joined Steve - and now from two to four to eight to 16 and now 18. 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.
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."
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.
"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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