Websites, blogs, and letters to editors of regional newspapers have been buzzing lately (again) with OTR supporters parroting Christo's placating promise that his Arkansas River project will only be for 2 Weeks. Most notable was Senator Doug Lamborn's press release, generating a near landslide of letters and articles voicing outrage over his quick, unresearched endorsement of OTR based on a quick sales pitch by Christo in Washington D.C. How could anyone object to anything that only lasts "2 weeks?"
Nearly sliding by unnoticed was an opinion article in the Canyon Courier, a weekly paper out of Evergreen, Colorado. Writer Rob Witwer, a former Colorado legislator and a resident of upscale Genesee just west of Denver. recounts his enamouring encounters with Christo and Jeanne-Claude over the years. Amid the romantic view of the artist couple and their work, and even though acknowledging the existence of ROAR, he glibly passes on the same misinformation: "An
organization called ROAR (Rags Over the Arkansas River) cites increased
traffic and environmental impacts as reasons to “say no to Christo.”
Christo and Jeanne-Claude counter that the project will last only two
weeks and will leave no permanent changes to the landscape." You can read the full article here.
Now, just because C&JC "counter" that their project is "only" 2 weeks and won't leave permanent changes doesn't make it true.
Don't miss the comment that follows in response. No, wait. Since it's so concisely and fervently stated, here it is right here:
It's not your call to make
Rob Witwer is a metro area resident telling those of us who live in a completely different geography 2 hours or more from his own working and living environment that we have to allow the invasion of our living and working space by this smooth talking European artist.
The myth of “only two weeks” is put forth as the reason for us to back off and let the smarter, wiser city folks decide what is best for this place. Consider the claim about the mere “two week” imposition: that means Christo’s specially designed translucent fabric and the structures that hold it up will magically appear one day across 5.6 miles of a Colorado river canyon. Then, just as magically and mysteriously, it will all vanish 15 days later. No harm, no foul.
Mr. Witwer, have you read even one page of the massive construction proposal Christo includes on the website link you quoted? It is a three year – yes, THREE YEAR – major industrial assault on a narrow, winding two-lane mountain road, the only transportation route for personal, medical, and commercial traffic through this part of the state. My livelihood, for one, will be hampered at best, destroyed at worst.
There is extensive documentation on the ROAR website (www.roarcolorado.org) of the project's impacts. All of the legal and construction analysis is based on Christo's own proposal. It merits a read.
If you want this project, then promote its occurrence where you live and work. Promote the 3-year industrial assault in your Genesee neighborhood. But Do Not tell me that I have to sacrifice my safety, my environment, and my livelihood so you can have some frilly, feel-good outing one day 2 or 3 years from now.
-Chaffee County resident
cfisher 04/14/2009
