Preserve the riverfront. Sign the petition by Friday Oct. 24, so that the residents of Grand Junction may have an opportunity to express their opinion and vote on the issue in April.

The Grand Junction City Council was deadlocked on the issue. Mayor Gregg Palmer and former Mayor Jim Doody are strongly in support of preserving the riverfront. Even if you are on the fence, sign the petition so that the voters get a chance to decide.

The issue is whether to retain the present industrial-zoning designation, allowing Brady Trucking, or a future and yet unknown (and perhaps less appealing industry), to have its operations on the river adjacent to Las Colonias Park or to change the zoning so that industry cannot set up shop in areas that should remain compatible with public parks and the riverfront.

This is not a debate about preventing Brady Trucking from conducting business in the valley. This is about a vision for a city on a river. This is about a vision for a small city about to become a big city on a river. This is about continuing the restoration of the riverfront in which the city has already invested millions of dollars. This is about preserving the integrity of a riverfront and a commendable vision for the crown jewel of Grand Junction city parks – named Las Colonias Park.

Cherish and celebrate the river that brings wealth, sustenance and pleasure to this city and valley. Don’t confuse the river’s immense wealth with the temporary and limited wealth brought by a small industry’s presence – an industry that can and should exist on a more compatible property. To offer any piece of the riverfront to industry is to sell a piece of the city’s soul.

DAVID M. CALE
Grand Junction

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 3:26 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.