From the Styx by Peggy Tibbetts

Doh!

Just when I finally figured out how to get to Wally in Rifle without going through their infernal roundabout construction, the word came down at Monday’s (6/23) SiltBOTs meeting that our own little version of highway hell is coming soon to the intersection near you – and me.

Ugh.

Phase 1 will begin on July 7. However next week we will begin to see the Martinez Western Constructors’ elves “mobilize forces”, as in setting up traffic signs and such that will make me sick to my stomach to look at cuz they will remind me that Dogland will be hard to get to until after this is over – sometime in October.

Let me summarize for everyone cuz it was almost impossible to hear Nick Senn from SGM Engineering Company (represents Silt) on the TV. Martinez Western Constructors (heretofore MWC) is also constructing the Rifle roundabout. By now they’ve learned a whole lot about what pisses people off and what doesn’t so they’re going to put forth every effort to make this project as painless as possible. Hah. Good luck with that.

Anyhoo, I will post updates and links to even more information on the roundabout construction as it becomes available. It’s my understanding there will soon be a website for information. I will post a link here. Information will also be posted at the Town of Silt website.

For now there’s this:

Project Information Hotline: (970) 625-3401

If you call the number you will get a recorded message that says the project begins July 7, and you can leave a message with your questions or comments.

Beginning July 7, traffic at the 9th & Main (Hwy 6) intersection will NOT be impeded between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM, and also between 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM. Evidently that means it will be a pain in the ass during all other times. Phase 1 is expected to take approximately 6 weeks. Traffic will move normally through the 4-way intersection, while construction begins.

During Phase 2, traffic from I-70 will not be able to go straight through the intersection to 9th St. By Phase 3, traffic will be even more restricted and moving in a circle. Except traffic from I-70 will not be able to head west from the intersection, they’ll have to go east and turn left at Domelby or 16th in order to access westbound streets. Won’t that be fun?

If you’re interested in getting your hands on some maps of Phases 1-4, check with Sheila at the Town Hall.

SiltBOTS Retreat

Monday’s meeting was purposefully brief, mostly about the roundabout, cuz the SiltBOTs had all sacrificed their Sunday (6/22) for a day-long retreat in Glenwood Springs. However a 2-hour long Executive Session followed Monday’s meeting. I let my favorite SiltBOT know that a 2-hour Executive Session out of the public eye, on top of a retreat held in Glenwood that the public also did not attend, does not promote open government. Although I guess the public could have attended the retreat if they had wanted to – or knew about it – or wanted to drive 18 miles – or give up their Sunday, too.

I don’t have a clue what the SiltBOTs had to discuss for 2 whole hours. But I would suggest in the future they figure what the hell is taking so long and make whatever changes are necessary to shorten those Executive Sessions that take place behind closed doors. It just looks bad.

Call me paranoid. I was worried they were discussing my blog behind my back. I heard they talked about it at the retreat on Sunday. I guess the SiltBOTs still have some issues with my blog, which suits me just fine. Somebody needs to remind the SiltBOTs that they are elected officials. They answer to the people, not their own special interests. People are watching what they do, more than ever before. And that’s a good thing for the town.

I don’t like the idea of a day-long Board Retreat held out of town. That’s fine for corporate boards but not town boards. Town board gatherings should be accessible to all the people. Their actions should be open and transparent. If a day-long retreat is necessary, it should be held at the Town Hall.

Silt is a town. Not a corporation. The Mayor and Trustees represent human beings with real lives. Not business interests. They are elected to look out for the common public interest. Not their own personal interests. Teamwork and consensus building is designed for the corporate world. Unless the SiltBOTs are working as a team to build a consensus toward more open government, I don’t see a place for that kind of corporate game playing at the town board level.

Autumn Ridge

The High Point Ventures/Autumn Ridge project is scheduled for the July 14 SiltBOTs. I have no clue whether the matter will be presented in a public hearing format. Whatever I can find out, will be posted here.

Like I was saying, so much for open government in Silt.

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