An admirable outlook on life Stephen Woody Publisher’s Notebook The one thing I will take from Chris Sitton’s memorial service Sunday is his outlook on life: It’s all good. Apparently it was a common refrain from Chris, often cited in his eulogy. Cpl. Sitton, a decorated Army medic, was killed in Afghanistan Aug. 19. He was a 2003 graduate of Montrose High School. It was good to see so many people from the community — former classmates, teachers, veterans, citizens — turn out for his tribute. Former congressman Scott McInnis was in Montrose Sunday. I asked him with Rep. Bob Beauprez’ candidacy for governor imploding, did he have any regrets not running. McInnis decided not to run for another term representing the Third Congressional District in 2005 after 12 years. Many considered him a lock to succeed Gov. Bill Owens in 2006, if he had wanted it. “No regrets,” said McInnis, smiling, but not all that convincingly. And he didn’t deny that the Beauprez campaign was on the road to defeat. He mentioned how his wife had stuck with him for more than 20 years on the campaign trail and the grind of political office. That he was happy to give it up (political office) for her. “I’d like to get back in it, just a little,” he added with a laugh. McInnis these days is a lawyer with the high-powered legal firm, Hogan and Hartson. McInnis is only 53, young by political standards. He’s a native of Glenwood Springs. It was good of him to attend Cpl. Chris Sitton’s funeral and pay his respects. Tomorrow night (Wednesday), the issue of Montrose’s growth will be addressed in a community forum sponsored by the Montrose County League of Women Voters. City and county officials will be on the panel, along with Matt Miles, whose Leadership Circle LLC has built Oxbow Crossing, is building River Landing and has also been successful in developing more than 3,000 residences. Miles’ development success has created jobs, brought retailers to the area, increased the city’s tax base, and has made people’s teeth grind. Such is entrepreneurialism. He and his wife, Marcie Miles, have also donated $50,000 to the San Juan Healthcare Foundation/San Juan Cancer Center. Incidentally, SJHF/SJCC will be having a fund-raiser Thursday night at the Coffee Trader. Ridgway artist and musician Mark Pettit will introduce his new CD, ‘Between Worlds’, beginning at 6 p.m. in the CT’s garden. Phuong will be doing the entertaining with food and wine, so it’ll be good. Twenty percent of CD and art sales from the show will be donated to the San Juan Healthcare Foundation/San Juan Cancer Center. Info: 252-2814. Lock the doors, it’s that time of the year — zucchini season. Gardens erupt with the stuff. The Notebook ran into state senator Jim Isgar Monday, who offered this campaign suggestion: “A zucchini in every pot!” Mrs. Isgar, is an organic farmer, and I would imagine Jim gets a steady diet of it. I see by the sports pages…… Texas Exes are atwitter at the new scoreboard in Austin’s Royal-Memorial Stadium, home of the Longhorns, the defending national champs. The scoreboard/sign is the largest video display board in the world. Nicknamed ‘Gadzillatron;’ it was made by a South Dakota company, Daktronics, Inc. It’s 55 feet tall, 134 feet wide and cost $8 million. The entire stadium was renovated to the tune of $150 million. Virtually all Big 12 schools have made big financial investments in their facilities. Me, too, from the Husker Nation: Nebraska’s new scoreboard (33 feet by 117 feet wide) is a part of a $50 million athletics project. Happy Birthday Greetings! Dr. Nick Neubaum, MD celebrates. Quotable I like being a famous writer. The problem is, every once in a while, you have to write something.” —Ken Kesey, author |