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Regarding the article "Council: No to gravel pit" in the March 16 Steamboat Today:

While it is well within the council's rights and duties to approve or reject projects based upon what they perceive as "the public good," this project deserved more consideration than it got and less interference from the county's disgruntled technocrat, Caryn Fox. The article did not say whether Fox was representing Routt County commissioners at this meeting or acting as a resident. I think it's important for all public officials to clarify their positions and who they represent at all public meetings.

This story also goes on to quote Fox, "I don't believe a person should make a profit off a project disregarding our laws."

What a pile of horse poop that is. Fox conveniently forgets that Ed MacArthur did follow our laws as stated just two paragraphs previous.

The City Council, county commissioners and owner should work together to find a solution that we the people can live with, and leave Fox out of the process.

So what happens in our short-sighted view? Seven years from now the "entry to Steamboat" still looks the same. Large gravel piles just off the highway, still waiting for someone, be it with the county or city, to make the choice to allow them to be removed as a short-term gravel pit.

The council should revisit this project and look at what is really in the best interest of the city and its residents. Maybe work toward an agreement to mine the gravel during four or five years, with all sales and mining reclamation operations completed in seven years. That way, in 2012, we have a nice park, several nice homes, a beautiful lake and an entry to Steamboat that does indeed work with the area plan.

That's how I see it.

Thomas W. McMahon

Steamboat Springs