Lots of debate, few answers at water forum

" Using Randy Graf as the moderator says it all about what the Chambers actual stance may be--at least in my opinion. "

" The reporter must have arrived late to the meeting. My seven minutes was spent on the point we have to change water laws so that a mining company, or other industry, cannot come in and get a rubber-stamped permit to draw down the water table and make our 100-year water supply certificates null and void. Hugh Holub echoed and elaborated on this point. The Rosemont attorney also agreed--as he kept saying what they are doing is legal. They are following the law.

But who made the law?? Human history has shown there can be a difference between law and morality.

Further, the American Nevada project was not mentioned in the Forum. Mike Seamans of Sahuarita Water Comany told me that project was dead and gone months ago.

Art focused on the amount of water available for 100 years--up to 400 years--if we drain the aquifer dry.... He totally left out the subsidence issue. Hugh and I both brought up this point. If we believe Art's point of view, we could all be sitting in rubble. No one has done the research. I have cracks in the walls of my home and plenty on the roads around here. So solving the problem now is not necessarily for the future generation. "

" At the West Social Center in Green Valley last night a well-attended community forum on water issues brought out some characters, including an opinionated me.

On the stage were six folks, four good guys and two bad guys, representing various views in an event sponsored by the bad guys.

First off was Tom Ward, a charming politician who framed the evening with a prediction that most people wanted to hear, namely that Rosemont Mine will ultimately not happen, an opinion I share. He later made some blue-sky predictions about desalinated Sea of Cortez water using solar energy which could be used, in some future world, to fill up the CAP structure.

Next was citizen activist Nancy Freeman who often seems like a voice in the wilderness, seeking a citizen revolt to correct laws and rules which aren't followed, or to enact new ones which should have existed long ago. Nancy often finds that getting folks in GV to get off of their golf carts for anything but a tea party is an "if only" dreamwork.

Nan Walden was next with a competent presentation using a huge movie screen which threatened to decapitate the panelists. Her activism, motivated in part by concern over public perception of her FICO pecan groves using huge amounts of water, which they do, is rooted in a sincere concern for preservation of our local heritage. Moreover, she utilized several effective photographs facing the audience which obviously came from a talented camera man.

When Hugh Holub, an attorney representing small property owners, is good, he's really good. His articulateness and connection with the issues and the audience was a fine addition to the panel. His outlook, however, for the Colorado River, at half its previously-expected volume, is sadly optimistic.

Art Gabaldon, president of Community Water of Green Valley, spent his time, as usual, repeatedly condescending to the audience, spouting clueless gibberish.

Mike Pierce, representing Rosemont, was a reasurring non-entity, giving no credence whatsoever to the mine's value to the people of this region. His employers should go ahead and keep up the good work, and continue spending tens of millions of dollars on an ultimately futile effort. It will only weaken them and strengthen the people.


Murray Bolesta
Photographer
Green Valley Az "