Seats are filling up fast for next Thursday's Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Luncheon at Tempranillo Restaurant in Basalt. We'll have a stimulating round-table conversation with Town Manager Mike Scanlon; Marty Pickett, managing director of the Rocky Mountain Institute; Tim Belinski of Willits Town Center; and Marci Krivonen of Aspen Public Radio. Each will reflect on the past year in Basalt, and how by working collaboratively we can create a bright and vibrant future.

The focus is on new ideas, innovation and how Basalt is coming together as one community. You'll have a chance to ask questions, hear the Chamber's year-in-review, and enjoy a wonderful meal from Tempranillo.

If you've not reserved a seat, please do so soon. To RSVP, send us an email or call the office at (970) 927-4031.

Passion Revisited
 

Last week, I wrote about the passion of Basalt residents, and the the lively conversation both on the streets and in print media around the future of the Two Rivers Road (Pan and Fork) riverfront parcel and the development proposal now before the Town Council. It's a potentially volatile topic, yet the feedback we received was gratifying. Here are a few examples:

"Thank you for that well-written, nuanced discussion of the Two Rivers parcel debate in the Chamber newsletter today."

"Thanks for helping to lead the charge on what I feel is sane economic development for Basalt." 

"You did a fantastic job of walking that fine line and getting the information out"

While polar dynamics are filtering into the valley conversation, letters and editorial, what rises to the top in most of my correspondence and conversations is a keen desire to understand the complex interactions and planning of the last year, and to remain true to the Our Town Planning process that has engaged so many citizens. There is an appreciation of communication grounded in fact and unwavering dedication to carving out an optimal future for Basalt. This is, at the very least, what we strive to provide to our members and readers.

We are indeed a Chamber of Commerce, founded upon a commitment to support business and economic vitality. We're also members of the community and believe that a healthy economy and a happy, livable community are inextricably entwined.

This week an ad will appear in the Aspen Times, written and funded by a group of long-time Basalt residents. A list of names will be included and among them the Basalt Chamber of Commerce, my name personally and that of a few of our board members. The ad is neither as strong as some people wished nor as all-encompassing as others pushed for. I longed to jump in and wordsmith along with the rest, but at some point I realized that the essence of this ad and its placement is the powerful lead-in of "We the People." The message from this diverse group of retirees, business owners, teachers, consultants, and others is that WE are a community, and we are committed to being part of this admirable process of citizen engagement and bottom-up planning. It is an appeal for all to build a compatible vision for the future of our Town and work together to achieve the best outcome.

The ad encourages our Town Council and citizens to look carefully and without prejudice for an optimal mix of development and open space for the Two Rivers Road parcel. In particular, it supports a careful consideration of the conceptual plan presented by Lowe Enterprises and CCY Architects which includes a mix of residences, boutique hotel, and functional open space. Behind the lines is an appeal for practicality as well as dreams, and a studied approach to decision-making.

More Opportunities for Public Meeting

Steadfast in their commitment to a citizen-engaged process, the Basalt town government has added a special meeting tomorrow from 5 to 6:30 at the Basalt Town Hall. In a moderator-facilitated discussion, the Lowe Enterprises design team and representatives will give an introduction, including their plans to address affordable housing in Basalt. This is a public event and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions. A follow-up meeting has already been scheduled for next Tuesday, April 14, at the Basalt Library. Information is available below.

Here again are some useful links to study up on what's happening before the meetings:

• Our Town Planning website
• DAAC Recommendations
• Lowe Enterprises March 10 presentation to the Town
• Lowe Enterprises project summary
• Lowe Enterprises/CCY Architects presentation summary

To read last week's summary, see the newsletter  Passion in Basalt.  Older newsletters are posted and available anytime on the Chamber's  website. Newspaper articles and letters to the editor are linked in the Basalt in the News section below.

The Basalt Magazine has hit 100 pages! 

As we're thinking about economic vitality and community building, I want to thank all the businesses who've stepped up to support and be seen in this year's 2015 Basalt Community Guide & Business Directory. We've reach 100 pages in our content and ad planning. With Kelly Alford and Lorie D'Alessio at the design helm, this will be a truly fine publication. At risk of over-working our deadline extensions, we do have a couple of full pages still available for ads. One is an excellent premium position. If you've missed the recent calls to action, and are ready to jump now, please do so immediately. Call Lorie at (970) 948-6501 or send her an email. You'll find all the information below.