AUGUST’S MEETING IS ON THURSDAY THE 25TH AT 6:00 AT THE WOODY CREEK STORE (COME HUNGRY)
The caucus is in the hard-fought position of being the best place for neighbors to bring their concerns, the place where other neighbors agree or disagree to take up an issue. The caucus strives for consensus, but works by majority vote, leaving members on the record for how they stood.
Several battles through the years have left members shaken, stirred, either furious or tearful, and, sometimes, triumphant. For thirty years, it’s been a common leveler, where a large landowner has had no more power than someone living in a cabin in Lenado. In fact, if the cabin guy was Gaylord Guenin, there was significantly less influence to be had.
Gaylord took his position as our moderator very seriously. It was the first time that chaos turned into, well, civility. Asking members to abide by Robert’s Rules of Order, we were suddenly calmed into a more manageable group, and therefore more effective. With no more shouting each other down, we actually became somewhat courteous, and definitely respectful of a higher purpose to our meetings than simple grousing.
What at first may have seemed like one neighbor’s concerns, Gaylord encouraged into group action. His own remarks, which are witty, often (very often) sarcastic, and always quick, were held back, and he orchestrated cooperation among us. It was the Golden Age of the Woody Creek Caucus; it put us at odds with developers, the media, and with Aspen, which made us mighty proud.
Gaylord brought gentleness and humor to his post, and the effect was a feeling of safety that helped us all to feel included. It was an unlikely outcome, given his reputation for crankiness.
As the old saying goes, “Some people are born to greatness; some people achieve greatness; and others have greatness thrust upon them.” We wish Gaylord would still drive at night, so he could coast down from Lenado and attend the meetings. But we all get to hear his opinion about how the meetings went, anyway.
The potluck suppers this summer have had a decidedly social air. The food, Flying Dog beer, Woody Creek Cellars wines, new introductions, and old neighbors remind us of the special community we are.
Issues we’ve addressed this summer have included house size, gravel, the Bill of Rights, the successes of the Mobile Home Park, land use issues, house size, roads, traffic-calming, jet noise, and house size.
All developments and land use applications in our area are consistently passed by the Pitkin County Planning Department to the Woody Creek Caucus Planning Commission, whether you know it or not. They are a dedicated group who meet every Monday at the store at 4:30.
Remember that the Woody Creek Caucus area includes W/J, all of Lower River Road up to the Old Snowmass Bridge, lower Woody Creek, Little Woody Creek, the Woody Creek valley as far as Lenado, then back down, including the Mobile Home Park and the Elam Gravel Pit. Anyone living in this neighborhood should attend the caucus meetings and exercise their democratic right to a voice in local decisions.
We meet the last Thursday of every month, in the Woody Creek Store.
