12/26/2009 2:08:00 PM Letter: We have been robbed of the previous natural landscape
Editor:
I have resided in the Verde Valley since 1988. I support economic growth to help sustain our community but not at the expense of being robbed of natural beauty and promoting a specific religious organization.
The great majority of the public does not support the Mago statue at 89A & Bill Gray Road. Recent newspaper articles and elected city officials appear to promote the Mago Earth Park and Tao Fellowship purporting its visitors will bring money to the community. And yet 600 of Ilchi Lee's followers were bused from his 160-acre tax-free self-contained religious resort farther down Bill Gray Road to attend the "earth park" grand opening.
I am not opposed to what the statue and park stand for on the surface. I visited the park to see for myself and get a feel for what it is about. I declined to sign the petition the Tao Fellowship presented. I am hopeful the statue will be relocated at the Tao Fellowship retreat away from public view where it can be appreciated by those who choose to do so. The current location prohibits such a choice not only to those driving by but to anyone from miles around.
We have been robbed of the previous natural landscape. Will billboards and more statues populate the frontage along 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona? That too could bring revenue at the expense of natural beauty without which tourism will decline.
I encourage our "leaders" to live up to the mission statement posted on our Cottonwood City Government web page and stop promoting financial gain for few at the expense of many. Please preserve, do not disturb, the natural wonders of the Verde Valley.
Laurie Verdier
Cornville
Reader Comments
Posted: Sunday, December 27, 2009
Article comment by:
We All Belong
Hi,
If the park meets all
required laws, they may
stay.
Thanks and Good Luck.
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009
Article comment by:
Lots to say
Thank you Laurie for your calm, well thought out, non bigoted and factually accurate letter. I hope we see more people like you attending Planning and Zoning Meetings.
