Let’s all say this together: $85 million. In order to fully understand exactly what the proponents of “a new airport terminal” are proposing, let’s all have one of those community gatherings where we hold our arms straight out from the shoulders and go “bzzzzz” while we turn in circles in place.
Let’s play airplanes!
Perhaps these business luminaries should each shave their heads, put on the Nehru jacket and practice saying, “$85 million,” with a smirk and the little finger tucked into the corner of the mouth.
This is a beautifully packaged, $85 million panacea for all the woes being suffered by poor business owners throughout the Four Corners. If you throw $85 million at it, they will come. However, somebody famous once said, “$85 million unexamined is $85 million unrealized.” Each and every penny of that $85 million will be spent, one at a time, until it adds up to a shiny new bauble, almost perfect (except for the few dozen miscellaneous millions that will be needed to add the finishing touches.)
What if it was only $8.5 million? What would we get? I dunno, maybe state-of-the-art parking suitable to accommodate the actual traffic loads for existing and anticipated travelers? What if it was only $850,000? I bet we could buy a new tent for the overflow terminal complete with beautiful “mountain peak” details to match the elegance of Denver International Airport!
I’ll bet that with $850, we can bribe the denizen of some cubicle somewhere to reschedule all of the air traffic in the U.S. to allow for a half-hour or 45 minutes between each of the dozens and dozens of flights arriving and departing from La Plata Field!
Perhaps we should consider a capital investment of $85 billion and install the Star Trek transporter – on the Bridge to Nowhere. Or go back to the drawing board. I’ll reconsider if they’ll give me one of those $85 million to install the toilets.
You know, the Arc of History kinda resembles the Flintstones’ airplane. Another grand scheme! Another flight of fancy! I love my town!
Davitt M. Armstrong
Durango
