In 2001, the Brills in Silverton claimed that they needed the extreme, high-country terrain for professional skiers. Now, they have surreptitiously and hypocritically reversed their intentions. They are turning the extreme risks that they so previously championed and desired into a safety issue so that they can cater to much lesser skilled and more profitable clientele.
And when challenged, they threaten to lay off employees in an attempt to coerce hesitant county commissioners into supporting their devious requests. But the three or four new employees that would avoid unemployment checks by earning minimum wages do not outweigh the extreme avalanche dangers that upper level heli-skiers put lower backcountry skiers in. As we climb up the mountain, helicopters above us will be pushing the snow into our faces and endangering the many hard-working local lives for the pleasure of a few foreigners.
Those extra 10-12 dinners that will be purchased each week at local eateries do not outweigh the blight and noise or the dangers and destruction of the quality of human life that helicopters traversing the fragile skies above Silverton will complicate. Every beautiful day will be destroyed by an infection of fuel-wasting, air-polluting choppers flying back and forth above us. These arrogant, uncaring toys of the rich are an imposition of the worst kind.
The pristine peace and quiet that we all enjoy while living in Silverton will be irreparably destroyed by the annoying and constant chopping of helicopter blades and the echoing thunder of daily explosive avalanche rounds that will irritate and aggravate the many nature lovers and their families – just to guarantee the safety of the wealthy. I hope that others will email their ideas before the Aug. 17 deadline to jchristenson@blm.gov.
Please keep their machines in the original area they had first promised to stay in.
Missy Percifield
Silverton
