Sherrill
Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 98
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| #16 |
I can't think of anything good to say about Pagosa; sadder still, I can't conjure any good feelings and/or memories. I've lived in PS almost 20 years - longer than any place in my 60+ year life. Never have I felt this disconnected and unwelcome. Up and down both coasts, as far north as Buffalo and Montreal; as far south as El Paso and even in Guadalajara, I've had homes and developed "forever" friendships. Thank goodness for my long distance friends and the internet. |
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sensetalk2000
Registered: 11/10/08
Posts: 109
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| #17 |
I am sorry that you feel that way, although I am all too familiar with the feeling. I first came to Pagosa over 25 years ago and yes, I have lived several other places. I know the disconnection but cannot define it exactly. I want to call it an atmosphere that envelops the whole county, for lack of a better term. Maybe it is just a supernatural curse, that is not beyond belief. My only close friends are a long way off and we talk frequently on the phone. I have really tried hard to make friends here but there seems to be an invisible wall....... |
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Sherrill
Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 98
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| #18 |
Your description is great - "invisible wall" - perfect. There is something strange about this area, perhaps supernatural but in a bad way. I've given up on figuring it out. If my husband didn't have a business which keeps us here, I would leave. He not only has a business, he really likes PS. He is from DGO and a workaholic; he doesn't have anyplace to compare PS to. Last year I spent February to May in Mesilla, New Mexico. Since returning I've felt more disconnected than ever. I hope to leave again soon. |
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sensetalk2000
Registered: 11/10/08
Posts: 109
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| #19 |
Sadly, I am sure some would quickly say to you that leaving is what you should do, if you don't like it here. I have had that happen to me. Surprisingly, some people find a niche here and are quite content with any form of disconnection. I had one person tell me that as long as it didn"t affect him on his "forty" acres, he didn't care what happened in Pagosa.
My instincts tell me that a lot of this is purely cultural, as the West attracts a wide range of mores, folklores and ethnicities. Cultural diversity often promotes or perpetuates the sense of disconnection.
I still say it would be a wise thing for Pagosa to veer away from it's "tourist town" designation. Not an about face, but at least make some concerted efforts to approach a different style of economy.
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Sherrill
Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 98
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| #20 |
DITTO. Well put; [U]very[/U] nicely put. |
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JSR
Registered: 10/07/08
Posts: 10
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| #21 |
It is very interesting to read the post of residentsof PS and listen to opinions. Arguably one of the beautiful places in the state PS can rise again. My family are anxiously awaiting the spring so that we can migrate into the area you are so desperately trying to leave. In my book that would mean more air for us to breathe. I believe that all PS residents should read the 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell. If you are so inclined you may just find the answers to your delimas. I do have a way for those who are tired of mediocrity to change their life forever. rodico66@hotmail.com
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my wife and i and my daughter are moving in the spring. we are very excited! |
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Sherrill
Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 98
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| #22 |
Pagosa appeals to many people. I can't move from Pagosa because business keeps me here. My husband is able to make a living and we certainly don't want to start over at our ages. Good luck with your move and I'm sure you'll enjoy Pagosa. Your attitude is excellent; being positive and hopeful are wonderful traits.
We all have our opinions and no one means any harm. We're just "venting." We're sad to see Pagosa in this condition. The empty store fronts, the fact that 60% of the local realtors didn't renew their licenses, brokers closing branch real estate offices, restaurant earnings down 30%...there are signs of the recession but Pagosa won't die. It is the seat of Archuleta County AND a major highway runs through the middle of town!
PS: Read it. |
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sensetalk2000
Registered: 11/10/08
Posts: 109
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| #23 |
I wouldn't think to dissuade anyone from moving anywhere, including a couple of good friends and several relatives who recently moved.
Years ago, I didn't have the benefit of electronic communication, such as the internet and my information was limited, at best. I appreciate all the great opportunities now to learn about people, places and things, through forums like these.
It is good to have as much information as possible about something as serious as relocation. That is what a lot of us are about and seriously, not trying to discourage anyone.
I am somewhat shackled to Pagosa like Sherrill. A business, grandchildren, economy and advancing age, have kept the wagon in the barn for now.
More power to those heading out on their new adventure in life. I sincerely wish them all the best.
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JSR
Registered: 10/07/08
Posts: 10
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| #24 |
We do thank you for the open forum so that access to information is available. I understand that economy is causing a lot of people to get rattled but we dont have to play their games. It is a lot of work but worth it. Not being there on main street it is difficult to understand what long term residents have been through. It is clear that I misunderstood "venting" as disention. Perhaps by the time we are able to become residents, most of the worrysome problems will have worked themselves out. Other wise perhaps we can be part of the solution. My wife is looking forward to working with domestic violence victims and we will need to secure a "safe haven" for them once we are established. There again peace on earth and good will toward men.
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my wife and i and my daughter are moving in the spring. we are very excited! |
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Boomerkid
Registered: 12/19/08
Posts: 22
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| #25 |
I thought it was just me, however after moving here almost 5 years ago from another part of Colorado, I have to say that I feel more disconnected and alone than I have ever felt living elsewhere.
When making our decision to move to Pagosa we saw what appeared to be an undiscovered "gem" with great potential. However, after the first year here I realized we had made a mistake. While we have found the school system to be quite good, and the outdoor life fantastic, the rest of the town/county can't seem to get it together. I agree with a previous poster - we need more than 3 county commissioners to make decisions! The area has so much potential, which I believe David Brown also thought. It's a shame that the town and county didn't work with him instead of against him. But like so many around here, you pick up the pieces and move on. Unfortunately, we also are unable to do that at this time but are hoping by summer to do so.
Relying on the tourist industry will always be a mistake for the area. Maybe having the same mayor for the past 30 years is part of the problem? When 60% of your population are part-timers you have a very unhealthy economy to begin with. What is the economic development office here doing to bring in outside interests that will bring real jobs to the area?
Maybe there really is something to the "Pagosa Curse" as I will be more than happy to leave and get back to a place where I can make friends and start living my life again!
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sensetalk2000
Registered: 11/10/08
Posts: 109
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| #26 |
TO Boomerkid:
I am sorry but not surprised about your five year experience in Pagosa. Having heard your story repeated so many times, you might think somebody would take note, however, that has not been the case.
I might disagree a little that officials didn't embrace Mr. Brown and BootJack development. His impact is can be seen everywhere in Pagosa country, including a very fancy airport, designed for people like him. At the same time, I am sure he ran into "goofball" obstacles to his vision for the community.
A very counter-productive fact I have seen for years is the transiency of the community in general, especially people coming and going constantly from appointed and elected positions. Such lack of continuity is disheartening, to say the least. Can you imagine a sports team changing the team leader or key players every time they played? What happens to a successful sports enterprise when key players are lost to injury? Just think back over your five years in Pagosa and recall all the resignations and replacements.
That is why I maintain that Pagosa simply has to be reinvented. It is obvious that the current method of management is a losing proposition. We absolutely must, always, calculate the human cost first, before anything else.
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Sherrill
Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 98
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| #27 |
The writer makes really, really good points regarding our need for more than three County Commissioners, the "mayor" and the wrong decision to insist upon depending on tourism...I agree 100%. I've never been this dissatisfied nor this disappointed with a town in my life. I dread to think that I will live here the rest of my life.
Yes, David Brown had a vision for Pagosa Springs that wasn't realized, unfortunately. Only recently did I learn that Ross Aragon is really the mayor - I didn't know we HAD a "real" mayor! I thought he was an honorary mayor, a figurehead...a surprise to me. All I've ever heard about Mr. Aragon is what a neglectful landlord he is and what nice mules he owns!
As I sit here this morning reading our opinions, the weather has me dreading my (almost) weekly trip to Durango's WalMart. I wish the trip wasn't necessary. I wish there was a nice grocery store with a good bakery and a terrific fresh fruit and vegetable department - like Aztec's Safeway, for example. So far, my wishes haven't been granted! :) |
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sensetalk2000
Registered: 11/10/08
Posts: 109
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| #28 |
The writer reminds me of the days where almost everyone made a regular trip to Farmington to hit the grocery store. I believe it was Pac n Sav or something like that.
I like Durango and can tolerate Farmington but hate the drive with a passion. I know all the locations where I have either dodged or hit deer and where all the wrecks have happened, many of them with fatalities. All of us living in Pagosa have had to run the deer, elk, snow, ice and tourist "gauntlet", to find decent shopping. My wife is afraid of winter driving now, after her trip to Durango resulted in a roll-over accident, totaling the car.
I pray that some day soon I can make the big move out of Pagosa. I know that problems exist everywhere and upright, elected officials are becoming scarce. I do know that when I make the escape, Lord willing, it will somewhere warmer and with practically no snow!!!!
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Sherrill
Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 98
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| #29 |
sunsetalk2000 has a terrific way with words. He makes a deadly serious subject easier to take: "The Gauntlet" is a fact of our lives! All areas of town, from the 84/160 intersection to the last stop light to the west, have deer-car collisions. Fortunately they usually aren't as severe due to lower speeds through town. The highway-animal wrecks are frightening. I understand the fear Mrs. sunsetalk2000 experiences.
I struggle to stay in the moment and "be where I am" at all times. Life has to be worked at living to the best of our ability, especially since we're in PS. But I look forward to the day when I leave Colorado for the sunshine and warmth of southern New Mexico. |
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Boomerkid
Registered: 12/19/08
Posts: 22
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| #30 |
Yes, I've got to agree the weekly trips to Durango can be treacherous. I would love to see a Safeway store come into Pagosa, as well as other shopping possibilities. The constant turnover of our local government employees has been amazing. I've never seen this happen like this anywhere else. Although I do think our former county finance manager was rightfully let go, I do think Mr. Campbell, the former county manager, was sincerely trying and was doing a good job given the circumstances. It is a shame so many people have lost their jobs in the town and county government merry-go-round. On days like today when the sun finally comes out and the snow has ended, I look up at the peak and see how beautiful it is and wonder if maybe I am wrong about the area. I guess that's part of the "curse" as it keeps you always second guessing yourself! |
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