The word “Loop” has special meaning for Estesians. We’ll see how the Downtown Estes Loop behaves for this first full summer. We “closed” that loop when we opened it. In this column, I’m using the phrase “closing loops” more generally to mean taking care of business, resolving issues, and completing unfinished projects.
The Circle of Life is the most significant loop we all go around.
More concretely, the Cleave Street project is nearing an end after a rocky road. Like the Loop, it created myriad challenges for nearby businesses. Town staff kept at it, and the result will be a path to new dimensions in downtown Estes. Some hope to make this an artsy corner of our town. I envision additional evolution of the businesses over time, on both sides of the street. The Cleave reconstruction “loop” may be closing, but the larger change will be realized over years.
We have personal loops to close. When Linda and I go up a mountain, we don’t count the summit until we make it back safely to our car or tent. And the marathon and half-marathon runners to whom I handed medals on Father’s Day all completed that challenging course, which should bring them great satisfaction.
Closing communication loops is both polite and necessary. The mountain of communication overwhelms some people and impedes answering all of the requests that come their way. (There are methods to manage that mass of messages!) Every leader must develop their skills to acknowledge and respond on a timely basis, and to keep the wheels rolling.
Gestalt therapy, created by Fritz Perls in the 20th century, helped people focus on current reality and get on with life. It’s psychologically healthy to resolve open tasks and issues: sweeping the floor, finishing a book, graduating from a class, and keeping a promise. Failure to take care of business can lead to melancholy or depression. It’s like a hoarder who can’t get rid of things. Get ‘er done and let it go!
Sports teams who fail to win their championship often call their plight “unfinished business,” which motivates them to try again next year. Some never achieve a championship. And that’s another skill: How to accept that outcome and find peace despite the lack of the trophy.
It’s not just sports. If things turn out differently than we hoped, it’s important to find a way to settle with a contrary outcome. When your candidate doesn’t win an election, you still have to live life and take care of business. It is important to accept the current reality and continue to be practical and move forward.
We have plenty of good works and improvements to do right here in Estes. Our Town government is nonpartisan. That doesn’t mean there aren’t significant differences of opinion on topics. But we can and do work together toward the resolution of issues and goals regardless of our individual political views.
So, what are my current tasks to move forward and try to close out? My job involves juggling a lot of items of different sizes and shapes. Here’s a little sample:
Our move to green power from the Platte River Power Authority must be done, but only as fast as we can maintain high dependability and reasonable affordability of our electric power. I expect we’ll be around 85% to 88% green by 2030, and the last few percent will take a while longer.
I must help resolve the challenges of our Transportation Advisory Board and the Visit Estes Park Board.
We’ll continue to weigh annexations, rezonings, and developments. I continue to learn about the Fish Hatchery housing project, the Elkhorn Lodge Phase 2 annexation, and others, and I read communications from anyone and everyone, so I’ll be best positioned to make my decisions when they come to the board.
I’ll help as best I can to get a new, modern police station. I’m trying to influence through political channels a move of our beloved Post Office to a better, more accessible location. Some towns have been successful with this in recent years; perhaps we can be.
I’m working to try to convince Albertsons management to resolve the “unfair labor practices” issues for our Safeway employees. Perhaps we can stimulate interest from other grocery retailers to consider Estes.
I’ll continue to advocate for protecting our national parks and forests and public lands, and keeping them funded and staffed. That’s a tough battle right now.
I applaud Estes Park Health’s new Chief Nursing Officer Ben Hetrick. I worked with Ben for many years. He’s a great relationship builder and a dedicated and expert communicator. He’s intelligent in all things medicine, social interactions, and people management – all the things you need in that position. Good choice.
Each week of my term, I try to close some loops, big or small. I offer thoughts and guidance where I can. I’ll use my influence to impact the course of events. I’ll be a listening ear if that’s what is needed. Any elected official is part of a continuum, a much bigger loop, the history of Estes. I’ll try to make the most of my time in this office.