Bo,
I am not going to get into it with either you or Al, as I have made my opinions on this subject are well known.
I question, however, your statement about either you or Al being objective on this situation. I know that Al and you are good friende and that Al knows Don. So, being that close to the principals on either side leads me to believe that due to your and his closeness to the situation, true objectivity is impossible.
I freely admit that my opinion is influenced by my occupation and my lifelong love of trains. Although I respect both your and Al's opinions, I believe that, despite your protests to the contrary, objectivity is impossible.
Remember, this is Don's business, not yours, not Al's. He is free to do as he wishes with it. If he feels that following the advice of his attorney and standing up for the rights to the property shich he purchased is necessary, then it is not up to you nor anybody else to object, presupposing that his action is founded on good, solid legal advice to protect his rights and property.
After reading about all of the fol-de-rol in Creede, I am firmly convinced that, due to the inaction of Creede to secure the expropriated Railroad property through any sort of legal document, that not only was the city foolish, it was criminal.
I wonder how the residents of Creede would feel if the city decided to take their property away from them, with no compensation, and turn it into a City Jail or Parking Garage. I think that that the resident who has posted here would scream like a mashed cat if it were her.
Whether Don lives in Durango, Wagon Wheel Gap, Timbuktu or Kalamazoo doesn't matter. He is the proper deed holder to the land and owner thereof. Whether you approve this methods of dealing with the public doesn't matter. If you want anymore than a sideline position in the operation of his company, then become a stockholder or financial partner, until then, you have no legal say.
If you're a railfan give him your support if only by your silence, he faces an uphill battle and God knows it's hard enough without people who should support him whispering in his ear "You can't do it".
Copy to be posted at the NG Dead goat.
Rick Steele
