City Council President Scott Hente is asking the public to respect the privacy of people who live in the Mountain Shadows burn area.
“This weekend was like a parade,” said Hente, whose home was damaged by the Waldo Canyon Fire.
“I saw the police in a couple, many instances, actually, pull people over,” he said during Monday’s informal council meeting. “One was by my house.”
Mountain Shadows resident Tom Michel said onlookers are causing traffic back-ups.
“I was an unwilling parade participant yesterday while trying to get to my house,” Michel said via Twitter.
Hente said a lot of homes are going to be “wide open,” especially during renovations and rebuilding.
“With that many homes, it’s a target of opportunity,” he said.
My wife and I were 2 of the people driving though last weekend (though we stayed on Flying W only). My wife’s a teacher just north of there and has many friends who live in the affected areas. So we absolutely has an interest in being there. That being said, while I can most certainly understand the frustration of residents who don’t appreciate the increased traffic (though when we were there, traffic was very light) it’s important to remember that not all who pass through are troublemakers, or without vested interest. What happened in Mountin Shadows not only affected residents of the neighborhoods, but also many, many more with their own personal connections to the area. Those of us who are grieving extend far beyond the boundaries of the burn zone.
Bull!! Marveling at someone’s loss. If the media didn’t show me enough to get a handle on the devastation a first hand look won’t either. I have friends who lived in the area – they can tell about the plight. Curiosity – nothing more! Simply put – if you have no business there – stay out.
Public streets and sidewalks can be used by anyone at anytime. Hente may not like the inconvenience but thats to bad, but then again did not a bank have to sue this deadbeat to get him to pay his debt.
Everyone was affected by the fire. This is our community and these are our neighbors. I had the awesome opportunity of assisting many people who were evacuated including many that lost their homes. It was an honor to help them. We visited this area with our children and also stayed on Flying W. We were not gawking but educating our children about what happened and explaining the impact the fire had on the families, community, jobs, and the natural beauty of this special community. It also prompted us to volunteer and donate to the victims of this terrible tragedy.
Councilman Hente: Those streets are public streets… paid for with our tax dollars… if a tax-paying citizen wants to drive on public streets, for any reason, that is their choice. Get over it.
It is normal for people to want to see. Just like slowing down on a highway or street to look at an accident. THIS WAS A DEVASTATING tragedy ,ONE no one has ever seen before, sometimes looking at this can make one see how lucky they are and their problems are minimal. Driving by , I see nothing wrong with it, STOPPING TO GAWK and take photos thats a different story. and as for HENTE, to bad, you don’t like it MOVE…I can see why he can afford to live in that area, probably in one of them HUGE homes up on the hill HE DON’T PAY HIS BILLS> And NO ONE is marveling at someone loss. I don;t think that is why they are there, its a natural reaction. NO ONE is gawking at someones devastation, MAYBE THE CITY COUNCIL should maybe quit squandering our tax dollars and PUT MORE POLICE ON THE STREETS to watch those HOMES, what do you say PRESIDENT HENTE??? Or do you have your own PRIVATE SECURITY paid for with OUR TAX DOLLARS.
I bent my Wookie!
I have to admit I am pretty torn on the issue. I do understand the community having some need to drive over here and look. The city has been great and it coming together has been more than I think other cities of this size would do.
That being said, I do feel a bit violated watching the stream of cars coming into the neighborhood. Specifically when there are signs posted that say “Residents Only” and “No Thru Traffic”. I was following a car with Kansas tags going like 3 mph (and that is not an exaggeration). Those were gawkers.
I did not lose my home. But I am extremely lucky. It has been my home for over a decade and I have been a part of this city for many more years. I love this city. And I am so happy the community came together. Maybe time to heal a bit more before the parade would be more appropriate.
I know this is a highly debated topic. Just be aware that we are people over here. Yes, the whole city experienced this. We sat for hours and days not knowing if we still had a home. Think of that when pondering on driving through or not. Think of how you’d feel if you had a tradgedy and we’d want to drive by your place to take a look. Or sit in front of your house and take pictures.