In response to recent articles about the road situation at East Magic reservoir, I take this opportunity to rebut some of the misstatements made by Blaine County Commissioner Tom Bowman, and I request a public apology for his statement that there are a bunch of shacks with illegal septic systems in East Magic.
I can't imagine how he could come to that conclusion. As far as I know, he has never been to East Magic, and he has certainly never visited my shack, even though I have personally invited him to do so on two occasions. A 1,100-square-foot, two-bedroom structure with a full bathroom, kitchen, hot and cold running water on a half-acre lot, fully landscaped with 120 feet of protected waterfront may seem like a shack to someone living north of Timmerman Hill up an exclusive canyon. My wife and I, however, would be delighted to live out the remainder of our lives in our shack if only we could convince the exalted commission that we deserve to be treated equally with other taxpayers. The shack owners at West Magic, which by the way is 15 miles further away than East Magic, have a fully paved and maintained road that is accessible year round. They were wise enough and determined enough to sue the county, and if that is the only way to rectify this iniquity then so be it.
My wife and I have owned our home at East Magic for more than 20 years and have paid taxes for services we seldom or never receive. The county receives $7,000 or more each year to maintain our road and until recently we were lucky to get our road graded once each summer. Whatever resolution the commissioners come up with regarding our road should not be as arbitrary and capricious as their previous actions and the statements made by Bowman and road supervisor Dale Shappee.
Glenn Rice Jr.
Charlotte N. Rice
East Magic
