Friday, August 10, 2012

Smoke in the valley

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By CHRIS MILLSPAUGH

The skies were cloudy and pink last week as smoke covered the Wood River Valley in the midst of an active and profitable summer for all of us.

Many believe the conditions were because of fires in the Frank Church area above Stanley and one at the Fourth of July Trail in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. I have a different idea. I think that all that smoke is coming from politicians, tar layers, taxpayers and frustrated office seekers.

As the people of the valley slowly begin to fight their way out of poverty this summer while business slowly starts to recover and jobs begin to open up, we're subjected to the arrival of Mitt Romney blowing smoke and raising $2 million at River Run Lodge. Two million dollars! I'm trying to make my rent, send Obama 10 bucks a month and forage for food on the outskirts of town. Do we dare think that money will buy the election? Uh ... maybe. It's hard to see from all the smoke.

And, how about Knife River announcing that they'll be around another week touching up the highway. Why? Foreman of the project, Chip Sealer, says, "We want to make sure it's all done correctly." I'm tired of "It's-time-to-tar-your-car-this-summer" quotes. The highway is designed now to make sure all of us are late to work. It's hard to see the road repairs from all the smoke.

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I see where Sen. Larry Craig now refers his to his fated trip to the bathroom in Minnesota, which got him in so much trouble, as "official Senate business." There was a lot of smoke coming out of that restroom and it continues today.

And, how about the statement, "Staff morale is high at the City of Sun Valley?" People have commented that it's so quiet inside the city buildings that everyone must be concentrating on their work and not thinking about the audit. I sense massive amounts of smoke, folks. It's hard to see from all the smoke.

Hopefully it will soon be clear and we can all get about the business of surviving again. I long for sunny days and periods of hope. I've seen enough of the summer of smoke.

Nice talking to you.

Mr. Millspaugh lives in a cabin and works in the wild.

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