Not in my back yard, neighbors say about troubled-youth home

Not in my back yard, neighbors say about troubled-youth home

October 11, 2001

The proposed site for the controversial ASPIRE youth camp lies on a 40-acre parcel of land south of Road H.5 at the western edge of the Mancos Valley.

By Janelle Holden
journal staff writer

Neighbors of a proposed wilderness camp for troubled youths applauded the concept, but told the Montezuma County commissioners on Monday the camp itself shouldn’t be in their vicinity.

"I like working with these kids, but I don’t want them living in my back yard," said neighbor and public-school counselor Angela Harper.

The commissioners held a public hearing for nearly two hours on the proposal and continued the hearing to their Oct. 29 meeting to give them and county staff time to conduct further research.

The youth camp directors, Dave Finlay, Scot Davis, and Lillian Ramey, are asking for a high-impact permit from the commissioners to build and operate the camp east of the entrance of Mesa Verde National Park.

Under the program, up to 12 teens, ranging in age from 13 to 17, would participate in a 15-week course at a cost of $15,000 per student. No court-ordered or sentenced juvenile offenders would be taken at the camp. Students would be referred by parents and non-court counselors.

"These children are not criminals," explained attorney Erin Johnson, who represents the ASPIRE directors, all of whom have experience teaching and counseling troubled youth.

A house on the 47-acre property would be the main facility. During the three semester programs offered each year, the students would participate in numerous field trips, such as rafting, camping and archaeological expeditions.

Less than half of a student’s semester would be spent at the ranch, the directors said, and four support staff would be hired to help care for the students.

The Montezuma County Planning Commission unanimously recommended denying the permit at an August meeting, citing safety concerns and inadequate access.

During Monday’s hearing, neighbor Ted Neergaard questioned how seven employees could watch all the teenagers all the time, and said neighborhood residents are the "perfect target" for runaway teens seeking transportation and money.

"The ASPIRE program and the youths they wish to serve is enough to cause fear in anyone," said Neergaard.

Other neighbors agreed.

"It’s not a question if they’re going to take off, it’s a matter of when they run off," said Gary Stevens. "My big issue is the safety of my family. It’s supposed to be a wilderness idea, and that’s where it needs to be — in the wilderness."

But others argued that its remote location could be a problem. "If this facility goes through, and something happens up there, you may not get an officer for a long time," explained Sheriff Joey Chavez.

But Brad Finch, a Mancos resident, said the proposal was sound. "I think the health of our community is expressed in the way we treat our children."

The directors are offering two scholarships per semester to local youths, counselor Donna Sue Spear pointed out.

Commissioner Gene Story said the land-use code allows for commercial use of private property, but the board must decide whether the proposal exceeds threshold standards for traffic and safety.