Elections and Opinions An Editorial

   Some won and some lost, which is usual in most elections. This one wasn’t much different. After the polls closed and the figures got tallied, Martha Clark, Bill Liebfried and Christa Sadler garnered the most votes. These folks are the happy—and unsuspecting—recipients of more work than they wanted, which is also usual after somebody wins an election.

   The people that lose-out on the drudgery of keeping GCRG alive and breathing for the next two years, Tom Vail and Jeff Behan, did, in the first place, volunteer to run for office. In these parts, that is a major accomplishment all by itself. They were there when the gradient got steep and hoped to make a difference. No problem. They , and a few other unelected folks, will continue to do just that. They’re doin’ it right now, helping around the office, writing for the news, running to the print shop or post office or both, running to Grand Canyon for a meeting, running some place else for another meeting and, once in a while, when nothing else is happening, running down the river, too.

   Sometimes, usually the first and third Tuesday of every month (but not too often in the summer), we run to Board of Directors’ meetings. Our own, that is. Usually, we’re the only people sitting there, which is weird. We talk about issues that affect Grand Canyon and what we imagine to be our livelihood in Grand Canyon. We do that earnestly and honestly. We—whether we’re elected or not—attempt to define those issues of greatest interest and concern to our membership. Then, if we decide to, we try to set in motion whatever it is we think will work toward that end. We make every effort to go about what we want in a manner we think benefits all, because we’re all in it together.

   Given that, it’s curious to note some of the suggestions/responses to the ‘questionnaire’ included as part of the 93' GCRG Ballot.

   Many people indicated we’re doing a great job; some even felt we excelled in a few areas. Thanks; we do try. Too, there were a lot of good, solid, suggestions for us to think about and work on, and we will think about them and work on them, just like you asked.

   Somebody said they hated the tent. Ditto with us also, at least for what remains of it. He or She didn’t offer an alternative, which is okay, except to say, Why not? No doubt, we need a new idea on that one. Got any? Someone else wanted to know why more outfitters don’t attend our meetings. Uh...its a mystery to everybody around here as well.

   A few responses indicated some folks think GCRG is a “rowbaby club” comprised of ensconced Flagstaff best buddies. This, if you will allow me the luxury, is a ludicrous statement. Nearly half the GCRG Board and Officers are motor-type people (some are even ambidextrous) and I, for one, didn’t know a single person on the Board until elected. Then comes the cruel slosh of cold water square in the face—that GCRG doesn’t represent Utah (or North Rim) (or wherever) boatmen, guides and swampers. I ask you: is that an accurate statement? Next, after splitting hairs very—very—thin, someone’s gonna say we don’t have a Utah motor pilot on the Board.

   Sorry. Wrong again.

   We are not an exclusionary organization. The only people whose opinions and concerns are excluded are those who exclude themselves by not communicating with us; not getting involved. Getting involved means caring, and it means work.

   We need your help, your suggestions, your energy, your rational criticism, your body and brain, on the telephone or in person, at our meetings and most other places, come Hell or high water. And, we need your help whether you’re elected or not. If we weren’t interested, we wouldn’t be doing it. How about you?

Shane Murphy