[at-l] AMC's intent & a little history

[rickboudrie at hotmail.com (rick boudrie)]

"I'm enough of a realist to see that HBC will never be able to affect Joy 
Street's attitudes."

An individual who does not share the articulated vision of the AMC's inner 
circle probably has even less ability to affect change.  The only case I 
have heard about of someone who made the attempt was a guy from NY who 
figured out that if he got a hundred AMC signatures on a petition, he could 
force Joy Street to put his pet gripe up for a membership-wide vote.   It 
was on a trivial issue, though.

Barring that, I'd agree that with the AMC one really has to just eat what's 
on his plate.  Or on a plate at the AMC's new Highland Center.  Of course 
that would cost a couple $208 a night for a private room, or $132 a night 
for a pair of bunks in its mortgage-free $9 million dollar center (which 
lack a hikers' room, BTW).  Not that I am bitter.   Like Art points out, It 
is good to remember what wonderfull volunteers, and very cheap of free 
programs, the chapters have.

Perhaps Weary can share some of the history on why the AMC's plans for a 
series of massive huts in another part of Maine fell through just a couple 
years ago. And why he thinks the AMC leadership  will honor his Chapter's 
vision for the new property?

FWIW, I am all for cellebrating purchase of the Ironworks Property.  Heck, I 
even welcome development; Baxter has lean-tos and cabins and group camping 
areas all over the place.  Development  can be a good thing.  If I were the 
Governor, I would certainly embrace the economic development that an 
organization like the AMC can bring to the area.  Jobs are important.

But lets not kid our selves that the change will all be for the better.  And 
lets not kid ourselves that the AMC's interest and that of the Trail are 
always compatable.  Protection of those lands does come at a price, even if 
on balance its a price that we are willing to pay.   And lets not kid 
ourselves that the Maine Chapter or anyone else will have a great voice in 
the level of development to come over the next few years.  Those decisions 
will be formed and sold by the machine at Joy Street.

Rick B

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