I said "Texas"
She said, "What?"
I said "Texas. They got big wide roads down there." Chris Rhea

Wednesday I was caught in one of Castle Rock's increasingly familiar traffic jams. Apparently construction near Surrey Ridge had caused the backup, which extended all the way south to town.

This gave me ample time to ponder one of the recent changes of our local political landscape. My destination, you see, was Castle Pines Village via the Lagae Road entrance.

So, Castle Pines North is going to turn itself into a town! I don't really care, but I have been amused of late by the pro-incorporation side's argument on how they "needed" the Lagae Development for the money it would bring in.

It seems, so the argument goes, that this development is crucial for the funds it would provide for future water supplies. Never mind it would also throw up another 230 homes,each also requiring water.

And that total revenues in a best case scenario would provide less than half the required expenditure. Or that this "need" arises in the middle of a huge downturn in new home sales (and after a significant drought).

Back in the '80s we were told we "needed" Castle Pines Village, Founders, and The Meadows. Then we "needed" the Outlet Malls.

Then Castle Rock "needed" to extend the city limits practically to Franktown. Recently we have "needed" Home Depot, Target, Wal-Mart, and all the other box chains we have let in "for the revenue."

Even Hank Lacey, the councilman whose willingness to call them as he sees them I admire (and whose opinions I mostly agree with), stated in one of his earliest blogs we "needed" to draw in more businesses to provide more revenue.

Where does it end, folks? When is enough enough? Does anyone out there really think adding more development will really solve any problems?

Or will it create a "need" for more money for infrastructure maintenance, more water for more lawns, more business for more revenue, more lanes on I-25 for more traffic. On and on, round and round we go.

I see how the developer for the Lagae plat has met with people from CPN. He has stated how dealing with the new town could speed up the process immensely.

How money would be flowing soon into the coffers. Never a mention of the downsides, or the fact the Denver metro area is facing record foreclosures.

Let me tell you something about some developers. I have dealt with a lot of them over the years.

They'll promise you a free condo on the moon if that will grease the wheels. Developers are in it for the money, folks. Not to help ease your financial crisis, not to help you keep your roads paved, not to help you find more sources for water.

This doesn't make them bad people, but you best have your salt shaker handy if you think their pitch sounds sweet.

I'm just a country boy who owns and operates a small business. I have made a conscious decision to keep it small and keep it simple. I try not to let any perceived "need" for growth rule my decisions. If I can't afford it I don't do it. I work with the revenues at hand. Seems easy enough, right?

Maybe what the folks of the new town of Castle Pines North "need" to do is outlaw Kentucky bluegrass lawns. That would go farther to ease the impending water crisis than any development. But I'm wandering.

By the way, I got stuck in traffic yesterday on our newly expanded freeway through Castle Rock. Maybe we "need" to add another lane?

We gotta get out of here. It's all gone crazy. Chris Rhea