The Falcon Exploratory Incorporation Committee has decided to hold off on town meetings for a month while the committees gather information to answer all of the questions posed thus far by the people.At a March 11 meeting, more than 80 people attended, many from an area that also is proposed for incorporation by Black Forest. The residents of that area were responding to a survey asking if they would like to be under the incorporation of either Falcon or Black Forest. The problem: Many of those surveyed weren’t interested in incorporation under either jurisdiction, and the survey was the first that many had heard of an incorporation movement. There were a lot of questions and a bit of heated debate.As usual, Art Van Sant and Jean Woolsey, co-chairs of the incorporation committee, reminded the audience this was an exploratory venture and there were still plentiful issues and questions that needed addressing.Another meeting took place on March 15 with about 50 people in attendance, according to a press release from public relations committee chairperson, Lynne Bliss. “What are the incorporation boundaries,” continues to lead the list of most-asked questions. Bliss said that Van Sant told attendees the boundaries will be determined by the people. He reiterated that people with at least 40 acres, or neighbors who grouped their properties together to create a total of 40 acres, could opt out of the incorporation plan.The following are answers to other frequently asked questions. The Falcon Exploratory Incorporation Committee is all-volunteer. Ideas for funding include a 2 percent sales tax, road taxes and vehicle registration fees. An initial city budget of $2 million has been suggested.Some Falcon and outlying residents have wondered how the word is getting out about the plans for incorporation. Because this is an all-volunteer effort, there is a lack of funds for major mailings and advertising, so the majority of information has been through word-of-mouth communication. However, the Gazette, the Black Forest News, the Ranchland News and The New Falcon Herald have all published numerous articles on the incorporation movement. One of the news stations picked up the story a month or so ago. If no one is reading the newspapers, check out the incorporation Web site at www.falconcolorado.org.
