Meet the Marshall

Meet the marshall.  Town Marshall James Matheney.  James has been in charge in Nederland for just over 3 months now and is getting to know everyone.  He especially likes to introduce himself to dangerous looking females with LOONEY TUNE campaign hats and that sly, "I'm going to find a new book today if it kills somebody." look about them. So he met Mona, and when he looked at my retired pastor card he simply raised an eyebrow as if to say, "A likely story."

Seriously though, we called him over when we saw him driving by. I wanted to ask about dry camping for our coach when we come back up in the future.  He told us nicely that it can't be done in town and which forestry campgrounds to stay away from.  Some just have historically attracted rowdy folk.

James served a southern Detroit suburb for twenty years before deciding to head west, and hopefully slow down his arrest record.  His primary comment about Detroit, "Everything you've heard about it is true." He researched small town managers and decided he would like to work with Ned's.  And she agreed, so he was hired.

James works with the Boulder County Sheriff's office, and the Forestry Department Feds to keep the peace in the area. But it's not all relaxed yuppy and hippy stuff he must deal with.  The legalization of marijuana in the state last year has created a new black market in the green getaway plant market.  Homes are being rented that once went to tourists and the insides are being turned into quick change marijuana green houses.  Why? So the drug can be sold illegally, without the new state tax applied, much as cigarettes and alcohol have been black marketed for decades.

But in a town like Nederland, which has had a 'look the other way' attitude about marijuana often since the 1960's put it on the hippy highway map the access to tourist cabins and a ready market makes the idea of using them for undiscovered growing very attractive.  In addition, the town economy is suffering because there are actually less homes available now for families to rent. families who bought town goods, bought area attraction and mountain adventure tickets, and ski. And, while James could not scientifically correlate the data yet, he is writing a paper to present to the county government showing that his research proves a direct increase in crime as a result, especially violent crime when the drug is mixed with alcohol.  The drug makes you relaxed... until alcohol is taken as well. Then it actually enhances violent tendencies.

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On a lighter note, here are a few nederland Walkabout pics we took today. ENJOY!

Ken