Paving paradise, parking lots and pigs

Dear True,

There is an old story about a man who owned an amazing and wonderful pig that was of great service to his family. On one occasion, the man’s son had fallen into a pond and the pig jumped in and rescued him. On another, the man’s house had caught on fire and the pig rushed into the house and dragged everyone to safety. The pig could sing, it could dance, it could do everything and more that one would normally expect of a pig.

The man couldn’t help but brag how great it was to have such a terrific pig as part of his holdings and everyone agreed that such an animal would be very valuable, a real treasure and all asked if they could see the pig. The pig’s owner was more than happy to comply and everyone was delighted with the pig and could easily tell that it was a marvelous animal. Word of the pig spread far; people came from everywhere to see it, and this brought great fame and wealth to the man and his family.

One day, after yet another crowd had come to see the pig, the man brought him out, but something seemed not quite right. Everyone was dismayed to see that, although the pig indeed was unique and very intelligent, it just wasn’t the delight they had expected. It now sported a wooden leg. The crowd clamored to know what tragedy had befallen the pig, and demanded the pig’s owner tell them how he could have let this happen to so perfect an animal.

The pig’s owner was taken aback. He declared that there was nothing wrong with the pig; that it was as delightful, as smart, and as amazing as ever and that he was giving it the best of care. When asked why the pig was now despoiled with a wooden leg, the man smugly replied, “well, you know”, he said, “when a pig is as nice as mine, you don’t want to eat it all at once”.

If those who favor the DNR’s large marina, and those who favor unbridled ATV and ORV trails, and those who favor poorly planned and ill advised development have their way, the Grand Marais area will soon be the marvelous pig with three wooden legs, not just one, and with not a hope of ever being the same again.

Yours,
A Friend of Grand Marais