Dear Editor: I live in Montrose now but having been a full-time Ouray resident for several years, I read the weekly Plaindealer in one sitting, enjoying much of what that small town has to offer. I know the names, places, people and incidents of the past 15 years.

A recent situation seems out of whack to me, or maybe I am missing something. The sale of the Ouray Bookshop and the long hoped-for revival of the Beaumont Hotel as a community treasure (hosting amazing Thanksgiving dinners, awesome Halloween costume parties, a lovely, serene Christmas setting for a quiet drink or dinner … ahh, all to be enjoyed again!), two very important sources of community pleasure and pride, have collided due to unfortunate timing.

The new hotel owner has stated he wanted a bookstore in the hotel. He has stated concern over a new tenant for the bookstore, understandably so. The new owner may be a busy person right now and not available to personally interact with others just as they would like, but there is a contact person handling communication.

Somehow the emotional tone of reaction to the situation seems short-sighted. Timing is everything and this one is not identical but surely workable without overcharged statements that town gossip will prevent locals and tourists from enjoying fully what Ouray has to offer … a fine bookstore and a fine hotel.

Come on, folks, breathe deep, business people can talk face to face, brainstorm, find a creative solution for the good of Ouray and yourselves.

My vote would be for taking some time, creating a year lease for the bookshop and working diligently together over the slow season to find the new owner, and that way demonstrate to the community how to build rather than tear down.

Donnalee Brown Montrose