Hooray for Common Sense and Initiative

From the Fort Carson Mountaineer

2nd BCT leaders tour Trinidad
by Spc. April York
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
Office, 4th Infantry Division
TRINIDAD — Leadership from 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, took a city tour
led by various department heads of the Trinidad
community recently.
The tour provided the officers, who will deploy
to Afghanistan later this year, with an inside look
at all the nuts and bolts of what it takes to bring
public safety as well as water, sewer, gas and
electric to a local community.
“The purpose of the tour was to explain and
exhibit what it takes to run a small city like Trinidad,”
said Ed GildeRubio, city manager of Trinidad.
The idea originated from Kim Shultz, director
and CEO of the Trinidad and Las Animas Chamber of
Commerce. Shultz proposed the idea to Col. John S.
Kolasheski, commander of 2nd BCT, and according
to Martha Hackett, director of communication of
the Trinidad and Las Animas Chamber of Commerce,
he was receptive to the idea.
The tour consisted of presentations at various
locations. There was a stop in the
middle of the tour at the
Community Center where lunch
was served.
“We’ve done this kind (of)
training with educational systems
and other municipalities, but this
is the first time we’ve done this
training with the Army,” said
GildeRubio. “I believe the training
went well; the officers greatly
appreciated what they’ve seen.
Many of them have said to me that
they are amazed by what it takes to
run a city.”
GildeRubio said the tour will
help the leaders of 2nd BCT
with their upcoming mission to
Afghanistan, because it has helped
them to realize that they have to
bridge the communication gap if they want to benefit
and bring all the people together.
“It is a very good move on the Army’s part to get
local government involved with this type of training
and we are honored to help,” GildeRubio said.
“I will feel satisfied and accomplished if the
officers can use one thing that they have learned to
help them in Afghanistan and come home safely,”
Hackett said.

Proves to me good idea don't need to orginate in high places. Good for the citizens of Trinidad and good for the leadership of 2 BCT.

Given the heated feelings in that area over the proposed expansion of the Pinion Maneuver Area, this sort of activity is heart warming.