You could be planner for a day

(Ouray) A bold new contest, sponsored in part by County Commissioners here offers workaday residents a chance to pull a few strings when it comes to the future. Planner For A Day gives 365 people a chance to be winners. These lucky persons will then be granted 24 hours during the next calendar year in which to engage in both county and town planning.

The lottery, or competitive encounter, as it is called over at the Quart House, has everyone talking. As of late last night some 1200 county residents have applied for one of the 365 spots up for grabs. If a more radical element within the county gets its way the contest will be opened up to visitors as well.

“We don’t see why these Ouray enthusiasts (tourists) can’t make a contribution,” said Melvin Toole-Booth, father of the competition. “They should not be excluded just because they aren’t familiar with any of the issues.”

Toole-Booth went on to say that the average American does not realize the magnitude of planning that can occur in one 24-hour period. He insists that the licensing of 365 planners, all with proper permits and little planner hats, will not have adverse effects although he concedes that the paperwork may be a problem.

“What’s the big deal,” he laughed. “The winner goes to work and plans, eats lunch, plans some more and then he goes home. The next day another winner comes in and plans, eats, plans some more, goes home and so on until either all the planning is accomplished or we run out of planners.”

The deadline to apply for these coveted positions is May 2. All candidates must show ability to sing the Star Spangled Banner and pass a simple intelligence test.

“And it helps if they know what county they live in,” stressed Toole-Booth, who compares the event to the annual Jeep Raffle, which features only one winner, usually from out of the region.

– Navajo Sam