Quotes…

My youngest son graduated from high school this year. It was a triumph for him on many levels, making the National Honor Society and named Senior of the Year.

It was a singular achievement for the young man diagnosed at one time with a learning disorder. As he was preparing to graduate, he selected a couple of quotes for his yearbook and, upon some reflection, I realized that they were applicable, not only to every aspect of his life but, to mine as well.

One of the quotes came from a lyric in a song from one of his favorite bands, “A Day To Remember” and it goes “I will never falter. I will stand my ground.”

The other was a line spoken by the character Optimus Prime in the first “Transformers” movie: “Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our own choosing.”

Not exactly profound Warren Buffet, Steve Forbes or Lee Iacocca stuff, is it? But “I will never falter, I will stand my ground” resonated with him and it also began to resonate with me.

Never, in 23 years of being in business would it be easier to falter and fall on the ground than at this time. Obviously, the economy is not rebounding as quickly as any one of us would like. That said, so what?

This is the time to stand one’s ground. It is the time to do what we, as Americans, have always done: work harder, longer, better and, in the meantime, do whatever it takes to survive.

In many cases it may require painful choices. Do I relocate? Do I take a job outside of my industry just to have a job?

For many of us, the ability to continue in the face of remarkable adversity forces us to look deep within ourselves and uncover the stuff of which we are made and see if it is enough to keep us going.

It is that type of gut check, if you will, that enables the soldier or Marine to run toward the sound of gunfire when the natural inclination is to duck and cover. In business it is that type of soul-searching that leads us to find the strength to persevere.

In my particular case, it required going back to the basics, doing the stuff I learned how to do 23 years ago when I started this business. It requires persistence and, after all is said and done, isn’t that what “I will never falter, I will stand my ground” means?

As for “Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our own choosing,” none of us chose this time, but here we are—time to do whatever needs to be done. On thing would be to take another look at how your chamber of commerce can help. Do yourself a favor. Go to the business mixers, go to the monthly meetings and the activities and events. Above all, never falter, stand your ground.

Stan Foxx is the Conifer Chamber 2nd chairman and president of the Conifer Community Park board. He is a retired commander, MSC, USN, and recovering clinical psychologist. Email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit the Conifer Chamber of Commerce website at www.goconifer.com for chamber meeting dates and places. Evergreen Chamber’s website is www.evergreechamber.org. The Platte Canyon Chamber site is www.bailey-colorado.org.

Get help facing DUI charges & taking responsibility

During the last seven years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people whose lives have been turned upside-down as a result of a DUI conviction.

Some are hard-working folks with families, community-oriented people who wouldn’t have foreseen themselves in this type of situation.

Others have experienced similar situations in the past and, for some reason or other, have found themselves back in the middle of an alcohol or drug-related problem.

No matter what the case, it seems that this is generally a confusing time in peoples’ lives. Relationships, finances and vocations are strained, emotions are strong, and the individuals involved face many legal and transportation challenges. I’ve been honored to be able to help some of these people in their time of need.

One woman, a single mother with multiple children, received a DUI after a night out with friends. As a result, she lost her license for one year, needed to complete 24 hours of Level II education, 42 hours of alcohol-therapy classes, 48 hours of community service, one year of probation, and random Breathalyzer and drug-screening tests.

Not surprisingly, she felt exceedingly overwhelmed with all of the responsibilities and commitments necessary to fix the situation; all without the freedom to drive. Before she even went to court, we made a game-plan that outlined the measures she could take before she was sentenced, what she may expect at the sentencing and the necessary steps with the Department of Motor Vehicles to get her license back. This woman has expediently completed all of the requirements of her probation and is consequently in the process of reinstating her driver’s license and, with increased responsibility and clarity, resuming her normal life.

Another individual, an older gentleman, called me shortly after an alcohol-related car accident. Shocked and afraid, he inquired how he could responsibly set out to rectify the damages that had been done. Facing the grave reality of his circumstances, he also found himself entertaining the possibility that he may have a problem with alcohol. This gentleman, like many others, has been able to utilize the therapeutic environment to shed some light on his circumstances and to grow from the insights he has gained and the support he’s found.

As a result of his participation in treatment, he has realized that his drinking-and-driving behavior has endangered the public and he has gone to great lengths to make the necessary remedial changes in his life. Although his monetary set-backs are significant, bringing about a need to work again after several years of retirement, this gentleman is developing personally into a more involved citizen and a healthier human-being.

Crissy Fale is a certified addictions counselor and the owner and director of Mountain Treatment Services at 6949 Highway 73 in Marshdale next to Marcy’s Automotive. She offers individual counseling in addition to DUI classes. Contact her at 303-674-7004 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .