By John Mattingly Ballot Measure 1A passed handily in the November 6 election, meaning there will be a small sales tax increase to raise an estimated one million dollars to fund activities that will protect forests, waters and open spaces. On November 5, Commissioner Felt offered a guest opinion in the Mountain Mail advocating for 1A. His own experience with community-based initiatives has been positive, and I found myself being convinced of the potential of this grass roots effort. Commissioner Felt wrote about standing in a circle at the base of Shavano with public lands managers and local ranchers on ...