About face

A few weeks ago, The Durango Telegraph published a story about a developer building an Edward Abbey-themed subdivision in Moab, and, perhaps, how that was a bit of an odd choice, seeing as Abbey was fiercely anti-development.

Well, this week, Joel Linares, a business partner of the development, said that after the article published, the developers spoke with Abbey’s former wife, Clarke, who owns his estate. After learning Clarke was uncomfortable with using her late husband’s nomenclature, the developer offered to change the name.

“We never wanted to cause any ill-will,” Linares said.

The developer, Moab local Mike Bynum, said previously he is a huge Abbey fan and thought naming the development after him was a way of honoring the author.

Before the original story published Sept. 28, the Telegraph had reached out to Clarke, who did not respond to a request for comment (the Telegraph later learned she was dealing with a family emergency).

It’s unclear what the new name of the subdivision will be (perhaps after Bynum’s family, Linares said). Our suggestions on things to avoid: “Aldo Leopold Court,” “EarthFirst! Drive,” and “Greta Thunberg Avenue.”