Welcome to town today, Gov. Bill Richardson.
By the way, where is that movie production that you hinted about awhile back, the one that might be coming to the Four Corners region?
We've got UFO connections in Aztec.
Not to mention a few self-proclaimed soreheads.
Shiprock has the landmark, as seen for all of two seconds in the movie "Transformers."
We've got the Charmington Farmington resources here in the biggest local metropolis.
We have plenty of cliffs if someone wants to film another dramatic conclusion ala "Thelma and Louise" fame.
And characters ... we've got an abundance of interesting characters.
The governor is here in Farmington today to talk about tourism at his annual conference on the topic. We're happy to be hosting it here this year, and no doubt one of the best ways to brand tourism in New Mexico and here in the Four Corners region is to do so on the big screen.
More than 120 major feature films and television series have shot in New Mexico since Richardson took office, pumping $2.5 billion into the state's economy, according to his press corps.
Welcome also to all you ladies and gentlemen who are here visiting for the conference.
Tourism is one of New Mexico's most important industries of today.
Consider this an endorsing amen from the amen Four Corners.
***
Although somewhat half-hearted, half-serious in asking the governor about where and when some of those 120-plus filming opportunities are coming here,
Noted author and history buff Hampton Sides, whose earlier World War II saga "Ghost Soldiers" was turned into a movie about a raid to free American prisoners of war held by the Japanese, has another book under screen consideration.
Much closer to home is his book "Blood and Thunder," which documents the life of western frontiersman and controversial figure Kit Carson, and his on-off relationship with American Indians, including the Navajo.
When I saw Hampton in Shiprock, CBS television crew in tow filming him for a news segment, word was that famed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg was sitting on the movie rights option to
film "Blood and Thunder."
If Spielberg or anyone does produce it as a movie, Hampton brought up a good point.
Some of the more dramatic scenes are Carson's battles with the Navajo and forcing them to begin the infamous and deadly "Long Walk" that killed hundreds of men, women and children. The early setting was in the majestic and sheer cliffs of Canyon de Chelly.
"Where else could they possibly film it?" Hampton asked. "There is no where that even remotely resembles the actual location. They'd just about have to film it here."
Agreed.
It also stands to reason that Farmington, Kirtland and Shiprock could be great bases of operations for such a production.
Still, no announcements have come, making it little more than rumor.
Nevertheless, the last Web site I surfed in search of an update did proclaim that the book "is in the early screen process for production."
We'll see.
***
The Four Corners is a wonderland for tourism and tourism economic opportunities.
Mesa Verde and its cliff dwellings are just up the road across the Colorado line.
Aztec features ancient ruins preserved in a national monument.
This summer, Farmington and San Juan County host the 2009 National High School Rodeo Championships, bringing in thousands from as far away as Australia.
Also this summer is the annual Connie Mack World Series, providing a showcase of the best college and pro baseball prospects in the nation. This classic is a mainstay of Farmington tourism, as more than 7,000 people pack the stands, some for the sport, some for the lively social environment it creates in our community.
So yes, we value tourism.
Yes, we value the economic boon that comes with it.
Welcome to Farmington for this week's tourism conference.
We hope you like what you see and experience while here, and we certainly hope you'll spread kind words about us.
Now, governor, about that
movie ...
Troy Turner is the editor of The Daily Times. He can be contacted at P.O. Box 450, Farmington, N.M., 87499; or at tturner@daily-times.com
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