Few can stare death in the face, call it exciting and actually convince you they mean it. Then again, both friends and foes agree that few can match Calvin Black for sheer determination.
By all rights, the longtime San Juan County commissioner should have been dead long ago. It's been more than a year since doctors diagnosed cancer in Black's lung and shoulder, giving him only a couple of months to live.He's not only survived but has remained a venerable force in southern Utah politics and business.
"I've known for a year there's no cure, and I've taken all the chemotherapy I can," Black said. "I look at death as an exciting new challenge."
The prospect of death is something he lives with every day. He can't shake a raspy cough that originates deep within his cancer-ridden chest. And an oxygen bottle is now his permanent companion as he doggedly makes his way from one important meeting to another.
Some days the effects of cancer are worse than others. "We're all terminal," he shrugs.
But Black simply refuses to lie down and die. Instead, he's chosen to use his final weeks enhancing his reputation as maverick politician, environmental antagonist, mining mogul, gadfly to unresponsive bureaucrats and unofficial spokesman for southern Utah. And Calvin Black's signature on Blanding's business district will last for generations to come.
He has over the years started two marinas on Lake Powell, a radio station, a restaurant, a motel
and Blanding's first mortuary, among other ventures. And he's served on more state, regional and national government boards and councils than he cares to remember.
He wields considerable influence not only in southern Utah, but Utah as a whole and frequently in the halls of Congress.
"There is no more powerful spokesman for southern Utah than Cal Black. And he's not going to relinquish that role without a fight," said one state official.
Years ago, Black told one acquaintance, "The two most important things in life are power and money, and I'm going to spend my life getting as much of both as I can." He achieved both, though he made a fair share of enemies along the way.
"I have no regrets with the way I've lived my life," he said. "I have not found life boring or unsatisfying in the least. And I probably wouldn't have done one thing different if I had it to do all over again."
To environmentalists, Calvin Black is the quintessential antagonist, one who epitomizes everything wrong with the southern Utah mentality: Someone who has leeched the natural wealth from public lands for so long he actually believes the land belongs to him.
"Damn right. It belongs to everyone down here who uses it," said Black, making no apologies or excuses. "I've always felt the land rightfully belongs to the people who live down here. As long as the government owns the land the government wields all power, and as long as government wields the power the people are nothing more than slaves to the government."
And those not living in southern Utah - like most of his environmental critics - have no moral right to dictate land policy to those who do, he argues.
To those who make their homes in southern Utah, Black is a larger-than-life voice willing to speak out, particularly on economic development issues. His two favorite targets over the years have been the federal government and environmental groups - both of whom he is convinced are determined to drive southern Utahns from the canyon country their pioneer fathers settled more than 100 years ago.
He opposes wilderness and national park designations, and he supports cattle, mining and oil interests as critical to the economic survival of the depressed region.
That uncompromising stance has made Black a favorite whipping boy of environmental groups who ridicule and attack him at every opportunity. The radical Earth First movement recently celebrated Black's terminal cancer in a newsletter as "good news."
"Sure, environmentalists are a thorn in the backside, but I'm sure I'm just as much a thorn to them, too," he said.
Black relishes the antagonist role, and looks forward to debates with those who disagree. He fears no one and backs down on nothing.
Ironically, Black holds great respect for certain critics because of their own gritty determination. "Maybe I see a little of myself in them," he said.
"Not everyone down here agrees with Calvin Black. Not by a long shot," said Rep. David Adams. "But everyone admires his determination and willingness to fight toe-to-toe to get what he believes is best for southern Utah."
Even with cancer sapping his once-formidable energy, Black's daily calendar is still full of business and politics. He has announced he will resign from the San Juan County Commission but hasn't yet been able to bring himself to resign.
His weekly agenda is enough to make much younger and stronger men wilt. He travels the west extensively, attending BLM national advisory council meetings, state land board meetings and weekly county commission meetings. And he continues to run the extensive day-to-day business operations that have made him reportedly one of the wealthiest individuals in southern Utah.
"Too many things to do before I go," he chuckles. "Too many battles still to be fought."
Southern Utah politicians view Black as a veritable godfather of the Sagebrush Rebellion and the fight for continued multiple use of public lands. The fight will go on without him, they say, but perhaps not with the same flare or eloquence.
"He's a charismatic leader with remarkable influence in every circle of government," said fellow commissioner Ty Lewis. "And that's hard to replace."
"Nobody's indispensable," Black responds. "People are missed as long as water in a bucket with a hole in it. There will be others to speak out for southern Utah when I'm gone. Besides, I'm looking forward to it (death)."
But not until he gets in a few more licks.
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Friends and foes remember Cal
Sen. Jake Garn, R-Utah:
"I've always admired Cal and have considered him a very close friend, not only because we've worked in local government together, but because we also share so many common political views. He's done an outstanding job for southeastern Utah. No one has ever worked harder to bring jobs and development to that part of the state. We've laughed and cried together over various personal and public events. I feel honored to call him a close friend."
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah:
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"Cal Black represents what is so important to rural America: a fighter for the rights of the people. Cal was instrumental in beginning the Sagebrush Rebellion when government officials wouldn't listen to the problems of the ranchers and landowners. Because of Cal and others like him, that rebellion is ongoing today, and government officials do listen. Cal can be an independent, outspoken individual. But that's what made him the effective public official he has always been. We're better off today for what Cal has done."
Rep. Wayne Owens, D-Utah:
"I think he's a legend. He's more adept at fighting federal government `intrusion,' as he sees it, than anyone. We've been friends for 25 years, although I don't know if we've ever been on the same side of an issue. Though we always have our differences, he manages to find something we share in common."
Gov. Norm Bangerter:
"Cal Black epitomizes the independence of the West. He's a guy who says what he thinks and lets the chips fall where they may. We've had our disagreements, but he is absolutely one of the most exciting individuals and fun to be with of any I have known. He's an individual who knows things have to be done and then goes out and does it. He's an invaluable asset to not just southern Utah, but to the state as a whole."
Ken Sleight, environmentalist
and long-longtime Cal Black adversary:
"He's one of the most adequate county commissioners ever in the state. In the eyes of environmentalists he has been very destructive. But he protects the interests of his people. It's a shame to see him go this way; it saddens me. He's a lot like Edward Abbey: They both will be gone before they are finished."
Gene Nodine, Moab district manager,
Bureau of Land Management:
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"He's a very, very dedicated public servant. He has done a tremendous amount of good for San Juan County and southeast Utah. I don't think San Juan County would be anywhere close to where they are today if it wasn't for Cal Black. He's such a tremendous force for area and a real supporter of the multiple-use concepts we advocate. In most cases, I support his positions."