Let your voices be heard, but do it respectfully

Sometimes things we read create doubt or questions with topics we never intended to get involved in. With this information put before us, we find ourselves with more questions than answers.

Freedom of speech is a gift we should never take for granted, but always honor. I cherish and find myself in awe of its power. However, I am often saddened by lack of respect for this right.

Sheriff Vallario is quick to remind his staff daily that, as we choose to serve our citizens, we answer to the people. He completely accepts and exercises accountability.

For those of us exposed to the angry rants and bullying in the media, I ask, how I can just stand by without speaking out. For the youth in our communities that know me, “Miss Tanny,” I will speak out as I have taught you to do for yourselves and others. I'm asking people not to accept the bullying or labels as facts. I have witnessed ugly name calling by individuals trying to play out critical decisions that are the responsibility of the sheriff by using the media to bully or influence these decisions. How inappropriate. You did not elect name callers or letter writers to make such important decisions.

Sheriff Vallario has been publicly criticized for making sure the Deputies and volunteers have the tools appropriate to support the safety of all. With no other motives, he's committed to being educated and informed about the resources available to us. Reputable agencies across this country use many of the same critical tools. This is not about power; this is about the commitment to all of us.

I'm not asking you to just accept what is put before you, but to make responsible, informed evaluations of the facts. We, like all of you, are a community of imperfect, but committed individuals who want to do our best to create a safe future for Garfield County. I believe and tell every student, “you can say anything to anyone, just say it with respect.” Let your voices be heard.

With deep respect,

Tanny M. McGinnis

— My comments are my own and have not been influenced by Sheriff Lou Vallario or any other County Employee.

Thanks to all who supported me

First off, I would like to thank all those who stood behind me through the past 10 months, like my true friends that took the initiative and came forward to testify as my character witnesses. I'd like to thank the justice system and the jurors in particular — their service was greatly appreciated. I feel vindicated and felt all along the truth would come out. I'd also like to extend my extreme appreciation to Mr. Ted Hess, Mr. Bill Schubert and the entire staff at the law offices of Hess & Schubert.

My parents, who came all the way from Missouri deserve my love and my gratitude, but due to a massive stroke, my Dad couldn't make it back for the 2nd trial.

And I also thank Jehovah God, who in my days, weeks and months of helplessness, hopelessness and despair, brought me through it all by means of his loving kindness and his Holy Spirit.

I harbor no animosity, nor vindictiveness towards anyone. I am now looking forward to starting my new life, how many people at this stage — or this age — get to say: “Do over?”

I am going to miss the Western Slope area, and I'm really going to miss my faithful clientele of the Buckshot Barber Shoppe — I thank them for their loyal patronage for these past 20 years — it's the end of an era for the old time barber shops in the Rifle area.

Michael W. Wood

Salem, Mo.

Don't treat us all like poor drivers

Traffic and driving behaviors must be horrible near Kathryn Senior and Riverside Middle Schools in New Castle! Yesterday, as I was exiting the parking lot at RMS at 4 p.m., I was greeted by a police officer (while 3 others stood nearby) who explained that I needed to turn right and follow a 1 mile detour to avoid the 4-way stop by the schools. There were few cars or pedestrians in the area at this time, so I was puzzled. The 3 pages of single spaced text on lime green paper he handed me must explain…

Later, I could hardly believe what I read! “Do's and don'ts” of how to drive and walk in a school zone were spelled out in such detail that I was truly offended. Are we, the general public, so incapable of using common sense that we need to be lectured to like little children? Was this lecture meant for a few but distributed to all?

My suggestion is to do what the schools are asked to do: Differentiate instruction. Don't treat us all like poor drivers. I think that the best way to have handled this situation would have been for officers to greet drivers, thank them for driving cautiously and “offer” brief safety information to those who wanted it. Any teacher will tell you that you can influence a person's behavior more by promoting independent thinking and using positive feedback than pedantic lecturing.

Beth McCafferty

Glenwood Springs

It appears that legalized bribery is working well

Regarding the recent decision by Commissioners Martin and Samson not to support the Federal “Frac Act” because they do not want the federal government to dictate regulations to the state, it is curious that they seem to have had no problem when the federal government dictated that the states had to accept the “Halliburton Exception” that exempted the energy companies from the Clean Water Act.

They also contended that regulation of the energy industry was better left to the state and local governments. An example of how this regulation works is in the recent case where the Williams Company was found to have been illegally drilling in the Battlement Mesa PUD without the necessary permits and in violation of the governing documents of the PUD.

Both of these officials voted to allow the drilling to continue on the premise that they would issue the necessary permits after the drilling was completed. I have written to Samson demanding an explanation of where they had the authority to make this decision and if they had made any similar decisions regarding other permits — such as building permits for the construction industry. My letter has not been answered or acknowledged that it was received.

It appears that the Democrat and Republican party's legalized bribery scheme in the form of political contributions is working very well on the local, as well as the state and national levels. Isn't it time that the citizens take control and recall both of these public servants for abuse of power and violation of the public trust?

Garry Evenson

Parachute

Garfield County, paid for and run by the Republicans

Never have I been more ashamed of the actions of the Garfield County Commissioners. Why don't they just put up a big sign the states “Garfield County, paid for and run by the Republican Party”.

It doesn't seem to matter that the majority of the voters want tougher regulations concerning oil and gas drilling. Nor does it matter that members of the industry helped draw up the regulations. It also doesn't seem to matter that people have already been sickened by chemicals that have seeped into the water supply. What matters is that the two Republican County Commissioners toe the party line. Big business is more important then peoples health. Short term jobs that have the potential of poisoning our ground water for years if not centuries are their priority.

The Republicans bought the last local election with a scare campaign and now they're at it again with their doom and gloom employment outlook. The industry is not going away just because we tightened up the rules, and so what if gas prices rise in the name of public safety.

I always thought that a public servants job was to insure the safety of the public that entrusted them with the job, not create jobs that undermine public trust. The Republican Party and their two County Commissioners have lost sight of moral responsibility. If big business could be trusted we wouldn't have the employment problems we a currently having. Profits before common sense and crawling in bed with special interest groups is irresponsible, short sighted and an insult to the public that believes morality is a 24/7 responsibility — not just something you do on Sunday before the football game. Just for the record; I'm a disenfranchised, moderate Republican who would really like to have his party back. The one that believed in less government. The Party that you could count on to do things morally correct.

John Ostwald

Redstone

Show the Glenwood cross some tolerance

Dale Reed's letter about the Glenwood cross and the “intolerance” of those who believe in its message reeks of the very thing in which he preaches. Intolerance is not the message of the cross, at least not to those of us who believe in its meaning. We do not ask that you take part in any way the celebration it represents. We do not ask that you believe in God, go to church or embrace our faith. All we ask is a little tolerance and patience.

Is it too much to ask that you tolerate for a few days of the year the lighting of a cross that stands above the town we live in also? Can't you just look away and ignore the cross? It is not in your face Mr. Reed, it stands well above normal eye sight and you need to look up to find it. When your eyes are drawn to it Mr. Reed, simply laugh and shake your head at the stupidity of those who believe in its message and go on your way. Intolerance is a two way street shared by both sides of this issue.

It is very hard for Christians to watch as this nation is stripped of everything that testifies of what it was founded upon. Those of you who write in and deny that America was founded by God fearing people ignore every fact that was placed in plain sight for all to see. Court houses, capitol buildings, the Washington Monument and many other public buildings and memorials boldly display the Ten Commandments and other Bible verses. We sat back and watched as those who believe as you do banned God from our schools, our government buildings and all other public places. What will be next? The one single, small cross that stands on the side of Red Mountain seems to be the target.

Intolerance on the part of those who believe in God results in asking that the cross remain not as a symbol of defiance but as a symbol of hope and peace.

Norm Shroll

Glenwood Springs