Glenwood is full

Glenwood City Council almost never represents the city residents. They represent the realtors, developers, business and the chamber. They are a very private club. They make up 1% of the people that live here, yet they make all the decisions that affect all of us. Glenwood Springs residents are fed up and very angry about what has been going on. Housing, housing and more expensive housing. Most of this council needs to be gone immediately. They have been killing us for a long time. Residents know that Glenwood is full. Housing, schools, roads, everything. On any new housing proposals, we demand to have the right to vote on it.
We need a city council that truly loves our town, and will protect what little magic is left. 

Michael Hoban, Glenwood Springs

The future of our public lands

Recently the BLM published their updated 10-year draft plan for millions of acres of public lands in Western Colorado.

The plan seeks a balance between responsible development and preserving our outdoors way of life, a healthy natural environment and the diverse uses of public lands.

It recognizes the economic and demographic changes over the last decade in our region and seeks a fair shake for each of the major user groups : outdoor recreation, agriculture, oil and gas and mineral mining.

BLM recognizes the major economic drivers of our region: A study by the Colorado Wildlands Project shows that oil and gas now account for less than 3% of jobs in Mesa County. Another study by Colorado Mesa University showed outdoor recreation and tourism account for between 8% and 11% of county jobs and Agriculture and food service for 6%.

The plan recognizes the need for responsible resource extraction and to minimize the impact on the environment. The focus is on high-potential development areas while excluding low potential and low yield areas. Even so the areas still to be open would cover more than 400,000 acres in the Grand Junction and Colorado River areas. For comparison: that is more than 10 times the combined acreage of Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs.

Emphasis is also on the urgency of reclamation by oil and gas industry of abandoned or inactive drill sites.

High Country News back in 2021 stated there are more than 60,000 uncapped wells in Colorado alone, which continually release large quantities of dangerous greenhouse gases.

There is much more in this draft plan. Enough to lead me to urge everyone to make your voice heard!
Please express your own views before the public comment period end on Nov. 1.
Direct your public comment to :

• Website: https://go.usa.gov/xtrgf

• Mail: BLM Upper Colorado River District, Attn: Supplemental EIS, 2518
Attn: Supplemental EIS, 2518 H
Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506

For further information, contact Bruce Krickbaum, project manager, at 970-240-5399

Garry VanderBeek, Glenwood Springs

Fossil fuels? We need to stop

Carbondale’s City Market has about eight parking spaces near the entrance that are reserved for “hybrid” vehicles. Every time I park my EV there, I see cars that are not hybrid or full EV. I asked the manager about it. He said they can’t really do anything. On. Sept. 16 there was a little old lady that was putting her groceries in her gas burning car. I didn’t say anything.

But here’s the larger point. When I checked my online news today, I saw major problems all over the planet that are directly connected to climate change. Hundreds of fires, incredible floods from massive rain, drought that is killing crops, and heat that is killing people outright. There are stories about young people in the US experiencing great anxiety about the change. Young people are suing state and national governments to force them to become active in fighting climate change.

What needs to happen is well known. We have to stop burning fossil fuels. It’s that simple. Right away. So what about Carbondale? What can we do? What can we do that really makes a difference? How about we stop putting up houses and buildings that will be burning natural gas? Every new building or project that is burning fossil gas will be adding to our problem as long as it stands. I think that’s a crime. A crime against the next generations.

I wonder if the lady in the wrong parking place even understands what we’re facing. Or maybe, she just thinks it is not her problem. Saving a few steps to the store is more important. For a decade now I have been trying to encourage action to stop climate change. Any ideas on how to make that happen?

Patrick Hunter, Carbonale

Truth about Boebert’s lies

How easily she lies.

She lied about her background and education.

She lied that she was a successful businesswoman. (According to her congressional disclosure forms, her restaurant lost $143,000 in 2019 and $226,000 in 2020.)
She lied about the amount she spent on campaign travels in 2020, using donor money to pay off tax liens on her restaurant.

She lied to her constituents that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen.” There is, and never was, any evidence to support this falsehood.

She lied about her support of and involvement in the attack on our nation’s capital.
She even lies about her behavior. How dumb do you have to be to get thrown out of a show and then lie about it? She thinks she is above the rules of common decency and the rule of law.

We, you and I, are paying Boebert $174,000 a year. That’s $476 a day, every day of the year. She has no clue how to work with other legislators to get laws passed that will benefit our country. She habitually lies, is a public embarrassment, and with all the dire challenges facing our world is nothing but a vindictive obstructionist in our congress.

Annette Roberts-Gray, Carbondale

Fiesta de Tamales returns

We want to share the news that after a four-year absence. English in Action’s Fiesta de Tamales is returning to the Roaring Fork Valley. This much-loved event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 4:30-8 p.m. at Basalt High School. There’s something for everyone with music and kids activities, not to mention the best tamales north of the border served with all the fixings. All proceeds go to English in Action, the nonprofit that brings the gift of English to local non-English speakers. For tickets and more information go to englishinaction.org or call 970-963-9200.

Cathy O’Connell, Amy Gordon, El Jebel

Self checkout

In response to the statement made about self-checkout stations, please know the Garfield County Library in Rifle requires an in-person checkout … no self checkout.

Janet Bertram, Rifle

Fiesta de Tamales returns 

We want to share the news that after a four-year absence. English in Action’s Fiesta de Tamales is returning to the Roaring Fork Valley. This much-loved event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 4:30-8 p.m. at Basalt High School. There’s something for everyone with music and kids activities, not to mention the best tamales north of the border served with all the fixings. All proceeds go to English in Action, the nonprofit that brings the gift of English to local non-English speakers. For tickets and more information go to englishinaction.org or call 970-963-9200.

Cathy O’Connell, Amy Gordon, El Jebel

Self checkout 

In response to the statement made about self-checkout stations, please know the Garfield County Library in Rifle requires an in-person checkout … no self checkout.

Janet Bertram, Rifle

Encouraged by BLM

As a resident of Glenwood Springs, I am encouraged to see the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) new draft management plan options, which would protect significant amounts of land from oil and gas drilling in Western Colorado. The new proposal adds two new options for managing nearly 2 million acres of land in the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley districts on the Western Slope. These new plans will be considered alongside four existing options under consideration. Promisingly, both of the two new proposed plans would significantly curtain oil and gas leasing, especially for popular recreation areas, community water sources and important wildlife habitat.

One of the two new options, and the agency’s preferred alternative, would protect 568,300 acres in the Colorado River Valley district, and 998,000 in the Grand Junction district from future mineral leasing. The other new plan is more ambitious and would protect more. If you love the Western Slope it is nearly guaranteed that land you love will be governed by whichever plan the BLM chooses to enact. The new proposed plans are a step in the right direction and better reflect the values of communities on the Western Slope.

Not taking this opportunity to protect public lands is tantamount to inviting more oil executives to destroy our sacred public lands in favor of profit. Western Colorado does not need a future of more out-of-state oil executives with second homes in Aspen exploiting and polluting our land, air, and water while the rest of us struggle with a cost of living crisis.

We are privileged to live in one of the most beautiful areas in the world, and whether you enjoy skiing, hiking, climbing, fishing, hunting, off-roading, or simply living here, we must do our part to protect the lands we love.

Officials at the BLM should feel proud for taking this first step towards being on the right side of history. Comment periods for the new BLM management plans are open now via the BLM website. Let’s speak up in support of ambitious public land protections, and encourage the BLM to do the right thing.

Connor Haines, Glenwood Springs

Supporting local journalism

We are deeply grateful to the Aspen Thrift Shop for their generous donation in support of the Sopris Sun’s Youth Journalism Program. We believe good journalism is crucial to a functioning democracy, a healthy community and a shared social understanding.

Now in its third year, the Sopris Sun’s Youth Journalism curriculum teaches practical skills and ethical principles, empowering local high school students to become responsible journalists. One Program graduate came back as a Teacher Assistant and is now a writer/illustrator on our adult freelance team. Another is studying journalism in college and another youth contributor won a Colorado Press Association Award this year. We are extremely proud of our students. Every day they give us reason for a hopeful future. You can enjoy their work on the pages of the Sopris Sun and el Sol del Valle.

The Aspen Thrift Shop is a shining star for supporting nonprofits and school programs. As a nonprofit entity, we are so fortunate for their dedication and generosity.
With gratitude,
Sopris Sun Board and Staff (submitted by Kay Clarke, Carbondale)

BLM, conserving public lands

The recent Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) draft plan to restrict leasing to only high-potential development public lands in Western Colorado is a welcome step that strikes a balance between responsible development and preserving our cherished way of life, healthy ecosystems and the diverse uses of public lands.

Our region thrives on a unique blend of outdoor recreation, agriculture and multiple uses of public lands. This decision acknowledges the importance of these elements and respects the delicate balance that ensures our communities remain vibrant and our environment remains healthy.

By focusing on high-potential development areas, the BLM plan recognizes the need for responsible resource extraction while minimizing the impact on our environment. This approach safeguards our natural landscapes, wildlife habitats, and the ecological health of our region.

It also respects the diverse uses of public lands that our communities hold dear. From hiking and hunting to farming and ranching, these lands serve multiple purposes, and the BLM’s plan ensures that these uses can coexist harmoniously.

Western Colorado’s way of life hinges on the accessibility of public lands for outdoor recreation. Limiting leasing to high-potential areas ensures that these beloved recreational spaces remain untouched, preserving the physical and mental well-being of our residents and visitors alike.

Furthermore, this decision upholds the economic vitality of our region. It recognizes the revenue generated by outdoor recreation and agriculture, indirectly benefiting our communities and stimulating local economic growth.

In essence, the BLM’s balanced plan is a win-win for Western Colorado. It safeguards our environment, respects our traditions, and ensures the sustainability of our way of life. We applaud this decision as a thoughtful and responsible approach to managing our public lands.

Alya Howe, Carbondale

This land is our land

I agree wholeheartedly with Garfield County Democratic chairwoman Debbie Bruell’s Sept. 15 column in the Post Independent. Protecting the county’s magnificent landscape from industrial development, be it methane gas extraction or limestone quarries above Glenwood Springs, is a high priority for the citizens.

But the county commissioners stand opposed to the public lands that would be created by President Biden’s America the Beautiful and 30X30 initiatives, proposals to use public and private funds to promote conservation. They demonstrate their antipathy to Biden’s plans by supporting, through attendance at their meetings and $30,000 in taxpayer’s money, the American Stewards of Liberty, a private property proponent and climate change denying organization out of Texas.

These right-wingers keep referring to efforts to increase public lands as “land grabs,” as if the government officials who’re doing this are enriching themselves. Public lands are our lands, the people. Our elected officials manage these tracts for our collective benefit. Private lands are subject to the whims of its owners. If they decide to exploit their property for profit, the proprietary can do it.

As for the commissioners, they, as usual, have a one-track mind — methane gas development. The severance tax the industry pays to drill in the county makes the commissioner’s job easier. They don’t have to come up with creative ideas on how to finance the county’s services, which is perhaps beyond the capacity of these septuagenarians.

Bruell wonders how Garfield County, which trounced Heidi Ganahl, Joe O’Dea, and homegrown Lauren Boebert in last year’s election, could keep returning these reactionaries to the county commission by the narrowest of margins. It’s a mystery to me, too, but if the constituents of this county want more progressive, proactive representation, they’d better start voting for younger, enlightened candidates. Commissioners John Martin and Mike Samson are up for reelection next year.

Fred Malo Jr., Carbondale

The affordable housing runway train

Who can refuse free money? Certainly not the local or the national affordable housing development firms. Certainly not the city of Glenwood Springs officials, our city councilors or even the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA).

Most recently, our esteemed governor, through the state of Colorado passed Colorado’s Proposition 123 program, a $320 million annual fund to support Colorado communities that want to increase their amount of affordable housing. This program appears to be available over a several yearly period and will financially assist any development form to build affordable housing projects throughout COlorado cities and towns. ALso, it appears that the governor has made it mandatory that they build a certain quota of affordable housing each year in order to remain eligible for this funding (it would appear that Glenwood Springs would not have any trouble meeting that quota).

So, why wouldn’t developers jump at the opportunity and take all the money that you can while the money is still available? In fact, why not build an affordable housing project on every open space left in Glenwood Springs? This appears to be the position taken by the city of Glenwood Springs officials without a public vote from its residents? The problem is simple: the affordable housing runway train will eventually crash: no more open space, no more room for public parks and, most importantly, nothing left for the present and future children to decide what they may want to do with that land. Ironically enough, the public decision makers are the same people that preach the need for open space, Green New Deal and climate change — not, however, when free money is available for these projects. In fact, once again, after a very defiant no vote from the local residents regarding the future usage of “The Confluence.” 

City officials (and the Post Independent) recently suggested that we reevaluate The Confluence’s future usages. The question that comes to mind is, are our city officials aware that this is public land and that any major decisions should be handled via a public vote? The city officials represent us, but do not own the land — the residents do. Be aware, this does not appear to be the case. I truly understand the lack of housing is an issue; however, at what cost? Isn’t the quality of life one of the major reasons for living here?

Joe Infascelli, Glenwood Springs 

Fossil fuels? We need to stop

Carbondale’s City Market has about eight parking spaces near the entrance that are reserved for “hybrid” vehicles. Every time I park my EV there, I see cars that are not hybrid or full EV. I asked the manager about it. He said they can’t really do anything. On. Sept. 16 there was a little old lady that was putting her groceries in her gas burning car. I didn’t say anything.

But here’s the larger point. When I checked my online news today, I saw major problems all over the planet that are directly connected to climate change. Hundreds of fires, incredible floods from massive rain, drought that is killing crops, and heat that is killing people outright. There are stories about young people in the US experiencing great anxiety about the change. Young people are suing state and national governments to force them to become active in fighting climate change.

What needs to happen is well known. We have to stop burning fossil fuels. It’s that simple. Right away. So what about Carbondale? What can we do? What can we do that really makes a difference? How about we stop putting up houses and buildings that will be burning natural gas? Every new building or project that is burning fossil gas will be adding to our problem as long as it stands. I think that’s a crime. A crime against the next generations.

I wonder if the lady in the wrong parking place even understands what we’re facing. Or maybe, she just thinks it is not her problem. Saving a few steps to the store is more important. For a decade now I have been trying to encourage action to stop climate change. Any ideas on how to make that happen?

Patrick Hunter, Carbonale

Truth about Boebert’s lies

How easily she lies.

She lied about her background and education.

She lied that she was a successful businesswoman. (According to her congressional disclosure forms, her restaurant lost $143,000 in 2019 and $226,000 in 2020.)

She lied about the amount she spent on campaign travels in 2020, using donor money to pay off tax liens on her restaurant.

She lied to her constituents that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen.” There is, and never was, any evidence to support this falsehood.

She lied about her support of and involvement in the attack on our nation’s capital.

She even lies about her behavior. How dumb do you have to be to get thrown out of a show and then lie about it? She thinks she is above the rules of common decency and the rule of law.

We, you and I, are paying Boebert $174,000 a year. That’s $476 a day, every day of the year. She has no clue how to work with other legislators to get laws passed that will benefit our country. She habitually lies, is a public embarrassment, and with all the dire challenges facing our world is nothing but a vindictive obstructionist in our congress.

Annette Roberts-Gray, Carbondale

Renaming mountains

The front page of the Sept. 16 Denver Post announced the renaming of Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky. With the new name, the mountain is a happy mountain. Next in line for a modern day rename may be the Roaring Fork Valley’s famous Mount Sopris that shines upon Carbondale. Richard Sopris was a mining prospector and Western Slope surveyor who at times fought our native Indians. He eventually became the 15th mayor of Denver from 1878 to 1881. Since Mt. Sopris has two pronounced peaks, it will possibly be renamed Mount Two Peak. There are thousands of objectionable names within our nation. History, be damned, we must change them all.

Floyd Diemoz, Glenwood Springs

Supporting local journalism

We are deeply grateful to the Aspen Thrift Shop for their generous donation in support of the Sopris Sun’s Youth Journalism Program. We believe good journalism is crucial to a functioning democracy, a healthy community and a shared social understanding.

Now in its third year, the Sopris Sun’s Youth Journalism curriculum teaches practical skills and ethical principles, empowering local high school students to become responsible journalists. One Program graduate came back as a Teacher Assistant and is now a writer/illustrator on our adult freelance team. Another is studying journalism in college and another youth contributor won a Colorado Press Association Award this year. We are extremely proud of our students. Every day they give us reason for a hopeful future. You can enjoy their work on the pages of the Sopris Sun and el Sol del Valle.

The Aspen Thrift Shop is a shining star for supporting nonprofits and school programs. As a nonprofit entity, we are so fortunate for their dedication and generosity.

With gratitude,

Sopris Sun Board and Staff (submitted by Kay Clarke, Carbondale)

Yard of the month — small and colorful

The Glenwood Springs Garden Club for several years has been recognizing interesting and attractive front yards with our Yard of the Month sign and descriptions shared with the community. This month our Yard of the Month Committee has selected a small and colorful yard at 923 Colorado Ave. Our committee members search for yards that add beauty and interest along our city streets Often these are the places that locals and visitors admire when they walk and drive by slowly. We hope our sign encourages more to enjoy and appreciate the work of their gardeners. Front yards come in all shapes and sizes of course, and we are pleased to honor this small yard surrounded by a colorfully painted picket fence and full of flowers and various plants. The resident gardeners are Dan Friedemann and his mother Cynthia Friedemann. Dan has rented this house for 10 years and his mother lives there now too. She had lived in Dallas where her yard was selected as yard of the month four times they proudly shared. When Dan answered our knock on the door, we related our reason for the visit, and he teasingly said with a smile, “Well it’s about time!”

Dan began with a bare yard and a solid color house. With I’m sure his landlord’s happy approval, he has painted the house to become what he has titled The Painted Lady. It is reminiscent of those Victorian styles. Dan built the fence and painted it with four colors which highlight the posts on the front porch and the house colors. He shared, “My goal was to make it look quirkish and fairyish.”

Varied yard art decorates the house, porch, and yard. Dan found old large iron trivets in storage on the property and has them hung on the house. He has purchased attractive tin and glass art from our local Mountain Valley Development shop, which he likes to support. We also admired some metal art, which he calls his dad’s “trash art,” since he made them from various scraps  and pieces found around the property.

Plants and flowers abound in this small yard and on the porch. This summer Cynthia added small colored pots with hangers to the colored fence. She keeps petunias watered twice daily in those accents. Many hanging baskets surround the front porch. Dan chooses different flowers each year for these. A variety of perennial flowers have been planted inside the fence. Peonies and salvia are in front of the porch. The peonies this year were kept blooming for a month, as Cynthia trimmed the spent blooms regularly. Hostas and other shade loving plants are on one side of the yard. Succulents decorate the porch as do other inside plants brought out for the summer season. It is obvious how much they both enjoy gardening and plants.

When you approach this home you will first admire the showy State Farm Zinnias in front of the fence. They get bigger and bigger all summer and are Dan’s favorite flower. We were most pleased that he shared with us seeds of these beauties. We encourage you to admire this small and very colorful yard too.

Ann English, Glenwood Springs

A glorious weekend

What a glorious weekend of kids and families frolicking in the great outdoors on Sept. 9 and 10 at the Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley Campus. The campus graciously hosted 686 high school mountain bike racers representing 51 teams from 2 regions.

A festive gathering of families, friends and spectators enjoyed the exceptional views of Mount Sopris as they cheered for the inspiring student-athletes. A total of 72 riders from the local teams of Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Glenwood Springs, Roaring Fork and Aspen/Basalt pushed their limits with a home trail advantage.

This event is possible in large part to funding provided by the City of Glenwood Springs and the deep commitment of the Spring Valley campus staff and the partnership with Colorado Mountain College. Other supporters include the Catena Foundation, Roaring Fork Cycling, Roaring Fork RE-1 School District, Grand River Construction and Garfield County.

Special thanks to many members of the Spring Valley Campus including Jeanne Golay, CMC foundation regional development officer, Johann Aberger, CMC professor of outdoor education, Kris Hussoung, Matt Koch, Jon Shaw, Lisa Runck, and Dr. Kelly Humphrey, vice president and campus dean.

We look forward to bringing the 2023 Colorado League State Championship event on Oct. 21 and 22.

Thank you to the Glenwood Springs and Roaring Fork Valley community for sharing your community assets with so many youth and families, 

Kate Rau, executive director, Boulder

This land is our land

I agree wholeheartedly with Garfield County Democratic chairwoman Debbie Bruell’s Sept. 15 column in the Post Independent. Protecting the county’s magnificent landscape from industrial development, be it methane gas extraction or limestone quarries above Glenwood Springs, is a high priority for the citizens.

But the county commissioners stand opposed to the public lands that would be created by President Biden’s America the Beautiful and 30X30 initiatives, proposals to use public and private funds to promote conservation. They demonstrate their antipathy to Biden’s plans by supporting, through attendance at their meetings and $30,000 in taxpayer’s money, the American Stewards of Liberty, a private property proponent and climate change denying organization out of Texas.

These right-wingers keep referring to efforts to increase public lands as “land grabs,” as if the government officials who’re doing this are enriching themselves. Public lands are our lands, the people. Our elected officials manage these tracts for our collective benefit. Private lands are subject to the whims of its owners. If they decide to exploit their property for profit, the proprietary can do it.

As for the commissioners, they, as usual, have a one-track mind — methane gas development. The severance tax the industry pays to drill in the county makes the commissioner’s job easier. They don’t have to come up with creative ideas on how to finance the county’s services, which is perhaps beyond the capacity of these septuagenarians.

Bruell wonders how Garfield County, which trounced Heidi Ganahl, Joe O’Dea, and homegrown Lauren Boebert in last year’s election, could keep returning these reactionaries to the county commission by the narrowest of margins. It’s a mystery to me, too, but if the constituents of this county want more progressive, proactive representation, they’d better start voting for younger, enlightened candidates. Commissioners John Martin and Mike Samson are up for reelection next year.

Fred Malo Jr., Carbondale

The affordable housing runway train

Who can refuse free money? Certainly not the local or the national affordable housing development firms. Certainly not the city of Glenwood Springs officials, our city councilors or even the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA).

Most recently, our esteemed governor, through the state of Colorado passed Colorado’s Proposition 123 program, a $320 million annual fund to support Colorado communities that want to increase their amount of affordable housing. This program appears to be available over a several yearly period and will financially assist any development form to build affordable housing projects throughout COlorado cities and towns. ALso, it appears that the governor has made it mandatory that they build a certain quota of affordable housing each year in order to remain eligible for this funding (it would appear that Glenwood Springs would not have any trouble meeting that quota).

So, why wouldn’t developers jump at the opportunity and take all the money that you can while the money is still available? In fact, why not build an affordable housing project on every open space left in Glenwood Springs? This appears to be the position taken by the city of Glenwood Springs officials without a public vote from its residents? The problem is simple: the affordable housing runway train will eventually crash: no more open space, no more room for public parks and, most importantly, nothing left for the present and future children to decide what they may want to do with that land. Ironically enough, the public decision makers are the same people that preach the need for open space, Green New Deal and climate change — not, however, when free money is available for these projects. In fact, once again, after a very defiant no vote from the local residents regarding the future usage of “The Confluence.” 

City officials (and the Post Independent) recently suggested that we reevaluate The Confluence’s future usages. The question that comes to mind is, are our city officials aware that this is public land and that any major decisions should be handled via a public vote? The city officials represent us, but do not own the land — the residents do. Be aware, this does not appear to be the case. I truly understand the lack of housing is an issue; however, at what cost? Isn’t the quality of life one of the major reasons for living here?

Joe Infascelli, Glenwood Springs 

Affordable housing thoughts

Who can refuse free money? Certainly not the local or the national affordable housing development firms. Certainly not the city of Glenwood Springs officials, our city councilors or even the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA).

Most recently, our esteemed governor, through the state of Colorado, passed Colorado’s Proposition 123 program, a $320 million annual fund to support Colorado communities that want to increase their amount of affordable housing. This program appears to be available over a several-year period and will financially assist any development form to build affordable housing projects throughout Colorado cities and towns. Also, it appears that the governor has made it mandatory that they build a certain quota of affordable housing each year in order to remain eligible for this funding (it would appear that Glenwood Springs would not have any trouble meeting that quota).

So, why wouldn’t developers jump at the opportunity and take all the money that you can while the money is still available? In fact, why not build an affordable housing project on every open space left in Glenwood Springs? This appears to be the position taken by the city of Glenwood Springs officials without a public vote from its residents? The problem is simple: the affordable housing runway train will eventually crash. No more open space, no more room for public parks and, most importantly, nothing left for the present and future children to decide what they may want to do with that land. Ironically enough, the public decision makers are the same people that preach the need for open space, Green New Deal and climate change — not, however, when free money is available for these projects. In fact, once again, after a very defiant no vote from the local residents regarding the future usage of “The Confluence.” 

City officials (and the Post Independent) recently suggested that we re-evaluate The Confluence’s future usages. The question that comes to mind is, are our city officials aware that this is public land and that any major decisions should be handled via a public vote? The city officials represent us, but do not own the land — the residents do. Be aware, this does not appear to be the case. I truly understand the lack of housing is an issue; however, at what cost? Isn’t the quality of life one of the major reasons for living here?

Joe Infascelli, Glenwood Springs 

Restricting Manga books

Recently, I attended a meeting at the Carbondale Branch Library regarding pornographic Manga books that were stocked on the lower shelves at the Silt Branch Library and are available to anyone of any age, even though they have red labels indicating their sexual content and “parental advisory warning explicit content” on the book covers. Our libraries have self checkout machines so people can check out books without even talking to a librarian.

While some people were emotional about the easy access to books that show sexual abuse of minors, other people were very emotional about limits to First Amendment rights. Many friends of mine in the audience have never seen and did not want to see these books or the petition requesting that they be segregated so that children under the age of 18 would require parental approval. That is restricted access to minors, NOT BANNING the books. They were just up in arms about the First Amendment.

Sue Zislis calls these books “rather risqué” and asks if any public library or governance body should have the authority to restrict access to which reading material. The fact is that they already do! Libraries decide which books they will purchase and display and where. And, according to US laws, “A few narrow categories of speech are not protected from government restrictions. The main such categories are incitement, defamation, fraud, obscenity, child pornography, threats and fighting words” (Brandenburg v. Ohio 1969). For example, speech urging a mob to attack a building is against the law. Defamatory lies (libel if written and slander if spoken) may be punished. Material depicting children engaging in sex or being naked in a sexually suggestive context is called child pornography.”

I have seen these books, and they do include sado-masochistic treatment of adolescents, gang rape with objects, graphic crotch shots, violent abusive dialogue and more. “Sundome” shows a school girl chained to a wall with her uniform not covering her private parts. At the meeting Executive Director Jamie LaRue said these books are meant to be funny. What is this supposed to encourage? 

What I want to know is who requested these books, who bought these books, who approved these books being stocked at these libraries, and why? Who wants to promote this in our society? The First Amendment does not protect child pornography or obscenity. Apparently some educated adults don’t know this.

Roxanne Bank, Carbondale

Opposing censorship

Once again a small group of zealots have reared their ugly heads in favor of censorship. I fully support Mr. LaRue and his staff of the New Castle Branch Library. They are trained professionals, who have put a system in place to protect children from inappropriate content. Let them do the jobs for which they were trained. If Ms. O’Grady doesn’t like certain books, she is free to ignore them.

Brian Martin, Glenwood Springs 

Context focus

Sopris Sun printed a letter about restricting access to the library book, Prison School. To understand the concern, I read the first two of the six-book series in question. Although rather risqué for my taste, there’s a legitimate storyline about a private high school with underlying references to Japanese culture. It is a story about peer pressure, bullying, conflict management and team efforts toward a common goal.

Most characters are totally believable, with the glaring exception of one student. Her appearance and behavior are so outrageous, so exaggerated that she is clearly a caricature, a satire of female sexuality, not to be taken seriously. She is a distraction from this story that has been categorized as adult fare. Restricted access to this series (and potentially other books deemed unsuitable by some folks) came to the forefront because we all care about the development of children into responsible, resilient, perceptive and considerate adults.

Many differ on the strategies to raise such children, however. The question at hand is, should any public library or governance body have the authority to restrict who has access to which reading material?

One purpose of a public library is to collect literature reflecting the vast variations of human existence, and to share that literature with those who wish to understand people in unfamiliar situations. Those people have faces, needs and experiences that are worthy of sharing. Libraries intend to be safe havens for free exchange of ideas that facilitate intellectual freedom, creativity and critical thinking. Parents have the right to decide what their own children read. The freedom of choice to avoid certain materials is as important as the freedom of choice to have access to such materials.

How can we allow some parents to control decisions other parents make for their own children? When children get a library card, perhaps parents should set guidance for their own children’s book choices. It is NOT the role of a librarian to evaluate anyone’s emotional maturity, or to know each child’s family restrictions.

Sue Zislis, Carbondale

Thank you, Caverns!

On Aug. 26, my colleague Hannah and I, representing Ascendigo Autism Services, had the honor and privilege of being the guest and beneficiary of “Music on the Mountain” at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. What wonderful philanthropic community support it is for them to pick a different nonprofit beneficiary each week of the summer for their concert series on Saturday nights.

Not only was the music fantastic, but I was able to reconnect with several Glenwood locals about life — and what’s happening at Ascendigo. Bob Stepniewski and his crew were incredibly helpful and generous, and I’d say they set the bar for quality customer service in the Valley.

We had many people stop at our booth to inquire about the programs and services we offer, and share gratitude for the work we do. The acknowledgement feels great and I couldn’t help but pay it forward for the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for their amazing philanthropy and community building. Thank you to Bob, his crew, and the community.

Dan Richardson, Carbondale

Supporting American Birthright

Having attended the last couple of meetings regarding the Re-2 curriculum standard, I’ve noticed a common theme among those who support the state’s 2022 standards. They are perceived as anti-Christian, anti-God, anti-faith, and anti-Western Colorado white male. They attribute these components as the problem behind why kids are not being accepting of each other. I find this puzzling because as a Christian, one of my core values is to love and accept everyone. I take that very seriously and teach it to my children. It’s also perplexing to me how they can be so unaccepting of me, as if I’m now the problem. If you are a left-leaning individual in the community, and the above paragraph describes you, I could sure use a hug right now. We live in a strange world, my friends, and outside of my faith in God, I would be feeling hopeless.

I am a proponent of the American Birthright Curriculum standard because of the boundaries it puts in place to protect our children. from woke extremists who have infiltrated schools with what appears to me to be an anti-America agenda.

Fallacies

Hello, my name is Lucas Villarreal, I’m an 18 year-old home-school graduate who has lived on the Western Slope my whole life.

I’d like to offer some context about fallacies and why they’re important. A fallacy is the use of incorrect or invalid reasoning in an argument that may otherwise appear sound.

After reading the cover article of Sept. 6’s Post Independent, I noticed several logical fallacies being employed.

Jamie LaRue, the Garfield County Libraries Executive Director, said: “Most of the books we see in libraries… were published in the past by mostly white, straight folks… In the past 10 or 15 years, we started to see this rise of new voices… These are from the traditionally marginalized. It’s LGBTQ, it’s people of color, it’s kind of these stories that start to reflect these emerging populations in America.”

This is an Irrelevant Thesis fallacy, a subset of a Red Herring fallacy. The issue at hand, as stated by O’Grady and Lepkowski, is children’s access to books with sexually explicit content. Mr. LaRue brings in a new line of thought about who are publishing books and what demographic they belong to. Mr. LaRue’s statement, while true, doesn’t offer a proper counter-argument, thus distracting the reader while masquerading as a reasonable response.

Another example is found later when Latino outreach director of the GCDP, Trinity Azuncena Stebleton said, “Do you want them (your children) to read or go watch a bunch of videos online?”

This is a Straw Man fallacy, another subset of a Red Herring. Stebleton inaccurately portrays O’Grady and Lepkowski’s argument. Of course parents want their children to read books, but they don’t want them reading pornographic books. Ms. Stebleton’s counter-point concludes that since O’Grady and Lepkowski don’t want children to have access to lewd reading materials, they must be against children reading altogether.

Educating oneself about the various fallacies is quite useful when encountering debates and discussions, as it can shine light on what appears to be otherwise sound reasoning.

Lucas Villarreal, New Castle

Responsible for youth

This letter is in response to your article, “Residents call for restricting access to certain books at Garfield County Libraries.”

I commend John Lepkowski and Trish O’Grady for taking a stand against highly inappropriate books in our libraries. Quoting the Colorado Legal Defense Group in reference to CRS 18-7-102, the definition of obscenity is 1) appealing to sexual interests and 2) depicting or describing offensive representations of sex acts or genitals and 3) lacking serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. Under Colorado law, promotion of obscenity is promoting or possessing with intent to promote any obscene material. The definition of promote is to further the progress of a cause, venture, or aim; to support or actively encourage.

By refusing to remove the Henai books and similar others, the library is indeed promoting them. These books most definitely are lacking in value! These pornographic books have nothing to do with the “marginalized.” This as a defense spouts the commonplace rhetoric now used to justify anything.

If you allow anyone under the age of 18 to check these books out, you are essentially conveying that they are appropriate for that child. EVERY child should be able to feel safe in a library. Don’t excuse the inclusion of these books as an alternative to “reading or watching a bunch of videos online!” Viewing pornography correlates with increased desire for rough or violent sex, increased chances for divorce and more. And that relates to the adults. What about impressionable young people?

Why do our young people have to pay the price for others’ amorality?

Barbara Mcelroy, Parachute

Uinta Basin Railway concerns

I’ve lived in Glenwood Springs for 20 years and seen many changes. Some keep pace with the times while others demonstrate infrastructure struggles to keep up. Recently, I’ve noticed increased rail traffic, specifically the size and frequency of oil tanker-trains rolling through our city. I’m also aware of the Uinta Basin Railway (UBR) proposal to increase the number of tankers running alongside the Colorado River. I’m concerned with the unpreparedness of the rail system and an increased potential for train derailment. Even one, small accident could have enormous effects on our local environment, public health and regional economy.

These concerns are not without precedent. Last May, a train was engulfed by a mudslide in Glenwood Springs, causing track damage and disabling the train. A 2015 toxic spill into the Animas River in southwestern Colorado devastated communities for years, demonstrating the horrific effects these types of accidents can have when discharged into rivers. Then the tragic incident in eastern Ohio last February caused the evacuation of thousands and presented those unassuming residents with unimaginable health vulnerabilities on multiple levels.

As a concerned citizen, I’m worried that we could have similar incidents in our own backyard. We are already taking this risk. Why would we want to increase our chances of incurring a crippling disaster? I want to do everything I can to make as many community members as possible aware of this issue. I think the most important thing we can do right now is to let our elected representatives (local, state and federal) know our concerns. Ask them to block the advancement of any proposal that threatens our lives and our livelihoods. The recent court ruling citing the project proponents’ environmental study was insufficient shows that those who stand to benefit from this proposal don’t necessarily have the safety nor best interests in mind of those who would be most impacted by a mishap. Tell our elected officials to keep the UBR project from becoming a nightmare we could suddenly find ourselves in.

Bob Cambell, Glenwood Springs

American Birthright is alarming

It is alarming the RE-2 School District is considering American Birthright as the social studies curriculum, which calls “diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice as harmful to learning” (Glenwood Post, Aug. 31). Social studies should teach history and critical thinking, presenting many view-points and encouraging issue evaluation from multiple perspectives.

A good social studies curriculum isn’t a list of everything good America has ever done — it is a look at how America has changed and evolved, and current issues it is facing. It doesn’t cherry pick facts or avoid issues to appease groups of people.

Two of the Unitarian Universalist guiding principles are the “inherent worth and dignity of all individuals” and “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” We believe that the content taught in public schools should be decided by professional educators, and worry when a small group of people try to limit exposure to ideas and information.

Peter Westcott, Carbondale 

Chair of Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Social Justice committee

Pay attention. This matters.

Firstly, I too was at the Silt Community Forum in support of the already in place Colorado 2022 Standards. While the majority that spoke were in favor of the American Birthright Standard there were a handful that spoke who were against them. I did not speak at the forum because of the four white males who did speak who were sitting in the front row wearing hats with the word “outlaw” on them. Immediately, they brought back memories of Jan. 6 and the images of brazen Proud Boys who thought they were above the law. We know now that they were not. One by one, as numbers were called, many speakers passed out of what I believe was fear. Fear not, my friends, there are other ways to make your voice heard. One can write a letter to the editor, complete the survey at garfieldre2.net, talk to other parents and share the survey with them.

Secondly, the Post Independent got it right in saying that the AB Standard is conservative but they are also white nationalist conservative. We the people do not exist in a vacuum but are a part of a larger whole where everyone, whether LGBTQ+, minorities, or man and women matter and so do their historical accomplishments. We are all human.

Lastly, Our America is growing in diversity and it isn’t going to stop. It is important for the district to prepare our children for the future not by sticking to the way things used to be but by embracing change and educating our children on the past, present and future.

Stacy Duchscher, New Castle

Full story on Trump’s indictment

While I sit here on Labor Day, I realized that In just a few short years Joe Biden has been able to make some major accomplishments. He has created a historic inflation crisis, more than doubled the interest rate to buy a new home, devalued the dollar, increased our national debt to an all time high with excessive spending, botched the Afghanistan withdrawal, created the lowest test scores among K-12 students in decades, has the highest vacation rate of any president in modern history, has allowed 7.2 million illegal border crossings amid the worst border crisis on record, prolonged supply chain shortages, has our strategic petroleum reserves at historic lows, has created record personal credit card debt for Americans, has record homicide rates in a dozen major cities, has gotten us to return to energy dependence and sky high energy bills, and has weaponized the federal government against political opponents, and so much more. I’ve got to say, “Bidenomics is a total failure.”

I find it strange, not really, that every time negative news comes out about the Biden family, almost the next day there are new charges filed against trump. Usually within 24 hours. June 7 FBI releases documents alleging that the Bidens took a $10 million bribe from Burisma. The next day, June 8, Jack Smith indicts Trump. July 26, Hunter Biden is denied blanket immunity from future prosecution. This is one of the craziest things that I have ever heard. The DOJ wanted to sneak a deal that said that he could not be prosecuted for any criminal charges for ever going forward. One day later, July 27, Jack Smith adds more charges against Trump. July 31, Hunter’s business partner testifies to Congress that Joe Biden was on over 20 business calls with his son’s business partners over Burmisa. You got it right, the next day, Aug. 1,Trump is indicted again.

The media is only telling you what they want you to hear. I challenge you to watch CNN or NBC, etc. For every 30 minutes you watch these channels, you must watch Newsmax for 30 minutes to get the whole story.

John Harcourt, New Castle

Pay As You Throw, half-baked cake

Glenwood Springs’ Pay As You Throw garbage program is not ready for rollout. Currently all housing units of seven and above are exempt from the program. There is a simple owners’ responsibility solution for that. The City can put out a directive the landfill will no longer accept recyclables as trash. Let the owners of the large units figure it out. The same procedure could happen with the downtown restaurants being informed that the landfill no longer accepts foodstuffs except in the composting program. As an example, Aspen is now 100% compliant with restaurants composting and extending the life of the landfill. Rotting food in our landfill is creating a disastrous methane problem that emits environmentally harmful greenhouse gasses, not to mention we are doing that within close proximity to a 1,000-degree coal seam fire. Methane is highly flammable.

The idea that we nodded to adding 90 units a year without any conversation, or valley collaboration about the landfill, the added stress on roads, sewer, schools, grocery, police and fire evacuation plans is what I deem lack of creativity. Nor in my wildest dreams do I imagine the cheap rollout fee will last more than one year, or that the City will keep open, and move the recycling center to where it makes sense by the huge apartment complexes who need it most. Although it can be a good idea, the Pay As You Throw garbage plan is a half-baked cake.

Jennifer Vanian, Glenwood springs

Press keeps local informed

I would like to thank Ray K. Erku for his coverage (Aug. 28) of the the request for a permit variance by CPX Piceance Holdings LLC (Houston) to the GarCo commissioners and then the COGCC. The proposed drilling would be on the Teepee Park Ranch in the High Priority Wildlife Habitat near Beaver Creek. I did not know that either were scheduled.

I was able to watch the BOCC hearing only because I was notified by a friend.

Knowing this is an issue of consequence for people living in the Rifle area and also knowing there are strongly held opinions on both sides, it was interesting to me that little public comments pro or con were submitted. The lack of public comment suggests that perhaps a one time notice in the classified of the weekly Rifle Citizen Telegram and signage posted on the road by the requesting oil and gas company may not be an adequate means of informing the public.

Without Mr Erku’s article, given that I am not well-versed in the permitting process, I would not have known about the COGCC hearing on Aug. 30. Apparently the BOCC hearing is an indication that the request is already on the COGCC docket. Furthermore an individual is only notified of COGCC hearings if they have signed up for notification on the COGCC website.

So, again, thank you, Mr. Erku for the article and shining a light on the importance of journalism in general, but especially in rural areas of this state.

Michele Brower, Rifle

Right to know

Thank you, Tony Hershey, for your letter on Sept. 6, 2023. Yes we have a right to know what the council is doing, be it behind closed doors or publicly. The wasted funds will not be given back and now the process will start all over again to find another city manager. This needs to be done correctly and Mr. Jonathan Godes should not try to hide what is going on. I thank any and all persons for their input on this matter. The council is supposed to work for us — not themselves and their own agendas. We do really need accountability here or secrets behind closed doors!

Melvin Gilliam, Glenwood Springs

Book restrictions

There is an easy solution to the problem of explicit material kept out of reach of children and still available to mature audiences, if we are willing to communicate like adults in the room, and compromise like people who care about their neighbor. We can put them on shelves in the back and place a new button on the computer for the shelf in the back.

Most of what I checkout I must order from another branch but mostly from the stacks of colleges or universities. Intellectuals are now an oppressed minority, in our declining empire. The system works well. The book in question is something the readers tend to know about and are seeking them specifically, they do not need to be displayed like the library is a bookstore.

A simple enough solution if we aren’t married to the political agendas the declining empire has festered within both parties to keep our thoughts in shackles, divided and conquered like any old prison yard.

Eric Olander, Carbondale

Standing our ground on books

I don’t like highly-caffeinated soft drinks, and I think they may be harmful to kids. But do I demand that City Market take them off the shelves so that no one has access to them? No, it is not my place. And Mr. Lepkowski and Ms. O’Grady, it is not your place to ban books from the library that you don’t like. You don’t have the right to decide what my grandkids can or cannot read. And Mr. Lepkowski, books about gays don’t “push” kids to be gay, any more than my book Awful Waffles pushes them to be a breakfast food. Thank you, Executive Director Jamie LaRue, for standing strong.

Deborah Williams, Glenwood Springs

Point of the series

My friends and I read the letter to the editor complaining about the Prison School graphic novel series. The writer was from the Rifle area, encouraging people to sign her protest letter and wanting to make it more difficult for teenagers to access these books. She thinks the series is pornographic; I think she hasn’t seen any pornography. But I do get her concern, one we all all share, to raise our children with healthy sexual, gender, social awareness and sensitivity. My friends and I decided to read the books, all of them. I’ve had the chance to read two and get the jist. I will read more.

I endorse the books — I doubt the letter writer read the books; in her letter, she expressed outrage at seeing the book jacket and imagining what was inside. Maybe she flipped through the pages, but she didn’t read the text. A book’s cover is meant to entice a reader to pick it up and try it out. What they find inside may be different than what they expected.

The cover art is of many pubescent males’ erotic fantasy. But the female student portrayed is also evil, she is mean, used by others to do the dirty work, not liked or admired. She is not a positive role model. I imagine there will be redemption, but I haven’t read all the books yet.

The story arc, and lessons learned, are important. The boys and girls learn they are all nervous, curious, embarrassed, similar, achieve better results when they trust each other and work together, and that many adults are not trustworthy. These are good things for teenagers to learn, and if a somewhat titillating graphic graphic novel gets them that education, I’m for it.

An important bit of background — Japanese women have little interest in Japanese men; women don’t want to be thought of as sexual objects, they don’t want a life of baby, child, house work, and filling the needs of an emotionally immature or arrogant man. This is also important information the writer in Rifle probably doesn’t know about.

Susan Rhea, Carbondale

More oil now, less later

I am an old style “conservationist” in the mold of Theodore Roosevelt, committed to the prudent, restrained development of limited natural resources. As such, I offer this view on the issue of the increased transport of oil from Utah by rail along the Colorado River, including through and upstream of Glenwood Canyon.

I have long recognized that we Americans have developed an addiction to fossil fuels that is excessive and unnecessary regarding the multiple goals of long-term economic prosperity, national defense, and environmental protection. We in the mountains of western Colorado live in an area that is sharply divided between single-issue environmental ideologues and single-issue ideologues of “energy independence.” But one thing that all have in common is that almost all are still dependent primarily on fossil fuels for heating our homes, powering our transportation and generating our electricity (including for most electric vehicles).

Utah is a relatively modest producer of oil, with about 1% of total U.S. production. The push to expand production there is an example of the drive to develop oil production in locations that are ever more costly and environmentally risky. This trend will continue to the point that oil becomes prohibitively expensive for mass uses such as powering cars and trucks. The prudent thing to do then, with concern for future prosperity, is to gradually wean ourselves off of oil — and particularly to forego projects such as this rail extension that have exceptional environmental risks.

The bad news is that deliberate conservation will accelerate the inevitable rise in the cost of oil and thus gasoline. The not-so-bad news is that if the price rises gradually, rational people will be able to compensate for it by buying vehicles that are more fuel-efficient — particularly by being smaller. And the good news is that whatever oil is not pumped now will remain in the ground for future generations, if it turns out that the people who dismiss global heating from carbon emissions as a hoax turn out to be right.

Carl Ted Stude, Carbondale

The red scar

Who is responsible for the massive red scar at the base of Red Mountain in Glenwood Springs? You could fill that spot with three super Walmarts! Well, it is City Council. Why did another 300-unit development get approved on an alluvial fan like everything else at the Meadows — Target, Lowe’s, etc.? Apparently, City Council has never heard of the engineering survey that was done in the 1990s, before the Meadows was ever developed. Engineers concluded at that time, all that land was too unstable for even a golf course.

I worked for the city of Glenwood from 1992 to 2014. All the departments, electric, streets, parks and mechanics moved into the new building, MOC (municipal operations center), above RAFTA, in 2001. After eight years, cracks in the walls and ceilings developed. The city spent $2.4 million to try to save the massive buildings and sheds but to no avail. By 2018, the buildings were condemned and all departments had to move somewhere else in town. My guesstimation is $150 million-$200 million to lose the MOC, and to relocate all those departments around town. And yes, we are still building 300 units at a time, until we fill all of the Meadows.

Michael Hoban, Glenwood Springs

The student mind is at stake 

Christian nationalists in this country have noticed church membership has dipped below 50% for the first time in the nation’s history, 30% of people under 30 are reporting they’re attending church less frequently and thousands of churches are closing. They’ve decided the reason is children aren’t getting the proper religious indoctrination at school.

So, the religious right is focusing on school board elections to pack those ruling bodies with like-minded members. Thus, the rhubarb over the reactionary American Birthright social studies curriculum being considered in the Garfield Re-2 School District.

This program was dismissed by the Colorado State Board of Education because it identifies diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as subjects students shouldn’t learn about. Why didn’t they list compassion, honesty, humility and creativity?

At a meeting on this matter in Silt on Aug. 30, a parent said current social studies teaching goes “against the Judeo-Christian foundation.” So what? You’re considering a public school. If you want your children to have religious training, send them to a private, parochial school. There’s plenty of them.

Objections to the present curriculum were also to the inclusion of Latino, Black, Native American, Asian, and LGBTQ communities. Are the more than 50% of the students and parents in Re-2 that’re Latino to be excluded?

The parent continued to expose the quality of his education by stating the word slave comes from when the Moors conquered and enslaved the Slavic people of eastern Europe. That is the origin of the term, but the Moors had nothing to do with it. The Ottomans overran the Slavs. They’re Muslims, like the Moors, but the Moors never ventured beyond the Iberian Peninsula.

Another parent complained that a 12-year-old knew who Martin Luther King was, but not George Washington. The child should know both of them, but their parents probably have memories of MLK. Not even President Joe Biden ever heard the Father of Our Country speak.

School board elections generally have very low turnouts. As it is with all elections, the minority, the Christian nationalists in this case, can take advantage of that. Don’t let them do it. Show up and vote in members with no political or religious agenda. Your children’s minds are at stake.

Fred Malo Jr., Carbondale

Your right to know

Every citizen in Colorado has a right under Colorado’s Open Records Act (CORA) to request information from their government(s). Our State’s definition of “public records” pursuant to CORA is expansive and applies to virtually all levels and types of governments in Colorado.

Recently I made several requests to the city of Glenwood Springs under CORA about the sudden departure of the city manager. Some of these requests were productive as we learned our government spent $170,000 recruiting, paying and then settling with that employee after only five months. Unfortunately, many of my CORA requests were met with resistance, like one for the meeting where her contract was terminated, and once with hostility.

Specifically, Councilman Jonathan Godes upon learning that I was exercising my right to ensure that public business was not conducted by his council in private in violation of Colorado State Law wrote a nasty email responding to a CORA request about the manager. He wrote from his government council email:

“Of course he did. He is a sad and lonely man who only feels valued when he is getting attention.”

Mr. Godes then went on to criticize my four years of service on Council. That criticism was reasonable. Attacking me and other citizens personally is not appropriate. I am not an elected official. I don’t have the power and platform Godes does to attack people on social media and via email.

I do understand his frustration, however. Mr. Godes has served almost seven years on a Council that often tries to conduct business in secret. Citizens and this newspaper struggle to keep them transparent and CORA is a statutory device that ensures they are responsive and conduct their business in public not private. If they fired the city manager secretly and violated Colorado law in not disclosing how they did it then the people have a right to know. Mr. Godes, who works for two government bodies, should know that the public’s business he conducts is or may be subject to CORA. If he does not like that perhaps he should resign from both jobs.

Tony Hershey, Glenwood Springs

Local racism

No racism in Glenwood Springs? How about Silt? Maybe New Castle? Or, my favorite white supremacist hang out: Rifle?

I used to go to Lauren Boebert’s Shooter’s Grill from time to time when I wanted a cold beer and a burger, and they were not too bad either! I never saw Lauren Boebert there in person, but did see two Hispanic cooks in the kitchen who came out in the late afternoon for cold soda near the bar.  

They spoke fluent Spanish. Nobody paid attention to them.

In Aspen, hotels like Hotel Jerome, and so many others in Snowmass hire a lot of Hispanic people to work for them between Nov. 1 of every year to May 1. They work a lot of double shifts, and make enough money from tips alone to allow them to not work for the rest of the year if they choose not to. The reason I know this is because between 2012 to 2018 I was one of those commuters to Aspen.

Housing is next to impossible to acquire in and around Glenwood Springs. I had a friend who lived full time in Grand Junction and drove to Aspen 5-6 days a week for work. I asked her why she did that? According to her the pay was so much better in Aspen, it made sense for her to commute.

When I lived in West Glenwood Springs for those years, my next door neighbor was from Honduras legally with a green card. She cleaned houses in Aspen, and she told me she had so much work that if she wanted to, she could work 7 days per week, 12 hours per day. She told me her clients said no white people ever reached out to her or her friends to clean their houses. So the Hispanic women went to work 55 miles up the mountain who lived in Glenwood.

Without the Aspen tourists in the summer as well as the wintertime, Glenwood would not be such a nice place. The rent is already outrageous from Aspen all the way to Parachute, and house prices?

Insane.  

My family owns a house in Texas that is 2,700 square feet with a yard on one third of an acre,  completely redone top to bottom. They paid $179,000 for it three years ago.  

That house in Glenwood would sell for $600,000 to  $700,000, easily. Why? Greed.

Without those essential workers at hotels in Aspen, like cooks, valets, maids, those hotels would close. Glenwood would dry up and blow away?   

Welcome those essential workers, folks, because without them the Glenwood economy would suffer. Racism in Glenwood Springs? Sort of. That language is spoken in hushed tones in bars and restaurants, but not out loud. Rifle? White supremacists meet weekly. The police know who they are, but do not seem to care much.

America is still coming to grips with their racism. Eventually, they will get it right.

Steve Gluckman, Glenwood Springs

Half the loaf

Some friends had a wonderful time enjoying music in Basalt’s new River Park. It was a big turnout. Families brought children. Children, and even adults, were taking off their shoes for the delicious feeling of grass on their bare feet. Afterwards, people walked into Old Town for drinks and food. It’s what some hoped for eight years past when the battle ensued over replacing the Pan and Fork Mobile Home Park. The battle was drawn between the developers and the community-minded. Growth, always growth, was opposed to a priceless community resource that is a central park at the confluence of two rivers. The festivities vindicated those who fought for the public space. They got half the loaf. They should get hero medals.

Patrick Hunter, Carbondale

On American Birthright

As usual, the Post Independent skews the news to the left, calling the American Birthright curriculum conservative, when actually the proposed curriculum by the Colorado Board of education is far left “progressive.” Only ONE person in 20 spoke in favor of it yet that is the person the post gave the most print to. Nearly all the other speakers were in support of a more traditional, less ideological driven curriculum.

Before the knee jerk supporters of the “experts” at Colorado BOE jump into this — READ the American Birthright curriculum before commenting.

Also the majority at the meeting is AGAINST the social justice activist type of education, called indoctrination by many. Keep it up with the provably harmful revisionism happening in education and watch a continued exodus to home schooling and alternatives as the parents rebel against politicizing their children, and go against child developmental growth. This increase in educational overreach that disrespects parents, ALL students and an imbalance in presenting history from a relativistic revisionist view, loses much of the span of the ugly, and the inspiring, to learn from.

Sky Quarto, Carbondale

Libraries and certain books

This letter is in response to Trish O’Grady’s letter to the editor titled “Revoke this Book,” published Aug. 9, 2023. I am a conservative voter who voted yes to more money for our libraries in our last election. I’m appalled at what I am now becoming aware of. The library has always, in my opinion, been a safe wholesome place for children and young adults to visit. Parents beware. They are grooming your youngsters. When did porn creep into our public libraries? When did it change? Our schools and our library have the ability to change our culture. If we let them. Anything that has a parental advisory warning should not be freely handed out to under age youth. The books that I’m speaking about have a red dot on the spine identifying them as explicit. They aren’t just sexual but violently so. There isn’t much of a story line, just cartoonish pornographic violent depictions of explicit scenarios. They are rubbish.

In the U.S., child trafficking is aggravated by four main factors: the porous southern border, predatory social media use, pornography and broken families. Quoted from Emma Waters. If you haven’t seen “Sound of Freedom,” please go and see that movie. Open your eyes and ears to what is happening. Our children are our future. 

What future do we have if their lives are ruined? Our children need to be innocent, not groomed. Please sign the circulating petition to have these books pulled off the library shelves now.

Robin Pruett, Silt