Downtown Glenwood Springs deserves air quality monitoring

I contacted the city to see if there are any air quality measuring devices around the city and to my disappointment found that they had none.

The only one in the area is a CDOT “Purple Air” devise located at 23rd and Grand Avenue (Near Alpine Bank). I also contacted Garfield County and was put in touch with the Environmental Health Manager Garfield County and they told me that the air quality device at 8th and Grand Avenue had been removed after the construction of the Grand Avenue Bridge and moved to the Battlement Mesa area. 

They expressed enthusiasm about partnering with the city on placing several “Purple Air” devices around the Glenwood Springs area and contacted the city’s staff, especially at 8th and Grand Avenue where it is a more confined area and not in the wide-open spaces like 23rd and Grand.

The city said it will try to find funds in the budget to install these devices. We have 30,000-plus cars going through town in the morning and in the evening. To add to the traffic issue the fire season is approaching, producing smoke from the west and north. Citizens with breathing problems need to be warned when the air quality is not acceptable. This seems to be one of those no-brainers that this information needs to be provided to our citizens.

Don “Hooner” Gillespie, Glenwood Springs

A Memorial Day note

I would like to thank American Legion Post #100 and members of BPOE 2286 (Elks Lodge-GWS) for uniting to retain the Memorial Day remembrance at Rosebud Cemetery. 

The Junior ROTC from GSHS presented the colors and provided a 21 gun salute to remember all who gave their lives in service to this wonderful country. Ms. Katherine Z led the participants in a wonderful rendition of Amazing Grace. 

It was a lovely service, but there was an important aspect missing. The Memorial Day Riders had been told that they were not allowed to participate because of the “noise.” Seriously? We honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms, and we cannot put up with the “noise” of 250 motorcycles for less than a half-hour a year? Did someone complain about the noise or did City Council or some city bureaucrat take it upon himself/herself to determine that the noise was too much? I did not see anything in the PI about this being discussed at any City Council meeting. 

Whoever decided to deny the “noise” on Memorial Day-a day to honor those who served and sacrificed for our Nation-should be ashamed of that decision. I’m sure we will never know where this decision originated, but I, for one, would hope that the decision for next year is not so short-sighted. Let the motorcycles come, let them honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our liberty and freedom. 

As a side note, why were all of the flags on all County buildings taken down before Memorial Day? Why are they not back up as of June 5? The timing seems strange to me, to say the very least.

Sara Pettit, Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs’ tax history

In 1973 two Funds were established in city ordinance #15: Capital Projects Fund for land, buildings (with conducive equipment needs) and water/sewer infrastructure as well as the equipment replacement fund for vehicles, machinery and other equipment. No funding source has ever been established for the equipment replacement fund.

In 1975 a voter approved perpetual ½ cent sales tax was approved for the Capital Projects Fund specifically for water/sewer infrastructure. No legislation has changed this.

In 2006 a voter approved ½ cent sales tax was approved for the Street Tax Fund. The primary purpose was for street reconstruction; however, millions of dollars have been used for maintenance and operational costs which traditionally are paid for in the General Fund’s “Street Department”.  This has depleted revenues needed to cover the cost of the primary intended use for “street reconstruction.”

These two Funds provided the needed revenues to accomplish everything proposed in Measure 2A, which passed last year.

The Capital Projects Fund has stopped paying for infrastructure and is now paying for everything that the Equipment Replacement Fund was established for. A total reversal of intended usage and in violation of local legislation. If such purchases were allowed in the Capital Projects Fund, the Equipment Replacement Fund would not have been created. Its existence underscores the original intention to keep such expenditures separate.

My attempts to educate City Administration and Council (prior to recent election changes) have been discounted as lacking merit. I disagree. My points are based on facts.

I perceive this whole scenario as total lack of knowledge and understanding by our City Administration which has led to serious mismanagement of funds. I have presented this with deep concern for my community and the financial well-being of its citizenry. How can we get City Administration back on track?

My credentials and background include over 24 years as a CPA and Finance Director for the City of Glenwood Springs. I may be one of the only individuals, besides one remaining 1975 Councilor, who fully understands the original structure of Governmental Accounting and the purpose of these funds.

Mike Harman, Glenwood Springs

Why I’m supporting the Carbondale Aquatics Center’s ‘Make a Splash’ campaign 

One of my favorite memories of my daughter was a car-ride home from the Carbondale town pool. She was a few months shy of four years old and, for the first time, had just swum with no swimmies.

Wiggling with excitement in her carseat, fidgeting with her hands, she said “I’m amazed about myself! I’m proud because I didn’t do that before!” She took one more big, happy, high shouldered breath before rapidly changing (as small children do) to a very serious facial expression… “I want my snacks.”

Kaia was born with strabismus, commonly known as a lazy eye, which limited her peripheral vision and depth perception for the first four years of her life, until surgery. She was totally resistant to skis, bikes, and scooters – and in a town like Carbondale where kids tend to be well ahead of the curve with mountain sports… this made us worry. But water has always been her happy place. She could spend all day, every day underwater, recovering diving toys, doing tricks, and exploring. It’s where she’s fully confident and herself.

I’m supporting the Make a Splash campaign for her, and for her younger sister who’s still in swimmies. So our whole community has a place at the center of town to cool off on hot days, make new friends, learn life-saving skills, and have fun in the water all summer long.

Please join me in bringing the Carbondale pool to life. Head to https://carbondaleconnect.org/pool to learn more or make a gift.

Rachel Bachman Perkins, Carbondale