Thanks to commissioners for non-sanctuary vote

I would like to thank the Garfield County commissioners for passing the resolution for Garfield County to be a non sanctuary county. We can be a kind people without being a weak people. We should not let our kindness become our weakness.

Craig Holloway, Glenwood Springs

Vote for Amendment A

We absolutely support voting yes on Amendment A giving the opportunity to all Glenwood Residents to help Keep Glenwood Glenwood.  We have lived here since 1976, witnessing the unchecked growth in Glenwood.  This is our time to have a say in how this growth will occur in the future.  The passing of Amendment A will help make this happen. Please read the details of Amendment A on the keepglenwoodglenwood.com website and we hope you will then vote Yes on this amendment in April as we intend to do.This opportunity to vote yes is too important for us to pass up.

Sheila Markowitz and Stanley Trulock, Glenwood Springs

Vote Jessica Robison for Carbondale

To my fellow Carbondalians,

I am taking time this evening to write about my support for Jessica Robison in the upcoming election. Jess is the perfect candidate for Trustee of the town I have come to love. Jess possesses the ideal blend of integrity, respect and responsibility that are necessary to hold our town in good stead over the coming 4 years. I believe a vote for Jess is a vote of confidence that our town will be able to meet the challenges that await us in the years ahead.

I first met Jess 8 years ago after relocating to the Roaring Fork Valley. She was a kind, thoughtful and welcoming presence for someone a long way from home. As a third generation resident, Jess knew all of the great places to grab a bite or get off the beaten path to our valley’s many hidden gems. She has connected me with many members of the community and helped me build relationships with people that have changed my life. Having lived in the RFV most of her life, Jess and her family have opened their lives to me and given me an inside look as to the kind of people they are.

A mother of 2 young children, Jess and her husband Adam have integrated themselves in the local community. Their kids attend a local school. She is a small business owner, who works with her family here in Carbondale. We have participated in many beloved Carbondale events, such as The Rodeo, Cowboy Up, Mountain Fair, The Fashion Show, and The Puzzle Competition, and I have seen the character and integrity of Jess and her family in action. I believe there is no finer candidate in this years ballot. 

I know I have given you a fairly biased opinion of my friend. It is hard to be neutral when there is a person of this quality running for something as important as a town trustee. Our town is facing many critical issues and we need people who care, are qualified, and have the experience to make a difference. My hope is that you will join me on April 2nd with a Yes on Jess.

Michael Koscielski, Carbondale

Invasion of the POD people

The demise of the GOP (Grand Old Party) became official with the takeover of the RNC (Republican National Committee) by Donald Trump’s hand-picked choices on Friday March 8. Michael Whatley, a North Carolina Republican who has echoed Trump’s false claims of voter fraud, was elected as the party’s national chair in a vote Friday morning in Houston. Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law, was voted in as co-chair. (The Guardian) They immediately laid off 60 staff members. Unemployment is at a 40 year low under President Biden. Not so for RNC Republicans.

I believe it may be time to retire the GOP moniker, as the MAGA folks have secured their grip on the right. So perhaps a new name is appropriate. Since initials seem to be in vogue for all things political, I think I may have come upon a name many of us can agree upon. I believe that POD (Party of Donald) is an appropriate moniker for what the former GOP has become. His followers should hence forth be referred to as “POD People”.

The expression “pod people” that arose in the late 20th-century U.S. culture refers to the emotionless duplicates seen in the film “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. (Wikipedia) The cult that has grown up around Trump appears to be equally mindless. Just as one example: Trump calls President Biden “Crooked Joe”, and brandishes himself with a new character and name: “Honest Don.”(New Republic). Hilarious, ironic, but only egotistical jerks give themselves their own nicknames.

Questions for the POD People:  Who cheated on 3 wives, one charity, (Judge fines Trump $2 million for misusing charity foundation. AP News), his university, (Trump University settlement finalized by judge at $25 million. USA Today), dozens of lawsuits that accuse Trump of not paying his bills. (Fox News. Yes. Fox News.)

I’ve only scratched the surface. Perhaps Kimmel’s nicknames: “Don the Con,” “Genghis Don,” “Donye West” and “Donald Duck the Draft” are more appropriate. Honest Don? Give me a break. The POD people could be our demise. From the movie: They’re already here. You’re next. You’re next. You’re next….

Craig S. Chisesi, Rifle

Vote for Jess Robison for Carbondale trustees

Jess is a lifelong member of our Roaring Fork Valley community. Jess grew up and started her own family on a family ranch up the Frying Pan valley. She values our rich agricultural history. Now her family in Carbondale runs four generations deep from her grandparents and parents to her children. Jess understands the challenges of maintaining our community vision and values at all ages. 

Values are often heard about and less often seen. Jess has shown me that she is a compassionate, relentless, servant leader. She has the integrity to serve the community based on what she hears the community saying, without losing sight of the minority opinion, as she understands that we are all community members. 

It is a rare thing, and Jess is that rare person, to deal with competing values in a community like Carbondale where we have ongoing, crucial conversations around, equality, workforce housing, commercial space, education, arts, daycare, tourism, property values, natural resources, and climate change. Jess has a proven track record at this as a local owner of two successful companies, as a Carbondale Chamber Board member, a Planning and Zoning Board Commissioner, and as a mother, daughter, and friend. You can trust Jess will listen and take action on our behalf. We can trust Jess to serve the common welfare of Carbondale as a whole with enthusiasm and consideration. She understands that every decision needs to look toward the future with responsibility and vision.

Jess is the perfect person. A win for Jess Robison is a win for Carbondale. Vote Jess Robison for Carbondale Town Trustee on April 2. 

Jack Wheeler IV, Carbondale