Mother of Storm King 14 firefighter thanks community

I am the mother of Tami Bickett who perished on Storm King Mountain on July 6, 1994. 

I want to thank your community, BLM, the fire agencies and many others for all you did for the friends and families of the fallen-on July 5-6.

The organization of everyone involved made this bitter-sweet event enjoyable. A special thanks to the New Creation Church for providing their beautiful grounds to host a delicious dinner on the evening of July 5. To the caterer folks who worked hard planning and preparing the food. To Denise Abate, a 3rd grade teacher at Glenwood Springs Elementary School, who teaches the students about Storm King and takes the students to the monument and boulders at Two Rivers Park and also hike Storm King Mountain every year. This year they did a beautiful mural of firefighter equipment that will be on the wall of the Glenwood Springs fire Department. Thirty years ago, when this tragic event happened the community said “we will not forget” and they have not forgotten our loved ones. The Honor Guard held July 6th was very impressive with a timed fly over. Thanks to all that made this possible.

When the citizens of Glenwood Springs planned the one-year anniversary of the South Canyon Fire, each member adopted a firefighter family. Our representative was Greg Little who has remained a friend for 30 years. Thanks, Greg, for always keeping us in mind and for you and all the gals that put balloons and ribbons where families were staying in Glenwood Springs. Your thoughtfulness “will not be forgotten”. 

Also, a special thanks to the Oregon Prineville Hot Shots for making improvements on the trail and being there to help folks hiking the trail. Search and Rescue folks and an ambulance were available if needed.

The grounds around the monument at Two Rivers Park and at the boulders at Canyon Creek Estates were very well maintained and beautiful with planted flowers and solar lights. 

I apologize if I have missed anyone and Glenwood Springs is a special place for many families.

Jan Diamantine, Mother of Tami Bickett (May 24, 1969-July 6, 1994); Lebanon, Oregon

News needs to be more timely in print

I was saddened yet not totally surprised when I read three local “staff report” articles in the July 12, 2024 edition. My concern is these press releases were not “timely” in context of the date of publishing. The first was Logan Davis the “Investigative Journalist to Speak…on Christian Nationalism” on the same day of this issue. And the next was “Valley View Seeks Feedback…” via an online survey closing on July 12, the same date of the issue. 

I understand the challenges local newspapers face with trying to inform our communities and the need and desire of many to seek more input and involvement by our citizenry. For many, local print media is still important. Digital options may be difficult to learn, can be biased and the refusal of those having an aversion to social media. Either typically are not as comprehensive and helpful due to various limitations and reasons. Admittedly I do try to keep current with social media notifications and attempt to share. “Being in the know” is important for both civic engagement and for metrics of “success” for businesses and attendance at events and meetings.

Readership, distribution and the cost and effectiveness of display ads are hurdles traditional print media face. With time, staffing and financial challenges local newspapers have faced nationwide, it is very important to have local news reporting like the GSPI provides. I do not know what the future holds for our corporate revenue-based publication like the GSPI but I truly believe in the need and importance of an informed, motivated and involved citizenry. My idealism may fly in the face of reality, but I fully and sincerely support the commitment, intention and efforts of the GSPI staff.

Greg Jeung, Glenwood Springs

HD57 candidate encourages coming together ‘and embracing what makes our country great’

The tragic event of this past Saturday, with the attempted assassination of President Trump and the heartbreaking loss of an innocent bystander, has deeply affected me. As someone who entered politics to advocate for togetherness, this incident has brought a profound sense of grief and a renewed commitment to my values.

In response, I will not have a float or banners in the upcoming Garfield County parade. Instead, I will walk and invite other candidates and community members, regardless of political affiliation, to join me. We will gather in the Jeans Printing parking lot at 9:30 AM on Saturday. This is a time to come together, not in pursuit of some unattainable utopia, but in choosing the higher road of togetherness. By refusing to be offended by our differences and embracing what makes our country great. We honor those we have lost and build a stronger future.

Caleb Waller, HD57 Republican candidate; Silt

Founding Fathers’ thoughts on religion differ from Christian nationalism

In Monday’s article the presentation by Logan Davis, the question was posed, “Do you not think our Founding Fathers were thinking and referencing the Bible when they wrote the Constitution?” It is not adequately answered. Our Founders thought about and referenced and debated many philosophical beliefs and texts. These were mostly the works of the “European Enlightenment,” which argued for reason and rationality to replace religion as guidance for governing. Many settlers left Europe because their beliefs, in some cases not very religious, ran afoul of governments which claimed their rule owed to divine privilege from one church or another, all based on their Bibles. While some colonies “established” religions here, Jefferson and others pushed against this. 

Thinking of Jefferson, I would hope all school children learn about the “Jefferson Bible,” the name given the summary in which he removed accreted ecclesiastical claims and myths and tried to include only words and ethics of Jesus Christ. E.g. No resurrection or ascension. 

Franklin thought and wrote about his Quaker faith but appears to have been far more interested in business and science and engineering. The influence of their faiths on how Founders thought of governing can be debated. 

I was born in Vermont, so my favorite Revolutionary is Ethan Allen, who has been called a “professed infidel” by some Christian nationalists. Tom Paine, author of “Common Sense,” which inspired many to support the Revolution, believed in “nature’s God” (words used in the Declaration) but wrote a scathing critique of the Bible. 

So, yes, the Founding Fathers were “thinking of the Bible,” but clearly not in the ways characterized in current Christian nationalist representations.

Fred Porter, Carbondale

Gun violence sadly common in U.S.

As of Sunday morning, there is a shooter and one attendee dead in Pennsylvania. Two are still in critical condition.  A bullet nicked Trump’s right ear.  The television news channels are showing continuous coverage.  A national debate is ongoing as to who to blame.  I checked national gun violence online.  

According to “The Trace”, 36,357 firearm injuries occurred in 2023.  Almost 100 every day.  Of those, there were 18,874 firearm deaths , excluding suicides, in 2023.  Almost 52 people died everyday. 

More than 1,600 children and teens under 18 died from gunshots.  Gunshots are now the leading cause of death for American children.   

Obviously, the United States has a horrible problem with gun violence.  Except for the occasional mass shooting, the problem is not much talked about.  Mass shootings are so common they are no longer “breaking news.”

A common statement about Trump’s shooting is that there is “no place for this kind of violence” in this country.  But that statement is clearly incorrect.  This country is the poster child (sorry) for gun violence. Will the Republican Party’s candidate for the presidency “fight for” (as they always say) an end to violence? Not likely, the National Rifle Association has been a huge donor of money to the Republican campaigns. According to The Trace, the NRA spent more than $50 million in 2016. 

According to supporters of Trump, the “media” is to blame for this incident.  They say that there is never anything positive said about Trump.  Just nonstop attacks from programs like “The View.”   One odd thing, the shooter was a registered Republican.  One inch to the right and we would be living in a different world. 

Patrick Hunter, Carbondale