Highway 82: Another possible suggestion

These are my comments about the story on the front page of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent of Sunday, Aug. 4, that stated a detour through the city will be needed.

“While we’re open to other ideas,” Glenwood Springs City Councilman Matt Steckler said, “there is a point where it is just too much pain, and you have to recognize that.”

The rest of the article leads me to believe that most of the people working on this do not really want to make very many changes. It reminds me of taking a 13-year-old shopping at Christmas time. Think about it. You have asked for ideas, but do not have many that are listeners. For the most part, you do not really want to change the main part of downtown.

This can be done by going out of the city limits now for a bypass. Later, you can then build a new bridge without many problems you are now having.

My suggestion is to look at the feasibility of using exit 111 on I-70, west of Glenwood Springs through South Canyon, as a bypass route to Highway 82. That would open up that area and eliminate some of the other problems you are now having.

John B. Scalzo

Rifle

Myers for Rifle City Council

I first met Dirk Myers in 2009, when he ran against me for mayor of Gloversville, N.Y. I knew who he was by his role at Bow Tie Cinemas and his assistance with the revitalization of downtown Schenectady. When I won the election and a seat became vacant on our City Council, I immediately asked Mr. Myers if he would accept the appointment to serve on the City Council.

Mr. Myers accepted the appointment and we began a good working relationship. Mr. Myers soon resigned from our council to accept a promotion and relocation to Colorado. Our loss will turn out to be a great gain for the city of Rifle.

Mr. Myers and I have kept in contact over the past three years, and he is someone who has been an advisor to me. Dirk’s keen business sense and experience in a city’s revitalization make him someone any city government should want on their side. Dirk can work well with anyone and is very objective when ideas are presented.

Dirk is an honest man who will work hard to revitalize the community and keep an eye on the finances of your city. He will be committed to doing the work of the city and listening to the people. Dirk is accessible and visible and is always open to hear opposing viewpoints.

I endorse Dirk Myers for Rifle City Council and urge you to vote for him this year.

Dayton King

mayor, Gloversville, N.Y.

Independents concerned with election process

President Obama’s recently appointed Commission on Election Administration has begun holding public hearings around the country. This 10-member body is tasked with presenting recommendations to the president about how to improve all citizens’ voting experience.

Independent/unaffiliated voters have a lot to say on this topic. We are deeply concerned about the current state of America’s political process and agree that the election process deserves serious attention. However, many of us would like to expand the commission’s apparent focus upon reducing long lines on election day, believing such a narrow focus falls short of the reforms necessary to improve our voting experience.

There are specific defects that affect independent/unaffiliated voters that the commission has not yet decided to address. With 40 percent of Americans now identifying as independent, we believe that addressing the concerns of independents should be a commission priority. Accordingly, we intend to make sure the commission is aware of the barriers that prevent independents from fully participating in the election process.

Representatives of independent voter groups already have submitted testimony at commission hearings in Miami and in Washington, D.C. Now it’s our turn. Several Colorado independent/unaffiliated voters, under the aegis of IndependentVoting.org (a national association for independent voters), attending the hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 8 at the History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, in Denver.

We invite independents — and independent minded Colorado voters — throughout the state to join us.

Gwen I. Ballard

Carbondale