Re: Bruno
I am writing in response to Mr. Kirchenwitz’s letter last week. I do not know what his “not fit for print” t-shirt said, but did gather from the tone of his letter that he does not appreciate counter views.
I remember a time when civil discourse with one’s political opposition was the norm, especially in public, and always from the White House Press Room. Based on Mr. Kirchenwitz’s comments about gray hair, he lived through some of those days-of-old. What has happened to us? Why must we be divided so egregiously?
I was brought up to fight for the freedom of all Americans, and to honor the oath taken in service to the Constitution. Looking out for the interests of others is a foundation of most religions, as well as of most countries with the standard of living for which Mr. Kirchenwitz counts his blessings. And I would stand up for your rights, Mr. Kirchenwitz, if they were being taken away.
We, Americans, will always have differences, and healthy debates should be part of any healthy democracy. But does anyone believe that we still live in a democracy? There has been evidence to the contrary for years; we are technically an oligarchy according to a Cambridge University study (and our current administration’s actions align with the definition of fascism). If corporations are people, and money decides our elections, where do we go from here?
What if we all questioned our own filters? When we receive news, can we be critical? And consider the source? The source’s intentions? Should any of us agree with everything coming from one source? And perhaps most importantly, can we recognize when the news is separating, dismissing and denigrating whole populations? Because that is not news. If you have never questioned your favorite news source, I would beg you to try for the sake of us all. Despotism was frowned upon by our Founding Fathers, and I would argue, by all Americans until very recently. No Kings!
S. Perry
Carbondale
Re: Guns in schools
Contrary to what the anti-gun proponents claim, absolutely no one is recommending that unwilling and untrained school personnel carry guns to protect our children from psycho shooters. It is quite slanderous to imply that teachers would be forced to carry guns against their will, but hey, some deceptive people think anything can be said leading up to an election to confuse the voters and salvage their Woke ideology. How about we focus on which candidates will return education to appreciating the beauty of classical music, art, books and teach the four R’s again: reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic and rocial studies… possibly adding some humor along the way?
No matter which way the debate about arming qualified, willing and trained school personnel goes, I hope everyone has the sense to understand that a huge attraction to school shooters can be eliminated by never posting signs that advertise to kick us because we’re a “gun-free zone.”
“We are all born ignorant, but one must work very hard to remain stupid,” -Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Jerry Law
Glenwood Springs
Support 7B
On Nov. 4, Basalt Library will be on the ballot, Measure 7B. In the 1980s, Pitkin and Eagle commissioners designed a mid-valley library district with Basalt being the hub and spokes extending to Blue Lake, Missouri Heights, Old Snowmass and up Frying Pan Road. Voters approved that district, and the library that was built in 2010 is now both a library and community hub serving all ages.
The library board has recently restored the library’s roof ($650,000) and paid off its bond debt a year early — two years’ payments in one year, $1.67 million. It must now look to the future.
The library is asking voters to extend the 1.08 mills that were used to pay off the construction bonds and to use that amount to maintain essential services. This works out to $67 (or $5.60 per month) per $1 million of assessed home value. This amount will be used to (a) offer competitive wages for staff; (b) maintain and repair the building; (c) keep collections, technology and digital resources current; (d) support diverse programming for all; and (e) maintain convenient open hours each day.
The 1.08 mill levy represents a ceiling, not a fixed annual rate. The library board will collect only what is needed to sustain operations and maintain stability through future economic changes. Please vote “yes” on 7B to ensure that Basalt Library remains a well-maintained, fully staffed, beloved resource for the mid-valley community for years to come.
Carolyn Kane
Basalt
YES on 7A
We’re full-time working parents with two kids and consider ourselves lucky to have had access to daycare for the last five years. Because of how notoriously difficult it is to find daycare, we called to get on all the wait lists in May 2018, even though we weren’t expecting and wouldn’t have our first child until August 2020. It sounds crazy, but that’s the reality for parents here — you have to plan years in advance just to have a shot at finding help.
That’s why we’re voting YES on Ballot Measure 7A. Finally, we have a chance for our community to take action and expand childcare options by creating a special district focused on early childhood education and family support.
Anyone who’s been through it knows how deeply stressful it is not knowing whether you’ll have childcare. When you’re expecting, there are a million things to worry about and parents shouldn’t have to wonder if they’ll be able to return to work, or if there will even be a safe, nurturing place for your child to go. That uncertainty weighs heavily on parents, and it affects families long before their baby even arrives.
The shortage is shocking. Right now, the Roaring Fork Valley only has enough licensed slots for about 20% of local babies. That means most families are left piecing together care, adjusting work hours or stepping away from jobs and out of the workforce. It’s stressful and unsustainable — for parents, for businesses and for the future of our valley.
We get it — raising taxes isn’t anyone’s first choice. But a community without care for children before age 5 simply isn’t a livable one. 7A is how we come together to build something better — a place where families can live, parents can work and kids can thrive.
Please join us in voting YES on Measure 7A!
Lucy and Zane Kessler
Carbondale
Board of Education
Howdy neighbors. Sick of the phony Christianity at the core of the national MAGA movement but not sure what you can do about it? Here’s your chance. Vote locally in the Re-1 school board to elect two thoughtful candidates and prevent a couple of right-wing extremists from taking over your children’s education.
First the threat. Jodi Barr and Elizabeth Taylor couch their extremism in nice sounding platitudes. But you don’t have to scratch deep below the surface to reveal that their primary motivations are imposing a fundamentalist worldview based in fear and exclusivity. To wit, their main concerns seem to be about gender and diversity… dog whistle coming through loud and clear? Elizabeth Taylor had a twitter account called “DOGE the schools.” Anyone who paid a lick of attention to what DOGE actually did (gutted the oversight agencies looking into Musk’s illegalities and cost billions more than it saved) ought to be alarmed. Reality rejection has no place in our schools.
Further, these MAGA candidates are openly supported by Cornerstone Church in violation of the laws prohibiting nonprofit electioneering and constitutional separation of church and state. Both explicitly dismiss separation of church and state in Sopris Sun interviews, suggesting that the authors of our Constitution didn’t really mean it. They cite (in lock step) a letter Jefferson wrote in 1802 to the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut to suggest that separation only means keep the state out of the church but not the other way around. In his letter, Jefferson didn’t draw this distinction, explicitly using the phrase “a wall of separation between Church and State.” It couldn’t be clearer and more unambiguous.
If those red flags aren’t bright enough, both candidates’ campaigns are funded in no small measure by out-of-state donors. Really… can’t find enough local support? Oh, and they want teachers carrying guns in school.
Fortunately, we have solid alternatives.
District teachers consider Tammy Nimmo to be a parent super volunteer, reliably and frequently showing up at school to help as needed. And she’s a substitute teacher, giving her first-hand experience in what resources and support teachers need to do their jobs. She knows the complex realities of teaching and learning, and is known for her positive, collaborative influence on whatever she engages in.
Kathryn Kuhlenlberg is an incumbent known for her thoughtful and deliberate approach to leadership on the Board. A friend of mine who sits on a district committee that advises the Board on policy says she’s seen how Kathryn asks good questions and takes the time to research everything before drawing conclusions. The Board needs her steady hand and reliable expertise.
Schools should be a welcoming place for all students, not just those indoctrinated into a fundamentalist Christian worldview grounded in fear and exclusion.
Sloan Shoemaker
Carbondale
Do your homework
Arm teachers?
Put religion in schools?
Not in our valley! Do your homework and vote for those who uphold our values. We haven’t turned into Texas (yet).
Ok, here are the CliffNotes: Vote Nimmo and Kuhlenberg.
Kay Maynard
Carbondale
Yes on LL and MM
As a parent and volunteer for the American Heart Association, I believe no child in Colorado should have to worry about the cost of lunch or skip a meal because their family cannot afford it. For many healthy kids, breakfast or lunch at school is the most nutritious meal they will eat all day. Kids spend more time in school than at home, and with busy schedules, every child deserves access to healthy meals at school. This should not be a privilege for some. It should be a basic right for all.
In the Roaring Fork Valley, our children are the future generation of athletes and coaches. We must ask ourselves, what are we feeding our children? They say you are what you eat, and if you ask me, that should be a top priority on the ballot this November.
There have been times when I could not afford fresh produce for my family, and it affected my health. More importantly, it impacted my children’s health and their lives. Thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All Program, Colorado schools now provide over 600,000 free, nutritious meals to students across the state every day. All our kids deserve access to healthy food. Vote yes on LL and MM so every child in Colorado can continue to receive a healthy meal at school.Laura Segura
Carbondale