Opinion

Dear Editor: Crystal River Trail discussions have been ongoing since the 1990’s. I will get right to the point of my letter. I would ask Bill Spence what he is referring to when he says ‘a simple bike trail’. What is this? When there is a bike trail or any type of trail is it not ‘simple’.

Dear Editor: It’s time for me to weigh in on the Crystal River Trail controversy. There is no question a trail is needed. We have to get the mountain bikes off of Highway 133. That is a tragedy waiting to happen. The issue is where should that trail be: Along the railroad tracks on the east side of the river and 133 or on the west side.

Dear Editor: Carbondale has three banks. First Bank wants to put a new branch here. Does Carbondale need four banks? People are thinking: How can I even pose such a question? If somebody wants to put another business in our town, lucky us! The more the merrier.

Dear Editor: I am writing in support of Pat Kiernan’s building project at 728 Euclid Avenue, Carbondale. His project is an exciting possibility for Carbondale as it supports both the need for additional housing and the intent of the energy efficiency goals of the town. Mr. Kiernan’s project meets the UDC and building code and its resource efficient design aligns with Carbondale’s environmental goals.

Dear Editor: I enjoyed Nicolette Toussaint’s look at various ways of measuring quality of life and well-being. One of my favorites is the Happy Planet Index (HPI), which shows “the relative efficiency with which nations convert the planet’s natural resources into long and happy lives for their citizens.”

Dear Editor: I marched for science on April 22 and for the climate on April 29. Looking around, I saw something disturbing: nothing but gray haired, wrinkly skinned Baby Boomers. Where were the Millennials? It’s their future we were marching for. We’re all going to be dead before we turn this planet into a smoldering cinder.

Dear Editor: A recent survey indicated a consensus that the present Highway 133 shoulders are not a safe path for bicycle riders or walkers. Nevertheless, there is strong opposition to possible attractive off-highway routes for a trail. I find hunting, roadkill and human habitation of the rural/wild interface as major impacts on wildlife.

Dear Editor: Many of us are excited about the upcoming plans to extend the Crystal Valley trail from the KOA campground to the top of McClure Pass. Impetus for this project has come from Governor Hickenlooper’s inclusion of this project in his recent trails program “16 in 2016”, a $100,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), and very strong local support.