Re: Twin Acres
I am writing in response to the story you ran about Twin Acres (June 27) and the push from the Keep Missouri Heights Rural opposing a 100-acre riding facility to be built on an existing original homestead of Missouri Heights. Most if not all these people live in subdivisions. Who gave them the self-appointed knowledge of what is rural and what is not? According to a definition found online, “Rural communities can be described as farming communities, fishing communities, logging communities or communities with a high amount of tourism for a certain part of the year. These types of work often dictate the way things are done in these communities.”
Do they really think their subdivisions are rural? Most of their complaints include problems they have created. They complain about outside lighting, traffic, noise, water, wildlife, etc. Rather than putting the blame on a proposed equestrian facility which happens to fit within the definition of “rural”, they must first look at themselves and understand that they have already created the problems we currently have on Fender Lane and in Missouri Heights. The problems are due to development. Because of all these people, the volume of traffic, which includes landscaping service trucks, delivery trucks, snow plow trucks and cars, has increased 100-fold.
I don’t understand how the impacts of a horse facility that boards 45 environmentally-friendly horses compares to all the existing problems that these developments themselves have already created. Just because the area around this ranch was subdivided long after the ranch was in existence, they complain about what’s in their backyard. NIMBYism at its best.
How can they not see the hypocrisy when they post signs “Keep Missouri Heights Rural” on the fences of the very subdivisions that have ruined Missouri Heights? Ranches are being threatened by these very people that want to “Keep Missouri Heights Rural.” If the Eagle County Commissioners deny the Twin Acres application, all ranches in the area are doomed by the pressures of development.
Gay Lewis, Someday Ranch
Re: Downtowner
It is NOT too good to be true.
It is totally free, no strings attached. It is a door-to-door ride share, WHENEVER you need it (Monday to Friday, 7am to 10pm and 9am to 10pm weekends). It is a free door-to-door, air-conditioned “taxi van” service, WHEREVER you need it (within C’dale town limits).
This is a community service available to ANYONE 12 years of age or older and eight folks can fit in at a time. You can request a ride multiple times a day if you need it. You don’t need a credit card or an ID card.
Just call 970-504-0054 and talk to a real live person. Give that dispatcher your name, pick-up point and destination, and if you need space for a stroller or a wheelchair or a walker. They will send a ride your way in just a few minutes. Most rides show up within 10 minutes. It is very unlikely that you will need to wait more than 20 minutes on a busy day.
Need to talk to someone in Spanish? No problem. I have used the Downtowner several times myself and have spoken to others who are thrilled that C’dale and RFTA have collaborated to provide this service. Don’t like driving at night but the show isn’t over ‘til after dark? Call the Downtowner. Your bum knee is acting up again? Call the Downtowner. Feeling woozy after your dentist appointment? Call the Downtowner. Don’t want your teen to walk home in the dark after a party? Call the Downtowner. Your car is too small for all the folks you said you would take to church? Call the Downtowner. Bike broke? Lock it up and call the Downtowner then pick it up tomorrow. Too challenging to walk to and from the grocery store with a kiddo in a stroller and one in your backpack? Call the Downtowner. Had too much to drink at the party? Call the Downtowner. Want your house guests to be a bit more independent? Give them the Downtowner number. Prefer to use an app instead of calling? Easy download.
If we use this amazing resource well, our streets will be safer with fewer folks who probably should not be driving, parking will be less of an issue, you won’t always be begging friends for a ride, more people can take advantage of more community events. The drivers have been great, the wait times minimal.
The Downtowner is being offered on a trial basis until December. Use it or lose it! If the three vans are not used enough, this fabulous service will go away. Please, tell your friends. C’dale needs this service to stay. I’m so grateful for yet another opportunity to improve the quality of life for Bonedale residents and our guests. Bravo!
Sue Zislis, Carbondale
Commentary
The liberal media-fed irrational hate of Trump is what led a deranged 20-year-old misfit’s assassination attempt of The Donald. Today, local media had no mention of Trump’s narrow escape from a coward’s bullet, just more letters from Biden apers braying about existential threats to democracy.
Whether you believe Trump is a felon or Biden is a China-compromised traitor, we should be weighing their policies and how they’ve affected us.
With Trump, we had a great economy, lower crime, a secure border and no wars in Europe or the Middle East. We were energy independent, gas and groceries cost less.
Under Biden we have over 10 million foreigners in our country and we’re spending billions of our tax dollars on supporting them. Our education, medical, law enforcement and social services are being overwhelmed. An open border and a welfare state cannot coexist. Plus, Biden is reactive rather than proactive with foreign policy. He has no plan for ending the wars in Europe or Gaza.
The choice for our country’s and our children’s futures is on the November ballot. Please vote wisely.
Bruno Kurchenwitz, Rifle
Commentary 2
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 every day.
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 (NRA) 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 non-stop 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
Habitat thanks
Habitat for Humanity of the Roaring Fork Valley gives a huge thank you to the Glenwood Springs community and our longstanding business supporters — Bay Equity and Bighorn Toyota — for our wonderfully successful Restaurant Takeover fundraiser on Monday, July 8. Riviera Scratch Kitchen opened its doors and its kitchen to our guest waitstaff of amateur servers who provided their “questionable” service to more than 100 diners.
Habitat for Humanity RFV was both the beneficiary of this Bay Equity and Bighorn Toyota signature event, for which we are honored to have been selected, and the Habitat for Humanity RFV team had the privilege of working alongside the Bighorn and Bay Equity volunteer servers that evening in a true partnership.
Event-goers enjoyed delicious and artfully prepared appetizers, salads, main dishes and desserts. But sweetest of all? The generous tips from all our guests from this lively event will benefit Habitat’s newest Glenwood Springs neighborhood, The Confluence, which will break ground this fall.
We extend our sincere gratitude for the fun — and the fundraising. Thank you!
Gail Schwartz, president & Alex Yajko, major gifts officer
Habitat for Humanity RFV
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