Re: Sexual assault
This is in response to Jeanne Souldern’s letter last week: “Sexual Assault.” I totally agree with her opinions and questions.
Three weeks ago, someone tried to get in my front door after dark. Since the assault on Nov. 2, 2024, I have locked my storm door and deadbolted my front door. I called Carbondale police. Two nights later, the intruder banged on my front door after dark again. I called the police once more. I, too, live on the Carbondale bike path.
Has the DNA evidence collected from the Nov. 2 assault been processed? We need to be informed through the media or police department what has been done to apprehend the rapist so hopefully we can all rest a bit easier.
I have lived in the same home in beautiful Carbondale for 46 years. I can’t imagine living anywhere else now. I’m aware that times have changed, but let’s keep in mind that we should take care of each other’s safety.
Sam Hayes
Carbondale
Re: Library report
Thank you Megan Webber for writing an article, April 9, about the library board meeting. It is good to know the American flags were used by members of the audience. They were supplied by Protect Our GarCo Libraries, a non-partisan group working to keep our libraries free of censorship.
The end of the article put a light on Myrna Fletchall, the Rifle trustee, bullying Adrian Rippy-Sheehy. This has been going on for the better part of a year. In early spring, Fletchall’s emails were subject to a Colorado Open Records Request, which provided proof that Fletchall received the documents, spreadsheets, etcetera she keeps demanding. Why does she continue to bully Adrian? Myrna, please stop.
The photo gave me a chuckle. The Carbondale trustee, who chronically shows up late, is seen shuffling through her bag during the meeting. Not surprised one little bit.
The integrity of our library system is part of the American culture. We can www.ProtectGarCoLibraries.org
Susan Use
Glenwood Springs
Carbondale proud
In the 10 years I’ve lived here, I’ve been proud of Carbondale many times. Never more so than last week.
On Friday, there was the Mountain Perspectives presentation at The Arts Campus at Willits presented by The Sopris Sun, moderated by Aspen Public Radio and featuring political analyst Ken Rudin who had some dire predictions about the future of our country in the near term. It may have been in Willits, but Carbondale was well represented. It was like old home night.
The following Wednesday night, there was Mountain Action Indivisible’s follow-up meeting at the Third Street Center after the highly successful Hands Off rally in Glenwood Springs on April 5, which drew approximately 2,000 supporters. Gatherings in Aspen, Basalt, Glenwood Springs and Silt were connected by Zoom and reported how many were in attendance. Nobody came close to Carbondale’s hundred strong.
One of the follow ups was a sign carrying, horn honking protest at the roundabout at Highway 133 and Main Street on Saturday, April 19. There weren’t nearly as many as there were at the Glenwood Springs event, but attendees demonstrated just as much enthusiasm.
What good does all this do? We’re still stuck with Trump for the next four years, right? I’m recalling the anti-Vietnam War protests of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. They sent a message. Lyndon Johnson got the message and declined to run for reelection. Richard Nixon got the message and pulled our troops out.
Let’s face it, Carbondale is a predominately progressive town. Former Sopris Sun Editor Will Grandbois told me he was interested in adding a conservative columnist to balance Jeannie Perry, Geneviève Villamizar and Nicolette Toussaint. I pointed out Aspen is a very progressive city and who are the conservative columnists for their two newspapers? Mick Ireland? Roger Marolt? Steve Skinner?
A decidedly less political event was held at the Old Thompson Barn on Good Friday. It was MinTze Wu’s BenFeng Productions’ performance of Franz Joseph Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ” with local spiritual leaders elaborating on those seven words. MinTze is such a gift to this community! More than a world class violinist, she’s a magnificent storyteller and the consummate entertainer.
I’m an atheist who’s read the Bible cover to cover and, to a great extent, am guided by it, particularly the New Testament. Like the Quran, the Old Testament is too bloody for me. The seven last words are about forgiveness, faith, family, doubt, need, pain, finality and eternal life. I left the old barn inspired.
The town I grew up in, Munster, Indiana, was a very well-run town and I have very fond memories of it, but I was never so committed to it that I swore to die there. I do feel that way about Carbondale.
Fred Malo Jr.
Carbondale
Gardner for Holy Cross
It has been an honor and privilege to serve the member consumers of Holy Cross Energy as a member of its board of directors since 2012. I am seeking reelection to the board to continue the work that my fellow Board members, Holy Cross’ skilled and professional employees and I are engaged in to lead the responsible transition to a clean energy future.
Holy Cross is a not-for-profit, rural electric cooperative utility serving the Eagle, Colorado and Roaring Fork River valleys and is governed by an elected board of seven directors. Directors are democratically elected from and by the members. Holy Cross provides electricity to nearly 61,500 homes and businesses and generates nearly $144 million in annual revenues.
As an electric utility not motivated by profit, Holy Cross is successfully providing electric rates in the lower third of all Colorado electric utilities, 99.9% service reliability and returning over $20 million in member equity to members in the last five years. In 2024, Holy Cross provided consumers a power supply that is 75% clean renewable energy and has provided 80% clean energy so far in 2025 on the way to 100% in 2030.
I ask for your vote. I will continue to dedicate my experience, knowledge and understanding of Holy Cross’ member consumers and service territory for the benefit of the member consumers of Holy Cross Energy. I live in Basalt and am a lifelong resident of this region. For more information please see www.gardnerbradford.com and www.holycross.com/elections
Ballots for this election will be mailed to member consumers on May 7. Members may return their paper ballot or vote online on or before June 3.
Robert H. Gardner
Basalt
Buddies & Lotería
Mark your calendars for a night of fun, culture and community! The Buddy Program invites everyone to join us for its annual Lotería Night on Saturday, April 26, from 6 to 8pm at the Glenwood Springs Community Center.
Lotería, a beloved Mexican game similar to bingo, is more than just a game — it’s a way to bring people together, celebrate tradition and create meaningful connections. Whether you’ve been playing for years or are excited to try it for the first time, everyone is welcome.
In addition to an evening of friendly competition, we’ll have delicious traditional food and drinks, making this a true community celebration. Plus, there will be prizes, big and small, as well as special prizes for kids; so bring the whole family.
This is a fantastic opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors, share in cultural traditions and learn more about The Buddy Program, which has been empowering youth and working to build a supportive community in the Roaring Fork Valley for over 50 years.
We hope to see you there — come for the game, stay for the food and leave with great memories!
Dominic Román
The Buddy Program
Thank you, Beer Works
To Patrice Fuller and the staff at Carbondale Beer Works (CBW), thank you so much for letting me be the latest in a long line of nonprofit fundraisers! On April 16, I hosted Trivia Bingo at CBW in honor of organ, eye and tissue donation awareness, and raised almost $1,100! This fundraising is for my charity spot with the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF) for the Sydney Marathon on Aug. 31. Just 11 days before this race, my father will celebrate his 10th anniversary as a heart transplant recipient.
This fundraising event was a success due to the generosity and support of some special people. I would like to recognize Patrice for her unwavering commitment to community by offering local nonprofits the opportunity to highlight their work and raise funds at CBW through bingo fundraisers.
I’m so grateful to Juliana O’Clair with The Post Independent for sharing another of my fundraising missions, and helping advance the advocacy efforts of CKF locally.
I could not have done this without my professional teammate: Anna Morgan-Palardy.
I’m thankful for the following businesses, organizations and people who donated prizes for the giveaway: Brion and Zack with Independence Run and Hike, Missy Moore with Thunder River Theatre Company, Jillene Rector and Megan Currier.
And to everyone who willingly and joyfully participated in this unique hybrid trivia-bingo, thank you for not just supporting the event by showing up and buying bingo cards, but for listening to me repeat organ, eye and tissue donation facts through five rounds of bingo — and being excited to learn something new.
One organ donor can save eight lives and heal 75 more through tissue donation, yet only 48% of Americans register. One blood donor can save three lives, but only 3% of Americans donate blood annually. One bone marrow or blood stem cell donor can cure a person’s blood cancer, but many do not know there is a separate registry for this with the National Marrow Donor Program. I encourage you to get curious, learn the facts and share your decision with your loved ones.
Jessi Rochel
Chris Klug Foundation
Earth Day
Tuesday, April 22 was the 55th anniversary of the celebration of Earth Day and the birth of our modern environmental movement. It inspired bipartisan support for planetary health. Trump, ham-fistedly wielding his black Sharpie, is commemorating this day and movement by eliminating those environmental regulations in support of big business interests which seek to profit from our lands.
I grew up near Buffalo, NY when Lake Erie was a toxic waste dump for the steel and chemical industries. Love Canal, in Niagara Falls, was the poster child for how to kill an entire low-income neighborhood. We knew when a storm was coming because the winds from the west would bring the chemical-laden air from Hooker Chemical wafting our way. Lakes in the Adirondacks were devoid of life thanks to rain laden with acid deposition. That day in 1970 offered a glimmer of hope that we could, if we wanted, right some of these wrongs using the power of the federal government to create legislation that held polluters accountable and placed environmental quality ahead of profits.
In a series of bipartisan actions in 1970 and 1972 (during the Nixon administration), Congress created the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and passed the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. This legislation is a cornerstone of environmental protection and we have all reaped the benefits. By passing these laws and creating these agencies, Congress confirmed that the job of the government included protecting us and our planet from the rapacious greed of corporations intent on making profits at the expense of healthy ecosystems.
Fast forward to today. Trump has been systematically hollowing out the agencies created by Congress to protect our lands and all their inhabitants. He has rescinded parts of the Clean Air and Water Acts. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate change research programs are facing defunding. Trump’s actions will leave a legacy of environmental destruction that will haunt future generations.
It is time for Congress and all Americans to stand up and fight for what is right. Call your representatives and remind them that they should be speaking out on behalf of the planet and their constituents. Congress works for us. Environmental quality is a bipartisan issue that affects every living creature on the planet. Don’t let one man with a Sharpie set environmental protection back 55 years!
Susy Ellison
Carbondale
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