Our letters
section and your opportunity to weigh in and be heard. Send
us your thoughts and profundities. You can contact us here.
Vote 'yes' for enhanced community
Dear Editors:
Whether you use the library, walk/bike/run our trails, visit our parks or use other recreation facilities, at least
two things happen: you do what you planned to do (check out a book, exercise, push your child on the swing, etc.),
and you connect with others in our community. More than 1,000 people a day use our library - what an opportunity to
run into folks you haven't seen in awhile and meet new friends! The same thing happens in our parks and on our
trails. We build community connections while getting exercise, locating information or attending a program.
Ballot question 2A includes projects that enhance community: building a library that is large and modern enough to
serve today's community with the materials, technology and services needed while also providing both adequate study
and quiet reading space and public gathering space; increasing pedestrian, biker and driver safety by providing funds
for safer roads, intersections and sidewalks; extending and paving trails so they are accessible to all; purchasing
fast-disappearing open space to ensure that our views and natural lands are not developed and that our wildlife and
water quality are protected; and providing new parks for individual serenity and group/community events.
Ballot question 2A includes accountability with citizen review, regular City Council review, and on larger projects,
a subsequent vote on bond ballot questions. In the case of the library, passage of Question 2A would secure the
funding to build a new library; voters will then have a second opportunity to vote on the site, conceptual drawings
and actual costs when a bond approval question is placed on a future ballot.
Vote Yes! On ballot question 2A to ensure that Durango continues to provide and enhance the quality of life we all
enjoy.
- Betty Dorr,
Durango
Of junk food and closed campuses
Dear Editors,
For the sake of argument...
I have heard so many complaints about the issue of the school lunches not being healthy and the kids wanting to get
out of school. They wish to have freedoms and as parents we want them to eat right.
The schools have been making an effort to make the lunch room more "user friendly," and in time there will be a
noticeable difference, I commend them in their challenge. I have a hard time planning the menu at home let alone for
so many other picky eaters, and without moms and dads watching over them, they will stray to the "junk" over a
healthy choice. Good luck to you, never surrender.
Now for these kids who want the campus to remain open, show the rest of us that you want to keep this privilege. Get
in the cross walks! Cross the street like a responsible human should. I get so frustrated with these kids who want to
be treated like young adults and yet there is this flush of unresponsible, inconsiderate and down right stupid young
people running across these streets in front of the school. Should we get crossing guards for you? If you wish to
keep this campus open, show it. Act like you have respect. It is the people who will make the final decision who are
about to run you over out there ... Did that ever cross your minds?
The few who are careful are in the minority. What a shame, you kids wish to have respect and yet you are giving very
little.
- Brandi Alliprandine,
Durango
Bring mental health to the fore
Dear Editors,
Thank you to Dean Powers for writing an informative and compelling article (Feb. Feb. 3) about the mental-health
needs of our community. In his article, Dean referred to the efforts currently under way to bring a Health Services
District to the vote of La Plata County residents. The Health Services District, should it receive the approval of
voters in what we hope is a May of 2006 election, would provide tax dollars to address financial shortfalls impacting
delivery of health care in our county. How those dollars would be allocated would be determined by an elected Board
of Directors charged with evaluating the community's pressing health care, including mental health needs and dividing
revenues to help address those needs. Among the needs currently recognized are preventive care for children; prenatal
care for pregnant women; health services for homebound seniors and persons with disabilities; support services for
persons experiencing severe mental health crises as well as preventive mental health care; and access to primary care
for Medicare, underinsured and uninsured residents of La Plata County. Though Dean's article stated that the Health
Services District would channel roughly $350,000 toward the operational costs of the much-needed new Psychiatric
Urgent Care facility, it is important for the public to know that an elected Board of Directors would make the final
decisions about how tax dollars from the district are spent. The design of the Health Services District is to be
flexible in addressing changes in external funding and community needs.
I applaud The Durango Telegraph and the Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center for bringing this critically
important health- care issue to our attention and hope that the community will support the the establishing of of a
Health Services District.
- Missy Rodey
Health Services District
Campaign Committee
Put your refund to work for water
Dear Editors,
The Colorado Watershed Protection Fund (CWPF) needs your help to protect Colorado's essential water resources. Help
support the Fund by checking off the Colorado Watershed Protection Fund, a tax refund check-off, on your 2004
Colorado Individual Tax forms. By checking off this box, you will help fund a program that protects streams and
watersheds, and provides assistance to local watershed groups.
In only its second year, the CWPF has raised almost $200,000. It provides crucial support to local watershed
protection groups throughout Colorado on a competitive basis to ensure that our water stays clean and available. To
learn more about the Fund's current projects, visit http://www.cowaterfund.org/
Colorado's check-off program allows taxpayers to designate a portion of their tax refund to one or more charitable
foundations. Take advantage of this unique opportunity this tax season! By checking off the Colorado Watershed
Protection Fund on your tax forms, you are protecting our most vital resource, one that we cannot go without: water.
