Keep history from repeating

Dear Editors,

The Board of County Commissioners has just proclaimed May as Wildfire Prevention and Education Month. This may sound trivial, as often a month is “named” for one thing or another. However in the big picture, wildfire affected our entire community in the summer of 2002 during the Missionary Ridge and Valley fires. Hoping never to repeat such a historical event of this scale, there is something you can do to help prevent and prepare for the coming wildfire season in order to minimize the loss of lives and property.

Preparation is the key. Begin by visiting the websites listed at the end of this letter. At these sites, you will find valuable information on how to put together your own personal safety and evacuation plans for yourself, your family and neighborhood. Once you have your plans in place, practice them. Practicing will show you what you have done well, what you have forgotten, and what you will need to improve upon. It will also add a sense of comfort knowing you are prepared and have an automatic response in time of disaster.

Another action you can take is to serve as a Firewise Neighborhood Ambassador. Ambassadors help mobilize their neighborhoods for wildfire preparedness and link residents to accurate information. Call 247-8306 to find out more about this great program.

Living in Southwest Colorado, either in or near forests, means we all need to be aware and prepared. Your property, your life and that of your loved ones depend on it. Once a fire breaks out, it’s too late. Begin your preparations today!

Web Sites: www.southwestcolorasdofires.org (a local site with information on home protection, mitigation, wildfire news, prevention, insects, forest health and more); or www.readycolorado.org 4

(preparedness plans, types of disasters, check lists and more)If you do not have web access, call the Colorado State Forest Service at 247-5250.

– Joy Mathis, Firewise Council of Southwest Colorado and Firewise Neighborhood Ambassador 

Economics with Ed

Dear Editors,

In short, two leading measures of U.S. home prices, examined soundly, show inferred overpricings (latest: 39 percent and 46 percent) that have fallen steeply ca. on straight lines over the last five months. These two straight lines extrapolate to 0 percent inferred overpricing during 2010. Note that during 1997-2006, the same two inferred overpricings rose ca. on straight lines for as long as 101 months.

You probably would like to see a picture! For further explanation plus chart, look here: “Homes’ Mispricing: Straight Lines!,” http://homepage.mac.com/ttsmyf/Freds_Straight_Lines.html. It includes reference to: “Real Dow & Real Homes & Personal Saving & Debt Burden” http://homepage.mac.com/ttsmyf/RD_RJShomes_PSav.html.

– Ed Hamilton, Durango

Audacity on the campaign trail

Dear Editors,

I understand that Barack Obama surpassed Hillary Clinton in Democratic Super-delegates on May 10. Does the impossible, certainly the improbable, now actually stand a chance of happening in America this November? I don’t know about the next guy (or gal, I live out West now) but this is one American /(West Indian) African (a duel citizenship thing, don’t ask) that still finds himself experiencing a mild state of for-real shock and awe with the possibility of his becoming president actually still even in existence.

My latest Time magazine just came in the mail with a sharp photo of the senator on the cover along with the caption “And the winner is …” along with an asterisk to explain that “Really we’re pretty sure this time.” It intensely inspired me to hope I could get the same magazine with the same cover the first Wednesday in November with the real presidential results being in his favor.

I’m convinced that there will be an immediate and profound effect on the entire geopolitical structure and situation(s) and our foreign policy in the world, albeit superficially at first. If, however, we can send in a team of our most sophisticated and seriously well informed young American diplomats to the many situations crying out for attention and/or clean business and political negotiations, we will have done it. That is we will have signaled to the world that yes indeed we did have the “audacity” to even attempt this. Gracias por esto.

– Grant D. Cyrus, via e-mail

A safer Durango Farmers Market

Dear Editors,

I wholeheartedly support the decision of the board of the Durango Farmers Market to ban dogs. I know I will enjoy my shopping more without feeling a strange dog sniffing at me, being tangled in leashes, or hearing dogs having a bark-a-thon.

I regularly doubt the responsibility of pet owners as I tally how much of my day (and night) is disrupted by barking dogs, see the amount of dog droppings along trails and sidewalks, and read the incidents of dog bites and other misbehavior in the police blotter.

Thank you Peggy Redford and your conscientious board members. You will be preventing a dog bite like the one I had. I have a 5-inch long scar on my calf with permanent skin discoloration and disfigurement in the area (imagine that on a toddler’s face). I spent a month on crutches including not driving for two weeks on doctor’s orders to keep the leg elevated to try to heal the palm-sized tear. The medical bills were almost $12,000. It took nearly two years, a lawyer, and two insurance companies to recover all the costs I had to pay.

In general, dogs are not allowed at farmers markets throughout the nation. I appreciate the Durango market considering the health and safety of its supporters.

– Sincerely, Karen Carver, Durango