Equality in election law

Dear Editors:

My decision to file a federal lawsuit challenging the inequity in the state statute regarding unaffiliated candidates access to the ballot is based on fairness, directly related to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, not as a work-around for missing the filing deadline. This lawsuit affects us all but especially the one-third of Coloradoans (including La Plata County) who identify themselves as unaffiliated voters and those who may be affiliated with a party and choose not vote the party line in every election.

I want equality in our laws and am surprised to find that some within the political parties do not. The Constitution of the United States does not mention political parties, but it does state that voting is one of our most fundamental rights.For me, changing my affiliation to independent has been one of the proudest decisions that I have made during my time in office. It has opened the door literally and figuratively as more and more people come to me with their concerns and ideas and know that I am not listening with partisan ears and will not react using partisan rules. I value differing opinions and the best solutions for all constituents, I have found that independence has opened up more possibilities for people to come together and achieve what’s best for our community regardless of age, race, gender or political party.

I filed this lawsuit for the benefit of all Coloradoans – especially those who want a democracy based on fair and equal laws for all of its citizens, not just a few. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not second class citizens and it’s time the law reflected as such.  

– Joelle Riddle, La Plata County commissioner

What are we eating?

  To the editors,

I think most people have a sense that something is off with food today. People get more stomachaches and indigestion. There are more food allergies – sometimes debilitating. A lot of us laugh or cringe in reading the ingredients in what we eat (What is this?). And I think a lot of us ask ourselves: Why is this food so cheap? How can raising a chicken create a $4 product? Is there anything of value in this food - anything nutritional?  Should I feed this to my kids?

Labels are confusing. “All natural.” “Wild caught.” “Farm-raised.”  Some eggs say “cage free” some say “free range.” But what is actually in our food? Do we trust it? Or is it making us sick? Do the ways we produce food put our health and the health of our environment in jeopardy?

One of the positive values of American culture is to ask questions about what isn’t working and strive to make things better. Now is the time to question. The way we produce food is not sustainable. Large corporations that do not value or respect the land, their workers or the animals are buying out the small farmer. Corporate greed is overriding public health interest. In fact, we are in danger as a planet if we do not change our ways.

We are a (somewhat) agricultural community and in a place where we could be educating others. I invite members of the community to educate yourselves about what you are eating and to become responsible for what you buy. My household is working to become as educated as possible, to buy local, and to eat food that will sustain us and our world for the long term.

“Food, Inc.” is a documentary on the nation’s food industry that is showing for free this Fri., March 12, 7 p.m., at the Durango Rec Center. It is being shown by the Center of Light, with discussion to follow. Please come. United, our voices can make real change.  You make a difference – so why not become part of the solution instead of the problem?

– Peace, Sr. Andrea Cohen, Durango

Mining claims not public domain

Dear Will,

In response to your editorial on Wildcat Mining and the “trespass” (yours) on this property. It does behoove a member of the press to make some minor effort to ascertain that what they write has some factuality. The area in question, Deadwood Mountain, cannot be accessed from any point from Hesperus to La Plata City without crossing private land. The property groups in question, the May Day Mine, the Idaho Mine and the Incas Mine, are all on patented property. The claims are not in the public domain as you suggest but are patented claims in which the title was transferred out of the public and into private ownership. Most of these patents date back to the early years of the 20th century. While you may ignore “no trespass” signs at your own risk, it is not responsible for you to encourage others to do the same believing that they have a right to trespass.

The road which you stated was carved on Deadwood Mountain was, in fact, constructed on land belonging to Fairview Land Corp. of Boulder. This portion of the property is located on the west side of the La Plata River, not on Deadwood Mountain.

– John Ferguson, Silverton