Towering opposition

To the Editors:

Amidst the justifiable uproar about AT&T’s proposed building of a 195-foot celltower along Hwy 550 North just below the Hermosa Cliffs, in the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway viewshed, it becomes apparent that there is urgent need for a County Telecommunication Ordinance to regulate and streamline this and future proposals.An officially sanctioned Neighbor Compatibility Meeting, held last month, drew a record breaking crowd to strongly protest placement of the celltower in the scenic corridor and to question whether there is actual need for a new tower. (One or two out of 60 did offer an opposing point of view.)The North County Plan Review Committee officially reviewed and rejected the application and strongly recommended to county planners and the Board of County Commissioners that a regulatory instrument be enacted before any approvals are granted, asking in fact for a moratorium. In this age of technology, it is a certainty that there will be many more wireless providers applying. The proliferation of structures throughout our county needs to be managed according to a rational plan.The City of Durango has a Telecommunication Ordinance, as do many counties in Colorado and nationwide. Wouldn’t it make sense to enact a county ordinance that is in consonance with the city’s to serve the county now and in the future?

The sort of effort by groups of citizens and the Community Development Dept. that the current AT&T application has necessitated should not have to be repeated time and again in the future.Our County Commissioners need to hear from citizens on this important issue.

– Caye D. Geer, Durango

To the Editors,

I am deeply disappointed by the children-of-the-children of the Woodstock generation as they say goodbye to Durango and another semester at the Fort by trashing this town with what will not fit in their cars. As dumpsters all over Durango overflow with the departing students household belongings, including food and other usable and recyclable items, I wonder what they did retain of their education at our college, which is well known for its excellent environmental and outdoor education programs.  

I gaze across the parking lot in my building at the dumpsters filled with furniture and other mementos of the last days at the Fort and ponder the reasons why this waste occurs, not only here, but at all college campuses all across the country. Are these kids simply rebelling against the establishment, as many of us did when we lit our torches for peace and planetary healing?  

As I make my way past the shattered glass and tattered mattresses that did not make it to the landfill, I watch an empty soup kitchen drive by, and I cannot help but cry. Will this throw-away society created out of greed and the need for convenience be ready to take our torches when we, the current stewards of the planet, leave here, or will our race be over?

– Joanne Finch, Durango

Stuck at the terminal

Dear Editors,

It’s been a hard decision to write and express my concern related to the poor conditions at the La Plata County Airport. But there’s something to consider before flying out of this airport.

My wife and I wanted to give the local airport our business and enjoy the convenience of a local departure on Oct. 30, 2010. Our flight was in the early morning (still the dark of night) and the airport was not ready for us. We arrived well before departure but missed our flight even though the plane was still there. No one was at the desk to help us. We were not the only ones who missed the Frontier flight we were scheduled for.

We had to buy another ticket from United to make the flight because of the nature of our trip. Early in the morning with a huge mess in construction with very little parking and no help in getting a parking space, several of us missed our flight. A very expensive result. If you’re going to fly out of the La Plata Airport come extra early and be prepared. I would suggest calling beforehand on the conditions there as far as parking is concerned.

You may also consider a taxi or shuttle or departure from Farmington or Cortez. There was no customer consideration by management for the poor situation at the airport.  

– Phil Quink, Durango

The best of Brown?

Dear Editors,

When you think about J. Paul Brown’s bear bill, don’t most of you honestly just shake your head a little bit and laugh thinking wow, this is representative government at its best?

– Darrel Parmenter, Durango

A dose of Republican Viagra

(Editors’ note: The following letter was sent to U.S. Rep. ScottTipton on Feb. 8 and has gone unanswered.)

Dear Representative Tipton,

I received your letter of 2-1-11 in which you stated, “Ibelieve that life begins at conception and that unborn babies share the same rights as the rest of us,” and “…it is important to maintain steadfast in the safeguarding of human life.” I respect everyone’s religious beliefs. Is an acorn a tree or a potential tree? What do you believe? Does that make it so?

Certain of your constituents recognize the “kids for cash” nature of the Republican Party business plan. Republicans act to benefit corporate America, which is addicted to farming malnourished children into cheap labor and prison inmates. Step one of the Republican plan is to use morality for the divine right to deny women their Constitutional religious beliefs and practices in reproductive choices. The next step is to form policy ensuring impoverishment of a large number of women and children. Women do not bring hungry children into the world, but politicians do. Over 17 million malnourished children (Dept of Agriculture) in the USA display how miserably the Republicans have failed in preserving sanctity of life. What a horrible, sad charade. The Colorado Republicans show there is no room for sanctity of life in the Republican and executive business plan we live under right now.

Have you noticed the farcical nature of Republican Congressional men bargaining as to how brutal a rape a woman must have endured to be granted Constitutional protection? Please be aware of Henry Kissinger’s statement, “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.” Women’s reproductive health appears to be Republican Viagra. Republicans seem to be far more interested in pursuing power than in pursuing creation of jobs.

This is not what I voted for. As an Independent, I’ve waited a long time to be courted by Republicans. It appears that it’s not going to happen in my lifetime.

– Sincerely, Stephanie Johnson, Durango