Lachelt will work for all interests
To the editor,
I am writing in support of Gwen Lachelt for county commissioner. I’ve known Gwen for about 15 years and throughout that time have been consistently impressed with her integrity, commitment and concern for the highest good for all of us. 

Whatever Gwen commits to, she does and does well. Her focus on sustainability and collaboration are particularly important to me. We need a commissioner who will work hard, is focused on sustainability and is committed to creating a county government that is inclusive of all our interests. That’s Gwen!
– Louise N. Edwards, Durango

Either way, Smart Meters will cost
To whom it may concern,
Before the global population hit 6 billion, I worked locally to bring attention to that unsustainable number. I created a charitable event in 1996 called “Last Tango in Durango,” with free professional dance lessons, and couples paid to enter a contest that benefited a teen-age pregnancy prevention program. I also designed a poster for a Fort Lewis College population conference in 1998. The list goes on and on, yet everything I and everyone else have done on this planet to help resolve this out-of-control population, closing in on 8 billion, is met with a backlash of religious opposition.

What’s Mother Earth to do? Droughts and other natural disasters are not killing us off fast enough. How about everyone “tie it off” after two births?

China has the distinction of limiting one child per couple. I don’t agree with China’s barbaric practice of a forced abortion, especially when it has been reported to happen in the third trimester. A humanitarian way would be for a Chinese doctor to perform a tubal ligation or vasectomy after the first born.

I am saddened to personally believe the governments around the world have a sinister plot in resolving the growing population problem. I was astounded by an article in The Telegraph, dated July 5, written by a Boulder physicist, Gary Lee Duncan. Although the text was a bit animated and convoluted, many points he made were crystal clear regarding his view of the downward slide in our civilization due to the global installations of Smart Meters. The grand plan for Smart Meters in our area is to have an additional 10,000 installations by the end of 2012 and be done by 2014.

A PBS News segment July 20, 2012, featured a woman named Valerie Hoop. She gave her view on Smart Meters, which were installed in her community without notification by an electrical provider six years ago.  She said that incidents of cancer, seizures and migraines are now higher than ever. Her testimony is not an isolated complaint.

La Plata Electric will allow customers to “opt-out.”  My “opt-out” form  requires a signature but does not say how much my choice costs, even though it’s written there will be a future cost. I would never sign my name to a new car, house or a Smart Meter “opt-out” if I did not know the dollar amount. I plan to type a memo to La Plata Electric, without a pen and ink signature, stating my desire to not live in a house that is exposed to a harmful electromagnetic field 24/7.

Please join me in becoming more educated, and come up with your own opinion, by going to stopsmartmeters.org
– Sally Florence, Durango

Durango goes to the dogs
To the editor,
As you stroll down the sidewalks in Durango, you will see many businesses with dishes outside their doors offering water to the many dogs that venture downtown with their owners. Durango Coffee Co. even has “decaf” and “regular.” Durango is truly a laid back, animal friendly town. Alas, if you happen to find yourself at one of Durango’s newest restaurant, don’t expect the same treatment.

More than likely, you recall the amazing thunder and lightning storm that besieged Durango the evening of Tues., July 31. A girlfriend and I met at Chimayo for happy hour and were enjoying a beer when suddenly the thunder started. She said, “Oh my gosh I have to go check on my dog! She is terrified of thunder!” She headed toward the door only to be met in the foyer by her dog! The dog was so terrified that she jumped out of the car window and with the amazing sense of smell found her owner in an instant! I got up and went to the door to help her with her dog. The owner was standing at the hostess podium and told us “a restaurant is no place for a dog!” We told him we were taking her out and he said, “Well, how about right now!”
Being accustomed to the dog friendly environment we live in, I was shocked at his lack of hospitality and plain rudeness and said, “You really shouldn’t talk to your customers like that! We are your bread and butter!”

My friend had already left to take her dog to the car, and I went back and sat down at our table near the garage door windows in the front of the restaurant. When my friend returned, we decided to ask the hostess to be re-seated outside. That way we could have the dog there with us and ride out the storm together. We approached the hostess station when the owner made a beeline from the back of the restaurant and said, “I don’t need this, why don’t you just leave NOW!” So we handed him our half-empty beer glasses and walked out.

Amidst the outrageously loud claps of thunder, we retrieved her dog from the car and stood under an awning stunned at the treatment we had just received. We walked up the street to the Cyprus Café and they immediately seated us outside, gave us each a glass of water and gave the dog a bowl full of water. We continued our evening there, where we enjoyed a lovely atmosphere, live music and wonderful food.

My family and I have lived in Durango for more than 40 years. I would not be shocked to be treated like we were in New York City or L.A. However, this is Durango, my hometown and beloved place that I choose to live because of the laid back, small town atmosphere and the wonderful people who make life here so great. I enjoy the upscale restaurants Durango has to offer and visit them often. This one will be taken off of my list. The owner of Chimayo’s and his wife came to us from the auto race tracks where they cooked gourmet meals for the Michael Andretti racing team, as reported in the Durango Herald on June 14. Perhaps it’s time for them to get out of the fast lane and realize that their customers truly do write their pay-checks and that a reputation takes years to build and only seconds to lose.

– Kristen Anderson, Durango

Some doggone good folks here
To the editor,
I just had a harrowing experience, my dog escaped and was almost hit by a car. I want to give a huge “thank you” to Randy and Marcy (in the gold Suburban,) who stopped to help me get my loose dog back on North College Drive on Aug. 1. We are new to the area and our pup is proving to be a talented escape artist, unfortunately. I am so grateful to have her back in my house, safe and sound! I cannot thank you enough!

I would love to buy you guys a gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice, for offering up the irresistible chicken that brought her back! Please call me, Rachel, at 970-310-3054! If any of their friends see this, please pass on the message. Thank you to all the drivers who slowed down and prevented her from becoming roadkill. You rock, Durango! So glad we’re here!

– Thanks, a very relieved Rachel Wormus