Idle engines, idle people
To the editor,
Durangoans are a hardy bunch. You are accustomed to cold, dark winters and always well equipped for inclement weather. You are also a caring crowd, appreciative of our beautiful natural surroundings and looking after one another. I am proud to be a member of this community.

On a recent early morning jog, however, as I wove up and down Durango’s friendly city streets, a foul funk lingered in the air. The train? Nope – too early. Then, as I drew another breath of putrid air, it struck me: Engines – dozens of them idling. Block after block, I realized dozens of cars were out on the curb spewing exhaust into the typically crisp, clean morning air. I found it disappointing.

The EPA’s website provides several good reasons to discourage engine idling. Human health is at risk when fine particulate matter from the combustion process finds its way into the nose, throat and lungs, while other pollutants form ozone and haze. This effect is particularly bad on very cold days when the frigid air is trapped against the Animas Valley floor. Furthermore, idling wastes fuel (i.e. money) and can wear your vehicle’s engine prematurely.

Many Colorado towns have ordinances that restrict the time an engine is allowed to idle (http://enginesoff.com/2_7_laws_ordinances.htm). I’m not suggesting Durango should do the same, but I simply ask that tomorrow morning, when you wake up and read the sub-freezing temperature on your thermometer, please think twice before walking out to the car, firing it up, and proceeding to let the engine sputter away for 5, 10, 15 minutes or more. Our town is safe and we can get away with it. But does that mean we should?

We’re a hardy, caring bunch – let’s not let laziness get the best of us!

– Cheers, Brendan Trimboli, Durango

Trying to make sense of tragedy
To the editor,
There has been a terrible tragedy in the world. As there seems to be so often in this world. It is strange that gazing out the window of a warm house at the virgin snow here in Durango, really not far away, a few hours, a few miles, innocents of the earth were being so abruptly taken. It is difficult to rectify the beauty of life, life-giving moisture, warming fire, a loving embrace, with the reality and ugliness of unchecked depravity. In fact, it may well be impossible to explain misery in the light of day or infinite happiness under the dark night sky. Though one will not exist without the other, when afraid or overjoyed, it is difficult to recognize any surroundings not entombed within the walls of our flesh.
Yet it is there nonetheless.

I will certainly not attempt to justify the circumstances with which tragedy rears its hideous head, but I must not hide from the fact. It strikes when least expected and is never welcome, and often none can escape the destruction. Though we must all be affected in some way, profound or not.

 

We are man, humans, living and breathing, loving and dying, and we identify with all man. When a man is injured, we sympathize. When a woman is injured, we are enraged. When a child is injured, we are lost.

In times such as these, it is easy to become lost. I know so little of what to make of all that I see in the world. I react and I reflect, and I try to make the best of all that I can – which does not seem to be enough in the face of tragedies so severe and evil. Perhaps the greatest tragedy lies in the helplessness of humanity to fix everything that has been broken. How does one mend countless shattered hearts?

One does not. One only hopes to prevent the shattering in the first place. One hopes to nurture and grow life so that, in turn, it will nurture and grow those it touches as well. We have so little power to do great good in the so little time we are given, but the goodness we can do is great. It must be. Evil exists and there can be no denying it. So kiss your child and kiss your mother and kiss your father and tell them that you love them very, very much, and always will, forever and ever.

– Kaleb Rittenhouse, Durango

More to bell than meets the ears
To the editor,
The light but steady sound of the Salvation Army bell is a holiday tradition that spans decades. In La Plata County, it is the sound of 650 volunteers raising funds, coin by coin, dollar by dollar to assist families and individuals in need all year long.

I first rang the bell to honor my friend and legendary community volunteer the late Bill Mashaw. Today, I am proud to serve as a board member of the Salvation Army of La Plata County Extension Unit – an all-volunteer effort, with zero paid staff and extraordinarily low operating costs. Ninety-eight cents of every dollar put in the kettle moves on to local community efforts.

The philosophy of the bell allows for communication with respect to any anti-gay stance taken by national or even international facets of the Salvation Army. Our local unit adheres to a strict anti-discrimination policy with respect to donations, volunteers and board members.

As a bell ringer, a warm pair of boots is vital to the4 job. That – along with winter clothes and a smile – and you’re set for a two-hour timeslot at one of our kettle locations: Wal-Mart, Durango Mall, South City Market, North City Market, Walgreens, Bayfield Grocery Store and Star Liquors. We appreciate, too, the Durango Main Avenue kettle locations and generosity of matching donors on the recent Noel Night.

Volunteers engage with energy that can include playing musical instruments, sporting all manner of holiday attire or teaming up with a friend or family member. A dog with a festive scarf is a sure hit.

What is your kettle style? Do you hear the bell and dig in your pocket for some coins or a loose bill? Do you like to write an annual check and slip it in the kettle or even drop it in the mail? As bell ringers, we are not judging you if you simply return a smile and say “Happy holidays” or “Thanks for volunteering.”

While ringing that distinctive bell, there if ample time to muse about the folks I meet. For example, adults with children will almost always give something to the budding philanthropist to slide into the kettle. That’s what my parents did when I was a kid. I enjoy meeting people who have been assisted by the red kettle efforts, locally or even in other parts of the country following a natural disaster. They make great volunteers.

The bell is a traditional reminder that the needs of the holiday extend beyond our own. The bell is a commitment by a community to support, in many cases, people who need a one-time assist to pay rent, buy a set of tires for a safe commute, get an eye exam, or receive dental work that keeps a person healthy and on the job.

 
The bell is a gathering place to say “hello” each year to former co-workers and friends. My jobs over the past 30 years stretch from Durango Mountain Resort to Ignacio, and it’s bell ringing that brings me in contact with familiar faces.

The bell is the knowledge that a safety net exists for gasoline vouchers for a stranded traveler, monthly support for Manna Soup Kitchen and many other critical services. It is a reminder to me of the dedication of all of our local board members, bell-ringing captains and volunteers.  
As a volunteer, bundled up against a cold evening watching the moon come up, I’m reminded that somewhere here in our little paradise of Southwest Colorado, people are cold and hungry and overwhelmed by the task of safe shelter for the night. Ringing the bell just a little louder can warm me up and hopefully add to the success of our efforts.

 
The bell will ring through Christmas Eve, and the funds will make a real difference locally throughout 2013. Post your thoughts on our Facebook page: Durango Red Kettle. Better yet, join the fun! Volunteers are still needed. Call Sharon Weibel to sign up at 247-4763. To give financially instead, mail a check to:  Salvation Army, PO Box 3296, Durango, CO, 81302.

And last but not least, you can always drop some money in any of the kettles, but most of all, smile and experience with all of us the philosophy of the bell.

– Beth Lamberson, Salvation Army board member

When drinking, just Buck it
To the editor,
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes parties, cocktails and responsible decision making. I commend the Telegraph for addressing a problem that all communities face, drinking and driving. Fortunately for all of us here in Durango, there is a world class transportation company that offers a solution to DUI.

I was disappointed that Buck Horn Limousine was not mentioned in the article. For over eight years our staff has been dedicated to offering affordable and safe rides. Our fleet has logged over 1 million miles, providing prompt and professional service countywide.

If you are not accustomed to using taxi cabs or car services, let me provide some helpful tips. First, be polite to your driver, our job is dangerous and hard enough as it is. Second, call early and make a reservation. Third, please be ready to go at your requested time. Some nights we spend more time chasing people around than we do driving people home.

Your cooperation will help us carry more people home safely, and keep our already low rates affordable enough so everyone can have equal access to our services. We hope this information improves your quality of life.

– David Galus, Durango

More than just a simple buffoon
Dear ed,
I’m concerned that Bill Vana’s reading comprehension skills are slipping fast. Somehow he missed the point in my “amusing little temper tantrum” that voters in Durango are choosing the commissioners instead of the residents of the districts. My reference to Shan Wells was in the context of a post he made on the Durango Herald website. It had nothing to do with whether Mr. Wells was running for Bobby Lieb’s commissioner’s position or not. In saying that Mr. Wells was “going after Leib” I would direct Mr. Vana to the cartoon in last week’s Telegraph where he went after Lieb and Hotter for their positions on a developer’s plan for La Plata Canyon.

 
Mr. Vana’s letter is proof positive that progressives would rather resort to name calling, “simple-minded buffoon like Dennis,” than address the issues as presented in my letter.

– Dennis Pierce, Durango