Open letter to Dene Kay Thomas
To the editor,
(The following letter was first written to Fort Lewis College President Dene Kay Thomas as a reaction to the firings of Chris and Shelly Aaland.)
(The following letter was first written to Fort Lewis College President Dene Kay Thomas as a reaction to the firings of Chris and Shelly Aaland.)
My name is Justin Marchun, and I am a 2011 graduate of Fort Lewis College. I have had the very privilege to intern under Chris in the Athletic Department and am honored to have befriended him. There is no need for me to discuss the hurt felt by this travesty, many others have written these feelings more eloquently than I ever could. What I would like to discuss is who Chris and Shelly are and what they meant to me, and FLC.
Mr. Hunter was brought into the program as Athletic Director for his forward thinking and his many great accomplishments in the sporting world.
He truly is a man with vision. Apparently your cost-benefit ratio didn’t include the alienation of potentially 20 years of athletic alumni when you decided to “dismiss” Chris and Shelly in the manner that you did. Currently, there are 386 members of the Facebook group “For Aaland; Skyhawks Support Chris and Shelly.” You can bet that FLC will never get another dime from at least these potential donors until this is remedied, if not permanently. Speaking of fundraising, Chris was also in charge of all fundraising for the entire department. I would bet that your cost-benefit ratio didn’t include the cost of losing many, many local business donors who are loyal to the Aaland family. Good luck in trying to run a successful Athletic Department with those statistics.
I began my internship in the late summer of 2011 just as Mr. Hunter started at FLC. This was at the beginning of the FLC volleyball, football and soccer season and ultimately led to the Men’s National Championship. Right away it was clear that I was going to get “the full educational experience.” I witnessed, firsthand, the dedication, love, perseverance, and most of all generosity that these two people had for the school that continually forgot to adequately acknowledge them.
At the time of my internship, being 22 years old and coming from an extremely hard-working family, there have been very few times when I was out-worked. Much to my surprise, there was someone twice my age who did. Everyday when I came to work, I was in awe, and sometimes frustrated, with how Chris and Shelly both would never take time for themselves, always focusing on FLC. Even when I could see Chris’ health deteriorating, and I would get angry with him because of it, I never saw him back down or put something on hold. Never. Not even when their precious, beautiful child passed away. How did Chris and Shelly want to honor Gus? By seeing the success of Fort Lewis College through that season. I didn’t understand that kind of thinking at the time, and I hope no one else ever truly will understand. But what I can tell you, is seeing their faces everyday after that tragedy, working so hard to better their teams, was like watching a hero pull their friend through a battlefield; like something from a movie.
I can remember seeing how Chris and Shelly were raising Otto and Gus to be Skyhawks; just as dedicated and with just as much love for the campus as they, themselves, had. Let me tell you, as a person who really acknowledges a great parent and wants to become one himself, this was quite a sight to behold; quite an example. I am sad that FLC will have lost this love from their family, mine and many others. That campus will be a lot dimmer because of it…
Conclusively, my experiences and relationship with the Aaland family pales in comparison to the many other influences that these two wonderful people have had on the Fort Lewis community. Alumni, donors and the community don’t support the institution, they support the ideas that were instilled in them and the connections they made with the people who make up what Fort Lewis College really is. If the leadership doesn’t have that same respect for who makes up Fort Lewis College, I (and many others) wont have anything to do with the direction you send the establishment. I, for one, hope they find a career in a place that respects who they really are and what they have to offer as parents, friends, colleagues and employees.
– Justin Marchun, via email
– Justin Marchun, via email
A vote for Rendon is a vote for future
To the editor,
I have watched Michael Rendon serve this community for the past decade … at least. He has served, to name just a few of his many accomplishments, as the coordinator for the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center; worked with Ecos Consulting; served on the Durango City Council; and served as mayor of Durango. While mayor, Michael created the Department of Sustainable Services; achieved LEED Gold credentials for our amazing new library and transit buildings; installed solar thermal panels on the Recreation Center; and more. He didn’t do this alone. He did it by building consensus and working together with a diverse community of individuals and organizations. Michael Rendon pays attention to those around him and listens to all opinions before making a decision that will affect our community.
To the editor,
I have watched Michael Rendon serve this community for the past decade … at least. He has served, to name just a few of his many accomplishments, as the coordinator for the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center; worked with Ecos Consulting; served on the Durango City Council; and served as mayor of Durango. While mayor, Michael created the Department of Sustainable Services; achieved LEED Gold credentials for our amazing new library and transit buildings; installed solar thermal panels on the Recreation Center; and more. He didn’t do this alone. He did it by building consensus and working together with a diverse community of individuals and organizations. Michael Rendon pays attention to those around him and listens to all opinions before making a decision that will affect our community.
If we are to meet the challenge of the day, of rising energy costs and climate change, as well as the need to protect our air and water quality, we need someone who understands the issues. We need someone who has proven his commitment to them and has the knowledge and education to move us forward towards a safe, efficient, energy future. We need Michael Rendon on the LPEA Board. Please watch for your ballots and vote for the future of La Plata County’s alternative energy policy. Vote for Michael Rendon.
– Alison Dance, Durango
Jack Turner for LPEA District 4
To the editor,
Right now we have another opportunity to help shape the future of our electric cooperative, La Plata Electric Assoc. As coop members, it is a right and a privilege to have a voice in the leadership of LPEA. I live in District 4, and Jack Turner has my vote. I am so impressed with his background in community collaboration and facilitation and his on the ground experience with rural utilities. Combined with his formal education in geology and hydrology, Jack will bring a solid set of technical and governance skills to the LPEA Board. LPEA consumers please cast your vote – ballots due back by May 10.
To the editor,
Right now we have another opportunity to help shape the future of our electric cooperative, La Plata Electric Assoc. As coop members, it is a right and a privilege to have a voice in the leadership of LPEA. I live in District 4, and Jack Turner has my vote. I am so impressed with his background in community collaboration and facilitation and his on the ground experience with rural utilities. Combined with his formal education in geology and hydrology, Jack will bring a solid set of technical and governance skills to the LPEA Board. LPEA consumers please cast your vote – ballots due back by May 10.
– Carolyn Moller, Durango
Rendon has dedication to details
To the editor,
I am voting for Michael Rendon on the LPEA Board because of his knowledge, background and leadership skills. Michael has a depth of knowledge that LPEA needs for the future. Michael will represent the City of Durango as his LPEA District. Because of his past leadership our community is a better place. He has extensive experience with budgets, policies and bringing consensus to a diverse group of folks.
To the editor,
I am voting for Michael Rendon on the LPEA Board because of his knowledge, background and leadership skills. Michael has a depth of knowledge that LPEA needs for the future. Michael will represent the City of Durango as his LPEA District. Because of his past leadership our community is a better place. He has extensive experience with budgets, policies and bringing consensus to a diverse group of folks.
Michael’s support for local renewable energy is important to all of us. Solar farms can benefit city dwellers and agricultural land owners if the LPEA leadership included Michael Rendon. I have known and respected Michael Rendon for his dedication to details, passion for Durango, and his leadership skills.
I urge my neighbors to elect Michael Rendon to the LPEA Board as a voice for Durango.
– Sweetie Marbury, Durango
N. Korea, Iran, Boston connection
To the editor,
I am certain that most folks will not see the relationships between North Korea, and Iran and their nuclear ambitions, the Boston Marathon bombing and the assault weapons discussions in Washington. There is a common thread: weapons!
To the editor,
I am certain that most folks will not see the relationships between North Korea, and Iran and their nuclear ambitions, the Boston Marathon bombing and the assault weapons discussions in Washington. There is a common thread: weapons!
As an older American, I have lived through a period where media gun violence was only on the radio and in motion pictures. With television gun violence with cowboy and military films (John Wayne type of performances) I became used to this nightly visual fodder. I have also seen a strange and subtle attitude about murdering children in evening television drama. Twenty years ago, watching a Western, a wagon train may have been attacked in an episode and presumably women and children were killed. Now dead children in body bags are normal in crime-themed shows. Now generations of Americans have been subjected to endless shootings, violence, etc., in daily entertainment including video games and cartoon images.
In America, statistics range up to 20 percent of the population having significant mental illness diagnoses. Additionally those people identified as “sociopaths” are excluded from the percentages because they are in prisons and not mental health facilities. Why the preoccupation with violence? Weaponry? Death and destruction? Is it partially because we now have a fringe population purveying an assault weapon mentality like our most recent visitor Larry Pratt, (head of the Gun Owners of America)? This man who has taken the stage with white supremacists and hate mongers came to Durango for the purpose of a recall of legislators who have an interest in setting limits on weapons and weaponry in general.
Preoccupation with weapons, assault weapons in particular, is almost pathological behavior. I truly wish we as a society had as much emotional turbulence about books of science and math.
– Bob Krejci, Durango
Thrilled to vote for Rendon
To the editor,
I’m happy to hear Michael Rendon is running for the LPEA Board of Directors. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on the Durango City Council, and I cannot speak highly enough of his character, intelligence and work ethic.
To the editor,
I’m happy to hear Michael Rendon is running for the LPEA Board of Directors. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on the Durango City Council, and I cannot speak highly enough of his character, intelligence and work ethic.
Michael will use his technical and environmental knowledge to help bring a mix of renewable-energy technologies to LPEA.
I’m looking forward to voting for Michael, and I encourage all other District 3 members to vote for him, and for LPEA’s future, as well.
– Scott Graham, Durango
N. Korea, Iran, Boston connection
To the editor,
I am certain that most folks will not see the relationships between North Korea, and Iran and their nuclear ambitions, the Boston Marathon bombing and the assault weapons discussions in Washington. There is a common thread: weapons!
To the editor,
I am certain that most folks will not see the relationships between North Korea, and Iran and their nuclear ambitions, the Boston Marathon bombing and the assault weapons discussions in Washington. There is a common thread: weapons!
As an older American, I have lived through a period where media gun violence was only on the radio and in motion pictures. With television gun violence with cowboy and military films (John Wayne type of performances) I became used to this nightly visual fodder. I have also seen a strange and subtle attitude about murdering children in evening television drama. Twenty years ago, watching a Western, a wagon train may have been attacked in an episode and presumably women and children were killed. Now dead children in body bags are normal in crime-themed shows. Now generations of Americans have been subjected to endless shootings, violence, etc., in daily entertainment including video games and cartoon images.
In America, statistics range up to 20 percent of the population having significant mental illness diagnoses. Additionally those people identified as “sociopaths” are excluded from the percentages because they are in prisons and not mental health facilities. Why the preoccupation with violence? Weaponry? Death and destruction? Is it partially because we now have a fringe population purveying an assault weapon mentality like our most recent visitor Larry Pratt, (head of the Gun Owners of America)? This man who has taken the stage with white supremacists and hate mongers came to Durango for the purpose of a recall of legislators who have an interest in setting limits on weapons and weaponry in general.
Preoccupation with weapons, assault weapons in particular, is almost pathological behavior. I truly wish we as a society had as much emotional turbulence about books of science and math.
– Bob Krejci, Durango
Thrilled to vote for Rendon
To the editor,
I’m happy to hear Michael Rendon is running for the LPEA Board of Directors. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on the Durango City Council, and I cannot speak highly enough of his character, intelligence and work ethic.
I’m happy to hear Michael Rendon is running for the LPEA Board of Directors. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on the Durango City Council, and I cannot speak highly enough of his character, intelligence and work ethic.
Michael will use his technical and environmental knowledge to help bring a mix of renewable-energy technologies to LPEA.
I’m looking forward to voting for Michael, and I encourage all other District 3 members to vote for him, and for LPEA’s future, as well.
– Scott Graham, Durango
Hostility toward UN undermines all
To the editor,
Two weeks ago, the United Nations General Assembly passed a historic treaty calling for signatory nations to voluntarily limit and control the sale of arms to rouge nations and terrorists. China and Russia abstained and three countries voted “no.” Page one of the 13-page UN Arms Trade Treaty clearly states that signatory nations are to follow their own laws within their borders. It calls for signatory nations to voluntarily track and report arms imports and exports to reduce their flow to terrorists, black markets, pirates, drug dealers and failed nations. The UN has no enforcement mechanism.
To the editor,
Two weeks ago, the United Nations General Assembly passed a historic treaty calling for signatory nations to voluntarily limit and control the sale of arms to rouge nations and terrorists. China and Russia abstained and three countries voted “no.” Page one of the 13-page UN Arms Trade Treaty clearly states that signatory nations are to follow their own laws within their borders. It calls for signatory nations to voluntarily track and report arms imports and exports to reduce their flow to terrorists, black markets, pirates, drug dealers and failed nations. The UN has no enforcement mechanism.
Despite that this treaty is consistent with our ongoing War on Terrorism, Rep. Scott Tipton (R-Cortez) proudly co-sponsored a bill (H. CON. RES. 23) asking the Senate not to ratify the treaty. His reason is that the treaty would “infringe on our Constitution and reduce our sovereignty by attempting to regulate the transfer and purchase of domestic civilian arms in our country.” It does not.
This ongoing conservative hostility toward the UN undermines our role as so-called leaders of the free world. As a country, we refuse to set examples for other nations to follow. Kyoto Protocol? Nope. Law of the sea? Nope. Landmine ban? Nope. Rights of children? Nope. The list goes on. We claim to have exceptional achievements and moral authority, but “exceptional” does not mean “isolated.” We are still very much a part of the civilized global community, but you’d never know that listening to the right side of the aisle.
Congressman Tipton’s opposition to the ATT puts him and many conservatives in the same company as the three “no” votes – Iran, North Korea and Syria. There’s a voting record to stand on. Does he feel that by opposing the ATT he’s keeping District 3 free of blue helmets and black helicopters coming here to confiscate our guns and our plastic bags at City Market? We need a representative who understands why America is the exceptional country she is and has the courage to live up to her ideals. Congressman Tipton is not that representative. Conservatives need to stop preaching about America’s moral authority and try practicing it for once.
– Mark Stetz, Durango
Healing at a logarithmic pace
To the editor,
Thank you to all the people and businesses that participated in the fundraiser for me on April 3.
To the editor,
Thank you to all the people and businesses that participated in the fundraiser for me on April 3.
A special thanks to the stellar friends that organized the event: Greg and Jackie Smith, Barb Dahl, and Barb Brazes. Because of the fundraiser my left foot (AKA FroToe Saggins) now has a new brace (AKA Viagra) that keeps her from drooping and dragging on the ground when I walk. I am healing at a logarithmic pace, albeit slower than I would wish!
Thanks again. I am very happy I live in Durango.
– Betsy Richards, Durango
In this week's issue...
- January 25, 2024
- Bagging it
State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies
- January 26, 2024
- Paper chase
The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.
- January 11, 2024
- High and dry
New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows