Level the gun debate playing field

To the editor,

Another slaughter at a college or high school. Another debate. However the “debate issue” never addresses the term “a level playing field.” The term applicable to sports. Where is the level playing field in the gun debate? The Colorado Supreme Court overturned a gun ban on Colorado college campuses. Therein lies the hypocrisy. The “enlightened jurists” have a metal detector and security personnel ensuring that no one enters their building with a gun. The legislators of Colorado and the U.S. in general (Congress etc.) are also like protected.
    Come on, let’s be fair; let’s let guns into courthouses and legislatures. Let’s level the playing field. Stop the hypocrisy, let the jurists etc., be vulnerable just like the rest of us! Me thinks the debate will rapidly ensue if we doth pursue said course. End the debate.

– William Greer, via email


League urges get informed, vote

To the editor,

The League of Women Voters will be holding a candidate forum for offices in La Plata County on Thurs., Oct. 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Durango City Council Chambers, 949 E. Second Ave. These offices are for seats on the Board of School District 9-R in District B, where Stephanie Moran is unopposed, and District D, with incumbent Brie Stahnke opposed by Matthew Sheldon. Those attending the forum will be able to ask written questions of the District D candidates.

There will also be presentations on the issues on the ballot, including State of Colorado Proposition BB (retaining excess revenue); La Plata County Questions 1A (road and bridge mill levy) and 1B (internet and telecom services); and City of Durango Questions 2B (sewer bond) and 2C (internet & telecom services). 

For those unable to attend, the forum will be televised live on CitySpan 10, rebroadcast multiple times and streamed on the Durango City website. The Durango Public Library will have a DVD copy for circulation.  

Election Day is Nov. 3. This is a mail ballot

election, with ballots mailed to all registered voters

in the county the week of Oct. 12. Ballots may be returned to the County Clerk’s office by mail, or delivered to several ballot drop-off locations or voter service and polling centers. Go to the La Plata County website (www.co.laplata.co.us) for more information, addresses and dates of operation of these locations. 

The League strongly urges all eligible voters to educate themselves about the issues and candidates and vote. One vote can make a difference.

– Trish Pegram, League of Women Voters of La Plata County


Address backlog now, or pay later

To the editor,

Why do I support the proposed 1 cent sales tax increase in Bayfield? EASY! This sales tax increase will fund a major backlog that the Town of Bayfield has in street maintenance and stormwater drainage. I want to see my town in the best shape that it can be. The sales tax is the fairest way to distribute the cost. Not just those of us who live within city limits will pay the sales tax, but all who shop, visit, dine and use the streets in Bayfield.

As of 2015, the street maintenance backlog is down to $1.3 million (was $2.3 million). The Town of Bayfield has made a huge effort to reduce the street maintenance backlog by utilizing a portion of money received from CDOT and savings from the receipt of grants. In 2014, the Town of Bayfield completed a Stormwater Plan. The plan identified a $1.7 million backlog.

Please keep in mind the consequences of not approving the tax (if you are a Town of Bayfield resident): property tax increase; electric franchise fees; increased natural gas franchise fees; increased parks & recreation participant fees; increased facility rental fees; and stormwater enterprise fees. I do not want to see increases to my bills, do you?

What other choices does the town have? They have been asking that question to residents for years. The conclusion is that there is not another way. Either the tax is passed or new fees will have to be assessed. The additional sources of revenue will not cover the funds needed, and the town will see a reduction in services and deferred maintenance. I would hate to see the town lose employees and the streets deteriorate.

Approving the 1 percent sales tax now will save us money in the future. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, every $1 spent to keep a road in good condition avoids $6-$10 needed later to rebuild the same road once it has deteriorated. The backlog will continue to grow if we don’t do something about it now!

Vote yes on Town of Bayfield Question 2D!

– Kristin Dallison, Bayfield


Take action to reduce cancer risk

To the editor,

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, in spite of tremendous breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains the most common cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death, for women in the U.S.

With more than 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and more than 40,000 deaths nationwide last year alone, it is imperative for every woman to know what she can do to protect herself from this terrible disease. 

For yourself: Get screened! Early detection of breast cancer dramatically increases women’s chances of survival – with nearly 98 percent of women surviving breast cancer as a result of receiving an early diagnosis and treatment. American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms starting at age 40. To determine your own estimated lifetime risk of cancer, go to the National Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool at www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/. If your lifetime risk is greater than 25 percent, be sure to talk with your medical provider about additional steps you can take to reduce your risk.

For your friends, family and community: Here are just a few ways you can join the fight to finish breast cancer:

- Make a donation of time or money to a local coalition or hospital foundation that provides support for people with breast cancer in your community.

- Register, fundraise and walk in one of nearly 300 “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” (MSABC) events across the U.S. or participate virtually at MakingStridesWalk.org.

-  Take action to help make fighting breast cancer a top national political priority at acscan.org/makingstrides.

- Learn more at cancer.org/fightbreastcancer.

– Karen Forest, American Cancer Society


Sheldon uniquely qualified for 9-R

To the editor,

Durango School District 9-R faces ongoing funding challenges owing to restricted education funding from the state. Matthew Sheldon is uniquely qualified to help the School Board and Administration to address those political challenges.

Much of Matthew’s work in the community has been with youth: through the Boys and Girls Club, the Adaptive Sports Association, and Fort Lewis College, where he is campus visit coordinator. Even more has been in the political arena, particularly as campaign manager for Mike McLachlan. 

These experiences give Matthew awareness of the needs of local youth and of need to build relationships, both among the various stakeholders in our school system – students, parents, teachers, administrators and School Board members – and with political leaders outside of it, especially in Denver. 

I urge you to join me in voting for Matthew Sheldon, who will be a knowledgeable, energetic and committed presence on the School Board.

– Richard E. White, 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