Uninvited to two-party primary

To the editor,

It was interesting to read Barbara McLachlan’s letter (Telegraph, May 5) advocating a primary election versus the current caucus system. And I appreciated her concern about allowing “more Coloradoans to have their voices heard.”

But, like thousands of my fellow residents, my lack of participation is not due to transportation, job duties or child care. As an unaffiliated voter, I must perform the equivalent of a Native American hoop dance and register as either a Republican or a Democrat, then reverse the process to reclaim my independent status.

If maintaining the two-party stranglehold is the major political objective, then the question of a caucus or a primary is inconsequential.

– Loraleigh Porter, Mancos

Lammons will shine as D.A.

To the editor,

As a retired professional law enforcement officer of 38 years, it is my pleasure to endorse Ben Lammons for 6th Judicial District Attorney. In most communities, the success of a district attorney is gauged by his wins or losses in court: did he fairly prosecute offenders; did he support crime victims wholeheartedly; and did he conduct his oath of office in an unbiased and fair manner regardless of personal beliefs or feelings?

That means an effective district attorney must have the experience associated with the knowledge of what the communities he serves expect from him.  

Ben Lammons is that person. I worked with Ben for many years in Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County and at the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Ben was a deputy district attorney for at least two former district attorneys and has been the chief prosecutor for the Southern Ute Tribe for many years. He is as down to earth as anyone I know, and his even temperament and unbiased attitude make him the perfect person for this office. Ben is only beholden to those he has chosen to serve during his successful career, and he will continue to shine if elected as your district attorney. Please vote for Ben Lammons.

– Carl Smith, northern Nevada

LINK gave invaluable experience

To the editor,

My son is a junior at Animas High School, where he has been for all of his high school career.

AHS has been a great path for him to choose. The school has not only given him the skills and education to go to college and succeed, it has also given him the confidence to advocate for himself and be able to navigate in the adult world.

There is no better example of what life skills my son has learned at AHS then the three-week LINK internship program that is required of all the juniors. The LINK program is where the students go out into the working world in a field/career they might be interested in as adults. They have to write a resume, contact the businesses they are interested in and do an interview, just like in the real world.

My son is interested in mechanical and computer engineering as a career. His internship was at StoneAge Incorporated, here in Durango. Stone Age designs and builds high-pressure water jet tools for commercial use. They use such things to clean sewer systems for cities. Their products are sold and exported worldwide.

My son very much enjoyed this internship at StoneAge. The staff and his direct mentor, Rick Doornbos, were kind, helpful and did a great job of making him feel welcome and appreciated. He got to observe most of the aspects of a business in motion. He was able to participate in and perform CAD design, quality control, shipping and receiving, manufacturing, invention, and small/large assembly.

My student was also given an opportunity to work independently on a project of his own. This project was to figure out how to correct a design flaw to make the feeder hose flow more smoothly. He got to make, test and design his own components to try and solve the problem. As a parent, it was so rewarding to see him excited to go to work every day and be independent and responsible for himself. He learned what life with a job may be like and that not every aspect may be exciting/new. He now understands some parts of jobs are repetitive and tedious. This is important to realize as a young adult. He gained valuable experience and reiterated that he is choosing a career path he is interested in. StoneAge was a great experience for him and they were very supportive.

I believe that this opportunity provided an excellent experience for my son. I appreciate AHS providing the opportunity for their students to do this, it is a very valuable learning experience.

– Catherine Rottinghaus, Durango

A degree in deceit from Trump U.

To the editor,

Just before the presidential election in November, “The Donald” is to testify in federal court to explain allegations that he defrauded the former students of his Trump University.

There are three of these lawsuits pending, all filed by former students who were charged up to $35,000 for instruction on how to get rich quick a la Trump.

His lawyers have admitted that in the class-action suit scheduled in federal court, Trump will have to personally show up and testify. In recent depositions, Trump admitted to submitted evidence against him.

These three Trump University lawsuits are only the most recent cases filed against him. Recently, I read that Trump has over 1,000 lawsuits pending against him, mostly by former employees or former investors on various “Trumped-up” deals.

I am still predicting he will declare “victimhood” and disappear off the so-called news stations before we vote – otherwise God help us!

– Susan Troen, Durango

The Photographer

(for Bernie Mantey and Joaquin Salazar)

Like the fox,
he moves along the forgotten edges,
an explorer of light shift and shadow.
His eye, keen to the curve of form,
viewing the vastness,
capturing moments
in confined geometries.

There are no tacit assumptions made
in understanding visions honed
in aloneness.
Here in the moment, is the crux,
The sum total of refinement
as the shutter snaps.

– Burt Baldwin, Ignacio