Save Colorado’s historical buildings
Re: “Little left to build on,” March 31 news story.
It’s always disturbing to hear about the loss of historic buildings in Colorado’s wonderful small towns. And the collapse of the Jankovsky Building in Sedgwick last month is no exception. It was such an obvious landmark that it’s hard to think how the town will look without it. It represented the town’s history and the effort of its residents to establish a community on the Eastern Plains. And now it’s gone.
There are important buildings like this in every one of our state’s towns. And many of them are in severe need of repair, waiting for the next snow, wind or hail storm to take them down. With them goes the legacy of the past century, the stories of our parents and grandparents. And because these places can be economic generators, they also carry our hopes for the future – housing vital businesses, attracting heritage tourists, and regaining their role as the centers of their communities.
With tools like the Colorado Historical Society’s State Historical Fund grants program, accompanying loans from the Colorado Historical Foundation, and the use of state and federal income tax credit programs, most of these buildings can be saved. In fact, hundreds have already been saved, like the Nunn Municipal Building, the Nipps-Bransgrove Block in Eads, and the Fassett Building in Monte Vista. Since most of these programs require that buildings be listed either on a local register or on the state or national registers of historic places, that’s where the work begins. And State Historical Fund grants can be used for that purpose.
We hope the loss of this important landmark in Sedgwick will inspire others to recognize that their heritage is at risk, and that opportunities exist to see that it doesn’t happen again.
Mark Wolfe, Director, Colorado Historical Society, State Historical Fund, Denver
Immigrants and the places they came from
Re: “Utah’s embrace: no documents, no problem,” April 2 news story.
I would like to thank Michael Riley for pointing out that the Mormons realize that the so-called illegal immigrants are the native people of Mexico and Central and South America. They are not the European conquerors of the Americas. Their ancestors were the Olmecs, Mayas, Aztecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs and many more Native American civilizations.
Which law did they break? Did they break the natural law or a man- made law that can be changed for justice? Is it not part of the natural law to want to feed your family and work for the best life possible? Is it not part of human history to migrate to the place where the best chances exist for survival?
The opponents say that the Book of Mormon emphasizes obeying the law. But Jesus said that the religious leaders obeyed the law but neglected the things that carry far more weight in the law such as justice and compassion. Jesus also asked the leaders: Is man made for the law or the law for man? The Old Testament in Leviticus states that you are to have the same law for the alien as the native-born. I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knows where the emphases should be placed.
Eldon VanDerWege, Denver
. . .
The efforts to make a rational immigration policy for those who came here illegally is missing an important aspect: economic reforms in Mexico.
Mexico is a country rich in resources and culture. Obviously, the people of Mexico are willing to work very hard, and will take great risks. However, so many Mexicans have to leave their country to find work here in the U.S. to support their families. The Mexican economic system is clearly broken, and it is convenient for the powers that be in Mexico to keep the status quo.
Any guest worker program must be linked to economic reforms in Mexico. Otherwise, we just perpetuate a system where the poor of Mexico are exported to the United States, at great risk to the poor.
Paul Shupe, Longmont
RTD’s transit strike and hired security
Re: “Security force arrives shooting – video,” April 6 news story.
Apparently RTD really does have plenty of money. They spend a half-million “pre-emptive” dollars on unnecessary security. Thursday’s full-page ad in The Denver Post must have cost a bundle, too. And that’s to say nothing of the obscene raises its managers received last year. Where these funds suddenly came from is not obvious.
Here’s what is obvious: The bus drivers are the ones who show up every day, take us to work, and ensure our safety on the road. The mechanics are the ones who keep the fleet safe, sound and moving. And what do the managers do, exactly? Whatever it is, they’re sure getting lots of money for it.
Deborah French, Westminster
RTD union representatives tell us they haven’t had a raise in three years, and this is one main reason they are on strike.
Come again?
I have friends who still can’t find a job after three years.
RTD drivers earn upwards of $15 an hour, have full benefits, and a pension. These folks have it better than at least 95 percent of the rest of the population.
And they have the audacity to claim that they are being treated poorly?
This strike is a moral travesty and is just plain wrong. It is an insult to labor movements of previous eras where workers actually had something to fight for.
The drivers are public servants who should stop being selfish and get back to work.
Christopher Hubble, Denver
Katie Couric’s move
The announcement that Katie Couric will be anchoring “The CBS Evening News” has to be good news for the “Today” show. NBC is probably hoping to reclaim some of the many viewers who can’t stand Couric.
Lots of folks are wondering what CBS was thinking by making such a move. Apparently, the choice for the anchor’s chair was between Paris Hilton and Katie Couric. CBS, of course, offered the job to the smarter and more credible one. However, Hilton wasn’t interested!
J.B. Reed, Denver
Denver’s poet laureate
Re: “Rhyme but little reason in choice of city’s poet laureate,” April 2 David Milofsky column.
Alas, poor Yorick. The Front Range academics are digging it up. Decrying the sorry state of Colorado poetry because the Honorable John Hickenlooper chose a commoner as Denver laureate and, omygosh, by committee, instead of by fiat – not one of their own prestige college elite! But we on the Western Slope – we who live poetry, put on poetry festivals, host readings and awards, slams and soirees – know Chris Ransick for the exceptional ambassador of the word he is. An honest man who’s come to perform for us. Share his works. Win awards for his Ghost Road Press offerings. He’s a wordsmith with vision. Willing to take poetry out into the world (not hoard it like gold in some state-funded tower). To infuse bare sunlight with the lyric valuables. Hurrah!
Art Goodtimes, Telluride
What’s wrong with it?
Re: “Black like who?” April 2 Style story.
Imagine my surprise to read film critic Lisa Kennedy’s objection to a drink called Citrus Fusion with Hangar Kaffir Lime. I grew up in the deep and highly prejudiced South, and I never heard “kaffir” used as a disparaging term for anyone – in fact, I’m not even sure how to pronounce it. After all, it’s just a name for a variety of lime, like Meyer lemons and Macintosh apples.
I think we get way too sensitive about the most innocent things, and we should keep perspective about words that may have slipped into other meanings. Objecting to Kaffir limes would be like James Dobson and his ilk protesting the line from the old Perry Como song, “Keep it gay, keep it light.”
Hazel Bracewell, Twin Lakes
