The costs of saving homes from forest fires
Re: “Fire-defense costs searing,” May 19 news story. If the actual costs of fire protection were to be borne solely by the
property owners who live in Colorado’s wildfire-prone areas, what would the price tag be?
The Post, the possible cost to taxpayers for wildfire control could be $15 million a year or more, the overwhelming majority coming from state and federal taxpayers. This means that the lifestyle choices of people who live and develop property in an inherently risky environment are being subsidized. The same chop-wood, carry-water, drive-your-SUV-to-town set that is moving into and further fragmenting wildlife habitat and natural areas is getting a blank check from the government to cover its fire protection costs.
As we are likely to see again this summer, whenever a wildfire picks up speed, resources deployed for controlling it are eventually repurposed toward saving personal property. Why does this very small minority of property owners receive such a large favor from our government?
The government agencies tasked with public lands management and their consortium partners must begin placing the financial burden for private property fire protection directly on the backs of the property owners receiving the benefits.
Eric Sutherland, Fort Collins
Crib potatoes: Putting tots in front of the tube
Re: “TV study examines rise in crib potatoes,” May 25 news story.
I occasionally teach crafts at public events. I have noticed that children who have watched a lot of television from a young age are more passive than children who have not. Children who have lived active lives want to try out the tools. The crib potatoes just stare at the tools and seem to expect them to make things by themselves. Even if a tool is put in a passive child’s hand, the child will just look at it without trying to use it. This is not a good preparation for life. No tool, not even a computer, will do anything by itself. It needs active participation by the user.
Martha Monsson, Fort Morgan
Enron convictions and a culture of corruption
Re: “Enron verdicts put Lay, Skilling in line for long prison terms,” May 26 news story.
Ken Lay, Jeff Skilling and all the others who have been cheating the public and the government need to spend a long time in jail.
It seems to me that culture, morals, ethics, liberal-vs.-conservative tendencies and all the other things that make up or influence our lives – our values – tend to be like a pendulum that swings back and forth. For instance, at times the country seems to be very liberal and then it will tend to be very conservative. At times, environmental issues are important, at times they swing back to where they are not as important.
It is unfortunate where the pendulum has seemed to have swung in America. I have concluded that we have been in a culture of corruption.
Decisions like the Lay and Skilling juries made last week are the only way American citizens will be able to redirect this current culture of corruption. It is truly sad that these people have come to represent what our country stands for. It is upon the shoulders of all of us to create an America with values that we want to leave for our children.
Marty Coleman, Littleton
Republicans’ request for Holtzman to quit
Re: “39 in GOP ring exit bell for Holtzman,” May 24 news story.
If the Republicans in question are indeed asking Marc Holtzman to step aside in his quest for governor for the reason of party unity, I would have to ask them this: If Holtzman won’t step aside, why don’t you ask Bob Beauprez if he will? Wouldn’t this unify the party just as well?
There are no rules preventing Holtzman from running in our primary election and I, for one, say: Let him run.
And please, gentleman, let’s keep this on a professional level; no name-calling or dirt-digging are required. Let’s just see you put your best foot forward and let the people decide who will best represent the Republicans in the general election in November.
Dreda Kenline, Colorado Springs
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