Frustrations of an overworked election judge
I have been an election judge for 14 years, and worked as a “registration book” judge on Nov. 7 at the Washington Park Recreation Center. This election has been my most discouraging experience as a judge. The judges were asked to come in at 5:30 a.m. because the setup was more complicated than in the past. When the polls closed, we had enough people in line who wished to vote that we were processing them until almost 8:30 p.m. At this point, we began the process of closing the polls. I stayed until about 10:15 p.m. doing what I could to help, but we seemed to be at a standstill, waiting for supplies.
I was not alone in working this long day. I am a true believer in the voting process and was in awe of the voters who waited so long and were so patient to get an opportunity to cast their ballot. The election judges with me worked without breaks for lunch or dinner to process the people in line. The only opportunities we had to grab a bite to eat were when the computers went down.
The Denver Election Commission has so many wonderful people working for it. I am afraid it might lose a good many of us with the experience we endured on Nov. 7. At the end of this day, I was not sure I ever wanted to help with another election. I have heard this comment from other judges.
Some positive and timely actions on the part of the commission would help this situation. I believe it would help if the mayor would encourage them to do something soon that would allow us to realize that they appreciated what we did, are sorry for the conditions under which we had to work, and will take steps to correct the situation.
Rosemary Burbank, Denver
What else do gays want? Equal access to rights
Letter-writer Carol Pachello (Nov. 13 Open Forum) says that gays and lesbians can already obtain the legal rights they want as long as they get a lawyer and do a bunch of work to get these rights established. She concludes that Colorado doesn’t need any extra laws for these people and finally asks them, “What else do you want?”
It reminded me of a vivid experience I had with my father when I was 10 years old and living in the deep South in the 1960s. I asked him why blacks had to drink out of separate water fountains, and he said, “They have all the water they need. What more could they want?” When I asked him why blacks had to sit in the back of public buses, he said, “We’ve met all their transportation needs. What more could they want?” When I asked him why blacks had to go different schools, he said, “Blacks are getting all the education they need. What more could they want?”
Ms. Pachello, just like the blacks in the 1960s, all the gays and lesbians want is equal access to the same rights and laws the rest of us already have. Give them that and they won’t ask you for anything else.
Mike Brewer, Morrison
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Letter-writer Paul Kokoski (Nov. 10 Open Forum) contends that “Marriage is ordered to the procreation and education of offspring.” By his reasoning, I would expect that he would support the notion that only people who intend to bear offspring would be allowed to marry. It follows that fertility testing would then become a requisite for marriage; those who are infertile would be denied the right to marry. Add to that population women who are beyond child-bearing age and people who just do not wish to have children.
Really, please show me how homosexuals being allowed the right to marry would have any effect on my marriage.
John Sandusky, Arvada
Safety of Denver streets
The tragic accident in downtown Denver last Friday that killed a man’s wife and kids is symbolic of the risks that pedestrians (and motorists and cyclists) take every day. While righteous outrage and debate on drunken driving is occurring, let us also think about how to make our streets safer, and not just from drunks.
In some ways, the streets downtown resemble three- and four- lane highways, segmented in blocks with the only safety devices being signs and signals. This configuration increases speed inherently in two ways. First, more lanes encourage passing and speeding. Second, poorly sequenced signals can encourage drivers to speed to the next intersection or run red lights.
I call on the city’s public works department to address, to the best of their ability, the qualities of our streets that inherently influence speed.
Steve Fisher, Denver
Canadian war veterans
Re: “Canada due grateful salute” and “Veterans ceremony stirs emotion,” Nov. 5 and 12 Terry Frei columns.
For Canadians, it is very rare to read of an American perspective on Canada’s veterans, and their role in the world wars. Perhaps some Americans are not aware of Canadian historical events. Perhaps there are Americans who are not aware that we debate the involvement of Canadian troops fighting in Afghanistan, as many are not returning from battle. But what is crucial is that regardless of our origin of birth, we not forget those who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. Canadians are forever grateful and fortunate to have you as our neighbors.
Thank you, Mr. Frei, for thinking of us.
Cosmo Pazzano, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
“Saving” Ted Haggard
I feel sorry for Ted Haggard and any gay person who has to exist in a religious culture that condemns the essence of who they are. They must hide it from themselves as well as everyone else. The masquerade seems to break down in mid-life.
So Haggard’s fundamentalist colleagues will “help free him” with counseling, reprogramming, exorcism. Maybe waterboarding would help.
Instead, Haggard could step away from this guilt- and shame- based religion. There are plenty of Christian and non-Christian groups that will accept him for who he is. Then he will be free.
Carole McWilliams, Bayfield
Lack of young people voting in Denver
On Tuesday night, I visited three different polling places and saw a total of four people whom I interpreted to be around my 18-25 age range. After standing in line for about two hours, I finally got to vote at around 8:30, being one of the last people there. The woman who checked my ID was confused, remarking that it was “upside-down.” It took me a couple seconds to realize she had never seen a under-21 driver’s license, and she had been checking voter IDs all day. There is a ton of people in my age range. I see them every day in classes, around town and everywhere else you can imagine – except at polling places. This means a huge section of the public is not being represented at elections.
I’m certain that if only the young adults of Colorado had voted, the measure to legalize marijuana would have passed. I guess they have only themselves to blame the next time they get a petty ticket for possessing a small amount of marijuana.
Lana Rei Houghton, Denver
Broncos game time changed for TV broadcast
I was unpleasantly surprised to hear of the “flex schedule” time change to the Broncos game this Sunday.
It would be one thing if it were an inside venue, or a warm summer evening, neither of which is the case. Not to mention many of us have to get up very early for our jobs the next day.
The organization expects its money (usually in an increased amount) for season ticket-holders way in advance of the first game; I think fans should be able to count on a set time/schedule way in advance.
I will certainly consider this new “flex scheduling” rule when it comes time to renew the season tickets that our family has had for 45 years.
Kathleen Friede, Lakewood
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