National forest access
Re: “Forest plan trims access,” Nov. 19 news story.
The story framed the current Forest Service recreation master planning process as an exercise in cutting costs and closing campgrounds. This is simply not the case.
Citizens have a right to expect government leaders to responsibly manage their valuable resources and assets. The recreation planning process is one tool that helps us do just. Citizen involvement plays a critical role in every phase of this process.
More Americans are recreating on national forests than ever. Through collaborative efforts between the forest service and citizens, we can work to ensure a quality recreation experience for the next 100 years.
Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C.
Sheep and wolves
Re: “The truth about sheep ranching,” Nov. 19 Perspective section guest commentary.
Bonnie Kline of the Colorado Sheep Growers Association does her industry no favors by calling the people at Sinapu liars while playing loose with the truth herself. The fact is, even when the statistics on livestock lost to wolves is scaled to the ranch level, data published by the Society for Conservation Biology do not indicate that depredation on livestock is growing apace with the number of wolves. To the contrary, since about 1998, wolf depredation incidents have leveled off at about 1 to 1.2 ranches/pack, despite the fact that the number of wolf packs (and wolves) has increased markedly.
Anne Rohrer, Broomfield
Guest worker plan
Re: “Colorado issues will hit the spot in 2007,” Nov. 19 guest commentary by Mark Udall.
So, Rep. Mark Udall has proffered his sophistic argument that the recent elections reflected a mandate that “with few exceptions, the vast majority of voters in 2006 called for a national guest worker program.” Apparently Rep. Udall is unaware that we’ve had a “national guest worker program” (H-1, H-2 and other visas) for many decades.
The 2006 vote certainly was against President Bush’s policies, including his so-called guest worker/amnesty blueprint.
Any politician, including Rep. Udall, who subscribes to the guest worker/amnesty myth does so at their political peril.
Lon Opsahl, Arvada
Voting center mess
Re: “Hizzblizzard,” Nov. 19 Style story.
The article was among the most inane comparisons I have seen in a long time. I was around during Mayor Bill McNichols’ ineptness following the 1982 Christmas Eve blizzard. McNichols had complete control over the Public Works Department, which he had once headed and which was responsible for cleaning up the blizzard.
The recent election was run by the Denver Election Commission, which has two elected members and a third who is the city’s clerk and recorder. The running of the election is the total responsibility of the commission, and the mayor has no control except over the clerk and recorder. The commission hires its own management and staff outside the career service office of the city. They make decisions like using vote centers instead of precinct polling places. They control the technical personnel and approve their decisions on software. They set up training and select election judges.
Let’s put the blame where it belongs.
Norman Duncan, Denver
Biofuel production
Re: “Critics of biofuel have it all wrong”, Nov. 12 guest commentary.
Writers Jim Greenwood and Ken McCauley, who both have a vested interest in growing and selling lots of bushels of corn, have fed us half a story about biofuels. They have chosen to whitewash their biofuel pitch, communicating only the sunny side of the story while pulling a thin veil over its many shortcomings.
They fail to mention the amount of energy and other resources that must be expended to produce biofuel, and the long- term damage to the environment. Think about the amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticides introduced into the environment to maximize the yield. Think about the amount of water that is pumped out of aquifers to quench the thirsty corn crop in many parts of our country. Tthink about the amount of diesel fuel consumed by the tractors and combines as they trudge through the fields, eroding the soil.
Finally, consider that biofuel production is promoted to supplement and sustain our country’s obsolete petrochemical- based energy infrastructure. I’m not against growing corn to feed the U.S. and the rest of the world, but promoting it as a fossil fuel supplement makes no sense.
Jon W. Haas, Centennial
Brighton growth
Re: “Brighton’s boom,” Nov. 19 business story.
It is with great despair that I read the articles concerning the growth in Brighton and the planned development in Aurora. When will the rampant growth stop? Life is not only about growth, shopping and money. It is about having a clean, enjoyable place to live. What the articles fail to mention are the noise, pollution, and increase in crime and traffic congestion that growth brings. The excellent quality of life is why we live here, and we should protect it by limiting growth.
Jaime Jacob, Aurora
Lessons for teachers
Re: “Teachers face their own demanding lessons,” Nov. 19 Page 1 story.
Thank you for your excellent article about the challenges today’s teachers face as described by Stephanie Rossi.
Before CSAP, I took a survey on whether I thought students should be expected to meet a basic level of education. I thought, “Yes, all high school graduates should be able to read, etc.” Little did I know that my response would help create a system that strives to teach all students to meet one standard. If a student with spina bifida is unsuccessful in learning to read, today’s system labels that student, teacher and school as “failures.”
While schools may lose funding because of poor performance in one area, schools are not rewarded for helping the best students excel above the standard. Our schools should prepare a work force with a variety of skills, including exceptional training for individuals solving the world’s toughest problems and a label of “successful and appreciated” for those who may not do well academically but are willing to do the unglamorous tasks.
Instead of striving for all students to meet a single standard, we should encourage each student to achieve as high a level as possible. Parents should work alongside teachers to accomplish this instead of working against the teachers.
I feel very lucky that my son has had the privilege of studying with Ms. Rossi and others like her who work hard to provide the best teaching despite the many hurdles created by a well-meaning community.
Sarah Kurtz, Golden
…
The Denver Post could not have selected a better subject for the teacher feature on Sunday’s front page. After teaching in six high schools in three states, I retired from Wheat Ridge High after sharing the hallways next to Steph Rossi. She is the best I have ever observed. Her long hours, compete dedication and effectiveness were obvious to me. I also appreciated her comment that most teachers are also hard-working and caring and efffective. Your reporter captured the true essence of a wonderful teacher and person.
Barbara and John Plungy, Denver
…
Ms. Rossi exudes a burst of positive energy within a system that is plagued with low budgets, rigid state testing mandates, and random acts of violence. I am not surprised that she has earned the widespread respect of students, colleagues and parents.
However, in light of her sterling reputation, does Ms. Rossi really need to post a sign saying, “No pissy attitudes”? Infantile language like this inside a classroom undermines her integrity as a teacher – and, for that matter, other teachers who also work hard to earn students’ respect through hard work, commitment and teaching excellence.
Luis M. Terrazas, Littleton
The political center
Re: “Our resilient center,” Nov. 19 Fred Brown column.
Certainly columnist Fred Brown is right that Democrats didn’t win because they swerved left. They won because they tacked a bit right. No stem-cell, abortion rights or redistribution rhetoric, except perhaps in the safe districts.
Beauprez lost because he didn’t tack left on TABOR and Referendum C, arguably alienating families with kids. Sanborn, Tancredo and Musgrave won, though they stayed right. This suggests that hypothetical “values voters” are still right of the Dems.
But how Dems thought they could beat Musgrave with a New York liberal who used the legal system to avoid personal responsibility for her debts is beyond me.
These results convince me that social conservatives, whatever their religious views, are the force in Colorado politics.
Steve Baur, Westminster
Resilient rail
Re: “Mankind’s last effort,” Nov. 19 Ed Quillen column.
How close-minded can one be? While Ed Quillen’s history appears to be accurate, it is just a nice narrative on the efforts of our grandfathers. But comparing the trains of 150 years ago to the rail technology of today is like comparing a Model T to a Hummer. The continuing success of light rail in Denver gives testimony once again to the idea that if we build it, they will come. Nationwide, rail as a transportation choice succeeds time after time.
Jack Russalesi, Idaho Springs
…
Ed Quillen’s article naysaying the possibilities of a rail alternative for the I-70 corridor is all wrong. Ed surely knows that rail technology has improved since Union Pacific pushed up to Georgetown in 1882.
I write this letter sitting at the conductor’s desk in the caboose I’ve lived in for a long time. Every hour I hear a sound said to be “absolutely impossible” for 50 years: a Burlington Northern freight switching out in Rollinsville. I’ve just heard the Amtrak and the ski train whistle through, too. The naysayers told David Moffat the Rockies “couldn’t be crossed by rail,” but I’m hearing that sound.
Today’s $1.2 million rail study is worth it. The “pro rail study” position taken by county commissioners on each side of the I-70 corridor makes sense. I hereby challenge Ed to a debate (elk steak and Cluny scotch on me).
Forrest Whitman, Gilpin County Commissioner District 3, Rollinsville
TO THE POINT
Why is it that our society believes that is it OK for people to stand in line for 40 hours to purchase a video game player, but it is not OK to stand in line to vote?
Harlan Pelz, Denver
I hope the transit gurus remember Rule No. 1: “If they can’t park, they won’t ride.”
Frederick C. Sage, Boulder
Not one general has been killed or injured in four years of fighting in Iraq.
John David Price, Arvada
President Bush says that if U.S. forces leave Iraq, sectarian violence will kill many people. So U.S. forces must stay and do the killing instead.
Ben Anderson, Castle Rock
In New York and Chicago, people have been riding the rails for more than half a century. It’s nice to see Denver finally catching up.
John DeFrancesco, Monument
With all the articles on alcohol-related accidents, new instruments in the car to make sure you are not too drunk to drive, etc., I found it interesting that the front section of Monday’s paper contained 11 separate ads for alcohol.
Roanna Boast, Parker
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