JonBenét Ramsey case
The Boulder DA’s office has requested another investigation into JonBenét Ramsey’s murder. Whatever the cost, it is too much, too late, and done by the wrong organization. The case should be revived and thoroughly investigated by the FBI. DA Mary Lacy has stuck with the theory of an intruder despite much evidence to the contrary. Sad to say, it is time that a federal agency without connections to local taxpayers or politicians steps in to do the right thing. The people of Colorado deserve to know the truth.
Elroy Flom, Monument
Re: “Denver’s mayor may feel a chill,” Dec. 27 news story.
I have only one thought for Denver Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriquez: Chill out.
We live in Colorado and it snows in Colorado. Every year, in my 46 years as a native of this great state, I have learned two things: The state’s economy thrives on the snow in the winter and pure, fresh water in the spring and summer. I feel that Mayor John Hickenlooper’s advice to enjoy the snow and have some cocoa, to paraphrase Rodriguez, was sound advice. Especially during a time of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty, I am certain that most people enjoyed the break.
Past mistakes by Mayors Bill McNichols and Wellington Webb bear little to no relevance in today’s new civic business model. This model is being crafted and executed by the brightest and best Denver has to offer. The councilwoman’s comments are antithetic to that model.
As the snow melts, there will still be malls to shop, errands to run and jobs to tend to – along with great skiing in the mountains and fresh Colorado spring water in 2007.
Chuck Lontine, Denver
. . .
One thing I haven’t seen in all the coverage of the unplowed residential side streets: What about those property owners who have still failed to shovel their sidewalks almost a week later? Most cities have ordinances requiring snow to be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall. I understand that perhaps some elderly residents or others who aren’t quite physically fit may not be able to shovel (you could pay a teenager or ask a neighbor for help), yet I’ve noticed several occupants in my northwest Denver neighborhood who have somehow managed to clear their driveway but have absolutely no consideration for pedestrians on their way to public transportation or those out to exercise their dogs or selves.
It’s time to make a deposit in the karma bank, property owners. There are more considerate and responsible people out there who don’t want you or your elderly relative slipping on the ice and snow next time.
Nancy Kristof, Denver
. . .
Call to neighbors (with shovels): Please help the city keep our neighborhood intersections passable during this next snowstorm. Our most vulnerable neighbors, including my baby girl, are at risk from impassable intersections that make 911 rescue difficult. We spent our Christmas Eve and Day at the remarkable Children’s Hospital. In case our gal needs a return trip to to the emergency room, I have been shoveling out and removing ice dams from 39th and Xavier. Can you pitch in on your corner?
Christine Wood, Denver
. . .
It's snowing again; who will clear the streets?
I spent my entire youth in Denver, starting in 1935. Snowstorms provided most of my winter spending money, as I shoveled walks. I had five regular customers plus my own home. Three of those customers had corner homes, which added a great deal of work. My father would get me up at 5 a.m. when it snowed. In storms over 3 inches, I would simply go to each home and shovel pathways and come back after school to finish. One customer gave me $5 regardless of snow depth (in the ’40s, this was a lot of money). He was always first on my work schedule. I can remember several times when the snow depth was more than 20 inches, and it would take two days to finish unless it was on a weekend.
I lived in a block next to South High School and Washington Park. The winters were much colder, and often the lakes would completely freeze over and we could ice skate both large lakes in Washington Park. The ice was thick enough at times to allow tractors on the lakes to clear snow. The pavilion on the north lake operated with lighted skating at night. We played a lot of hockey and a prisoner-based game which would cover half the south lake.
There is definitely global warming in Denver.
J. Steven Randol, Parachute
. . .
Wake up, Denver. Remember how some of you watched the Katrina disaster and wondered why the government wasn’t helping those poor people, and some of you watched and were horrified that those people weren’t doing more to help themselves? Well, a lot of the nation is looking at our snowstorm the same way. Remember separation of church and state? God helps those who help themselves (and their neighbors), and the government helps those who try to do things like go Christmas shopping during a blizzard. Big snowstorms happen, Denver. How much extra tax money are you willing to pay to have the government dig you out?
A. Lynn Buschhoff, Denver
It’s been an interesting year for folks who eat. We started the year in the grip of a bird flu pandemic scare. Originating in Asian chicken factories, the disease still threatens to kill tens of millions.
In April, the Chicago City Council banned the sale of cruelly produced foie gras, setting an important precedent for other cities.
All through the year, scientific reports linked meat and dairy consumption with elevated risk of colon, stomach, pancreatic, prostate, breast and ovarian cancers. Others linked it with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Last month, hundreds of Taco Bell customers were sickened by produce contaminated by E. coli pathogens from livestock factories.
This month, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization reported that meat and dairy production account for 18 percent of all greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.
It may be time to explore the rich variety of veggie burgers, dogs, deli slices, heat-and-eat dinners, and soy-based milk, cheese and ice cream in our local supermarket, as well as the more traditional fare of vegetables, nuts, grains and fruits. Did I mention that it makes for a delicious, easy-to-keep New Year’s resolution?
Gordon Peterson, Denver
Government hypocrisy
The fact that an FHA-insured home loan can be approved for someone who cannot give a Social Security number is evidence of the hypocrisy of the federal government on the subject of illegal immigrants. The government can raid the Swift company as a political gesture, but only after it has hand- fed these people to crooked developers and lenders.
Winky, winky.
S. Williams, Lakewood
Autism therapy funding
Re: “New laws raise autism money, shift AIDS funds,” Dec. 20 news story.
Last week, President Bush signed a bill authorizing $1 billion in funding for autism research over the next five years. While passage of this bill does benefit autism research, it does not address another very important component. It is critical for those kids diagnosed with autism to receive therapy as early as possible, to improve their chance of living a normal life. Therapy is very expensive, and unfortunately there are very few avenues for any financial support.
One out of 166 kids is now being diagnosed with autism. If it’s not bad enough for parents to find out that their child has autism, it is even more frustrating that parents have to go in circles looking for any financial support, with minimal success.
Most health insurance plans don’t provide coverage, and Medicaid has a long waiting list for assistance. Probably the most upsetting statistic is that Colorado ranks almost last (48 out of 50) in providing state funding for autism support for kids over 3 years old.
Now that the elections are over, let’s hope that our 2007 state lawmakers will put their focus and effort where financial support is truly needed the most.
Lee Sherman, Denver
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