Editor’s note: We ran the wrong column from Rob Brezny last week (Astrology, Oct. 20, 2022). We apologize for any astrological confusion this may have caused.
Disappointed in Boulder Weekly
It is disappointing that the editorial board of Boulder Weekly has ignored the reality of global warming and climate change and chosen to believe in the competence of the City’s flood plan and that there are benevolent intentions in the University’s South Boulder expansion. It has long been an American ethic that the Earth exists for man to use and abuse for profit. The proposed “South Campus” site thus is seen as a wasteland awaiting development which will result in a net gain for the people of Boulder, despite the resulting increase of neighborhood traffic, during and after construction, and the loss of free access to a truly unique and irreplaceable piece of the natural world. The truth that the proposed flood plan, paid for by all of Boulder, protects only a fraction of the homes impacted by the 2013 flood and that the real beneficiary is the University’s corporate business model, a massive rental empire operating largely tax free, goes unmentioned. The net loss is heartbreaking for anyone truly caring for both the environment and the soul of mankind. Vote Yes on 2F. For photos from the area, please visit notesfromtheprovinces.com/photography
Robert Porath/Boulder
Support a renters tax credit
Programs to help tenants know their rights when faced with eviction are a good idea. (‘Help for tenants facing eviction’ by Mark Fearer, Boulder Weekly, October 20, 2022) But what about helping tenants and landlords with a refundable renters tax credit? Once proposed by then Senator Harris and Senator Booker, it could be the answer needed. It could be modeled after the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) that Sen. Bennet worked so hard to pass and when it did, 40% of our children were lifted out of poverty. Senator Bennet is doing his best to have the CTC renewed which would help families pay rent as well. With these two tax credits providing ladders out of poverty, tenants and landlords would be able to count on housing stability and rent paid. This would free up courts from dealing with so many evictions and help stop the flow to homelessness. As we get ready to vote in the midterms, let’s ask candidates to support these two initiatives and vote based on their answers.
Willie Dickerson/Snohomish, Washington
Support Karen McCormick
I’ve had the pleasure to have coffee with both friendly candidates for Colorado House District 11, which includes southwest Longmont. Full disclosure, I’m a moderate Democrat.
It took many questions to get Republican Tara Menza’s stands on issues. She believes she is a moderate, and for some, she might be. However, as I probed on issues, I found her local and national knowledge lacking. Tara is new to Colorado, arriving after Jared Polis became governor. Her sources were right-wing. She is not totally against abortion, though doesn’t understand that there are late conditions where there can be a choice between baby and mother. She says “it’s not so bad to stand in line” (to vote), so perhaps she doesn’t understand our secure and convenient voting system, and how important it is for seniors, disabled, and every busy person to be able to sit down at home with the blue book and ballot and make well-informed choices. She supports school vouchers, which hurt public schools. I made a point to her that I appreciated the public school education that I’d had, in a very diverse high school. It taught me that we are all the same inside.
She made statements about Democrats that she’d “heard” but couldn’t substantiate. When I’d ask about something like our voting system or policies on guns, she’d say it was already law here, but it was unclear if she would support those things if they came back up for a vote on her watch.
In contrast, with Democrat Karen McCormick, when I asked a question, I’d get a specific answer, with examples. If I asked her where she stood or how she voted on an issue, she told me, and explained. Karen has served one term in the legislature, and I believe that she listens to us and votes accordingly. She is a veterinarian, has a business background, and can read deeply into legislation that affects our lives. She supports our voting system and our medical choices.
Karen is knowledgeable, has history in Longmont, and her values reflect mine.
Sondra Singer/Longmont
Wildfire mitigation is for everyone
As a 30-year veteran volunteer firefighter and 20 as fire chief, I can honestly say we must pass (Boulder County Ballot Measure) 1A, the wildfire mitigation ballot initiative. The Four Mile Fire Department has been actively mitigating our district for over 20 years. We have done well but have only mitigated less than 10% of our district. We simply do not have the resources to do more. Even with grants to help pay the costs we don’t have the bandwidth or staff to do more. 1A will provide a much needed capacity to have our partner Watersheds take on the management portion. This will lead to broader collaboration between districts, the County, and the Forest Service, both state and federal, thus creating access to much larger federal and state grants. It doesn’t matter where you live in Boulder County, any fire will affect some aspect of your lives. Be it your home, or drinking watershed, property values, outdoor experience, viewshed, air quality — the list is too long for an editorial. Please support 1A.
Bret Gibson, Four Mile Fire Chief
Repeal CU annexation
I will be saying “yes” on 2F to Repeal the City Council “emergency” vote on the CU annexation.
The traffic on Table Mesa, Highway 36, Table Mesa and Moorhead will be horrific. 7,000 trips a day anticipated. A trip cap that only starts after construction and will never stop increased trips only fine CU for additional trips…
The 750,000 non-residential building will mean more housing will be needed beyond the 1,100 anticipated for employees working there.
The 10% affordable housing isn’t enough.
Increasing my water bill to pay to bring dirt in so CU can build itself out of the floodplain is a big no. Building in a floodplain should be a big no. We should be taking down the berm and increasing the ability for that land to absorb flood waters!
The 100-year flood protection isn’t enough! Why are we spending this much money for such little protection when climate change experts are telling us worse storms will come. That means all of this will be useless and Frasier Meadow residents will be faced with flooding again!
CU should be ashamed for holding the safety of people hostage by insisting the dam could only be built if annexation went through.
Rosemary Hegarty
Mitzi Nicoletti for Longmont Council
It is exciting to see an individual running for Longmont City Council with the experience, determination and compassion of Mitzi Nicoletti.
Mitzi’s experience includes service as a Board Member for Sustainable Resilient Longmont, and as co-founder and member of the Longmont Climate Community. Her work in Longmont has also included serving as a Board Member of Longmont Art Walk, Longmont Downtown Association and the local Girl Scouts. Mitzi co-founded Women Chocolate and Wine which assists local women business owners in networking and building our community. Mitzi will connect neighbors with community partners to support local business, affordable housing and environmental sustainability.
Aside from her community involvement, Mitzi is a listener and problem solver. As Longmont continues its growth, she will work to make Longmont a great place for us all to live and work. Please join former Senator Mike Foote, Mayor Joan Peck, and many other community leaders in supporting Mitzi Nicoletti for Longmont City Council.
Bill Wilson/Longmont
Email: letters@boulderweekly.com
