Email letters, July 13, 2012

By Staff
Friday, July 13, 2012

Gerow’s experience, traits make her a strong commissioner candidate

For any voter who agrees that local issues should not be politicized, but rather decided upon with input from all involved without allegiance to certain parties, there is a clear choice for Mesa County Commissioner, District 1.

Jana Bingham Gerow, an unaffiliated candidate, understands that making decisions for the good of our county requires listening to all involved parties and reflecting with an open mind, free of the influence of any particular political agenda and with no obligation to major campaign donors. (Thus her $100 limit on campaign contributions from any one individual.)

I have known Jana from her first leadership position at Grand Junction High School, thirty-some years ago, through the many leadership roles she has held in the community. I know her to be a smart, sincere, hardworking and fair-minded person, with an impressive ability to bring
people together for productive discussions and problem solving.

She has vast experience in many facets of construction, which will be invaluable in the planning, land-use and development discussions that comprise much of the work of our county commissioners.

Grand Junction has been Jana’s home for most of her life, and you will not find anyone who cares more about all of Mesa County, from DeBeque and Collbran west to Mack and Gateway and all points between.

I support Jana Bingham Gerow, a proven leader who can get things done.

TRACY LEFEBRE
Grand Junction

Men, women, children (young, old) all behaving badly

Being older I’ve come to expect inconsiderate behavior by many young people today. They can’t help being raised that way. Times change. I get it!

But lately I’ve begun to notice more and more older folks behaving almost as inconsiderately as youngsters. From parking lot car door dings to pet poop left steaming on the sidewalks, selfish behavior seems boundless.

Take, for example, express lines at stores. When the sign reads 15 items or less, many times the person exceeding the limit is someone who should know better. It can be hard on us folks three or four carts back who have trouble standing and waiting in line. Quick service is why we chose the express line in the first place. I guess the thinking here is “everybody does it.” Some of us, however, still don’t.

And what about animals in grocery stores? Aren’t there laws against that? Any pet that isn’t a designated “service animal” should be someplace else. There are some people who are afraid of dogs, any kind, any size, and some have animal hair allergies. What about them? Isn’t their business important, too?

I don’t know, but I’ve been told bad behavior like that is becoming commonplace. I admit many things I consider bad behavior are commonplace. But that doesn’t make it right. It seems to me that we’re accepting an awful lot of bad behavior as commonplace these days.

AL CARLEY
Grand Junction

After Lower North Fork fire, Tipton bill seems ‘ill-timed’

As a result of a partisan fishing expedition that masqueraded as a congressional hearing on forest management in Montrose last May, Rep. Scott Tipton and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill that specifically calls for more state control on forest management decisions in high-risk areas on national Forest Service lands, as well as lands under BLM jurisdiction.

Coming after the disastrous Lower North Fork fire last March in Jefferson County that scorched more than 4,100 acres of land, burned 27 homes and killed two elderly citizens – the result of a state Forest Service controlled burn on Denver Water Board land – the Tipton bill seems particularly ill-timed.

But then Tipton has never let nasty little facts stand in the way of his anti-environment agenda.

ART GOODTIMES
Norwood

Paonia tank challenger should choose positivity over provocation

“The Law of Reciprocity” Is the mutual correspondence between two entities. It is an exchange, to give and get in return.

We all should learn to use this law wisely, for reciprocity shapes human life and human psychology. Treating others with kindness and goodwill usually summons the best from them.

However, not all examples of reciprocity are positive ones. People who are chronically pessimistic and fearful summon the type of condition they condemn and fear. Their attitudes conjure up a gloomy mood, which follows them, and even if they try to attract a more favorable circumstance—-they are unable to enjoy it.

Their gloominess and fear tends to call forth pessimism and irritation that might be latent in other people. Angry and rude people summon the worst in themselves and others, and by their words and behavior they provoke resentment and retaliation from others.

The man who challenged the tank during Paonia’s 4th of July parade claimed his action was an “action of provocation.”  Any action leads to a reaction; a stimulus is followed by a response.

Human beings are complex, and we have the potential to either be angry or tolerant, patient or irritated, clearheaded or confused, trusting or skeptical.  Provocation will only incite something that is not modified by the discipline of choice.

So, choose tolerance and goodwill. Choose patience and cheerfulness. This will only work to all of our benefit.

ANDY and LLOYAL ANDERSON
Delta

The Other Linda Gregory no longer replies to erroneous calls

For the past three years, I have read several letters to the editor written by Linda Gregory. Because she and I share the same first and last name, some readers have assumed that I was the author of those letters.

Apparently she was quoted in an article in today’s paper, which also listed her political affiliation and her position with their local group.

I am the other Linda Gregory, although any letter I write would show my full name as this one does. I have been married for 30 years to Don and we have two daughters. I graduated from Mesa State College in 2004 and worked with the homeless for a number of years prior to my employment with the American Cancer Society in May 2009.

I am not a registered member of the Republican Party, nor am I associated with any of its local groups. I have my own political beliefs, but you will never read them in a newspaper.

You’re probably reading this, Linda Gregory, so I’d like to add that I still receive several phone calls a month that are most likely intended for you. For over two years, I let callers know that they had the wrong number. That got old, though, and now I just delete their messages. I hope they can figure out how to reach you.

Each of us is entitled to our political opinions, but I don’t want those in the community who only know me by my first and last name to think that Linda Gregory and The Other Linda Gregory are one and the same person.

LINDA CALACI GREGORY
Executive Director
Women’s Wellness Connection
Grand Junction

Mesa County needs library that will better meet modern needs

My husband and I read Susan Reed’s letter to the editor in today’s Daily Sentinel with great interest. We are in total agreement with Reed regarding the proposed remodel of the Central Library building.

We have been in Grand Junction since 1998, and even then there was a major water leak in the director’s office, as well as other offices on the lower level. The building is in no way sound, nor is it worth wasting taxpayers’ money on this project. Despite the fact that the previous mil levy election for a new building failed, this type of Band-Aid approach for such an important community resource is definitely NOT a feasible long-term solution.

We urge the library board to take the prudent, responsible course of action by trying again in the near future to pass an election to fund a new building – one with compatible, up-to-date technology; a modern design and décor; and a larger public space, both for adults and children. Otherwise, this library board’s legacy will be one of taking the easy way out to pacify the few—especially those who are trying to build their resumes, rather than truly serving the future needs of the community.

We remain hopeful that members of the Mesa County Library Board will do the right thing for our community, and we thank them for the difficult and important jobs they have in serving the Mesa County Library District.

J.D. and DONNA MILLER
Grand Junction

Reiner lists more court cases involving Marks

I appreciate Bill Grant’s article published in the edition of July 11. There were some inaccuracies within it I would like to briefly address.

Litigation regarding ballots as open records started in the City of Aspen and was filed in Pitkin County. The Jefferson County case is not settled, and the City of Aspen case may not be either.

Mesa County is not alone; we are one of many across the state engaged in a legal disagreement with Marilyn Marks. Here are a few court cases I am aware of:

• City of Aspen : Koch v. Brandscomb and Marks
• City of Aspen:  Marks v. Koch
• Jefferson County: Anderson v. Marks
• Jefferson County:  Marks v. Anderson
• Mesa County: Reiner v. Marks
• Mesa County:  Marks v. Reiner
• Saguache County: Marks v. Myers
• Chaffee County: Reno v. Marks
• Denver: Marks v. Secretary of State
• Denver: Gessler v. McGuire and Marks
• Federal Level: Citizen Center (founded by Marks) v. Secretary of State, Mesa, Larimer, Jefferson, Chaffee, Eagle and Boulder Counties

Each elected clerk and recorder has a responsibility to seek legal guidance whenever there is uncertainty of this nature. A few other clerks and I filed a petition for clarification from the courts regarding what is open to public inspection and what is not. Each case listed above is different in its specific circumstances and facts.

Unfortunately, litigation is common now when it comes to sorting out guidelines for election conduct for all citizens in our state.

As we look forward to an exciting and busy presidential election in November, keep in mind that we need help from the community to conduct it. If you are interested in working, please call 244-1662.

SHEILA REINER
Mesa County Clerk and Recorder
Grand Junction