Email letters, July 17, 2012

By Staff
Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Leane changes party affiliation for sake of political expediency

Will the real John Leane please stand up? Leane may be running as “Unaffiliated” for Mesa County commissioner, but I urge The Daily Sentinel and all its readers to remember that Leane is a Democrat.

After reading the political tea leaves, he knows that for another shot at county commissioner the chances are slim to none for a Democrat in this year’s political environment. To me, that “U” he’s putting after his name looks like an “E” (for expedient).

Leane served one term as a Mesa County commissioner (from 1989-1993) but failed to win a second term because his ideas and policies were so out of touch with mainstream Mesa County. For example, one of his plans was to eliminate the county fairgrounds. Did he ever once look around and see that this is an agricultural community?

Leane’s Democrat credentials run deep, and no one should forget that he was for many years the face of the Democrat Party in Mesa County. He is just a big “D” dressed up in “U” (ewe’s) clothing.

HARRY BENJAMIN
Grand Junction

School District 51 applauded for cutting energy consumption

In February 2011 President Obama launched the “Better Buildings Challenge” to unleash private sector investments in energy efficiency improvements to our nation’s buildings. Last week Mesa County Valley School District was one of 36 new groups to sign on to the challenge, hoping to cut energy consumption by 50 percent over the next eight years.

School District 51 has particularly taken the lead in the challenge after reducing energy consumption by nearly 40 percent already. School officials say they recognize the program is beneficial for the neighborhood since the efficiency improvements reduce energy consumption and dangerous pollution.

Efficiency upgrades remain the cheapest, cleanest and fastest way to cut our energy use and reduce dangerous pollution, while creating jobs and stimulating Colorado’s economy. The Obama administration should be applauded for prioritizing efficiency, as should School District 51 schools for rising to the challenge.

EMILY GRAND
Environment Colorado
Washington, D.C.

Consumer choice of health care products leads to greater competition, reduced costs

I was pleased to read the Tom Purcell column in Friday’s Daily Sentinel regarding the Affordable Care Act and HSAs. Tom points out the positive aspects of a high deductible health insurance policy coupled with a HSA (health savings account).

As he states, when consumers choose their health care products based on cost, a competitive nature is brought to the marketplace. Less expensive products are purchased, and unneeded products tend to be avoided.

Also, it should be noted, that when consumers are paying the bill directly, not only will they make good decisions among the services that they need, but will also tend to make better long-range decisions, employing exercise and better diet.

This in turn will result in a reduced amount of health care needed for individuals and a further reduction in cost.

CONRAD COLE
Grand Junction