Books, books, books
Dear Editor,
I could not live in a world without books. Ever since I could read, probably about third grade, I loved the once-a-week visits to the school library. Students were limited to three books per week. Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy were popular then. I couldn’t wait to check out the next books in the series.
And so, those library visits started my reading life. I read every day and can’t go to sleep without reading the next pages of my current book. Books are important to every age group, culture, and life-style. Thus, a diversity of available reading choices is important to fulfill everyone’s interests.
As far as I can determine, the head librarian in Meeker has always selected new books. Anyone can request a book be purchased. If the request fits in the library’s collection, is of local interest, and rather small budget, it will be considered.
In the past this process has never been controversial.
If this decision making is based on any religious objections or committee, it opens the door to any and everyone protesting a book selection. “You don’t like this? Well, I don’t like that.”
The Meeker library system worked perfectly until one person had to protest one book. Now it’s a community issue.
Shame on those who pick on a fine institution.
Kaye Sullivan
Meeker
Should Colorado limit out-of-state skiers?
Dear Editor,
I know, I know, the first thing you’re going to say is the revenue is far too important to reduce out-of-state skiers in Colorado. So, maybe charge out of state skiers $10x more than in-state skiers for ski passes? That’s what happened with out of state fall recreational hunting activity, which has been the primary funding for the Colorado parks and Wildlife for years. Even though out of state hunters only get 25% of draw licenses, they pay about 10 times more than state hunters pay for the same licenses. Should Colorado reduce out of state recreationist for the benefit of locals and the resources? Good idea or bad? I’m being a little facetious but let’s take a look.
Why limit out of state skiers. Public safety? Our Colorado mountain passes and roads have become a nightmare in part by out of state traffic and this has become an increasing public safety issue. Out of state skiers are pouring into our local clinic’s and hospital facilities on busy ski days. Out of state skiers don’t pay the taxes that residents pay and that puts pressure on communities and emergency services. Real estate? Have you noticed the cost of living and buying a home in mountain towns is now unaffordable to local residents? Maybe most of this is driven by out of state skiers. Lift lines? For residents that want to ski they can often expect to stand around in lift lines for an hour or more. That’s not what anyone wants. Ski resorts say, “build more”.
But, maybe the best argument for reducing out-of-state skiers in Colorado is the environment. Big Ski Town developments are creating the greatest environmental impact in Colorado’s once pristine headwaters. These areas are the very places where the elk and deer, bison, and even the wolf once migrated to and depended on for summer range. The beautiful tributaries of the Colorado River are now overrun with people and development, robbing the wildlife of their true home. Now in many areas, it’s almost gone.
In Steamboat Springs and other mountains towns, every acre that’s gets developed is another acre lost to wildlife. Have you seen Steamboat lately? It’s one big construction site that is being driven by out of state skiers. It’s not only Steamboat Springs, it’s happening in the other beautiful mountain valleys in Colorado that should be the summer range for wildlife that have existed in Colorado for 100’s of generations. This aggressive development is not coexisting with anything.
If you really believe we can live with wildlife and have a healthy Colorado then you can appreciate the fact that we need to save every square inch of Colorado from “over development” to have any chance to even partially coexist with the wildlife. In the mountain towns, over development, “over tourism”, is robbing wildlife of their most sacred lands.
If you think about it and care, you might feel a little like our Native Ute elders feel today, seeing their lands, wildlife, and water going away forever.
Maybe it’s time for Colorado to consider reducing out of state skier passes?
Shawn Welder
Meeker
