LETTERS: Code enforcement rocks; GOP's demise; and more
A salary that’s justified
I have read some of the recent comments concerning City Council’s approval of the salary for a code enforcement officer. Just this morning, I noticed graffiti in my area, and then sent an email to the city. Literally within two hours of sending that email, the code enforcement officer was out there with a crew, cleaning it up. I want to thank that person for what he does; when I saw the crew painting, I stopped for a moment to shake the code enforcement officer’s hand. I don’t know the guy, and he’s not a friend of mine, but with service like that, I’m thinking maybe his salary is justified. Apparently, the code enforcement officer’s efforts make a difference and make this city a better place in which to live.
Richard Robillard
Colorado Springs
No pun intended
With less than eight months until the Republican National Convention, August 2012, the latest polls show Newt Gingrich as the front-runner among the candidates for president. Apparently, the Republicans didn’t learn anything from the 2008 elections, which pitted longtime, career politician John McCain against former Sen. Barack Obama. It wasn’t even close.
Now, in 2012, if they nominate Gingrich, another career politician who has a shaky background, most likely Obama will have another four years in the White House. On the other hand, if they choose former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as their candidate, he can most likely defeat Obama.
He is the only one of the candidates among the six that has the business acumen and skills to be president. He has proven that throughout his career. Romney is not a politician, but a highly successful businessman. That’s probably the reason he is not welcomed by the Washington crowd. Some of our most accomplished past presidents have not been career politicians, but governors; such as Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, etc.
If the Republican Party doesn’t awaken soon, the party will be over! No pun intended.
Lee Conrad
Colorado Springs
Speedy, distracted selfishness
This letter is in response to the articles covering the decision by the National Transportation Safety Board calling for a nationwide ban on the use of cellphones and text messaging devices while driving.
It seems that every day we hear of yet another traffic “accident” resulting from road rage, teenagers speeding through curves or the average citizen being in a hurry to go nowhere. Now we are seeing the results of how cellphones/texting devices compromise the safety of a driver and those outside the vehicle.
When I back my car up and the rear of my vehicle strikes the rear of another vehicle (for instance in a supermarket parking lot), that is an accident. But when an individual operating a motor vehicle demonstrates such a callous disregard for the safety of others, that is reckless driving. This phenomenon is indicative of what has happened to our society; people could not care less about their fellow citizens. Now they can travel at high speed and be distracted all at the same time. Evidently the punishments being meted out for these crimes are not severe enough but then again it has never been proven that the death penalty has a direct affect on reducing murder.
One solution for reckless driving caused by the use of cellphones (while driving) is the installment of a device allowing for hands-free cellphone use. Essentially the cellphone operates through the car radio. All drivers must be required to have this installed in their motor vehicle. This solution would sure be a strong attempt at keeping our attention where it belongs.
As for texting devices, we must outlaw their use in a motor vehicle, period. My nephew was killed in a car accident as a result of a texting argument with his girlfriend. The autopsy confirmed there were no drugs or alcohol in his system. Studies have confirmed that texting lowers a driver’s reaction time worse than alcohol.
Unfortunately there is really no way you can stop their use unless you spot someone texting or you find the device among the rubble of a mangled car or truck. As for cost, the same argument can be made about the airlines failure to install cockpit security doors. If those cockpits had been secure on Sept. 11, 2001 (after 30 years of airplane hijackings), some 3,000 plus United States citizens would be alive today. My nephew would be as well.
Joe Bialek
Colorado Springs
