LETTERS: Monday

How you really get your food

With everyone from New York City to Hollywood adding their 2 cents about how food is raised these days, it’s important you hear from the people who are actually doing the raising.

I am a cattle rancher from Simla, Colo.  Simla is located near what some would call the end of the earth on the eastern plains of Colorado.

I am a fifth generation Colorado Rancher.  I have a degree in physics and I have an off-farm job to support my 125 cows.  My family is not a faceless giant corporation. My cows do not spend their lives in confined areas as some uninformed activists would like you to think; quite the opposite, my 3 kids and I bounce across the pasture in our old pickup truck every weekend so they can hand-feed the cows and my daughter can check on her favorite cow “Licky.”  I am extremely fortunate that I am able to raise my children in the same environment as I grew up. I have a lot of thanks to give this Thanksgiving, and I will be thanking the American consumer for hearing and understanding the message of a Colorado rancher and continuing to enjoy beef, even with an onslaught of misinformation about how I bring this food to your table. 

Ranching is not a nine to five job; it’s a way of life. I’m proud to be an American rancher, and I hope you’ll join me in saying thanks to other American farmers and ranchers for providing our food this holiday season.

Rodney Richardson. Simla

Stores biased against women

Why are liquor stores requiring women to leave purses behind when entering their stores?  I have seen lockers installed in liquor stores for women to store their purses.  Don’t men have baggy pants and baggy shirts where items could be stolen?  Why is this targeted against women only?

Carol Jordan, Colorado Springs

Election was a success

Hurrah for the people of Colorado Springs, for defeating the proposed property tax.  This vote, I believe, was not a statement from uncaring citizens who are not concerned about the city or who want fewer services and parks closed. Rather, it is a plea for a more rational, thoughtful solution to budget needs.

Our community is made up of more than property owners. The burden of meeting budget needs should be shouldered by the entire community, not just property owners.  Over the years, I have supported most school bond issues and tax hikes, knowing that we must pull together as a community to provide for the future. But here I joined others in drawing a line. I would rather see a hike in sales tax, which would involve the entire community, not just property owners. Frankly, I am astonished to have heard no mention of this possibility. And I am not convinced that those who govern us have explored all of the possibilities before proposing a large tax hike for property owners.

Again, hurrah for the people of Colorado Springs. Now let’s see how creative we can be.

Pat Dickinson, Colorado Springs

Phase Two: Recall

We have now completed Phase One of city voter response: Proposition C2 and 300 were defeated by overwhelming margins.

This despite,  city bleeding hearts and the out of contact City Council. The bleeding hearts were mostly renters that had nothing to lose and the City Council that still resists the vote of the people.

I now suggest a Phase Two. Recall Rivera, Small, Herpin, and especiallyScott Hente, the developer who made our city impossible to manage. If they any had character they would resign under a vote of no confidence.

Unfortunately they are the group of “Good Old Boys” that survive under any circumstances.

Political times are difficult. The Republican Party needs new blood. There are loads of qualified candidates out there that can remold the party and the council. The problem is that the “Good Old Boys” cut them out ether by non-support or lack of incumbent war chests.

Let’s all stand up for good and honest government before it’s too late to matter.

Chuck Blaney, Colorado Springs

Be first to donate to city

I expect Phil Kenny to be first in the long line of citizens disappointed over the recent rejection of an outrageous property tax increase (“Residents Must Pay for Services”, 11/11/09, The Gazette) who gather down at City Hall with their checkbooks open and eager to do their part in closing the budget shortfall.

The absolute on-target letter about the financial issues in the weeks before the Nov. 3rd election was the writer who chided those voting FOR issue 2C and if it didn’t pass, then encouraged that they step up to the plate and put their own money where their vote was tallied! Well stated but highly unlikely.

Liberals are very adept at spending the money of others for their own real or imagined lofty goals. Mr. Kenny’s disgust was evident in his perspective that when citizens of our city need quick police or fire protection, it may not be readily available due to the demise of 2C. Is that his ”you betcha, we’ll getcha” response to citizens having nixed additional funds for past notorious council spending?

How many of the disgusted and immature losers would love to be able to ration out services based upon how individuals voted on 2C and let the naysayers do without?

Marcia A. Fields, Colorado Springs

More Jesus, less Haggard

Please, could we have articles about what many of the followers of Jesus Christ are doing instead of continuing reports concerning Ted Haggard?

Every day on Christian TV I learn that large numbers of Jewish people all over the planet are recognizing Jesus as their Messiah.

I also see and read books about miracles, signs and wonders Christians are experiencing as the Church did in the Book of Acts.

Locally, there must be interesting news concerning the fellowship pastored by Gary Wilkerson, son of David Wilkerson of “The Cross and the Switchblade,” having to go to three services because of their rapid growth. Or, it might be of interest that an Anglican congregation has purchased the old Cactus Rose restaurant in Gleneagle.

I’m sure there are many other items of interest locally, nationally, and internationally about the Church in these last days.

Please!

Barb McClure, Colorado Springs