Letters - Tuesday

HD 20
Stephens can be found all around district working for constituents

As a constituent of Colorado House District 20, I am a fervent supporter of incumbent State Rep. Amy Stephens and I am very proud of all she has done for us in the Legislature. However, I am very disappointed by the negativity and false statements made by her Democratic opponent, Jan Hejtmanek, in Friday's letter to the editor ("Republican candidate ducking forums to discuss issues").

If Hejtmanek has to ask "Where's Amy," then she must not be in the right place.

Stephens has served our community very well for the past two years and I expect she will be overwhelmingly re-elected due to her commitment as a tenacious fighter for local businesses and for her community. If you just take a look around Stephens' district, her support is vividly clear by the many yard signs and bumper stickers proudly displayed around our community by people who see her, know her and trust her.

As for her involvement in the community, Stephens recently held a widely attended community forum at Pikes Peak Community College where she had a team of experts discussing our concerns over pharmaceuticals in the water. And just days ago, Stephens authored a bill that would make it illegal to remove a ballot measure in exchange for something of value. In short - she's been fighting for us and for what's right and as a community we are better because of her.

I find it interesting Hejtmanek's Web site says she wants to offer a "Brighter Future for Colorado" but from her letter, all I see is the same old negative politics. From where I sit, our future is already bright with Rep. Amy Stephens as our voice at the Capitol - and I trust, under her leadership, it will only get better.

Melissa Kuipers, Monument

Incumbent supports parents' right to choose their schools

As a charter school parent in House District 20 I am thankful we have Amy Stephens as our state representative. Representative Stephens has consistently defended our rights for school choice from Democrats such as her opponent Jan Hejtmanek, who try to de-fund charter schools during the state budget process. Stephens listens to her constituents and supports parents' right to choose the education they want for their children. Many parents have told my husband and me that they are grateful we have someone in Denver who will fight and is fighting for families like ours.

With 7,000 students on the waiting list to get into our charter school, there is no doubt that our school is meeting a need for some parents in the district. Democrats hate competition they can't control - and Hejtmanek's hostile views on charter schools and school choice are completely out-of-step with the district and Colorado. Stephens has been a tireless supporter of public, private and charter schools and is the representative we need in Denver.

Lisa Sutton, Colorado Springs

AMENDMENT 58
Colorado needs revenue more than energy companies do

I urge my fellow citizens to vote yes on Amendment 58. For 30 years we have given oil companies tax subsidies which have helped create the largest profit margins in history. On the other hand, the average citizens struggle to fill up their cars.

Over the past 10 years demand for state-funded higher education institutions has increased dramatically, while struggling students find it harder and harder to pay their tuitions. Amendment 58 will create more than $300 million in revenue for Colorado, 60 percent of which will be available to Colorado families as financial aid.

If this amendment is passed, will it drive oil and gas companies from Colorado? The straight and simple answer is no. Wyoming and New Mexico have passed similar amendments and their oil industries are still thriving.

Its time for us Coloradans to step-up and prioritize the issues that matter to us. The oil and gas companies will remain here as long as there are commodities to extract, but as tuition costs continue to climb, we will be able to keep our best and brightest at our in-state institutions?

Matt Valdez, Colorado Springs

CLOSED OUT
Crowd turned away from rally for McCain in Pueblo

The report on the John McCain's town hall event in Pueblo did not tell the whole story ("McCain basks in Palin's showing/Presidential hopeful rallies Pueblo supporters," The Gazette, Oct. 4). I obtained a ticket and tried to attend the rally, only to be told that the fire marshal would not let anyone else in. I could not see the door where I was standing and there were as many people behind me as there were in front of me waiting.

I would estimate at least 500 and maybe 1,000 enthusiastic McCain supporters were turned away from the event. Many were turned away by the overwhelming turnout to support Sen. John McCain.

Cindy Schonholtz, Colorado Springs

LOSING VOTE
McCain proves ‘maverick' follows the herd on bailout

I am writing because John McCain has lost my support. After claiming maverick status for himself, he recently did just what he said he would not do. Of course, I refer to the bailout vote.

He said in a very clear statement that he would not vote for the bailout if pork was attached to it, yet he did. This was his chance to show leadership and he failed. Not only did he fail, he suckered all of us into an $800 billion obligation. Commentator Glen Beck was right, this vote cost McCain the election.

Many other options could have been put on the table but they have been suppressed. That sounds like corruption and using fear to once again manipulate the public.

Neither presidential candidate deserves our support or our vote.

Ken Diercouff, Colorado Springs

FUNDING OUR FUTURE
D-38 needs mill levy override to ensure continued success

This past financial quarter has been devastating for all. News that the U.S. economy is in crisis, coupled with a barrage of political promises, constitutional amendments and local ballot issues have all our heads spinning and looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

School District 38 has a proposal on the ballot, Issue 3C, which asks voters to approve a $2.7 million mill levy override to help fund current student programs and teacher salaries.

We need to be responsible for the future of our children, nation and economy. What better investment can there be but in the lives of today's children who will become our political and business leaders tomorrow?

District 38 has proven its fiduciary responsibility by cutting $1.8 million from the budget last year, $400,000 of that was for central administration, saving more than $1 million in the construction of the new Palmer Ridge High School, as well as future savings by the energy efficient and environmentally sensitive building design. They also have a proven scholastic record as one of the top academic school districts in the state. We need to create our future today and support D-38 by voting yes on Issue 3C.

Byron Glenn, Monument

GET ‘EM OUT
Ballot issues don't belong in blueprint for government

Although I tend to support the philosophy of some of the pending proposals for amending the Colorado Constitution, I will vote no on all of them. None of these - with the exception of the gambling provision - needs to be addressed in the state constitution.

These are issues for the Legislature. Dressing the state constitution up like a Christmas tree is a mistake. The purpose of the constitution is to define limits on the power of state government.

Jim Sherwood, Colorado Springs