Letters - Tuesday

BAND OF BROTHERS

State employees need union representation

As one of the well-compensated state employees Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany was referring to, I would like to know what census report he was talking about (“Union debates are back,” Metro & State, Oct. 7). Is he aware that the state Department of Personnel and Administration has stated that on July 1, 2008, it will reduce annual and sick leave maximum benefits accrual by nearly 50 percent? Did he note that this will require me to work additional days for no compensation?

He did not address the high turnover rate for state employees, nor the plummeting morale. Perhaps these well-compensated folks should talk to McElhany instead of looking at their paychecks and rapidly eroding benefits.

I would suggest that before McElhany begrudge state employees the right to organize and enter into partnership with the state, he talk to some state employees. We are his constituents also.

Michael R Pasewark

Colorado Springs

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Lamborn’s office responded when disabled vet needed aid

I am a blind veteran with 100-percent, combat-related disabilities and am confined to a wheelchair. For two-plus years my checks were short due to mistakes made by the combat-related special compensation branch and the Department of Finance and Accounting Services. Attempts to correct the error were to no avail, causing much stress to my family and me.

Finally, I called Rep. Doug Lamborn’s office and spoke to Dale, who is also a veteran, having served his country in the Middle East and Far East. In two months, he had my problem corrected, and got me back pay.

I urge all veterans with issues to call Lamborn’s office.

Henceford E. Wooden

Colorado Springs

TIME TO GO

Let’s get rid of Breazell, last of so-called reformers

There can be no room on a public school board of education for those who advocate diverting public funds into the pockets of nonpublic school entrepreneurs.

Four years ago, Colorado Springs School District 11 was taken hostage by four like-minded stalwarts whose mission was to impose a voucher system as an adjunct to public education.

Their mission stood at odds with the wisdom of Colorado’s electorate and Supreme Court; their mission failed.

After three years, three members of that foursome were gone — two were recalled from office and one resigned. Only one, Willie Breazell, remains.

Breazell continues to push for options that contravene the strategic plan of the district he serves. He has been known to undermine public education in order to advance his “school choice” agenda. He is on record saying “Monopolies such as public education have been illegal in America for almost a century; they did not serve the public interests then and they still don’t.” It would seem Breazell’s goal is to dismantle public education.

On Nov. 6, we can deny Breazell re-election to our board of education.

Now is a good time to affirm our commitment to preserving and strengthening the institution that has brought, and will continue to bring, the gift of literacy to more than 90 percent of America’s youth, notwithstanding the many challenges inherent in a fast-changing and diverse society.

Several individuals are highly qualified to pursue that task with diligence: Charlie Bobbitt, Chyrese Exline, Tom Strand and Janet Tanner.

Please vote; nearly 30,000 students deserve our support.

Harlan E. Nimrod

Colorado Springs

PIÑON CANYON

Southeastern ranchers fighting for freedom

Rep. Bob Gardner is right about one thing: For citizens of southeast Colorado, the Piñon Canyon expansion issue is not an issue of “regional prosperity” (“Salazar’s rhetoric adds to Piñon divide,” Other Voices, Oct. 10). It is an issue of freedom.

In the United States we have the freedom to self-sustain and self-define. Just as Colorado Springs has the right to self-define, so does southeast Colorado. Our legislature, community groups, chambers of commerce and citizens have united to overwhelmingly and passionately reject the prospect of this forced and massive land seizure.

In southeast Colorado, we choose to selfsustain; to earn our living by honest beef production. We choose to sustain and care for our own environment, our own cultural heritage and our own endangered grasslands and archaeological treasures.

Gardner’s contention that ranchers are “strident and intransigent” and do not engage in civil discourse is a measure of his frustration with our passionate defense of property rights against forced oppression and outright thievery. A polite thief is still a thief. Civility will not make this land grab more palatable to its victims.

Since the 1980s, the citizens of southeast Colorado have experienced wrenching sorrow and loss, and have been routinely treated with cavalier disregard. As a community, we reject the Army’s justification for this seizure attempt, and we will continue to oppose it with vehemence.

Lori Holdread

Trinidad