Letters - Friday

Closing schools
Buena Vista is home to unique Montessori learning program

I was shocked to read in The Gazette that the consultants hired by District 11 are considering that Buena Vista Elementary be closed or put to use as an alternative high school. We chose to send our children to Buena Vista Elementary because of its excellent Montessori education and superior Montessori certified teachers.

The Montessori education at Buena Vista cultivates a desire to learn through sensory and experiential means, fostering greater conceptual understanding. Montessori education also allows children to learn at their own rate, fostering confidence, independent thinking and a sense of internal reward for achievement.

CSAP composite scores for Buena Vista Elementary indicated that the minority population of the school has closed the achievement gap on the student population as a whole. I challenge District 11 to build on this momentum, as Buena Vista is one of only a few schools to accomplish such a feat.

Buena Vista's facilities are specifically suited to a Montessori method of education. Further, a Montessori program needs consistency and continuity, not a program split between two elementary schools, as proposed. Many thousands of dollars have already been spent to provide Montessori materials in each classroom at Buena Vista. Additionally, the central location of Buena Vista makes it attractive to neighborhood families, and families who are willing to drive their children to school for a Montessori education. Buena Vista has afforded the westside of Colorado Springs a chance to attract young families and rejuvenate its neighborhoods.

Buena Vista has been a Montessori school for only a few years, and because of principal turnover, the school has not had the opportunity to market itself. How can the consultants begin to forecast declining enrollment for Buena Vista, given its unique program and short track record as a Montessori school? At the Nov. 12 District 11 school board meeting, there was overwhelming support for Buena Vista and its Montessori program.

I urge the District 11 school board to continue the Montessori program at Buena Vista Elementary School, rather than dissolving a program District 11 has already invested in.

Kristen R. Downs
Colorado Springs

No raises
Many would line up for jobs if Utilities employees leave them

I am writing in response to the rate increase proposed by Colorado Springs Utilities ("Utilities asks for an 18.9% rate increase," The Gazette, Nov. 20). When asked by the City Council members and the mayor about the 2.9 percent raise for employees starting in July 2009, the response was that it is needed to keep qualified employees.

I would be the first in line to replace one of the qualified employees if they chose to leave their job because they didn't receive their raise this time.

It's OK for private companies to not give raises when times are tough, but don't expect people on a government dole to do without their pay raises. This includes our politicians as well.

Colorado Springs Utilities should not be given a rate increase if this is included.

Bonnie Van Gorder
Colorado Springs

Be proactive
We need to find a way to save county's D.A.R.E. program

This letter is in response to various publications in the last few months regarding the declining sales/use tax revenues, and the resulting proposed reduction or elimination of publicly financed services within El Paso County, specifically the D.A.R.E. program.

In tough budgetary times the first impulse is to reactively shift resources or eliminate programs that use those resources. Clearly proactive approaches are also viable in these times.

On Sept. 25 The Gazette reported that the city of Colorado Springs was implementing the recommendations of the city auditor, by adding four additional audit/investigative staff workers, to collect sales tax revenues currently not being reported. Clearly in a budgetary crisis, this is a proactive approach.

On Oct. 22 The Gazette reported that County Administrator Jeff Greene believed that approximately $5 million dollars could be garnered from use tax not collected on unreported or underreported construction costs.

County Commissioner Jim Bensberg suggested that Regional Building help facilitate those collections in connection with their licensing and inspection procedures. This, too, is a proactive approach to the problem.

In reviewing the 2008 Revenue Sources and Budget Information for El Paso County, it appears that D.A.R.E. could be carved from within the Public Safety, Health Department or Child Protection and Human Services portions of the budget. From this publication, it is unclear where the D.A.R.E. funds are accounted for, and what potential overlap in services are provided from the Public Safety and the Child Protection and Human Services divisions.

Has anyone considered how much more overcrowded the jail would be or how many more violent crimes would be committed if in the past 19 years D.A.R.E. had not been educating our young people? D.A.R.E.'s lessons on teen over-the-counter/prescription drug abuse, methamphetamine, bullying, gangs and internet safety are a proactive approach to halting future drug and violence activities.

These criminals endanger all of us, and cost El Paso County millions of dollars to investigate, apprehend, prosecute and house. The small budget amount dedicated now to fund D.A.R.E. is a proactive strategy that would be worth the potential savings to taxpayers in the long run.

Kimberly A Miller
Bonita J. Minissale
Colorado Springs

Good job
Local major road projects make commute more pleasant

I recently drove through the intersection of Austin Bluffs Parkway and Union Boulevard, and it is terrific. How did we ever navigate it before?

Also, the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Circle Drive is great; and the Cimarron Bridge is beautiful. Thanks to the folks responsible. We always complain but seldom compliment.

Mary Goulet
Colorado Springs

Protecting property
Banks should act responsibly when evicting borrowers

My first reaction when reading the Nov. 19 Our View, "Pillaging pigs of prey," was that people suffering eviction should be well aware of what's happening, of why, and when. I certainly feel bad for the circumstances that lead to such actions.

However, after some consideration, I was reminded that in small claims court, when a landlord evicts a tenant, or even when one roommate evicts another, he's not allow to dump another's possessions out on the street or even on the front porch. The advised approach is to move it to a storage locker, inform the ousted party where to go, and leave them to pay fees and collect their belongings. Why are mortgage banks immune from this responsible behavior?

A household full of furnishings is no trivial matter to transport for storage but the expectation of responsible behavior should be the same for all.

Brian Davis
Colorado Springs

Simple solution
Use FHA to refinance mortgages, spur economic development

Here's a plan that would inject billions into the economy: since the government controls the FHA, it should make an offer to every qualified homeowner to refinance their house with FHA at 4 percent. This is above the average rate of inflation the past 20 years and puts hundreds of dollars into the pockets of Americans every month for the next 30 years, which then goes into the economy. Bbest of all, it doesn't cost the government or taxpayers a penny and jumpstarts our consumer-driven economy. Now, if we can just sell it to Congress.

Jim Etheridge
Colorado Springs