Opinion & Letters to the Editor

Sheriff Sean Smith embodies respect
Letters to the Editor

Sheriff Sean Smith embodies respect

September 28, 2018

Charles Hamby, running against Sheriff Sean Smith, noted how critical respect for the sheriff’s office is, and he is right. When I taught GED classes at the jail in 2000–2003,…

Time to take action on climate, warming
Letters to the Editor

Time to take action on climate, warming

September 28, 2018

We don’t need to stand on the sidelines as we suffer drought, ensuing fires, low rivers, and more. We needn’t leave the future of our beloved planet to politicians. Most…

Tipton’s talk on taxes doesn’t add up
Letters to the Editor

Tipton’s talk on taxes doesn’t add up

September 28, 2018

Wages are growing too slowly, and many people need to work two jobs to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the biggest U.S. companies have spent $250 billion buying back their own…

Arboretum gardens continue to grow
Letters to the Editor

Arboretum gardens continue to grow

September 27, 2018

We are dedicating the Miniature Tree Garden on Friday, Sept. 28 and will be thanking our very generous donors, supporters, and most especially, our nursery partners, Native Roots,and Durango Nursery…

YES to Durango tax hike on the ballot
Letters to the Editor

YES to Durango tax hike on the ballot

September 27, 2018

For residential properties, the tax proposed equates to an increase of $38.88 per year per $100,000 actual value. For a $400,000 home this equals an increase in property tax of…

How much easier could they make this?
Letters to the Editor

How much easier could they make this?

September 26, 2018

Colorado elections are so easy, just mail in your ballot. Need to register? If you have a Colorado drivers license or ID, simply register or update your address or information…

Our endorsements
Editorials

Our endorsements

September 26, 2018

Two strong candidates for AG. A change to help younger people serve

Arrogant white men must have no place
Letters to the Editor

Arrogant white men must have no place

September 26, 2018

Women’s views, women’s pain, and the struggles of anyone other than the patrician white male, simply do not count when a senior white male’s reputation or future is at stake.…

It’s my hope the city’s new tax will fail
Letters to the Editor

It’s my hope the city’s new tax will fail

September 25, 2018

There are issues on the state ballot that may have an impact on money available to the city. The 25 year time frame is too long. Other options should be…

Our endorsements
Editorials

Our endorsements

September 25, 2018

Measures to simplify our ballots and protect farmers should be adopted

Instant sheep expert? I don’t think so
Letters to the Editor

Instant sheep expert? I don’t think so

September 24, 2018

This is our 48th summer on our allotments in the San Juan Mountains and I am proud of the fact that the water, sub-alpine and alpine environment, and aesthetic aspects…

City is already idiotic; no new taxes!
Letters to the Editor

City is already idiotic; no new taxes!

September 24, 2018

More wasteful spending! A few examples: The city has implemented a storm water drainage study during what could end up being the longest and severest drought in documented history. It…

Congress must act on conservation fund
Letters to the Editor

Congress must act on conservation fund

September 23, 2018

Since Congress created the LWCF in 1965, Colorado has been the recipient of $268 million of funding. These dollars don’t come from taxpayers. Instead, the program is funded by revenues…

Methane emissions know no borders
Letters to the Editor

Methane emissions know no borders

September 23, 2018

The new proposal would loosen regulations of methane emissions and leaks at the federal level and allow the regulation levels to be determined state by state, with most states having…

He shoots the sheriff, hits the deputies
Letters to the Editor

He shoots the sheriff, hits the deputies

September 22, 2018

The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is made up of folks doing a difficult and often thankless job well. Morale is high, as is performance, traits that trend from the…

Fracking is wicked; vote YES on setbacks
Letters to the Editor

Fracking is wicked; vote YES on setbacks

September 21, 2018

The law does not seek a ban, rather a commonsense set of regulations that will address the health and safety of Colorado citizens and our environment. Since the explosion at…

Our endorsements
Editorials

Our endorsements

September 21, 2018

Propositions on property extractions and payday lending need decisive action

Black is needed in Treasurer’s Office
Letters to the Editor

Black is needed in Treasurer’s Office

September 20, 2018

He has the business and financial experience needed to lift our county out of the current embarrassment of being categorized as “high risk,” which is draining money to cover costly…

State Senate is blocking crucial bills
Letters to the Editor

State Senate is blocking crucial bills

September 20, 2018

Colorado’s House of Representatives has been doing its job. Now, we need to flip the state Senate to Democratic majority. Why? Bills which become law in Colorado must pass both…

One fish, two fish
Editorials

One fish, two fish

September 20, 2018

Genetic testing confirms that extinct native species are still swimming here

In cruel China, faith and conscience are crimes
Opinion

In cruel China, faith and conscience are crimes

September 19, 2018

A portrait of Bret Stephens, columnist for the New York Times, taken in New York May 9, 2017. (Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)du1-i-syn Writing from Hotan, a city in the…

Be imaginative about Medicare for all
Letters to the Editor

Be imaginative about Medicare for all

September 19, 2018

Yet, instead of trying to improve it or crafting a better plan, Republicans have undermined the ACA expressly to make it, and the Democrats, look bad. No wonder many Democrats…

Serena Williams’ behavior is disgusting
Letters to the Editor

Serena Williams’ behavior is disgusting

September 18, 2018

Serena should have been escorted off the court, by present USTA rules and regulations, but she got to finish with a minor punishment, and commercials, which she makes money off…

Precious and free
Editorials

Precious and free

September 18, 2018

Even an Alex Jones should not be banned from social media platforms

Sheep grazing is hurting Weminuche
Letters to the Editor

Sheep grazing is hurting Weminuche

September 18, 2018

From Sept. 7 to Sept. 10, I observed these conditions while hiking and camping in an area of the Weminuche Wilderness: Degradation of the sub-alpine and alpine environment; Water sources…

Expensive misadventure in horticulture
Letters to the Editor

Expensive misadventure in horticulture

September 18, 2018

It is nothing remotely resembling a true arboretum, which represents several kinds of trees and shrubs in multiple groups. Its size is Lilliputian and its aims are depressingly low. It…

Why Sean Smith gets my vote for sheriff
Letters to the Editor

Why Sean Smith gets my vote for sheriff

September 18, 2018

His excellent record of fiscal responsibility: Having the largest budget of any county agency, he has saved $2 million over three years! And he brought in $750,000 of new outside…

Please be a voice for Havasupai horses
Letters to the Editor

Please be a voice for Havasupai horses

September 17, 2018

If you are not familiar with the plight of the Havasupai horses, please educate yourself by going to www.havasupaihorses.org to check for yourself. It would be nice if you would…

Medicare for all another bad Dem idea
Letters to the Editor

Medicare for all another bad Dem idea

September 17, 2018

Put new people into the system who have not paid life-long? CRASH! Medicare payments do not cover the cost of treatments given, and have to be supplemented by higher charges…