Opinion

Some things are worth preserving

Editor:

I read my friend Jerry’s opinion on the need to save Georgetown and Silver Plume from the recalcitrant zealots who want to preserve the National Historic Landmark District, and I was left wondering if he isn’t a secret lobbyist for some energy or mining interest.

Important money was raised

for Charlie’s Place

Editor:

Friends of Charlie’s Place and Charlie’s Place, the Clear Creek-Gilpin County animal shelter, would like to thank all of our donors and buyers for attending our spring yard sale in Georgetown on May 8 and 9. Over $1,100 was raised for the animals at the shelter in spite of not-so-great weather. Charlie’s Place is proud of our low euthanasia rate and money raised for veterinary expenses help keep the rates low.

When the Board of Education pondered moving the middle school program to the high school campus, it was decided that, despite an already lengthy public process, holding one more meeting to garner input was important.

Consequently, one was held where anxious, concerned, inquisitive and often angry citizens spoke their minds.

Critical to that was the fact that the entire board and superintendent were on hand to listen, acknowledge and give feedback. Besides being an indicator of transparency, it was a matter of respect.

Here’s a variation on an old maxim: With Democrats like these, who needs Republicans?

The just-ended Democratic-controlled legislative session and the Democratic soon-to-be ex-governor just performed a lobotomy on public education that a Republican-controlled legislature and governor could not nor would not have dared to attempt: equating learning with test scores and telling a select group — teachers — that 50 percent of their evaluations will be based on a benchmark over which they have no control: student test performance.

I would like to announce my candidacy for commissioner of Clear Creek County representing District 1. As a 17-year resident, business and property owner, I understand the hopes and challenges faced by our county and wish to be instrumental in helping design its future.  

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.” 

— Albert Einstein

I have written about Greg Mortensen’s heroic attempt to bring secular education, particularly for girls and women, to Pakistan and Afghanistan. His story is uplifting, inspiring and noble. Beyond Mortensen’s efforts, though, the subtext is that of the troops on the ground, not American soldiers but Afghan and Pakistani adults who work tirelessly to bring Mortensen’s dream to reality.

Why Eclipse needs to be approved

Editor:

I have a question. Since when do the exaggerated negative claims and false concerns repeatedly expressed by a small handful of overwrought conservatives living along Fall River Road outweigh the legitimacy and the broad-based benefits associated with the development of Eclipse?

First, Eclipse was a ski area and deserves to be a ski area again.

Second, Eclipse meets the vast majority of criteria set by county planning.

This is the second part in a series.

Many concerns regarding the Cultural Resources Management Plan were voiced by those in attendance at the project update to the Board of County Commissioners on April 7.  The County Land Use Division staff would like to provide the following questions and answers to address some of those concerns.

What are cultural resources?

Both locally and at the state level, teacher evaluation and evaluations have been front-page news. As such, they provide us a teachable moment.