State roadless plan
filled with loopholes
Colorado should act to protect its roadless forests, and should not rush to finalize the Bush plan that could open more of these areas to development. We should have already learned that this administration is a bad-faith partner when it comes to protecting our natural heritage here in the West.
After nearly a decade of citizens urging that the federal government act to protect the Roan Plateau, these popular public lands were turned over to the oil and gas industry last week. The average price per acre for one of Colorado’s most biologically diverse landscapes was about $2,000. This is about 1/10th the value that the drilling boosters — including Sen. Penry — all promised would come flowing from opening this sensitive habitat for industrial activity.
Now the state of Colorado might lose more of our treasured and dwindling natural lands through a last-ditch effort to open Colorado’s national forest backcountry to more logging, more drilling and more road-building.
A proposed federal rule for Colorado’s roadless national forests leaves too many loopholes and raises too many questions to be rushed through in a poor excuse for public process. There are no public hearings being held on this proposed rule which would have significant consequences across 4 million acres of public lands. Less opportunity for public involvement is being provided in Colorado than in Idaho, the only other state engaged in this process.
In fact, should this rule be finalized — while Colorado’s attention is turned to the Democratic National Convention and summer activities — our roadless forests here could have less protection than any other state in the Lower 48. Colorado’s national forests deserve better. Gov. Ritter should demand that this issue is resolved in a manner that creates sound policy and protects our roadless forests, not according to the rushed agenda of a lame-duck administration during its last days in power.
DUKE COX
Palisade

Unlike our political leaders,
U.S. Olympians make us proud
I often have reason to wonder. When I do, I always have questions, particularly about politicians — people who are elected officials sent to Congress to represent our best interests.
Right now, I wonder whether the three privileged, outspoken leaders in the Democrat Party have been watching the Olympics, as I have.
I refer to Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, all of whom in various diatribes have discredited (that is a “politically correct” term for “poor mouthing”), not just the Bush administration, but many aspects of our great nation — our heritage, our military and even “free enterprise” corporate America, which is the backbone of our growth and greatness!
So I ask: Have Obama, Pelosi and Reid experienced the same sense of pride in our country that I have from these athletes who have so honorably represented the United States in the most dominant and highly publicized event of world athletic competition?
If they have bothered to watch, why can’t they as congressional leaders acquire the same class in representing our country as our Olympic team?
Unlike our political leaders, the demeanor of our Olympians — as demonstrated in their attitudes, their interviews, their pride in performance, their good sportsmanship and their patriotism — makes me proud to be an American!
God bless America and thank you Team USA!
RICHARD DORAN
Parachute
Let energy development
pick up infrastructure tab
Impact fees versus bond issues and sales-tax increases: When a lot of the growth in the valley comes from oil and gas development, then it’s time for the impact fees to pick up the tab.
Why do they always quote monthly cost for tax increases? To soften the blow. The average home in Grand Junction is $263,000. Now we are up to $140.16 per year.
Then there is another 0.25 percent sales tax increase. The average spending per year in Grand Junction is $24,000. Oops! That means another $60 year.
Let’s look at how it impacts commercial development. Commercial is taxed at 3 1/2 times the rate of residential. By the way, whenever a business is taxed it is passed on to — you got it — you! We recently lost one of the largest commercial developments ever proposed and a big factor is the tax base. Maybe we need to refigure the equation.
CHRIS CAMERON
Grand Junction

Mini-hydroelectric plants may help meet future energy needs
A while ago, I had this idea that I thought might work to ease some of the energy problems we have created for ourselves. The one that intrigues me the most is the possibility of using mini-hydroelectricity generation.
For those that don’t know, mini-hydroelectric turbines operate much like wind turbines, only they are placed in a running body of water and they capture energy from the water as it travels downstream.
One may say we can’t put them in the river because we have too many endangered species. This is true. I suggest we put them in the canals that span this valley. While the amount of electricity generated from one turbine is not enough to meet the energy needs of the whole valley, we have miles and miles of canal running through this valley. Therefore, if we placed one every 50 feet, we have quite a bit of energy demand taken care of through completely clean sources.
One might say, well what about the liability? This is also true, if someone falls in and gets injured by a turbine, that may cause a lawsuit, but these effects could be mitigated with proper precautions. In addition, many risks involving canals, i.e. people falling in the canal, have already been dealt with for a long time.
One may also ask: Why would the canal companies want to do this? The extra income produced creates more discretionary funding.
So you may ask: What about during winter? During these months, I suggest that the required maintenance be done. The turbines, since they’re not high in the air like wind turbines, I assume would be much easier to maintain.
I just thought I’d offer that idea to start a discussion on resources that are not being utilized in our community.
BRIAN LUFF
Grand Junction

McCain’s foreign strategy
is superior to Obama’s
The McCain strategy is far superior to his opponent’s. The surge won the peace in Iraq, now we go to Afghanistan.
We cannot invade Pakistan as his opponents would do as it would start an atomic war. Besides, we have to get along with our allies.
This is a war against terrorists and not Pakistan. It is better to keep Pakistan as our ally.
McCain is our man — he will win on both fronts and the election.
KEN L. ENGLISH
Moab, Utah

People should vote
on invocation issue
There are sad days for our democracy. Freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom of press are about to leave our community. The minority wishes to rule our everyday lives. Free thinkers, atheists and non-believers to be our rule?
Where can they ever believe they were given a brain to think? They say follow the Constitution. Then why don’t they do just that? The Constitution is based on a democratic majority rule.
Look at the First Amendment to the Constitution:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
No one can say we can’t have invocations. Let’s find out how our democracy works. Let us show how a majority within the Constitutional government can vote. One can’t help but feel that Mesa County is a God-fearing county. Vote.
Let’s see their petition for our voters.
DAVE MORRIS
Grand Junction

Construction of parkway was
a premier event in city history

Watching the opening of the Riverside Parkway brought to mind the many other singular, “watershed events” that have taken place in the history of the city of Grand Junction. Each event has far-reaching and long-term benefits to the community. Each addressed an essential need. Each was accompanied by financial sacrifice. Each was led by public-minded citizens. Each elevated the community to a new level of confidence.
The following is my list that meets the above criteria:
The acquisition of the city’s Paramount water right in Kannah Creek, the construction of the first wood-stave water transmission line from the Grand Mesa, the development of Lincoln Park and the Moyer pool and subsequent improvements, the county construction of the jail and justice center, the redevelopment of the downtown into the beautiful and popular shopping park, construction of centralized, piped sewer systems across the valley, the clean-up of the south downtown riverfront and, of course, the Riverside Parkway.
My list includes not only the meat-and-potatoes issues like transportation, sewer, water and public safety, but also the cultural and aesthetic.
I look forward to additional efforts that will move us forward as a community. Thank you for your time.
GREG TRAINOR
Grand Junction

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