Too many locals
have no homes
Responding to the “Jesus was homeless” article, I have this to say: I’m not sure about Jesus’ living arrangements, but what I do know is that there are many good people in this city with no place to call home, no place to escape the rain, wind and cold that is just around the corner.
Many of these people are children, innocent victims and their families, elderly people who have lost everything, veterans not receiving the care and benefits they are entitled to and should be receiving for the service they gave our country, the mentally and physically ill, unable to take care of themselves.
These people are our discarded. The people we would like to ignore, keep off our streets and believe they don’t exist. Because if we acknowledge their presence, then we may be required to act as Jesus did, and would have us do, which is reach out and help those in need — the less fortunate, those who can’t help themselves.
Regardless of one’s faith or non-faith, it is still up to us as human beings to help those in need. The majority of these people are unable to help themselves. Maybe if we skipped a meal or two and slept outside in the cold and rain, we could be closer to compassion and understanding.
TAMMIE MARTIN
Mack

Brady Trucking plan
will not create precedent
After following the arguments regarding Brady Trucking’s purchase of the old rendering plant property, I am increasingly puzzled by the opposition. The Blue Heron Trail down river is in an industrial area and was either donated by or purchased from industrial operations. Now it even has a go-cart track that’s truly noisy compared to diesel engines. The city shops are also adjacent to it.
Why did industry suddenly get a bad name? Corn Lake was donated by Corn Construction to the citizens. And Connected Lakes State Park, which is connected to the trail system, was donated by the late Ken Nesbit, owner of United Companies, one of Grand Junction’s largest industrial businesses. Without such donations, the trail system might never have made progress. And none of these businesses have damaged the wildlife or the scenic value of the river.
If it was so important not to have industry at an old industrial site that was a rendering plant — which, by the way, was extremely smelly to the point that no one today would venture near it if it still existed — why wasn’t there a fundraising campaign so it could be snatched up by the people who are now complaining? They had years to actively try to put the entire property in the trail system, so why didn’t they find a way to buy it?
Ken Nesbit, one of Grand Junction’s most generous and kindest citizens, must be shedding tears in heaven. He actively worked for the trail system and now his type of business is being snubbed. Is there no gratitude?
EILEEN O’TOOLE
Grand Junction
Don’t raise taxes
on those who work hard
I was born into a welfare family of six living in a tiny one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. I called the welfare office when I was 16, told them to stop sending checks and got a job. I worked my way through college at nights while working six days a week and I had a good career as an engineer, finally buying my company while raising two kids.
We bought economy cars and shopped for shoes at K-Mart for many years while we invested our money in real estate and IRAs.
I retired at 45 and live a very comfortable life. I guess we are “rich.”
Now Barack Obama wants to tax me extra to benefit people who chose not to help themselves. I feel this is wrong. It is class warfare, stifles initiative and is definitely not “patriotic.”
Understand, I would not object to paying some extra to assist anyone who wanted to go to college or get job training to work for a better life. I do object to having my hard-earned money sent to many who did not choose to work for it.
“Rich” is not a four letter word.
BOB UHL
Grand Junction

Marcia Neal offers
practical knowledge
I see that Marcia Neal didn’t get the endorsement of the Colorado Education Association for State School Board. Apparently they fail to recognize that Marcia, a teacher for years, brings a practical knowledge of the classroom that few outsiders understand.
Also, while Marcia was on the District 51 School Board, she instituted a mentorship program for new teachers. This recognized that even though teachers are asked to meet the needs of all the students in their classroom, they need more time with the struggling students. She led the establishment of an Intervention Fund to allow individual teachers and groups of teachers extra time and effort with these students by devising programs that work in each school, and further expanded summer school hours to give teachers the targeted time they needed.
Instead, the CEA chose to give their support to a candidate who stressed the “party line” of working for more money and less testing, instead of a candidate who recognizes that is one of the most important issues facing us today.
One thing we surely should have learned by now is that just throwing money at “education” has not improved the individual student’s knowledge gain.
CREIGHTON BRICKER
Grand Junction

Laura Bradford doesn’t owe
anyone any favors
“I’m the person who restrains spending” — this according to The Daily Sentinel of Sept. 20, quoting Bernie Buescher. Then why did he vote for Referenda C and D? Why did he vote to increase our property taxes?
Restraining spending is one thing. How about restraining new taxes? New fees? How about restraining Gov. Bill Ritter’s oil-and-gas job-killing restrictions? How about restraining unions from taking over the state? How about restraining Mr. Buescher?
My vote goes to farmer, rancher and business owner Laura Bradford. She doesn’t owe anyone any favors, hasn’t taken any special interest or union money for her campaign. She’ll vote with Mesa County, not against us, and she received the endorsement of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.
GARY BLACKMAN
Grand Junction

Chamber of Commerce erred in not endorsing Bernie Buescher
As a former board member of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, I was very disappointed in their decision to not endorse Bernie Buescher for re-election.
Bernie has served House District 55 and all of Mesa County very well for the past four years. Being chairman of the Joint Budget Committee requires a tremendous time commitment from Bernie and has resulted in capital construction dollars for Mesa State College, a new CBI facility in Grand Junction and improvements to the Veterans Cemetery, among other accomplishments. He understands the state budget thoroughly and is the type of person who will continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of all of us.
There is also another important issue to consider in this race. If Bernie is re-elected, there is a good chance he will become speaker of the House, one of the three most powerful positions in state government. I think Mesa County will have a much stronger voice in the Legislature with Bernie in a leadership position than we would have with a freshman member of the minority party, who will have no voice in framing the debate on major policy issues.
For the past 18 months, I have served as one of the co-chairs of Gov. Ritter’s Transportation Finance and Implementation Panel. Finding ways to begin to address Colorado’s significant shortfall in transportation funding will be a major issue in the next legislative session. I look forward to having a proven leader like Bernie Buescher lead the effort to build a bipartisan consensus on how we move forward on this issue that is so critical to the long-term economic viability of our state.
DOUG ADEN
Grand Junction

Lower Valley crew is
compassionate and professional
The Lower Valley Fire District should be proud of its voluntary and full-time crew for their promptness and professionalism shown when they responded to our property when Phil was bucked off his horse.
Because of their knowledge and training, they saved his life. They showed a lot of compassion for both Phil and myself.
SHARON ARMOUR
Mack

Independent candidate
dedicated to working with all
I must respond to Thomas Huerkamp’s misleading letter regarding my independent candidacy for Delta County Commissioner District 2. Mr. Huerkamp seems to take issue with the fact that, as an independent and a political outsider, I have to draw my support from across party lines in a race where my Republican opponent has already spent over $30,000 to win this office. The only ideology I serve is practicality and equality.
The alliance of folks supporting me is the direct result of people’s dissatisfaction and lack of trust for their own party’s candidates and their desire for something beyond the same-old, same-old in county government.
I am supported by members of the Libertarian Party. I am also supported by many Republicans, Democrats and independents because of my integrity, my commitment to finding solutions and my willingness to listen to the concerns of a broad constituency rather than the usual suspects. Call this an “unlikely alliance” if you will, but only because our system has made party affiliation take precedence over character, experience and commitment. The people of Delta County deserve better.
As an independent, I have been committed to hearing from anyone and appreciate the support and trust of those who endorse me. I have also talked with groups that haven’t endorsed me, the Conservative Caucus for one. My independent ideas don’t fit with every group’s beliefs.
I need all the help I can get against a candidate who has already spent over $30,000 in this race. The question is, will his gamble that he can win this election through money alone prove to be true? I hope not.
GLENN CORRIGAN
Candidate for Delta County Commissioner, District 2
Cedaredge

Subcontractors damage
neighborhood’s irrigation
Last winter, Bresnan Communications cable company put a cable TV line on Orchard Mesa to service a new subdivision east of Laguna Drive.
Using horizontal drilling, they drilled through to put in a junction box on Laguna Drive. They drilled next to a clean-out area of a 6-inch irrigation line, filling this line with dirt and gravel.
I could see that they had parked the drilling trailer on top of the clean-out area, causing more damage. I called Bresnan and they sent out the person in charge. I told him what damage they had caused and said they would have to clean out the rocks and dirt they left behind while installing their new line. He said he would take care of it. I took him at his word and figured they would correct their mistake.
This spring, when the water was turned on, I could tell the line was partially blocked. By the last of June, we didn’t have water. The line was all plugged up.
I went down to the local Bresnan office. Their construction supervisor came out to look things over and brought the supervisor of the contract company that had done the drilling. It was agreed at that time that it should be cleaned up.
Now, here it is autumn and the irrigation line is still plugged with gravel and dirt. I have been told they have done all they going to do.
Most of the people on the line don’t have enough water to water their lawns or any kind of gardening. We all pay $80 a year for our irrigation water. Most of us are retired and living on fixed incomes and we don’t have the money to fight this. We will have to figure out a way to clean up this mess so we can have irrigation water in the future.
JAMES GAROUTTE
Grand Junction

To avoid ‘tyranny of the masses’ vote ‘Yes’ on Referendum O
Perusing the statewide ballot issues in The Daily Sentinel, I had fun pretending I was a member of the state Legislature. I take pride in being relatively knowledgeable about politics within Colorado. However, I question whether my pittance of due diligence gives me the resources necessary to assist in the legislative process, even such a menial role as this.
There is a reason the founders of our national government established a democratic republic as opposed to a democracy. Does tyranny of the masses ring a bell? How about letting the legislators … uh, legislate?
For those who do plan to vote: With our state Constitution convoluted enough as is, and the likelihood of a constitutional convention buried by the idea that it’s a sacred historical document that cannot be redrafted (other states have managed to do it just fine), I beg of thee to vote “Yes” on Referendum O.
Maybe we should have an amendment where potential voters are required to read the whole Colorado constitution before being allowed to vote (expect several months to a year of your free time to be consumed in order to accomplish this task, that is if you expect to be able to comprehend it).
It actually is a fascinating document in its own arcane and obfuscating way.
JASON T. LUDWIG
Grand Junction

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