Letters

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 29, 2003

SPOUTING OFF Residential customers bear the brunt of conservation

In Sunday's Gazette, water conservation is a front-page topic ("Springs water cost and rules could be better - or worse"). And again, Colorado Springs Utilities and City Council head off in the direction of charging the residential customer whatever the traffic will bear, while commercial users have virtually no restraint in gallons of usage or rates.

Car wash facilities have to be some of the worst users, and far exceed the water used by those washing their cars at home.

Drive though our city and note how many lawns are parched and looking their worst. Obviously, citizens are abiding by watering restrictions. Abusers are few and far between.

If the Arkansas River is such a viable water source, why not use that instead of snow-melt reservoirs that are unpredictable?

Roy W. Oswandel, Colorado Springs

Dual metering plan a breeze to get around

So, Vice Mayor Richard Skorman wants dual metering of residential water users, one meter for interior use and one for exterior, with much lower rates for interior use ("Utility may raise rates to lower water use," Metro, Aug. 23).

That will save enormous amounts of water until customers figure out they can simply run a hose from inside their houses to water their lawns. You just keep thinking, Richard, that's what you're good at.

Jesse Baldwin, Colorado Springs

PUBLIC SCHOOLS The system is an easy target for dissenters

Willie Breazell continues to disparage the public school system as a business that is failing our community and our country ("We need new blood on the District 11 board," Letters, Aug. 21). He writes of the educational and moral decay that is affecting our children across El Paso County. He assails the board members of District 11 as being in the pockets of the local teachers union. He points out that 30 percent to 40 percent of Colorado's children fail to graduate.

Breazell is one of many in our midst who is pushing for a statewide voucher system; he helps his cause by demeaning those in public education. He is quick to lay all the ills that plague society at the steps of our neighborhood schools.

As one who spent nearly 18 years as a school board member, I've seen and heard it all. Most people send their kids to school prepared to learn. Many do not, and the negative dynamics of many homes carry into the classrooms, especially the classrooms in underprivileged neighborhoods. As a tax-supported institution whose doors are open to all, public schools will never come close to being perfect, but all too often, out of frustration, it becomes the target of condemnation by those who expect miracles of our educators.

I suggest it's parental neglect and detachment, along with our nation's loose borders, that place a tremendous burden upon the public school system. And the record is already showing it is not positively complemented by vouchers that send students outside their neighborhoods and into alternate venues. We must differentiate between societal problems and school problems.

I want to encourage all who serve us in public education to take heart and know that the vast majority in the Pikes Peak region appreciates your devotion and commitment to your profession as you continue to bring the gift of literacy to all who are prepared to receive it.

Harlan E. Nimrod, Colorado Springs

PARKS DIRECTOR Nugent's record doesn't support county's action

Did Barbara Nugent threaten the county commissioners with a shotgun or coax a bear into their chambers?

Those of us who know Nugent can't see her in these roles. We know her as the former director of El Paso County Parks and Leisure Services who got up early to see that a crew eradicates the right trees along Fountain Creek, who overextended herself to take care of emergencies on Sunday, who came to programs at the nature centers, and, above all, as the woman who worked tirelessly through the whole process of getting the new Bear Creek Nature Center built and operating, insisting always that things be done right.

Most people expect the firing of a person in her position to come on gradually, after an array of offenses has been established. What has she done? And what sort of behind-the-scenes misjudgments prompt this abrupt and unreasonable decision to put her on the chopping block?

Dr. Beth Ann Bassein, El Paso County Parks Naturalist Docent Colorado Springs

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS Congress should replace Air Force's aging tanker fleet

I am interested in the new refueling tanker issue before the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congress is currently deciding whether to approve an Air Force request to lease 100 new air refueling tanker planes to begin to replace its decrepit, 40-year-old fleet. The Air Force is supporting all air operations in the war on terrorism and in the skies over Iraq and Afghanistan with Eisenhower-era planes. It must begin replacing these planes, and the White House, Pentagon and most members of Congress agree.

Sadly, there are a few Washington groups looking to oppose any effort to shore up our military and they are working hard to make sure Congress keeps these planes from getting to our fighting men and women.