Letters

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 8, 2007

BLACK FOREST

Tax fears shouldn't trump saving the home you love

We moved here more than six years ago. When we flew into Colorado Springs to look for a home, we knew nothing about the area. We drove around looking for the first time, and all I knew was that we did not want to be in the populated areas. I wanted space; I wanted trees. We wanted a place in Black Forest and we found one.

Why did we like it so instantly? Simple. It is so unique. There is not another place around that is like it. I remember walking out of my home, looking around, and feeling, this is a place where people pay a lot of money to vacation. And we live here. I still have that feeling about my home.

But I have seen a lot of changes, and these changes scare me. I fear one day we may look like Woodmoor or Monument and no longer be unique. Just look at the plains that surround Black Forest. Five years ago, you could not see one home as you drove along Woodmen Road looking toward Black Forest. And now the houses go up to the tree line. Why would anyone think that the tree line is some sort of protection to stop the city, to stop the county commissioners, to stop uncontrolled growth, or growth in contrast to our Black Forest Preservation Plan?

All I hear from the opponents of incorporation is the fear of taxes that goes something like "save your money." That message is so short-sighted, and focused on one emotion: fear. Fear is a great motivator, but love is a greater one.

If incorporation was only about the fear of taxes, I would join in on their monotonous message. But it isn't. Incorporation is about so much more. It is about protecting our homes and the whole surrounding area that I love, that I hope you love, that I hope we all love, proponents and opponents. It is about looking to the future, and I don't mean just this next tax year. I mean 10 years, 20 years or more. I want to look back 20 years from now and thank God that we had the wisdom and the courage to take the steps to work together through incorporating Black Forest and protecting it.

Eddie Bracken

Black Forest

Incorporation would be 'financial insanity'

A few years ago, Centennial voted to incorporate. Within a year, the town was on the verge of bankruptcy. Real estate taxes rose dramatically. In order to survive, a Wal-Mart and a mall were brought in. That is the future of the Black Forest if incorporation is approved.

Larry Farris, a spokesman for the Black Forest Incorporation Committee, stated at a homeowners association meeting in the Black Forest that "where the money comes from for incorporation doesn't matter." That epitomizes the cavalier attitude of those pushing incorporation.

The BFIC continually touts incorporation as costing only a dollar per day. If you believe that you are very nave or just fooling yourself. That is a very low-ball figure used to deceive people into voting for incorporation.

Road maintenance, law enforcement, snow plowing and other services are now performed by El Paso County for our current taxes. Do you really want to pay significantly more money for the same or fewer services and an added bureaucracy that will continue to grow? Do you want to be controlled by a small group of people who are just seeking power and who would have the authority to dictate so many aspects of your life?

Do you want to place your future in the hands of a group of power- hungry amateurs who have absolutely no background or experience in forming or running a city? I do not. Incorporation would be financial insanity. Don't buy into the platitudes and rosy picture painted by the BFIC.

Cast your vote based on rationality and facts, not emotion. Vote no on incorporation.

Clint Jones

Black Forest

AFA BASKETBALL

Mueh got good deal when he hired Bzdelik

Milo Bryant missed the call with his analysis of the Air Force Academy's athletic department ("Academy leaders can only blame themselves," Sports, April 5). Getting the use of a $750,000 coach for half that price was a shrewd move by Dr. Hans Mueh. The program continued to flourish and the fan base expanded.

Bzdelik's fawning over CU's "dynamic leadership" and "integrity" is just his way of saying, "I'm in it for the money, and these guys really have lots of it."

Since Air Force loses money on the basketball program even with a $375,000 coach, Mueh must look for someone who's not in it for the money -- just like the officers and enlisted personnel who make up the Air Force; someone who thrives on personal satisfaction, contributing to the defense of our nation and playing a part in developing our nation's future leaders. I'm sure Mueh hoped his coach was this kind of guy. Jeff Bzdelik just showed us all that he's not.

Tom Brandon

Colorado Springs

Academy has great coach already on its staff

As a longtime Air Force Academy sports fan and season ticket holder, I would like to put my two cents in for the new head basketball coach at the academy.

Larry Mangino has been the assistant coach there for several years. He understands the goal of the academy, the players, etc. He is also a talented coach, and would be the most logical person to take over. He has learned from the best of the coaches he has worked with.