Letters

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 29, 2008

5TH DISTRICT RACE

Crank doesn't have what it takes to represent us in Washington

The Gazette recently ran a letter from a Joseph Reich Jr. stating that the business leaders of the city support Jeff Crank for the 5th Congressional District race ("Areas business leaders join to back Crank's campaign," June 26). I find that rather disingenuous. Crank is the former vice president and lobbyist for the Chamber of Commerce yet he couldn't even get their endorsement. They endorsed Doug Lamborn.

What we need is someone who will go to Congress and vote in line with the conservative values of Colorado Springs. Not someone who will go at the behest of the special interest groups. Lamborn has proven his mettle time and time again. Crank has never held an elected office and never cast a public vote. All we have is his word, and after lying to us and telling us that he had the endorsement of the National Home Builders Association when he didn't, we now know that his word isn't worth much either.

Steven H. Hoskins

Colorado Springs

Rayburn only candidate in race with leadership experience

I think Joe Reich is a good Republican and I read his letter to the editor supporting Jeff Crank in the 5th Congressional District primary, but I believe twice as many good things could be said about Bentley Rayburn.

Reich cited a number of local people who support Crank. But Mayor Lionel Rivera and former Mayor Harry Hoth both support Rayburn. And so did Mayor Bob Isaac before he recently passed away. And while Reich named two generals who support Crank, there are oodles of generals who have endorsed Rayburn. But I believe Rayburn's most important supporter is Connie Scott Solomon, who was Rep. Joel Hefley's chief of staff when Crank was legislative director on Hefley's staff. Having worked with Crank, it is interesting that she is now supporting Rayburn because of his outstanding background.

What we have here is a Mutt and Jeff situation. We have Crank and Doug Lamborn, two candidates who are good conservatives and nice guys, but neither one has demonstrated significant leadership. Crank was a subordinate worker on the Hefley staff, and then was vice president of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Lamborn was a lawyer, got elected to the Colorado House and Senate, and is now an obscure freshman in Congress.

On the other hand, Rayburn has been a distinguished leader in every phase of his life. During his 31-year Air Force career, he was designated to be commandant of two different Air Force colleges. At one point, he was in charge of preparing and working out the details for a $17 billion budget for the largest command in the Air Force. And he was commander of the largest wing of the Air Force when it was flying out of Saudi Arabia enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq, prior to the present war. In 1990 the U.S. Jaycees named him one of the 10 Outstanding Young Americans. He's a problem solver and a strong opponent of wasteful spending.

These are demonstrations of leadership that will earn the respect of colleagues in the Congress. When he argues on behalf of issues that are good for our district, or our country, I think fellow congressmen will listen.

I've lived in this district for 40 years, and our representatives have all been good men and usually voted right, but they've all been "backbenchers." None has ever had any clout or been a leader in the Congress. I'm confident Rayburn will vote right, too, and with him, we'll have some clout for a change.

We don't often get a candidate of this caliber. Let's not blow it.

Earl Asbury

Colorado Springs

Rayburn's experience will serve district well in Congress

The opportunity to have a congressman of Bentley Rayburn's caliber, experience, leadership and character doesn't come along very often. I have had the opportunity to hear all three candidates speak and Rayburn is by far the most knowledgeable and persuasive.

Listening to Rayburn speak you see he understands the threats our nation faces, and hear about his first-hand experience in many areas -- education, budgets, large and complex organizations, working to meet the needs of our military and veterans, working wit other governments -- the list goes on and on.

As Mayor Lionel Rivera stated in his endorsement of Rayburn, his expertise would be invaluable to our five military installations and he would lead the way in promoting an environment to keep jobs here and attract business to set up shop in our district.

We must act and elect Bentley Rayburn as our next congressman. With his leadership, Colorado can have a strong voice in Congress and instead of being ranked 47th out of 50 states in congressional influence, we can be ranked at the top.

Ron DeLay

Colorado Springs

SHARE THE TRAIL

Runners, hikers and others must respect others' rights

It has been suggested that runners use common sense when coming into contact with other trail users, including hikers, cyclists, equestrians, etc. Sometimes this may mean that the runner slows his or her pace on the trail for sections where other users are encountered. Often times it is more difficult for a runner to slow his or her descent than it is for a hiker to simply step to the side to let the runner pass.