Soap Box

I know we should be writing about our political preferences this close to the election, but jeez oh jeez. The thought of someone who is about to vote for the likes of Lauren Boebert over an actual sane human being like Adam Frisch – or someone who is about to vote for the hubris of newcomer Shelli Shaw over the hardestworking representative Barbara McLachlan – and actually read anything I would say and change their mind is... well, about as likely as me transforming into a cat.

Not that I wouldn’t entertain the idea. Especially after reading the Oct. 13 letter-to-the-editor “Boebert’s Cat-Astrophe” by Addyson Santese. Who is this woman, and has the Telegraph tried to hire her on as part of your star-studded cast? Her letter was about the best thing I have read in a long time. OK, so maybe I take that last line back, because I don’t want to come across as someone who doesn’t truly appreciate the wordsmithing prowess of the likes of your staff. But seriously, Addyson should be approached to try her hand at some regular editorial stuff for the Telegraph, because her letter was brilliant, and I, for one, would like to hear more of what she has to say, not just about cats and cat politics, but birds and bird religion, dogs and the dog days of climate change, and anything else she may feel inspired to write about.

Editor’s note: We have ;)

– Mary Oswald, Durango

By voting no on ballot issue 2A, you are giving people the power to decide how to best use the excess lodgers’ tax. For many families, housing costs, gas prices and food prices have been devastating the past couple years, and a tax refund would help keep us afloat. The City of Durango is sitting on millions and millions of dollars; they don’t need more money.

The city has tied the lodgers’ tax to what many consider is a worthwhile cause: housing. However, the city has yet to show they actually have a need for this money. Our governor recognized that inflation and wage stagnation are crippling the current citizens; he issued similar tax rebates to help us out. Our city councilors are behaving contrary to our governor – they don’t realize we have been struggling, while they have been searching for places to stash money. If you really think the city can spend our money better than we can, please vote no on 2A, and then take your refund down to the city. A yes vote will take money away from your fellow citizens who could really use a little help. – John Simpson, Durango

“Yes” for Judge Woods

As a life‐long Independent, I find the increasing politicization of the judiciary troubling, and it seems to have made its way into what should be an objective judicial retention vote for Judge Anne K. Woods.

Partisans have taken aim at Woods as part of a campaign narrative of “rampant runaway crime,” but the facts don’t support the attacks. Look no further than the online District Attorney’s Data Dashboard: 1. La Plata County crime has not spiked since Woods’ 2020 appointment. 2. Cases filed in 2020/21 are lower than in 2017/18/19. 3. Recidivism rates have declined for people serving non‐incarcerative sentences. 4. Felonies and violent crime referrals have been flat since 2017.

The attacks on Woods focus on a handful of cases, rather than the thousands of others over which she has presided. They also ignore the findings of the nonpartisan Judicial Performance Commission, which concluded that Woods “meets performance standards.” It added that “the public still may be partially anchored to the view that Judge Woods is a pro-defense judge, but the Commission noted a significant increase in cash bail and sentences above the minimum since the interim evaluation.”

Woods has made life better for countless people by treating them fairly and, in many cases, allowing them to keep their jobs, keep their housing and to address the underlying issues that brought them before her in the first place. She holds individuals accountable, but treats both offenders and victims with compassion and respect.

Woods is the youngest female judge appointed in Colorado history. She took the criticism and advice from her interim performance review seriously and has applied it to her application of the law; she will only continue to improve with experience. The Judicial Performance Commission noted that improvement in their recommendation for retention. We should as well.

Please help keep our local judiciary moving in the right direction, and resist the smear campaign being leveled at Woods; vote “yes” for retention and to allow her to continue her good work on our behalf. – Scott M. Wilson, Durango

Go, Jack, go

I’ve known Jack Turner and his family for more than 40 years. Integrity is their backbone. As a longtime resident of La Plata County, I believe he understands our challenges and his platform presents solid answers. Jack has been an active part of the community since we were in the travel industry together, and his commitment to improve our community is admirable. Jack’s solution-oriented approach is focused on fixing the problem at the beginning of the process, at the source. His focus on responsible growth will be a strong asset to the future of Durango. His ability to connect, listen and respond to individual needs without distraction is what drives him. He represents La Plata County. He represents and cares about all of us.

– Jaime Wisner, Durango

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On behalf of the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, I want to share our full support for Rep. Barbara McLachlan’s reelection. McLachlan has been a partner with law enforcement at the state Capitol and has worked with us on legislation that will help keep officers safer, help fill many shortages in officers across Colorado and allow us to better protect our communities.

McLachlan provides an important voice on public safety at the Capitol partnered with law enforcement to put victims and community members first when considering legislation that impacts public safety. She is committed to making sure we have the tools necessary to hold criminals accountable. She is a strong voice for rural Colorado, offering a critical perspective that rural issues are different from metro areas, and thus require local solutions.

McLachlan was a key vote on legislation during the 2022 session to address Colorado’s deadly fentanyl crisis. Her efforts at the Capitol ensured that the bill became law. In addition, she sponsored a bipartisan bill that will help short-staffed agencies across Colorado recruit officers and then help those officers be able to live where they work. And last year, McLachlan was instrumental in removing language from legislation that would have changed how officers could use force, an untested new standard that would have put officers’ and community members’ lives at risk.

The Colorado FOP stands firmly with McLachlan. We ask that voters do the same. – Stephen Schulz, Longmont

Before you vote in the midterms, you should know that if Republicans take control of the House, they are planning to cut Medicare and Social Security.

I am retired and enjoy the benefits of these programs, having paid into Social Security my whole working life. Medicare is quite cost-effective and vastly more efficient than private health insurance. Social Security and Medicare have allowed older Americans to live happy, dignified lives. Without these programs, we would have a huge increase in poverty and early death.

Four Republicans hoping to become chair of the House Budget Committee are talking about cutting these programs if they regain a majority. They plan to hold the federal debt ceiling hostage, risking great damage to our fragile economy, in order to help their rich friends avoid taxes.

In the “Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act,” Democrats have proposed a way to make Social Security solvent far into the future. Social Security is funded by payroll taxes, which are capped at $147,000 annual income. This act would remove that cap, requiring the superwealthy to pay their fair share.

If you are young, you should know that Social Security and Medicare can be there for you, but you have to protect them now. Vote for the party that wants our whole society to thrive, not the one that wants to funnel more money to the rich at the expense of the rest of us.

Vote Democrat.

– Adele Riffe, Hesperus

Back to work

Regarding Jena Griswold, our extraordinary incumbent Secretary of State, I’m in favor of both lengthier, well documented letters-to-the-editor and quickread opinions.

My bottom line – I fully endorse and work hard on behalf of this brilliant, energetic, “get-it-done” stateswoman. She has led the charge, not only in Colorado, but nationwide for strong policy and law for our inalienable right and ease to vote. She will continue to protect and advocate for us with gusto in a second term.

I was shocked at The Durango Herald’s endorsement of her opponent, especially with the extensive statement within the endorsement of Griswold’s accomplishments.

Now, back to the work. May voter’s wisdom prevail when ballots are in hand. – Kathleen Adams, Durango