LETTERS Scott's guest opinion column, "Bridging the Divide", in the July 11 Sopris Sun. I commend Summer Scott's effort to formulate a common grounds approach to make the political divide in America and in Colorado disappear. Summer Scott mentions the blue vs. the red divided and the rural vs. urban divide among Americans. Summer promotes the idea that communities should unite around common goals of election reform and fighting political corruption among others. He then conveys very well all of our frustration when our attempts at political reforms have no impact on our local, state, and national representatives. Summer frames our frustration and the divide in America quite well. What is the answer to the divide? Answer: The Independent voter movement in America! Independent voters all over America are uniting to fight for election reform and stop political corruption. As one of the national leaders in the Independent voter movement, I found this movement to be a breath of fresh air for me politically. I find that former Democrats and Republicans are uniting behind other Independents to support legislation that will open all of our closed primary elections in America as well as stopping gerrymandering. So, defending voter rights is a major cause of the Independent voter movement. Let's throw in the much-needed campaign finance as well. The Independent voter movement supports free and open elections. Specifically, we may need to start our path toward free and open elections with Top Two Primaries, Ranked Choice Voting, or Approved Voting. If we can get rid of the rigged Democratic and Republican Party primaries which all of us taxpayers fund, this would be a major political reform. The Independent voter movement is all about voting for the person and not the party! As the leader of the Western Colorado Independent Voters and as a national leader in the Independent voter movement, these simple democratic reforms represent a political revolution. We need this political revolution to erase the divide that the Democratic
and Republican Parties have caused in America. The Independent voter movement is working hard every day to erase the divide in America. If we can accomplish some or all of these reforms, America can begin building a real democracy. I believe that the Independent voter movement is the common ground that can unite the people of Colorado and the rest of America. Thank you, Summer Scott, for bringing this important message to our attention. Randy Fricke Western Colorado Independent Voters
Pass the CORE Act Dear Editor: It’s a warm summer day, a group of 5-7 year old girls scramble along the banks of the Thompson Creek, catching water striders and pressing their noses against the pine trees, inhaling the sweet butterscotch smell. This is the Wild at Heart Summer Camp, a program intended to empower girls to be strong in themselves through their connection with the natural world. The Thompson Divide area has been a haven of adventure for us because of its close proximity to Carbondale, the range of ecosystems it offers, and the cool waters of the Thompson Creek. If we don’t pass the CORE Act, the Thompson Divide area is still at risk of being developed by oil and gas production. In an industry where an oil company in La Plata County reported 160 spills in one year, it’s not hard to see how detrimental development in the Thompson Divide could be to the community and surrounding environment. With one spill, we could lose this precious resource that provides an easily accessible outdoor classroom to the children of the RFV and my business as outdoor educator would be impacted. I, therefore, urge Representative Scott Tipton and Senator Cory Gardener to support the CORE Act. Passing out of the House Natural Resources Committee was a critical first step, and I urge the full House to quickly pass this important legislation, and continue its journey to the Senate. Natalie Spears Carbondale
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The snow may be mostly melted and the water may be receding, but we're still seeing the impacts of a wet winter. In addition to the avalanche debris (see page 3), you might find that the bridge is gone — like the one across Hell Roaring on the Avalanche Trail (photo by Russ Criswell) — or that the hillside has slid — as it did along Highway 133 on July 16 (courtesy photo — the boys who stopped by with more active images seem to have forgotten to send them to us!).
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THE SOPRIS SUN • Carbondale’s weekly community connector • JULY 11 - JULY 17, 2019 • 15