Letters continued from page 2
GRAND OPENING
CELEBRATION SATURDAY, JUNE 19 • 4–9PM 520 S 3RD STREET • CARBONDALE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY • FOOD & BEVERAGES MUSIC & DANCING • LEMONADE STAND RECOGNITION OF GRAND OPENING SPONSORS & ALL DONORS KIDS ACTIVITIES • GUIDED TOURS
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS PATRONS ($2,500 & ABOVE)
BENEFACTOR ($1,000)
Sandy & David Burden SPONSORS ($500)
Randi Lowenthal Sue Rodgers
opposition to new wilderness designations in the White River National Forest by using a simple but spurious argument regarding the impact of roads, trails, and motorized vehicles on big game, implying that OHVs don’t negatively impact wildlife because they, for example, observe bighorn sheep along I-70 in the Georgetown area, elk in Estes Park, mountain goats on Mount Evans Road, bison walking down the road in Yellowstone and so on. But the vast majority of wild animals do not live in parks and along roadsides, and they fear and flee from motorized vehicles. Part of keeping good, healthy big game herds (in particular, elk) on national forests and other public lands is to make sure they have ample secure habitat — big, wild country with large blocks of land without motorized disturbance. In fact, closing or decommissioning roads has been found to increase elk survival and the number of bulls, extend the age structure, increase hunter success, and allow elk to remain in preferred habitat longer. Studies have also recommended closing entire areas to motorized use — as opposed to individual roads — to best promote healthy elk populations. On heavily roaded landscapes, elk find themselves lethally sandwiched between aggressive harassment by motorized invaders and decreased hiding cover. Backcountry Hunter and Angler (BHA) member Bill Sustrich says, “During the past decade, I have personally had six out of seven elk hunts ruined by the careless intrusions of ATV operators. This epidemic has forced me to abandon one prime hunting area after another, only to encounter the same situation elsewhere.” Currently, a mere 5 percent of Colorado is designated as wilderness, the gold standard for wildlife habitat and hunting grounds, and Bill Sustrich hit the nail on the head when he said,“The fact is, nothing yet created by mankind can offer the degree of wildlife refuge as that provided by wilderness designation.” David A. Lien Chairman Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Say ‘no’ to GMO
ASSOCIATES ($250)
Pamela Joseph, Pajwell Foundation Rosie & Frank McSwain IN HONOR OF PATTI & GEORGE STRANAHAN
Marj Perry & Bill Fales Emily & Ken Ransford Lisa & Ron Speaker
As Simple As Possible ACCOUNTING & PAYROLL SERVICES, INC.
to become a sponsor or for more information Contact Judy Olesen, Campaign Director, 970.963.3158 or jolesen@earthlink.net
thirdstreetcenter.net
A COMMUNITY PLACE PROMOTING INSPIRATION, SUSTAINABILITY & CREATIVE EXCHANGE
18 • THE SOPRIS SUN • JUNE 3, 2010
Dear Editor: Doctors of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine have called on all physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid genetically modified (GM) foods. They have also called for a moratorium on GM foods, long-term independent studies and labeling. Their position paper stated that “several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation problems, and changes in major organs and gastrointestinal problems.” For more information about this, go to the Web site of the Institute for Responsible Technology. This bad news is, of course, the horrible threat that GM crops pose to non-GMO crops by uncontrollable contamination, and the threat they thus pose to the planet’s
biodiversity. It is not too difficult to avoid GM foods, although it may add a bit to your food budget. But better to pay a bit more for healthy food now than a ton of medical bills later, for perhaps insoluble problems. Buy organic where possible as no organic foods have GMO ingredients. Avoid nonorganic processed foods containing corn, soy, canola and cottonseed and derivatives thereof as nonorganic forms of these crops are almost all GMO. For a more detailed shopping guide, go to nongmoshoppingguide.com. Write to the FDA and to your representative and senators telling them you want a moratorium on GM crops. Mary Boland Carbondale
Vote for Munk and Lundquist Dear Editor: I'm writing as a mother of two young children with some important information about their future, and yours. Very soon, you’ll be getting a ballot in the mail from Holy Cross Energy asking you to vote for two members of the board. I’m asking you to please vote for Dave Munk and Erik Lundquist. Both Dave and Erik understand that a future based on energy efficiency and clean power puts more money in our pockets, and avoids the risk of price spikes from coal and natural gas volatility. Their goal is also to reduce pollution in Colorado, and help create jobs here in our region. There will be a second question about who can vote in elections. Please protect co-op democracy and retain your right to elect board members co-op wide. Vote “no” on the geographic district question. Jenifer Seal Cramer Glenwood Springs
Munk and Lundquist for our kids Dear Editor: As a mother with two young children, I’m writing to urge you to vote for Dave Munk and Erik Lundquist in the Holy Cross elections. How our utility is run will be a key part of what kind of world our children will live in. Erik and Dave (who also have young children) understand that cleaner energy and energy efficiency means not just less pollution, but more local jobs and stable prices. They are a fresh new voice who will listen to your concerns. Also please vote “no” on the geographic district question. Protect your right to vote for all board members. Thank you. Ellen Freedman Basalt
Munk for jobs and the environment Dear Editor: Clean energy and energy efficiency are important for the environment, but they’re equally important for jobs. As we invest in both, we create more opportunity for Colorado. Business as usual doesn’t do that. That’s why I’m voting for Dave Munk for the Holy Cross board by mail-in ballot this week. Dave is a fresh new voice who gets the jobs/clean energy connection. I’m also voting “no” on the geographic district quesLETTERS page 19