Sunday, May 19, 2013
Comment Archives: stories: Columns: Your Turn
Re: “Different idea for Memorial”
I was born in this hospital as were two of my children. This is a wonderful organization that does great things for our community. Why? The reason why is because it is citizen owned. And because we own it we insist that this organization provide the best services possible. I do not want to leave our hospital services up to a board of directors and a CEO that are not directly representing us - the citizens. Sadly, non-profits have a reputation for abuse, for not being accountable, and for good old boy systems. Leave the hospital ownership alone and focus on making improvements as Mr. Barela suggests. His idea has some validity. By the way, healthcare aside, what experience does this current CEO and his staff have managing a non-profit? If the hospital is changed over to a non-profit we need to insist that seasoned non-profit executives are recruited for the senior staff positions.
Posted by
mel
on 12/04/2010 at 5:27 PM
Re: “Different idea for Memorial”
“Quite often these public input/assessment processes are designed to feign an objective assessment with the true intent of pursuing preconceived intentions.” ON THE NOSE! CEO McEvoy and the rest of the council know very well what their intentions were and are just going through the motions. These officials pat us on the head, tell us what we think we want to hear, than act. Well, somebody with a little common sense has uncovered your true intentions. We will be paying attention!!
Posted by
cjmonster
on 12/03/2010 at 5:09 PM
Re: “Different idea for Memorial”
It is about time someone is using some creativity and common sense. Hopefully, the Commission and Council read this article. Our so called leaders are too lazy and lack the vision necessary to be able to implement this type of an approach. Keep this in mind when we vote in ou next strong Mayor.
Posted by
brendatoo
on 12/02/2010 at 3:58 PM
Re: “Lesson from '30s Germany”
Apparently, professor Duland hasn't had an original thought since he left the classroom. Comparing conservatives to Nazis...wow, can we bring the political debate into the 21st century? At least in Florida, politicians in the last election moved on to comparing conservatives to the Taliban.
That said, the comparision between 2010 America and 1930's Germany is a huge stretch. Germany was humiliated and traumatized by their loss in World War I, including 1.7 million killed and 4.2 million wounded (out of 11 million mobilized). Their economy was decimated. Germany was ripe to be taken advantage of by evil people.
On the other hand, the US is the world's leading economic, military and political power. We've recovered our national pride after the 9/11 attacks. Our economy is weakened, but we're not rolling wheelbarrows full of cash to Albertsons to buy bread. In an historic perspective, the US political scene has survived multiple conservative movements in Dr Durland's lifetime including those led by Eisenhaur, Nixon, Reagan, Gingrich, and G.W. Bush. None have resulted in an American Kristalnacht.
Can we have some fresh political viewpoints in the Indy, please?
Posted by
Cheeseconey
on 11/24/2010 at 9:26 AM
Re: “Lesson from '30s Germany”
On Thanksgiving 2001, I resided in Portland OR. Then Attorney General Ashcroft was requiring local jurisdictions employ ethnic profiling in the frantic hunt for terrorists. The City of Portland, however, had a law that prohibited use of discriminatory methods in its policing activities.
I remember very clearly how angry others at that Thanksgiving dinner were about the failure of Portland police to comply with John Ashcroft's orders. After all national security was at stake! Folks at the meal argued vehemently, if you have nothing to hide, such profiling shouldn't bother you.
Although I was a guest at this dinner, I felt compelled to speak up. I simply said that I would not be so quick to surrender my civil liberties. Naturally my concerns were shot down as inconsequential.
Not much since that Thanksgiving has altered my view that we as a nation are headed in a terrible direction.
Thank you for publishing this insightful piece.
Posted by
NJH, Ph. D.
on 11/22/2010 at 11:22 AM
Re: “A broken region”
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Posted by
anab01
on 11/15/2010 at 2:47 AM
Re: “The pros and cons of a strong mayor for Colorado Springs”
I can see both sides but I'm leaning towards no strong mayor. Politics can be corrupt. A city manager should be hired based on capabilities, not political affiliation. If C Springs was a big company that I had invested in, I would pick a CEO to run it rather than the most popular person.
Posted by
Jfields026
on 10/18/2010 at 7:31 PM
Re: “Deal with poverty now”
Ending the TANF emergency contingency fund, potentially losing the expanded EITC and expanded Child Tax credit, child care assistance waiting lists,combined with slow job growth that is likely to reabsorb only those recently unemployed....challenges compound.
Posted by
Chaer Robert
on 10/12/2010 at 5:45 PM
Re: “Strong mayor: Not the answer”
I understand some of Jan and Scott’s concerns with #300 but here are a few points in their letter that I feel were improperly communicated or left out.
1. Initiative #300 does not eliminate City Council. City Council will still have the authority to approve measures that are submitted by the mayor’s office. I feel that the letter makes the reader feel that Initiative #300 proposes some type of coup.
2. Having a strong mayor will not solve any specific challenges initially. For me, it’s all about the bigger picture and finally linking the cities strategy with the budget. For the past ten years the city has tried to launch many strategic initiatives, ie. Dream City 2020 and Operation 6035, yet has had very little success. The Mayor Project is about creating a strong and accountable foundation for Colorado Springs to grow on.
Posted by
jlburns222
on 10/11/2010 at 11:42 AM
Re: “Strong mayor: Not the answer”
With a strong mayor, the big money dudes only have to buy one person; the strong mayor item is designed to make it easier for developers to get whatever they want. Don't fall for the rhetoric these usual suspects are putting forth, this is NOT in our best interests. Until we get rid of TABOR our problems will never go away.
Posted by
OldCrank
on 10/11/2010 at 10:51 AM
Re: “Strong mayor: Not the answer”
The complete lack of Full-Time leadership from Council has lead to this Propsal. The comments that nothing can be done about "For example, whether discussing retirement benefits, changing suppliers, or continuing certain operations, many national, state and local laws tie our hands and greatly inhibit our ability to do things that we routinely and easily do in the private sector. This would not change with a strong-mayor government." is wrong, programs can be changed and bought out or we honor commitments up to today and change the programs for the future.
Jan Martin wanted to raise property taxes to just stop the bleeding last year and the Citizens said no! This City has had 5 City Managers with two assistants (500,000.00 in salaries) in the last ten years, ask yourself why? Was it because Councils direction of their emloyee (the City Manager) was less than adequate or was it the Golden Parachutes that we the taxpayers supplied in their employment contract areed to by COUNCIL!
Don't be afraid of change to the City Charter, we need a full time responsible individual that is capable of leading us into the future!
Posted by
TFBR
on 10/07/2010 at 4:59 PM
Re: “Strong mayor: Not the answer”
The thought of someone like Lionel Rivera having all that power terrifies me.
Posted by
ThomasMc
on 10/07/2010 at 9:57 AM
Re: “Tough reality for Millennials”
"They told us if we worked hard in school, got into a good college and graduated, the world would be our oyster."
I don't know of anyone that ever made that claim. It should have been more along the lines of if you "worked hard in school, got into a good college and graduated", you would increase your opportunities to be able to make something of your life.
Posted by
Allen
on 09/21/2010 at 5:27 PM
Re: “Gazette abdicates its role”
The geezerette's editorials have been nothing more than shock journalism aimed at getting as many "hits" as possible. this helps their online advertisers, i suppose, but make the newspaper resemble a rag found at supermarket counters. eye catching headlines and ideas based on shallow, although locally popular, thinking is not appropriate for a daily paper for a "city" that has grown as large as ours.
Posted by
Daytripper
on 09/10/2010 at 10:29 AM
Re: “Gazette abdicates its role”
This picture just cracks me up. Is he hoping for a mysterious, dangerous, and (dare I say?) glamorous look? It looks more like he went to "Glamour Shots" to have it taken!
Posted by
Oneida1520
on 09/09/2010 at 5:30 PM
Re: “'Whatever the case called for'”
Nice piece, Pam.
Posted by
joemichaels
on 08/29/2010 at 9:47 AM
Re: “The pros and cons of a strong mayor for Colorado Springs”
Strong Mayer? A Visionary? Code for liberals and people who pick up a city paycheck and want a bigger one, they will march a series of these little socialists through the office, each doing a little more damage than the last one, until we all have to "pay up" for the "hope and change" they want to inflict upon us.
Posted by
REALLYFEDUP
on 08/26/2010 at 9:05 PM
Re: “'Whatever the case called for'”
Lou Smit was always professional and true to himself. He always did what he believed was right and never was concerned about what was popular. He was a rock for so many victims' families and never gave up on a case. He believed that when he entered the great beyond and encountered a victim he represented, the greatest honor would be for them to say, "Well done, friend, well done."
Posted by
WriteNowSue
on 08/26/2010 at 4:45 PM
Re: “'Whatever the case called for'”
I knew Lou and he was quite the man. Great sense of humor, tenacity, and empathy for his victims. A wonderful husband, father, and grandpa. And most of all...a wonderful human being. Rest in peace, my friend.
Posted by
parkview1649
on 08/23/2010 at 12:39 PM
Re: “A broken region”
Bob,
Great article and on a topic that most don't think about when considering growth. A resource for you or others who read this at: http://www.strongtowns.org/
The blog section is extremely useful.