Crested Butte News - eType Services

4 | November 2, 2012 LETTERSCrested Butte NewsCelebratingour first 20years andlookingforward to ournextIT’S TIME TO THINK ABOUTSNOW PLOWING!!CALL AND RESERVE YOUR CONTRACT TODAY!Water and Sewer Installation • ExcavationSite Work • Demolition • Gravel • HaulingSnow PlowingNO JOB TOO SMALLPh: (970) 641-9033 • Fax: (970) 641-3179Winter Parking RegulationsTown of Crested ButteWHAT IS TONIGHT?Monday,Wednesday &Friday EveningsPark on North & East sidesNORTH - is toward Gothic MountainEAST - is toward Crested Butte MountainSOUTH - is toward GunnisonWEST - is toward Kebler PassREGULATIONS VARY IN THE COREBUSINESS AREA. PLEASE READ SIGNSSunday, TuesdayThursday &Saturday EveningsPark on South & West sidesopen thiS off SeaSonfree new patient exams.Shawn R. haRvey, D.D.S.349-5731 • cbSmileS.com“The meaning ofthe status quo is:‘the mess we’re in.’”WWREAL Leadership, REAL Experience- RONALD REAGANTHERE’SAN APPFORTHAT.VOTEWARREN WILCOXBLUEGRASS FUNDRAISER: The CBCS Strings Program hosted a fundraiser at the Center for the Artson Saturday, October 27, featuring bluegrass performances by Melody Walker, Simpler Times and CBCSstrings students. photo by Lydia SternHouck is best prepared to represent Gunnison CountyTo the Editor:Thank you for the chance toexpress my support for JonathanHouck for County Commissioner.I have had a good laugh atthe recent campaign ad from hisRepublican opponent describinghim as a “career politician,”because I first met and got toknow Jonathan’s incredibleteaching skills when he was ateacher at the Alternative Schooland gave up his lunch hours tocome to my 8th grade study halland help, advise, and mentor agroup of struggling teenagers.Editor:I’ve heard it said that all politics is local. Iwish that were true, because at a local level, weget to vote for “real people.” I treasure the reflectionsof people who have worked directly withour national candidates, because it gives us someinsight into who they really are. We have a bettershot at seeing that for ourselves in local politics,because we run into our elected officials at thegrocery store, football games, at dinner, kids’events, etc. They are “real people,” not fictionscrafted from attack ads and gotcha questions ontelevision.In voting for a real person, we get to lookthrough the party labels to the candidates themselves,their track records, their involvements inthe community. It is often not an easy decision,because we are fortunate to have great people inGunnison who care deeply about being here—it ispart of being in a small community, I suppose. Adifficult choice can only be a good thing in a localrace, because—at the core—that means that youknow you have people who want to see the bestfor this place. It would be refreshing if we couldall have that feeling of certainty from the candidatesin our national elections.As an independent, I enjoy freedom from theexpectation to vote the party ticket—I get to lookat the individual candidates. In our local District2 county commissioner race, I see candidates whohave served as business owners, have been longtimeresidents here, and have long-held connectionsto WSCU—a number of important qualitiesin common. Frankly, they have a lot of similaritieson the important challenges for Gunnison County.At decision time, however, I look to who willserve as the best representative of the people ofGunnison County. I’ve only known Jonathan for20 years. In another 20 years we might both be“locals” here. I love talking politics with Jonathan.Despite our political differences, I feel thatJonathan always has an open ear to the issues onthe ground. This “ear to the ground” comes fromJonathan’s diverse involvements in GunnisonCounty—in government, the schools, and thebusiness and WSCU alumni community.I recall “discussing” our differences on theGunnison Rising annexation process. I was balkingat the time, effort and money being expendedin the process—what some (me included) called“obstructionist” politics. Today, some of theconcerns that Jonathan voiced await completionat taxpayer expense. What was viewed as obstructionistwas, indeed, Jonathan’s effort to alleviatetaxpayer burden on the back end of the eventualapproval process.His efforts demonstrate a thoughtful concern,vision, and attention to detail and follow throughas a councilman and provide some insight into hisservice as a future commissioner.Sincerely,Boyd PedersonGunnisonHouck is the best, most committed candidateDear Community:I want to encourage the voters of CrestedButte to consider Steve Schechter on November6. Steve volunteers to help outdoor educationprograms, which are character-buildingexperiences. I have led several courses whereSteve directly contributed to the benefit ofkids in our community. These programs relyon dependable community members in orderto be successful. He has dedicated countlessFor ten years he gave his all tothe students he taught and now,as Project Coordinator for GunnisonCounty Substance AbusePrevention Project office, he isagain in a career that is centeredon young people.Jonathan isn’t a career politician,but he is a person wholoves his community and hassacrificed many hours becominginvolved in city and local politics.As a city council memberand present mayor of Gunnison,his experience is invaluable andhis energy is never-ending. HisA voice for Steve Schechterwillingness to study and understandthe issues is so needed.If anyone is an undecidedvoter in this race, I urge themto go to read the recent questionand answers for candidatespublished in the News.By comparing the answers andthe knowledge among Wilcox,Oberosler, and Houck, it will beobvious that a vote for JonathanHouck is by far the best choicefor Gunnison County.Thank You,Narcissa Channellhours to build sustainable homes, workingwith GCEA on eco-friendly opportunities, anddefending our natural resources. Steve caresabout our community. Please vote for SteveSchechter so he can continue to protect andserve the people and the resources we need tolive.Sincerely,David M. White