Imagine one of those jesters who spins plates. They start out with one plate spinning. Then another. Then another. It’s really impressive…
Category: Opinion/Letters
LETTER: An Outsider’s View of Pagosa’s Vacation Rental Controversy
There were many valid concerns brought up in Mr. Hudson’s editorials; too much trash, overflowing septic tanks, loud parties, living in a motel district etc…
EDITORIAL: County Ready to Address Vacation Rental Problems? Part Four
“Short-Term Rental Operations shall occupy no more than two percent (2%) of the available residential structures within the City of Manitou Springs which is currently capped at fifty-eight (58) potential permits…”
OPINION: The American Jobs Plan Will Make Our Infrastructure Crisis Worse
The revenue the government receives as a result of the investment must cover the cost of the investment, otherwise it’s not an investment. It’s just consumption…
EDITORIAL: Mr. Dronet Offers Up Two New Proposals, Part Six
The County would be allowed to “lease back” the office space it currently uses in the Courthouse — for the Clerk, Treasurer and Assessor offices — for up to three years…
OPINION: Earth Day vs The US War Machine
The U.S. military is the largest institutional polluter in the world. Since 2001, the U.S. military has emitted 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases…
EDITORIAL: County Ready to Address Vacation Rental Problems? Part Three
“Thanks to the fact that we’re now going to have a code enforcement staff, we’re going to make sure we do an inspection upon initial issuance of the permit, as well as on the [annual] renewal…”
HMPRESENTLY: Messaging… to Enthuse? Or Confuse?
“We learn from our experiences. Frankly, 20, 30 years ago, we all thought environmentalists were a bunch of nutters, you know. Clearly it’s moved front and center…”
EDITORIAL: Mr. Dronet Offers Up Two New Proposals, Part Five
The Archuleta County government has been taking some baby steps recently. They arranged Certificates of Participation (COPs) to build, first, a $15 million jail, and then a new $6 million courthouse next door…
EDITORIAL: Mr. Dronet Offers Up Two New Proposals, Part Four
At the end of the 19th century, most American companies left the housing of their workers in the hands of real-estate speculators, but a few directly intervened to provide housing…
EDITORIAL: County Ready to Address Vacation Rental Problems? Part Two
The vacation rental industry is helping to cause various types of social problems all over the country, and the world, but the impacts seem to be more severe in “tourism-driven” communities like Pagosa Springs…
OPINION: No, the Pandemic Isn’t Over Yet
Despite surging cases, Republican leaders go rogue after Governor Polis lifts statewide mandates…
OPINION: Armed Racism Keeps No One Safe
We do not need policing disconnected from the community it allegedly protects: policing with a “siege mentality”…
EDITORIAL: Mr. Dronet Offers Up Two New Proposals, Part Three
Here is how the apartment building looked on April 12, 2021, in the midst of a thorough remodeling process…
EDITORIAL: County Ready to Address Vacation Rental Problems? Part One
“Rick Haley, Casey Ct., related additional incidents with Short-Term Renters on subdivision roads. Not appropriate in their neighborhood…”
EDITORIAL: Mr. Dronet Offers Up Two New Proposals, Part Two
“We are going to run the property at ‘zero profit’ — basically meaning, every dollar we save in fees and taxes are going to go directly into reducing rents for the residents…”
OPINION: One Small Statement from CDC, One Giant Hope for Humankind
Thousands signed my organization’s MoveOn petition to fight institutional racism as a threat to public health…
EDITORIAL: Mr. Dronet Offers Up Two New Proposals, Part One
“Prior to undertaking any serious planning efforts, the resort ownership will hold an open meeting and invites Pagosa residents to join them and discuss the past, current and future feelings…”
A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW: US Supreme Court Rejects California’s Limits on Religious Practice
The Supreme Court noted that, “This is the fifth time the Court has summarily rejected the Ninth Circuit’s analysis of California’s COVID restrictions on religious exercise…”