If we can assume a shared motivation behind the overwhelmingly positive vote, we might surmise that the residents of Pagosa Springs were basically unhappy with the Town Council…
Category: News/Politics
EDITORIAL: The Corrupt Streets of Pagosa Springs, Part Two
The Council discarded a recommendation submitted by a majority of the Town Planning Commission which would have allowed the River Rock Estates subdivision to be built without a single public street…
EDITORIAL: The Corrupt Streets of Pagosa Springs, Part One
As my friend Greg Giehl and I walked through the Bienvenido Circle neighborhood just north of downtown Pagosa Springs, I noted with appreciation the freshly-applied crack sealing on the asphalt…
HMPRESENTLY: Many Xs! Many Unknowns!
Even when state or county governments announce their decisions and guidelines, at an HOA’s micro, local level, people on HOA boards still have to wrestle with – and work out – what they’re going to do…
OPINION: Still Time to Rouse Ourselves
Thanks to very substantial advances in knowledge over the centuries, plus the efforts of creative thinkers and determined reform movements, human beings have shown a remarkable ability to confront challenges…
EDITORIAL: Yes, Virginia, You Don’t Have to Wear a Mask
“I visited with Dr. Rhonda Webb today, who is the CEO of Pagosa Springs Medical Center, and she indicated to me that they’ve really increased their amount of testing…”
EDITORIAL: My URA Letter the SUN Didn’t Publish, Part Two
“I just wanted to say that the [Archuleta Board of County Commissioners] had a work session today, and one of the items on the agenda was talking about the URA and their opinion about that, and all of them were very supportive of us moving forward with the URA. Very supportive…”
HMPRESENTLY: Government Folks Getting Steamed, So to Speak
How about others who are caught up — in particular, right now — in pandemic issues. Like the President’s Education Secretary, who, with the President, has some rather harsh rhetoric going…
EDITORIAL: My URA Letter the SUN Didn’t Publish, Part One
“I was pleased to see the SUN share Bruce Dryburgh’s letter in its July 2 issue. I first got to know Mr. Dryburgh back in 2010, when we were working together in a volunteer work group…”
Gov. Polis Extends Disaster Order to August 4
In total, it appears that about $226 million from Colorado’s Disaster Emergency Fund has been “encumbered for response activities related to COVID-19″…
OPINION: Forward the ‘Development Priniciples’ of the ‘General Plan’
Those of us in the reality-based community will never accept that ‘dangerous blight’ exists on Hot Springs Boulevard. So, if not a legal requirement, why reprint these deceptions?
HMPRESENTLY: Who’s Running the Show?
Sometimes writing speeches, speechwriters, themselves, may be actually determining — rather than just reflecting — the key messages in a speech…
EDITORIAL: Independence Day, Part One
But no parade took place this year, unless you wanted to count the seemingly endless stream of SUVs and pickup trucks and RVs with New Mexico and Texas license plates that crept through town, eastbound and westbound on Highway 160…
HMPRESENTLY: Let’s Hope Not!
According to the dictionary, “Something that is described as smoke and mirrors is intended to make you believe that something is being done or is true, when it is not.”
OPINION: History of a Crime
The first commissioner of the FDA was Harvey Wiley, the head of the Department of Chemistry. Even before he took office, the food and drug manufacturers were trying to get rid of him…
EDITORIAL: Council Makes No Final Decision on Masks… Part Three
“The only people that we’ve really heard from are people who go and visit Durango for a day, and then come back and say, ‘Oh, it’s roses and daisies over there’…
LETTER: Voters Deserve the Right to Approve URA Tax Subsidies
The approval of Ballot Question A in the upcoming Town election may be the only method for voters to control the amount of spending by the URA…
OPINION: Community Development or Corporate Welfare? Taxpayers Should Decide
Currently, Town voters have no control over these massive tax giveaways. But a group of downtown residents petitioned the Town Council to place Ballot Question A before the Town taxpayers…
65% of Colorado Households Have Responded to 2020 Census
The Census Bureau plans to send an additional reminder postcard to households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. The postcard is scheduled to arrive in late July…