Editor’s note: These two letters were received earlier in March and ran online at http://www.postindependent.com/opinion/friday-letters-council-candidate-endorsements-hot-springs-pool-thanks-and-trustworthy-news/ but did not appear in print on the same day. We’re running them now to rectify that oversight.

Steve Smith will bring a long-term positive vision to Glenwood Springs City Council

Steve Smith is the right choice for Glenwood. How do you select who represents you on City Council? It’s simple. Look at who has dedicated time and energy not only to the City but to the community. Look at who has supported a long term positive vision for the City. If you do, you will see there is only one candidate in Ward 5 who has devoted and volunteered time and energy to the City – Steve Smith.

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Steve has served the city in many capacities. As a member of Kiwanis, a local non profit, dedicated to serving the youth of our community, Steve has worked at the annual bike safety rodeo which teaches young persons how to navigate our streets and sidewalks safely and provide bike helmets. If there is a job to be done by the Kiwanis, Steve is always one of the first persons to volunteer.

Steve’s safety concerns do not stop there. As a long time member of the City’s Transportation Commission, Steve has been a leader is developing and improving the City’s bike and trail system so that each of us can transit throughout the City in a safe manner. And Steve not only talks to the talk but he rides the ride. Steve’s primary means of travel is his bike and he rides that to and from his activities no matter the time of year. Steve has also been instrumental is seeking better transportation solutions in Ward 5. He provide significant and important input into the development of trail connections, safe sidewalks, smart lighting and creative design in and around Sopris Elementary School, Park West, Park East and Cardiff Glen. Steve led the campaign to construct the River Trail along the Roaring Fork River. Steve will help return regular bus service to the residents of Ward 5. 

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Steve is a founding member of the River Commission and constantly strives to protect our river corridors. He helped establish our hillside preservation zones. 

Steve has and will continue to listen to citizens to provide positive and long range solutions. Steve has the vision, energy and dedication to keep Glenwood a safe, vibrant community. Please vote – Steve Smith Ward 5.

Charlie Willman, Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs needs resilience

There are two candidates running for the Ward 5 seat on election day April 1, 2025. Jon Banks who led the “Keep Glenwood Glenwood” campaign, successfully advocated for passing the Ballot A Question, and Steve Smith who serves on the city’s transportation commission and was a founding member of the river commission. Both would make thoughtful and strategic decisions towards future growth, but only one will be able to serve. 

The city council is balancing environmental preservation with sustainable development. We need stronger leadership. Climate change and environmental protection must be the top priority to mitigate the impact of increased carbon emissions, the depletion of green open spaces, and reducing environmental impacts. Glenwood Springs is not really part of the Aspen community. It is nonsense that Glenwood needs to provide housing for Aspen. In fact, it is harmful to the future of our community and a short sighted vision fraught with problems. 

Glenwood has a “carrying capacity” the maximum population it can sustainably support, and currently we are at risk of exceeding that limitation. We absolutely need the proposed South Bridge. Midland is an arterial street and will become an alternate route connection to Highway 82. The City Council needs to focus on improvements to its streets, and build safer beautiful streets with trees, sidewalks, bike lanes and access to mass transit to reduce traffic congestion. 

The city needs to protect the confluence from development. The abandoned sewer plant needs to become a central park. The confluence is the heart of Glenwood and must be preserved as open space. Mixed-use development should occur elsewhere. My thoughts are to focus primarily on resilience. Glenwood needs to update its strategic planning about where and what not to build. Say no, to mixed-use development of the Confluence area and yes, to building the South Bridge. Plan for the infrastructure to integrate traffic, environmental and social policies to support and limit the unrestrained pressures for future growth.

David Hauter, Glenwood Springs

Impeach Trump if he refuses to follow the law

Those who oppose President Trump’s illegal actions are not trying to defend rapists, criminals, or government waste. What we oppose is the lawlessness of a president who doesn’t understand basic civics — or else he is deliberately trying to dismantle our once-great country by creating a constitutional crisis.

If there are rapists and criminals among the people he deported to El Salvador, they should have their day in court and be deported following the laws of the United States of America. Unfortunately, it appears the only “crime” some of them have committed is having a tattoo that is similar to those worn in a gang. They have not been accused of an actual crime.

Similarly, if there is waste discovered in our government programs, it should be brought to light, debated on its value, and deleted if a majority of Americans find it wasteful. Most Americans probably do not agree with the cuts to national parks, scientific research, foreign aid that benefits America and the world, education, Medicaid and many others. Cutting a tree down to get rid of a sick twig isn’t going to save the tree.

Additionally, he is often breaking the laws of our great country in making many of these cuts. We call on our members of Congress to stand up to Trump and, if he refuses to follow the laws of our country, to impeach him.

Peter Westcott on behalf of Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee, Carbondale

A call to protect our libraries from political takeover

In response to the library article in the Post Independent, by Jaymin Kanzer. The journalist missed the point about the hullabaloo at the library meetings. It was never about the placement of certain books on library shelves. It was never about pornography in the library—there is none. It was never about “save our children.”

It was all a decoy by a minority religious right to rile up the public. Using hysteria and misinformation, this group scared people from using and enjoying the library.

After attending many meetings and listening to comments, it is clear this minority voice has a decisive plan. The real intent of this group is to control the library board, vilify the library system, and sully the reputations of those trying to keep our libraries nonpartisan.

It is about denying the LGBTQ community a safe space in our county. It is about denying that the transgender community exists. It is about defunding library programs. It is about defunding our library system. It is about pushing their religious political agenda. Ultimately, it is about firing the executive director of Garfield Libraries because he believes in free speech.

I encourage Jaymin Kanzer to delve deeper to uncover the real story. The real story is the assault on our libraries and why. This group has given every indication they want the library to reflect their groupthink. Their goal is written out in Project 2025.

Hope is not lost. You can use your voice to protect GarCo Libraries by keeping abreast of the happenings with the county commissioners, speaking up at library board meetings, and writing letters to the editor. When we unite, we can protect our GarCo Libraries.

Susan Use, Glenwood Springs

Heads up on mailed ballots

I have lived in Glenwood for over 30 years, and I have been receiving ballots by mail with no problem for all 30-plus years. For some reason, this year, we received the wrong ward, and we called and they sent us a replacement. Upon looking at the replacements, our names are incorrect.

In this time of “voter fraud” and “voter suppression,” I am concerned that my vote would not be counted if it is not what my ID says.

Look carefully at your ballots and make sure your names are correct and that you are receiving the right ballots. I truly want to be a counted vote.

Julie Stepniewski, Glenwood Springs