Criticism of immigration policies and appeal to Democratic leaders

I want to ask the democrats and the left-wing liberals to keep doing what they are doing. Please keep supporting MS-13 gang members and ignoring Americans that have lost loved ones to murder and rape at the hands of these illegal aliens. The criminals that Joe Biden, AOC, and the rest of the America hating party have welcomed to the USA over the last 4 years. Please keep putting the rights of citizens of the USA below the rights of illegal aliens. 

I truly hope that you do not learn that the press secretary of Joe Biden would start her press conference with music and dancing and that the current press secretary starts her press conferences with a prayer. I don’t want it to be public knowledge that before every cabinet meeting that President Trump holds starts with a prayer, not only from one denomination, but from all religions. Gee, I thought the conservatives were the party of hate and exclusion, 

Please keep defending the spending of FEMA, the government’s leading disaster-relief arm, giving over $59 million to house illegal immigrants in luxury New York City hotels that DOGE has uncovered and letting hurricane victims wait for assistance from the federal government that only came after Trump was elected. But of course, we are talking about Americans and not about illegal aliens, so there is the rub, democrats care more about illegals than Americans. 

I beg of you democrats to keep this up so America can be great again.

God Bless America.

Doug Meyers, Silt

Holidays to help us hold onto hope

I am writing to remind everyone we are in the throes of very religious High Holidays. Whether it is Passover or Easter, it is very important for us all to honor what these holidays represent.

Basically, both festivals’ nature and history converge with a resounding message of hope. We would also be remiss if we are not reminded of the message of love. They are reminders to have faith, and hope in these fearful times, and to spread the love as much as you can.

Eileen Bradley, Basalt

Thanking Carbondale Beer Works

To Patrice and the staff at Carbondale Beer Works, thank you so much for letting me be the latest in a long line of nonprofit fundraisers! On April 16, I hosted Trivia Bingo at CBW in honor of organ, eye and tissue donation awareness, and raised almost $1,100. This fundraising is for my charity spot with the Chris Klug Foundation for the Sydney Marathon on Aug. 31. Just 11 days before this race, my father will celebrate his 10th anniversary as a heart transplant recipient.

This fundraising event was a success due to the generosity and support of some special people. I would like to recognize Patrice Fuller for her unwavering commitment to community by offering local nonprofits the opportunity to highlight their work and raise funds at CBW through bingo fundraisers.

I’m so grateful to Juliana O’Clair with the Post Independent for sharing another of my fundraising missions, and helping advance the advocacy efforts of CKF locally.

I could not have done this without my professional teammate, Anna Morgan-Palardy.

I’m thankful for the following businesses, organizations and people who donated prizes for the giveaway: Brion and Zack with Independence Run and Hike, Missy Moore with Thunder River Theatre Company, Jillene Rector, and Megan Currier.

And to everyone who willingly and joyfully participated in this unique hybrid trivia bingo, thank you for not just supporting the event by showing up and buying bingo cards, but for listening to me repeat organ, eye and tissue donation facts through five rounds of bingo, and being excited to learn something new.

One organ donor can save eight lives and heal 75 more through tissue donation, yet only 48% of Americans register. One blood donor can save three lives, but only 3% of Americans donate blood annually. One bone marrow or blood stem cell donor can cure a person’s blood cancer, but many do not know there is a separate registry for this with the NMDP. I encourage you to get curious, learn the facts, and share your decision with your loved ones.

Jessi Rochel, Carbondale

Due process is not optional

I am writing to express deep concern over the growing disregard for due process by the current presidential administration. This fundamental right — guaranteed by the Constitution in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to all individuals living on U.S. soil, regardless of citizenship — is vital to the justice and fairness our nation is built upon.

As reaffirmed unanimously by the Supreme Court on April 7, 2025, due process ensures that no one is deprived of life, liberty or property without fair legal procedures. Yet current policy changes and executive actions have led to the rapid removal of noncitizens, including asylum seekers and legal residents, often without a hearing — undermining this essential right.

In a recent meeting with El Salvador’s self-proclaimed “coolest dictator” Nayib Bukele, President Trump announced plans to deport U.S. citizens (“homegrowns”) to Cecot, a mega-prison where the Salvadoran Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro promised that inmates “will never leave on foot.” According to The Guardian, since 2022, civil society organizations and advocates have documented more than 6,000 human rights violations in the country, including arbitrary arrests (with no due process), instances of torture, and 366 deaths occurring in Cecot. Trump has proposed building five more such prisons to house U.S. citizens. This should alarm anyone who values the Constitution and due process as a safeguard for everyone on U.S. soil.

While efficient immigration enforcement may be a goal, it must not come at the cost of fundamental rights. Arguing that speed justifies eroding due process is dangerous and suggests some people are less worthy of legal protections. This undermines the core of American justice and democracy.

The Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of universal due process must guide our policies and principles. We must reject practices that prioritize expediency over fairness and recommit to the constitutional promise of equal protection under the law. The integrity of our legal system — and the safety of the vulnerable — depends on it.

Heather O’Malley, Glenwood Springs

Gardner for Holy Cross Board of Directors

It has been an honor and privilege to serve the member-consumers of Holy Cross Energy as a member of the Board of Directors since 2012. I am seeking reelection to the board to continue the work that my fellow board members, Holy Cross’s skilled and professional employees and I are engaged in to lead the responsible transition to a clean energy future.

Holy Cross is a not-for-profit, rural electric cooperative utility serving the Eagle, Colorado and Roaring Fork River valleys, governed by an elected board of seven directors. Directors are democratically elected from and by the members. Holy Cross provides electricity to nearly 61,500 homes and businesses and generates nearly $144 million in annual revenues.

As an electric utility not motivated by profit, Holy Cross is successfully providing electric rates in the lower third of all Colorado electric utilities, 99.9% service reliability, and has returned more than $20 million in member equity to members in the last five years. In 2024, Holy Cross provided consumers a power supply that is 75% clean renewable energy and has provided 80% clean energy so far in 2025, on the way to 100% in 2030.

I ask for your vote. I will continue to dedicate my experience, knowledge and understanding of Holy Cross’s member-consumers and service territory for the benefit of the member-consumers of Holy Cross Energy. I live in Basalt and am a lifelong resident of this region. For more information please see http://www.gardnerbradford.com and http://www.holycross.com/elections

Ballots for this election will be mailed to member-consumers on May 7. Members may return their paper ballot or vote online on or before June 3.

Robert H. Gardner, Basalt