bad politics equals bad policy
Good public policy should not start with creating monopolies. But the ordinance on the January 10th City Council agenda does just that. Presented as a thoughtful solution to the undefined water problem, the ordinance would give Norwood’s Banning Lewis Ranch a virtual monopoly on land development in the city for the next 50 years or more. This is not surprising as Norwood drafted the ordinance with the help of city officials.
This poorly designed and hastily prepared ordinance does not address the problem of water use in cities, but effectively mandates where water can be used — Lewis Ranch Prohibition. Thoughtful It doesn’t accommodate growth, but it effectively mandates where that growth is possible: BLR. Eliminating competition eliminates development ideas that could significantly improve the efficiency of use of scarce resources and address the affordability problem of urban housing.
I believe elected leaders can ignore the political influence of a single developer and focus on making the right policy decisions.
Tim Coutts
colorado springs
Why Create a Monopoly?
Housing shortages should be a priority for the City Council, not create a monopoly.
Urgent action is needed to address the housing shortage facing Colorado Springs. Our cities have failed to create the capacity to meet housing demand, resulting in soaring prices. Due to the unaffordability of housing, people cannot live close to work or school. Families are forced to live miles away from work, more cars on long-distance roads, more traffic, and poorer air quality.
Putting a cap on growth drives up costs even further. A news story indicates that the city council is about to pass a proposed ordinance that would block new masterplan development in the southeast area of Colorado Springs. There will be only one major residential developer in the city interested. Why would the council approve ordinances that govern what one developer builds, the cost of housing, and where housing is built? Why would a city councilor want to create a monopoly? mosquito?
Stephen Hoxtetter
colorado springs
fool’s house
Rep. Lauren Boebert won the seat in 2022 with just a few votes. Like Biden, she believes her victory by a narrow margin empowers her. Her first act is to prevent the House from doing business by blocking votes for her Speaker. You have to hand it over to the Democrats. They have accomplished a lot by doing a lot with a similarly small majority.
Unfortunately, much of it is bad for the country. Republicans are taking back the House, and 20 of them are acting like Knuckleheads, stopping the job of Speaker of the House by the Republicans. Beaubert and her ilk make Republicans look like a house of fools.
Well done, rep. Listen to the messages sent by voters in your district on November 8th.
John G. Downes
Denver
change support
I’m surprised the Gazette doesn’t support change in Washington, DC. He’s now garnering support from the far left of the Democratic Party! Of course they want a man as a manipulative speaker!
We see no change in Washington with McCarthy. I applaud those who have stepped up for a speaker who will bring real change to the House and ensure conservative values are upheld in the passed domestic legislation.
Marcena Springer
colorado springs
Restoration of Faith in Humanity
I want to say “thank you” to the anonymous young man I met today. I stopped by Switchbacks for lunch and as I was about to pay, a young man tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I could pay.
When I asked him why he wanted to do that, he replied “he appreciates the older generation” and put the credit card into the machine and started paying.
He helped me regain my faith in humanity. I am thankful. May God grant him a wonderful year in 2023.PS I am 92 years old.
Wes Taylor
colorado springs
How to use the canvas bag
Re: Plastic bag/paper bag letter from Jan 4th. I was tired of having to pack up the piles of plastic bags at home and put them in the recycling station at the store. I started using canvas bags I bought at Walmart, and I started using big insulated bags from Sam’s Club. Knowing what’s in it makes things easier when you get home and clean up.
As for the use of the name “Karen”, I think it’s time to stop using the name to associate bad behavior with a person’s name. will be If the name of uncivilized behavior should be applied, jerk comes to mind. If you want a feminine version, a jacket.
This gives innocent people named Karen and Kevin a break so they can go about their business without being abused for no good reason.
Val Tenhaef
colorado springs
