In opposition to Prop HH
Vote NO on proposal HH. He proposes two policy changes.
The first would modestly limit property tax growth by reducing the assessment rate. That would save the average homeowner about $4,600 by 2032, according to the Common Sense Institute.
The kicker is the second part. The same ballot measure would raise the amount the state can spend by about 25 percent annually, depriving taxpayers of refunds they are currently entitled to. That change would cost each household about $5,100 over nine years, eating up the savings from the property tax cut. The changes will cost taxpayers about $21 billion by 2040.
Supporters say it’s needed to fund public schools. Never mind that funding per pupil rose 47% from 2007 to 2021.
Vote NO on proposal HH. Scam is a drastic increase in taxes.
(Data from the Wall Street Journal.)
Alex de la Garza, Glenwood Springs
Call for gun reform after Lewiston shooting
OK, now we can add Lewiston to the list of town names we weren’t supposed to know about, along with Uvalde or Covenant School in Nashville and Lewiston. Can victims even be identified after being torn apart by an AR-15? Ban assault rifles and introduce common sense gun reform… we’ve been going on and on since Columbine.
Most people agree with this, so why doesn’t our dysfunctional Congress act? We can do both: prayers and actions! I’m angry and sad and disappointed and I hope people realize that we can make change if we want it, but we have to speak up.
So, I guess I’ll pull out my Uvalde poster, dust it off and add Lewiston, and go to the next March for Our Lives rally and hope and pray. I don’t need to leave room to add Glenwood Springs to the list.
Susie Strauss, Glenwood Springs
Alan Kokish and Philip Bogart for an age-appropriate health program
I am writing in support of both Alan Kokish and Phillip Bogart in the upcoming Roaring Fork School Board elections.
Both Alan and Philip are outspoken about their opposition to the current 3Rs Health and Sex Ed curriculum. The remaining candidates unanimously support this inappropriate curriculum. As much as I support age-appropriate health and sexuality education, the 3Rs curriculum is grossly inappropriate and puts teachers, administrators, and schools in general beyond their scope of work to teach our children the basic fundamentals of classical education.
I support the common sense, responsible and kind approach to educating our children that Alan and Philip will bring to the Roaring Fork School Board. Please vote for Alan Kokish and Philip Bogart on November 7th!
Elizabeth Taylor, Basalt resident
Lindsay DeFrates, a caring and fair candidate for Re-1
Lindsay DeFrates is an exceptional individual who is willing and more than capable of working hard for our students.
I was a professional teacher and librarian in the Roaring Fork Re-1 School District and for many years witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact a school board can have on a district. This impact can only be positive if board members make decisions with open minds, able to consider the nuances of difficult issues and willing to be transparent about their decisions.
Our school board is facing very difficult situations to say the least. Transparency, financial issues, curriculum decisions and public trust are difficult issues. Lindsay DeFrates is one of our top picks. She is honest. She is dedicated. She is open-minded and willing to do the hard workânot just for one cause, but for the good of our entire district and every student in it. Election day is November 7.
Please vote for Lindsay DeFrates. And ask another person and another to do the same. We need her on our team.
Terry Drake, Glenwood Springs
Betsy After is an experienced leader
I have known Betsy After for at least 10 years and have always enjoyed our interactions because she is just a nice person. She has extensive experience overseeing large budgets, is fiscally responsible, professional, and would be a great addition to the Roaring Fork School Board. As a leader, she is open, willing to listen, intelligent and very careful in her speech and actions. She listens to all sides and provides thoughtful responses and actions.
She has two young children in the Roaring Fork School District and is committed to ensuring the district provides the best services possible. For her, providing the best services includes improving the board’s relationship with the community by providing more opportunities for parents to be involved in decision-making and making sure parents feel heard, increasing teacher retention and ensuring that the district’s budget is consistent with community goals.
It is our responsibility to ensure that we have thoughtful leaders like Herr on our school board. Right now our leaders are entrenched in their own thoughts and beliefs and we need people who are willing to open up the conversation and provide thoughtful discourse without all the malice.
Please join me in voting for Betsy After for Roaring Fork School District, District B.
Rebecca Moeller, Carbondale