Ballot issue needs a translator

Upon careful reading of Issue 2 in my mail ballot election form, I have concluded that English is, at last, the second language of our country. The City Clerk’s Office has published a description of that issue that defies comprehension by any of the English speakers I know, and I have decided to seek professional help in an effort to determine exactly what this issue is.

Unfortunately, no one I’ve contacted has been able to enlighten me as to just what language I’m seeking clarification of, so I’ve entered this forum in an effort to locate a person who might be able to interpret the measure for me.

Perhaps one of the council members (who may presumably benefit from successful passage of this murky ordinance) would consent to shed some light on its meaning for me, so that I can, in good conscience, cast a vote. Otherwise, sadly, I can only tender a negative response through my ballot, which really means, “!No lo comprende!”

John Deasy, Colorado Springs

Support for Don Knight

We are supporting Don Knight for City Council in District 1 because Don is a strong supporter of neighborhoods. Don recognizes that neighborhoods are the building blocks of our city; they protect property values and promote unity within our community, particularly important after the Waldo Canyon fire.

We ask all voters in District 1 to vote for Don Knight.

Jan Doran and Lenard Rioth, Colorado Springs

Truly has walked the walk

My family and I are voting for Dennis Moore for City Council District 4.

Clearly, Dennis is the only candidate that is qualified for the job. As a District 4 resident for decades, he has a full understanding of the most urgent problems in District 4 — crime and public safety.

Dennis has volunteered with me for the last 15 years for the Colorado Springs Police Department, for various tasks and projects.

He was honored by the Police and Fire Departments as “Public Safety Volunteer of the Year” in 2011. He has assisted dozens of neighborhood groups, citywide, to establish their neighborhood watch groups. He has truly ‘talked the talk” and ‘walked the walk’ for public safety.

Cast your vote for Dennis Moore for City Council District 4. We will all be better for it.

Marjorie L. Smith, Colorado Springs

Voters in the cheaper seats

I was all set to fill out my ballot for City Council representative the other evening. Based on the signs in my neighborhood, I figured I knew who was running and who I was voting for in District 5. Lo and behold, I opened my ballot and was sure the City Clerk had sent me a ballot for the wrong district. Before I called the City Clerk to find out what I should do to correct the error, I decided to check the district borders online first.

Surprise, I live in District 1, Rockrimmon. I live a few blocks east of Horace Mann Middle School, just into District 1. You could have fooled me since there are no campaign signs here for anyone running from District 1.

My advice to City Council candidates is to check your district borders, and don’t forget all your possible constituents (I am not necessarily looking to get more campaign signs).

I am especially concerned that once elected, the representative from District 1 might forget those of us who live in the “cheaper seats” of District 1 and only advocate for his

her closer neighbors. I want to be represented on City Council also, as I’m sure my neighbors do.

Mary Jo Piccin, Colorado Springs

100 percent about control

Being a lifetime nonsmoker I am not clouded by smoke getting in my eyes. This is not about removing tobacco from sight, it is 100 percent about control of “We The People”.

Keeping tobacco out of sight, so “the children” do not see it on TV or in the movies is a “smoke screen” because using that same logic with guns in the movies or in video games, they say it doesn’t affect the children. Tobacco does, guns don’t!

Could it be what fits their agenda is their guide? Seems the Democratic Party wants it both ways.

Linda Kressler Gomez, Colorado Springs

Paranoia driving this foolishness

Regarding “Destined to Repeat History?” by C. W. Ikes, Saturday, March 16, the U. S. government is not trying to take away our right to own guns.

Ikes has fallen into the trap laid by so many Republican politicians and bigots who are lying about the issue of gun control. To equate the U. S. government with the likes of Turkey, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany is amusing and not to be taken seriously. Gross paranoia is driving this foolishness.

As Sen. Dianne Feinstein recently pointed out to Sen. Ted Cruz, about 2,200 guns and gun related weapons are legally allowed in the U. S.

Only so-called assault-type weapons like the AK-47 are under ban consideration. Polls show that about 70 percent of our citizens agree to the registration of guns, many of whom are gun owners. Likewise, many gun owners agree to a ban on the AK-47 and similar weapons.

For years tommy guns have been banned, but I never heard complaints related to those that the government is trying to take away our right to own guns.

Of course, if Sen. Cruz had his way, tommy guns, hand-held rocket launchers, bazookas and the like would be allowed. Isn’t that pure lunacy?

Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but it seems appropriate that expressed opinions be grounded in fact not fiction. We can all live better and safely under the expression of truth.

Marvin Cunningham, Colorado Springs