Irresponsible dog owners at fault

Well, it seems some people just can’t let other people, or the goats, do their job. Lani Malmberg and her goats were forced to leave much earlier than was planned because of irresponsible dog owners and vandals. Nice way to promote our city, not! She had been coming to Bear Creek for 18 years. I would think the residents in the area would be used to them by now and be more vigilant in keeping their dogs leashed so as not to disturb them.

As for whoever let the goats escape from their pen, I would think you would have better things to do. While I don’t go to Bear Creek Regional Park, I do applaud the way the weed situation was being handled. From what I understand there is an area where dogs are allowed off leash, but in the rest of the park, dogs must be leashed! Apparently, some dog owners are too self-righteous, or think they are privileged, they are above the law. Sorry folks. All you did is make it harder for the law abiding dog owners to face anti-dog people with rhetoric because of your poor decisions. Now the weed situation is going to be a problem because Malmberg had to load up her goats three weeks early because of threats to them, and plans to raise her fee next year in order to protect her goats. I don’t blame her one bit. No one in this city has the right to prevent someone from doing a job and the irresponsible dog owners who caused this to happen should be ashamed of themselves millions of times over.

Val Tenhaeff

Colorado Springs

Actions of an inconsiderate few

The early and abrupt departure of the weed-eating goats from Bear Creek Park is the unfortunate outcome of disregard of the leash law by a few dog owners and the danger to the goats that their uncontrolled animals pose. The prohibition against unleashed dogs under C.R.S. 30-15-101 is clearly displayed on signs in the park, but is not enforced and is routinely disregarded by a minority of dog owners.

It is unfortunate that the actions of an inconsiderate few have resulted in disappointment to all of the park visitors – adults and children alike – who support and look forward to this annual event. It is hoped that Lani Malmberg will return next year with her goats and for many years to come, and in the meantime that measures will be taken to enforce the leash law.

The goat project is funded in part each year by the Bear Creek Garden Association and by the contributions of citizens to the Indy Give! campaign. It is hoped that the early departure of the goats will not discourage people from contributing to the 2015 Give! campaign which will help to fund next year’s visit.

Donald McFadden

Colorado Springs

Hoping the goats come back

The goats that eat the weeds and fertilize the soil at Bear Creek Regional park every year at this time are leaving, two weeks early because of a few vandals and dog owners who refuse to keep their pets on a leash.

Thank you, Lani Malmberg for bringing your goats to BCRP for the last 18 years. We regret that there are people here who do not respect the park rules or who do not honor other peoples’ services. Please come again next year.

Cynthia Darrigan

Colorado Springs

We need a dramatic change

Each of the Republican presidential candidates acknowledge that government is too big and promises, in one fashion or another, to make it smaller. The problems they all face will be eliminating the entrenched bureaucrats, getting Congress to think about the national impact of their efforts to favor local sons, minimizing the impact of big money lobbyists, and convincing voters to look beyond their own short term interests. The Democrats play off an entrenched base of government employees, welfare recipients, tax code beneficiaries, and others who profit from the existing deplorable status quo.

We need a dramatic change, but I fear Alexis de Tocqueville was right when he said that “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with their own money.” Government service now seems to be about ensuring the incumbent’s own continued, and often lucrative, employment by pitting us against each other through race, taxes, and threats against various sacred cows. Any of the Republican candidates would be better than any of the Democrats. We need a change in the political climate of this country. Let’s start by ousting incumbents.

Bill Healy Jr.

Monument

Stand with women and families

Denying people a living wage means that young people can’t save up to go to college or are drowning in debt when they finish. It means that parents have to work two or three jobs and are still barely getting by. Research shows that not a single state is paying a minimum wage that allows a full-time worker to afford a two bedroom apartment. The current minimum wage in Colorado is $8.23, which falls incredibly short compared to what a person would need to be able to meet basic living standards like a roof over their heads, food on the table, and the ability to find child care. It also means that far too many people cannot afford health care when they need it.

Latinas continue to face obstacles to accessing high quality health care. As a result, we have a higher rate of unintended pregnancy. We know that when women can plan their pregnancies the health outcomes are better for them and their families. That is why the recent efforts in Colorado to provide low-income women with expanded access to long acting, effective methods of contraception are so important.

The work to ensure affordable health care, push for childcare assistance and secure paid family leave is intrinsically linked to the efforts to push for a living wage. The health, dignity and financial stability of our community requires that lawmakers actually stand with women and families by promoting a comprehensive set of policies that ensure economic and reproductive justice.

Cristina Aguilar

Denver