CSU’s proposed rate changes
At a recent Town Hall and again on Tuesday, during City Council’s hearing, Springs Utilities personnel demonstrated its disregard for solar users by continuing to press for a penalty in its proposed rate plan. Tuesday’s meeting wasted the morning for 65 speakers, a full chamber, people overflowing into hallways and other rooms as a CSU representative droned on for 2-plus hours in a mind-numbing slide presentation. The people waiting to speak could have been asked to speak in the afternoon while the rep went through the material with just council members.
There is significant opposition to the proposed plan and yet there is a simple solution that addresses the root cause of CSU’s complaint about costs. Xcel Energy’s relationship with consumers fairly matches generation costs to off-peak and on-peak usage by adjusting net-metering credits for off-peak and on-peak hours so solar power is based on the price of electricity at the time of day the electricity is generated. This addresses the core issue of fixed rate reimbursement for solar and does not require added fixed or demand charges as desired by CSU. Council should reject the proposed rate plan and ask CSU to re-work the plan with the equitable approach used by Xcel.
Lance Miller
Colorado Springs
Healthy meals at school
As a parent of two high schoolers in Colorado Springs, I’ve seen how important it is for kids to have access to healthy meals at school. The Healthy School Meals for All program has been a huge help for our family, and I know we’re not alone. I want every child in our community to have the chance to thrive. No student should have to worry about whether they can afford lunch or go through the day hungry.
But the reality is that two out of five families in Colorado struggle to put food on the table. For many kids, the meals they get at school are the most nutritious ones they’ll eat all day. Thanks to this program, schools across Colorado are serving more than 600,000 free, healthy meals every day.
That’s a big deal. It means kids can focus on learning instead of their empty stomachs. Let’s make sure this support continues. I’m voting yes on ballot measures LL and MM so that every child in Colorado can keep getting the meals they need to grow, learn, and succeed.
Brettney O’Connell
Colorado Springs
Sides of the political spectrum
The opinion letter in Tuesday’s Gazette that was harping about the “separation of Church and State” seemed a bit off track to my way of thinking. That is, the law, as I understand it is freedom of religion. That is, citizens are free to practice their choice of religious beliefs (or choose to have none) and the government will not be allowed to dictate (force) what religious practices will and will not be allowed. It is not freedom from religion. If you choose to be un-Godly, that is your choice but don’t force me to support you or your ideas and ideals.
Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. For whatever reason, a good portion of the nonbelieving and/or ungodly citizens have made a bold attempt to usurp those principles, which confuses me since “love thy neighbor” seems to fit most agenda on both sides of the political spectrum. At least it used to.
John Wear
Black Forest
President is doing his job
No Kings? This sounds like a protest looking for a grievance. Would a king, dictator, ayatollah or czar permit such a demonstration? No! Protesting a president’s or government’s policies is permitted under our Constitution’s 1st Amendment, last I checked. So, the fact that these organizers (probably paid) label their movement “No Kings” and claim a threat to democracy, and are legally protesting, clearly demonstrate the “threats” they are protesting are non-existent.
People attracted to this “No Kings” demonstration do not understand our system of government. No doubt some have a fear that one man can be a “threat to democracy”. This fear is totally unfounded. You may have heard that we have a system of “checks and balances”. It may sound like a cliché, but the system actually works. The current or any future president, must work with Congress as dysfunctional as it is, and the courts to achieve his/her agenda. I’ve heard opinions that “he’ll suspend the Constitution” to achieve his goals. Do you really think Congress or the courts would stand by and let this occur? Even a conservative court that follows the Constitution and understands “what the meaning of is” would not sit by and allow this to occur.
President Trump can’t decide on what to have for dinner without some district court on the opposite side of the country trying to stop him. Nor will Congress sit idlily by and give up their power. Then there is the 25th Amendment, Section 4 that outlines an involuntary process for removing presidential power if the President is deemed unable to discharge their duties and refuses to do so. (Joe Biden?) Enforcing existing law, for example immigration, is a duty of any president. It’s just that now, we have a president that’s doing his job. Unlike many previous presidents.
Edward Hoden
Monument