Move on to real issues

The Mayor stopped by the cleaners on his way to or from work; his wife used a city car until it was pointed out to her that she has to fill out forms. There was an ‘investigation,’ and it became clear that the city needed to clarify policy and procedure, as they were lax and unclear. End of story? You’d think so.

Brian Risley seems to have a case of anger, looking for a place to land. He seems to need to inflate a misunderstanding due to informal policies on the part of the city into a conspiracy of grand proportions on the part of the Mayor and his spouse. If this is the case, that the Mayor is enriching himself at the public trough, then a warrant needs to be taken out immediately in order to confiscate the hotel soaps that may be hidden in, possibly, the bathroom soap dish at the Mayor’s residence.

Can we all keep our attention on the fact we have a President and members of Congress enriching themselves with millions at great cost to the American people and to our Democracy, and not attempt to make a name for oneself over a relaxed policy that needed clarifying? Issue noted, issue delt with…move on to addressing the critical issues the City and it’s residence are struggling to deal with and turn down the invictives and inflation of the negligible…we are all frankly overwhelmed as it is.

Deborah Tinsley

Colorado Springs

A baseline level of fiscal responsibility

At what point does the public stop asking questions—and start demanding answers ? Between July and December of last year, School District 49 reportedly paid $155,978.99 to attorney Brad Miller and his law firm. That’s not a typo. Nearly $156,000 in just six months for legal services. And yet, when asked a simple question—what exactly are taxpayers getting for that money? There’s no clear answer.

At the same time, the district decided to cut teaching and support staff positions. Let that sink in.

Educators—people directly responsible for student success—were deemed expendable. But a six-figure legal bill? Untouchable.

Nobody from the district has been able to articulate a compelling justification for retaining Miller and his firm at this cost. Not one. No measurable outcomes. No clear necessity. No explanation that passes even the most basic common-sense test.

But I can name 155,978.99 reasons why those jobs should have been retained. This isn’t just about one contract or one law firm. It’s about priorities. It’s about accountability. And it’s about whether those entrusted with public funds are exercising even a baseline level of fiscal responsibility.

It gets worse. As of mid-April, 2026 financial data still hasn’t been posted to the district’s check register. Transparency delayed is transparency denied. The public cannot evaluate spending decisions when the information is withheld or is conveniently late.

This is not how public institutions are supposed to operate.

Taxpayers fund this district. Parents trust it. Students depend on it. And the Board of Education is supposed to oversee it, not rubber-stamp decisions that defy logic and avoid scrutiny.

The public deserves answers. Not deflection. Not silence. Answers.
And until those answers are provided, every dollar spent without explanation should be viewed for what it is: reckless, irresponsible, and unacceptable.

Ryan Brown

Colorado Springs

Civil Air Patrol’s important role

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, is a volunteer organization dedicated to serving communities through emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs. With over 1,400 squadrons nationwide, it provides young people opportunities to serve while building leadership skills.

The Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron, located at Peterson Space Force Base, is an active unit in the region. Cadets learn core values, Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect, through leadership training, drill, and teamwork.

Throughout the year, the squadron supports community events such as the Bob Telemosse Christmas Giveaway, where cadets help families receive clothing, food, and gifts. The squadron has also supported the Colorado House of Representatives by presenting the colors at the general assembly.
Civil Air Patrol offers encampments, week-long leadership experiences that challenge cadets through structured, age-appropriate training. These programs build confidence, responsibility, and teamwork.

By combining service, education, and leadership development, the Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron strengthens the community while preparing future leaders.

Civil Air Patrol is the longtime auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a valued member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine aircraft and 1,550 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). It performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 82 lives annually. CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. Operating as a nonprofit organization, CAP also plays a leading role in STEM/aerospace education, and its members serve as mentors to 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.

Yurel Villa

Colorado Springs

Math is math

Sam Taylor’s letter listed historical problems without considering the changes from the 1965 Voting Rights Act or modern voting methods overseen by Secretaries of State that have illegal voting in the handfuls, not in the thousands as some claim.

Taylor asked: “How is it possible that Biden received more than 86 million votes (when) there were (only) 26 million more votes cast in 2020?” For one, the official number of votes for Biden in 2020 was 81,283,501 (FEC) not Taylor’s 86 million. 2016 had 129.5 million votes; adding 26 million new votes in 2020 equals 155.5 million. Subtract 74.2M for the Republican, leaving 81.3 million votes for the Democrat. Math is math.

Politically, “How could this be possible?” is another thing. In 2016, Donald Trump had no political record and had created for himself the image of success. His opponent had baggage from White Water Real Estate, Benghazi, Monica, emails (twice) and (possibly) from being female. In 2020, the incumbent’s baggage was the pandemic response (“It will magically disappear,” Etc) plus the economic hardships from COVID- the two huge things turning voters off. The Democrat in 2020 (except for innuendos about Hunter Biden) had no obvious baggage. So, for the Republican to be +11 million, and the Democrat to be +15 million in 2020 above 2016 numbers is not only mathematically possible (11 million + 15 million = 26 millon), but is the most probable result given the political situation. James Carville’s “It’s the economy, stupid.”

With the 1965 Voters Rights Act, modern oversight from Secretaries of State (certifying a minuscule number of illegal votes- including mail-in-votes) plus the math showing that Biden in 2020 could have 81+ million legal votes, makes Taylor’s conclusion (”The bottom line is that mail ballots offer too many opportunities for fraud and cheating”) completely invalid.

Rock Goldberg

Colorado Springs