Far too many of these incidents

With regard to Katie Wilson, the woman who was arrested and held without bond for a week due to a warrant error: There have been far too many of these in recent months: These gross violations of civil rights with no — absolutely no — punishment for the police.

Suspension is not punishment, internal review is not punishment. Real punishment means jail for the officers involved and suspension of indemnity so their houses can be taken in a civil suit.

As author Thomas Sowell said, “It is hard to imagine a more stupid or dangerous way of making decisions than putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.”

That being the case, the names and pictures of all involved, from the Florida judge and law enforcement officers to the Colorado Springs SWAT team, as well as their home addresses and telephone numbers, should be made public. These people are not working on a volunteer basis. They must be accountable.

The idea of such persons actually drawing a pension at the end of their employment is ridiculous. That should be the first thing to go.

Carl R. Goodwin

Colorado Springs

Look at what is going on

Is history repeating itself?

What started in Germany shortly after World War I — the brainwashing and propaganda campaign of socialists and big government — is going on now here in the U.S. by our President, his cabinet, the Vice President and many politicians.

They are all attacking our Constitution and Bill of Rights and our younger generation with socialist propaganda that big government will take care of you, so please don’t work, as we will give you food stamps and welfare for your support. The younger generation is buying into the propaganda.

The hard-working patriotic American is becoming a thing of the past. The liberal socialist generation is taking over and the USA is now a third-class nation.

We must remove the politicians that are there for their own benefit and not for the best for our own people and country. They are destroying this great country from the inside as other great nations have been destroyed. Wake up America, take a deep breath and look at what is going on.

Gene Brent

Colorado Springs

Disinclined toward the Incline

Both Thursday’s and Friday’s editions of The Gazette contained articles praising the cities of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs for opening the Manitou Incline to hikers who can now legally access the trail without the guilt of trespassing on private property. The incline is truly a one-of-a-kind attraction that our entire community can be proud of and we should all be grateful that an agreement was forged between the property owners and the municipalities that allows everyone to experience and enjoy our local treasure.

However, the Manitou Springs City Council has been grossly irresponsible in not adequately addressing the parking issues that place a tremendous burden on the property owners and residents along Ruxton Avenue. These issues should have been addressed before the incline was officially opened to the throng of trekkers who are certain to swarm our neighborhood and occupy every available parking space.

Here’s a quote from Friday’s Gazette: “Manitou officials are working on a parking plan for Ruxton Avenue and downtown areas, but for now there is little method to the madness.” I’m sure the residents of Ruxton Avenue would like to ask those same “Manitou officials” why their parking plan wasn’t implemented before they invited the world to visit?

Another quote from the same story: “For free parking, cruise Ruxton Avenue and look for a space, making sure not to block driveways or fire hydrants. On busy days, you might go into downtown to find a spot.” Let me tell you, almost every day is a busy day on Ruxton with hundreds of vehicles jockeying for just dozens of parking spaces.

Your readers who hike the Incline know just how grueling the trip to the summit can be, but do our civic leaders understand how challenging it is for a person with painful physical limitations to trudge almost a mile from Manitou Avenue up Ruxton with an arm load of groceries? Don’t forget that under current laws, they must schlep back to Manitou Avenue within a three-hour time limit and move their vehicle or risk a parking citation, repeating the process every three hours.

Until Manitou City Council can concoct a reasonable solution to ensure parking for those who live in our wonderful neighborhood, count me as disinclined toward the incline.

Dale E. Witham

Manitou Springs

Response to parking concerns

Mr. Witham: Thank you for your email sharing your concerns. I agree that it would have been preferable to have our new parking management program fully implemented prior to “legally opening” the Incline. However, we were asked to pass the resolution now and agreed to a “soft opening” so that the Colorado Springs Parks Dept. could access hundreds of thousands of dollars in private donations and public grants.

We have been assured that our parking management program will be in place well before Memorial Day. I am convinced that the combination of paid parking, residential-only permits and the free shuttle will reduce the traffic and other impacts to Ruxton area residents and improve the experience for residents and visitors alike. I was at the trailhead this morning and there was, by all accounts, no noticeable increase in Incline users today. Granted, this may change when the weather warms.

Your city council and staff will be working as quickly as possible to implement our parking plan and I urge you to participate in the upcoming public processes associated with this effort. Thank you again.

Mayor Marc Snyder

Manitou Springs