Joy L. Burris
Arvada
If you want the real dirt on Mount Carbon, get in touch with any town council member from Morrison. I remember that the developer who installed the visible improvements seen there today wanted permission to build an IMAX-type theater, Monterey-type aquarium and other high-tech, high-dollar draws. The town council gave him the thumbs down.
Mike Dichter
via the Internet
As a resident of Lakewood, I read "Spaced Out" with great interest. While these residents may feel in their own hearts that they're doing the right thing, I see ways in which this no-growth plan would be much worse for the city. First and foremost, I think the passage of this initiative will send a clear message to people wishing to live in Lakewood: We don't want you here. I know that's not the image this city wants. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a home here for my family, and I feel it's wrong to deny other people the same opportunity.
While I certainly wouldn't blame the owner of the Mount Carbon land for suing the city if this initiative passes, I hate to think that I, along with the other residents of Lakewood, could be paying the price of this lawsuit for many years to come in the form of higher property taxes--all because a small number of people want to preserve their own private view of the mountains.
If these concerned citizens want an unobstructed view of the Rockies, I suggest that they either move to the eastern plains of Colorado, where they could live for years without fear of surrounding development taking place, or purchase the property in question themselves for their own private greenbelt.
Vic Moss
Lakewood
In reading "Spaced Out," it became quite clear what a difference a few years makes. As recently as the late 1980s, everyone in the Denver area was clamoring for economic development. Businesses were shutting down, people were moving out of state, and property values plummeted. But now that we've turned things around and are doing much better economically, it seems a few people want to shut things down again.
I hope when the November election rolls around that voters in Lakewood realize this no-growth won't be the panacea they're looking for.
Dennis Lubbers
Lakewood
Many unsupported assumptions about citizens' groups were made in last week's Letters, which may be attributed to the fact that not all details were relevant to the story line. While Eric Dexheimer's article raises some valid points, it mischaracterizes the intent of the Citizens Initiative for Open Space in Lakewood, the citizens' group that developed the petition to rezone and consider Springfield Green for open space.
The petition concept was presented at a meeting organized by a Lakewood resident who lives about a mile east of Springfield Green. He was concerned about development infringing on Green Mountain open space and asked the attendees to assist with the process.
Developing a petition requires much time and effort, and I am proud of the dedicated people involved. This is not an anti-development group. We are concerned citizens frustrated with four years of attempts to be heard and have the area seriously considered for open space by Lakewood. Reviewing the issues and options available, we concluded that a stronger approach was necessary.
Spotlighting the issues may help prompt our elected officials to develop better methods to replace the insufficient planning processes currently in place. I applaud involvement from all.
Craig M. Lis
Lakewood
Letters policy: Westword wants to hear from you, whether you have a complaint or compliment about what we write from week to week. Letters should be no more than 200 words; we reserve the right to edit for libel, length and clarity. Although we'll occasionally withhold an author's name on request, all letters must include your name, address and telephone number. Write to:
Letters Editor
Westword
PO Box 5970
Denver, CO 80217
or e-mail (include your full name and hometown) to: editorial@westword.com
Missed a story? The entire editorial contents of Westword, dating back to July 1, 1996, are available online at www.westword.com/archive/index.html
