"Into the Dark," Alan Prendergast, December 9
I so enjoyed reading this story; there was some great writing. With that said, Spitz may be blind now but he sure enough saw this coming. There were many signs that his wife was unstable, even a possible sociopath. It is apparent that she was most likely sexually molested and certainly subject to an otherwise very traumatic childhood. When a spouse, or anyone else for that matter, is telling you that they are having recurring dreams about killing you, it is time to wake up and smell the coffee before you can't smell it at all — like Spitz now.
As for the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, everyone listening to the 5 p.m. news knows that the facility is filled with incompetents leading those who are either incompetent or just plain sociopath manipulators. Further evidence of staff delusion is that they granted on-ground, unsupervised privileges and are now considering releasing a patient who has sexual relationships with not one, but three patients while under CMHIP care. We can only hope that the district judge who will make the final decision as to whether or not Teresa Lynne is released sees her for the very big danger she is and will undoubtedly remain -- and keeps her locked up.
Yvonne Barcewski
Denver
"Taken for a Ride," Joel Warner, December 2
As a Denver cab driver of eleven years, I think a medallion system, such as New York City has, would be the best PUC model, with the number of medallions issued being limited to the demand on the street for cabs. Start with 1,000 medallions. Besides integrity, all the cab drivers need a reasonable knowledge of the city and need to speak, read and write conversable English. Denver's two biggest cab companies have done nothing but take exploitive advantage of their drivers. I say let them go the way of the albatross!
Cab driving is perhaps the most interesting and dangerous profession. It can also be profitable if properly regulated rather than politicized. It is the stepping stone for immigrants into American society. Denver, let's not ruin it, huh? Tort law may be the lowest form of communication, but it can speak loudly for those who have been marginalized. Pro Taxi: Pull out all the stops!
Gene Edwards
Colorado Springs
This is a long, one-sided article. I think there are drivers who make money and are more than accepting of their job. I am sure if the driver covered his bases with a paper trail for things such as insurance and lease periods, the employer would make amends as a "public company." I am upset he had to get a lawyer to try and make this happen.
Peter Cassidy Stant
Houston, Texas
What a bittersweet story. I am so impressed with these drivers who stuck together and endured to change this leasing system. Everyone wins with the new companies created by the drivers. These drivers are role models for other cities, proving that those most affected by the problem are the ones who can best solve the problem.
Ronald Blount
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Yay. Next comes the article spotlighting all the people who bitch about working for pedicabs.
Cassandra Tafoya
Denver
The most shocking thing I took from this article was that the state government regulates this industry with an iron grip. Smaller, newer companies cannot enter the market because Yellow Cab lobbies politicians to bar them from entry! This reads just like an Ayn Rand novel ("anti-dog-eat-dog bill"). Big Government obviously isn't protecting the little guy like people mistakenly think it is supposed to. Since when is Colorado a planned economy? The only fair market is the free one.
Adam Reiner
Denver
