Letters to the Editor
For The Birds
To the Editor,
I am writing to express my admiration and appreciation for the monthly Page 3 column featuring Mark Silverstein’s excellent photos and notes on the natural history of local birds.
His photo of a trio of young Great Horned Owls in the May issue of the Greater Park Hill News was outstanding.
Every time I pick up a copy of the newspaper, his “Birdland” feature is the first thing I turn to.
We are very fortunate to have a photographer of Mr. Silverstein’s caliber in our midst, and twice blessed through his generous sharing of his talents via the Greater Park Hill News.
Thank you for publishing his work.
John Brink, Park Hill
Kudos For Awards
Dear Editor:
Congratulations on your recent awards for excellence in journalism, as announced in the May issue of the Greater Park Hill News. They are well earned. You really do a good job of covering complicated issues and balancing very diverse interests.
My husband was a journalist for 25 years so we’re acutely aware of the industry challenges. All of us are extremely fortunate to have such a vibrant local newspaper in our community.
Hilarie Portell; Executive Director, Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District
Near-Tragedy Of Errors
To the Editor,
Re: Lynn Kalinauskas’ May article, “A Comedy of Errors,” I was more than disgusted and disappointed to learn details of the recent Denver Public Schools debacle over the new District 4 representative to the school board.
The article could have easily been titled “A Tragedy of Errors” had the chosen candidate, MiDian. Holmes, not finally (thankfully) turned down the appointment she had been given. But what if she had not done that? Would board President Anne Rowe have continued to insist on appointing Holmes – despite knowing the candidate’s background – just to save face?
DPS has made mistake after mistake over the years. Appointing a person with Ms. Holmes’ criminal history and false resume is blatantly irresponsible. And the district’s claim of “not knowing it” is equally irresponsible.
It is clear that Ms. Holmes has been trying to beef up her own irresponsible, unprofessional background by kowtowing to DPS reformers over the past few years. Let’s hope our newly named, and far more qualified, District 4 representative, Rachele Espiritu, brings some credibility, maturity and educational knowledge to the Denver School Board.
Sincerely,
Karin Schumacher, Park Hill resident and former DPS parent
Editor’s Note: For more on Espiritu, check out this month’s interview with the new school board member, which appears on Page 5
The Scoop on Poop
Dear Editor,
I enjoy reading your newspaper. Keep up the good work.
I have one suggested article/comment. As you know, our community, like most, has a number of dog owners who enjoy walks with their pets. Like most of those neighbors and myself, they pick up their dog’s waste. But from the amount of dog waste I have to pick up in my own front yard that is left from neighbors walking their dogs, I’m getting the feeling that a reminder to be respectful is needed for the community.
A brief reminder: please respect your neighbors and pick up your dog’s poop. It may help build a few more bridges in the community.
Thanks.
Jerry Ware, Park Hill
Looking To The Future
To the Editor,
We are writing you today as Park Hill residents and executive directors of Denver’s Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments. In particular, we wanted to address the April commentary in the Greater Park Hill News by Dick Young titled “The Unexpected and Sudden Demise of City Park Golf Course.”
The stormwater improvements being incorporated into City Park Golf Course will not lead to the demise of the golf course nor will the water detention area resemble a huge unattractive hole in the ground, as Mr. Young suggests. In fact, it is our goal to thoughtfully integrate stormwater detention into the landscape of the golf course in a way that improves the course and makes it even more enjoyable to play and serve our community.
Integrating stormwater detention areas into golf courses is a common practice across the nation. Two local golf courses that have effectively integrated water detention areas into their landscapes include Lakewood Golf Course and the CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora. Implementation of water detention at City Park Golf Course will be respectful of an urban setting, incorporating the work of wastewater and golf course design experts.
Mr. Young also states in his commentary piece that the City Park Golf Course clubhouse must be demolished for the stormwater detention area, which is inaccurate. Relocation of the clubhouse will be considered, as it is located on the lowest point of the property and could take the brunt of a 100-year storm, but no decision has been made yet about the clubhouse. That decision will be part of a design process that involves the community. Moving it, however, could offer opportunities to improve the functionality of the building and reduce flood potential.
Denver’s desire to add stormwater detention into a section of City Park Golf Course is part of a larger series of drainage improvements we are planning called the Platte to Park Hill: Stormwater Systems Program. This program focuses on improving drainage in the Montclair and Park Hill Basins, which have been identified as areas that have the greatest need for drainage improvements. With no natural drainage way in this area, and a century-old network of underground pipes that are aging, undersized and inadequate, the neighborhoods north and east of downtown are the most at-risk in Denver for flooding.
Mr. Young’s suggestion that Denver is improving its stormwater systems because of I-70 is missing the point of the Platte to Park Hill projects. While the highway and neighborhoods north of the highway may benefit from our drainage improvements, our project is primarily focused on reducing flood risks across a larger portion of the city and providing a backbone for future drainage improvements where they’re most needed. Our project aims to protect more neighborhoods in the Montclair and Park Hill basins now and into the future with a more comprehensive drainage solution that increases our capacity to convey water to the Platte River. And with multiple projects kicking off in that area right now, including the highway project, Brighton Boulevard and others, we must continue to collaborate with partner agencies to work efficiently and cost-effectively, while engaging the public throughout design process.
We encourage residents to visit denvergov.org/PlattetoParkHill for more information about the stormwater improvement projects. They can also email PlattetoParkHill@denvergov.org or call 303-825-6100 to reach the project team and register for project updates.
Jose M. Cornejo, Executive Director Denver Public Works
Happy Haynes, Executive Director Denver Parks and Recreation
Editor’s Note: Dick Young’s commentary can be read here
We Can’t Stand Idly By
The Eastern Colorado Council of Black Nurses (ECCBN) was founded in 1973. We help facilitate better patient care in minority communities and work collaboratively with community organizations to improve access and care for all regardless of race or social-economic status. We also mentor and recruit minority nurses, as well raise awareness on healthcare disparities that affect minorities.
Last month was National Minority Health Month, during which healthcare professionals and the community worked to raise awareness about the health disparities that continue to affect minority groups.
One devastating disease that disproportionately affects people of color is Hepatitis C, which can remain undetected for years while damaging the liver, often leading to cirrhosis and cancer.
According to a study from the Hepatitis C Support Group, “African Americans and Hepatitis C,” African-Americans are more than twice as likely to contract Hepatitis C and are more likely to die from the virus.
African-American patients have also historically responded more poorly to previous treatments compared to other racial groups. But thanks to medical innovation, there is now a drug available that can cure this disease in a matter of weeks.
However, insurance companies are standing between sick patients and effective drug treatments so they can protect their own bottom line. The only consideration for a patient ought to be, does their doctor think doing something will make them healthier? Whether a drug is expensive, or other financial matters, ought to not matter when a patient’s health and wellbeing are at stake.
We can’t idly stand by while the healthcare system withholds treatment for a disease that affects African Americans so profoundly.
Everyone struggling with this disease should have equal access to treatment and an equal opportunity to live a healthy and productive life. Please join the ECCBN by raising awareness on Hepatitis C and other health care disparities.
To help raise awareness about healthcare disparities and promote healthcare awareness in the African American community, the Eastern Colorado Council of Black Nurses is hosting the Health Highways in partnership with Colorado Black Art Fest from July 8 through July 10. For more info, visit colbaf.org/festival.html.
Elerie Archer, President, Eastern Colorado Council of Black Nurses