Letters To The Editor August 2024

Kyle Clark Is The Bomb

Thank you so very much for your great article and interview with Kyle Clark in last month’s issue. He is a fabulous journalist, and we are lucky to have him and his family living in Park Hill. Keep up the excellent work.

Sue Wofford, Park Hill

Another Topic To Tackle

I’m writing in response to Tracey MacDermott’s Climate Crisis column in the August issue, The No. 2 Problem.

I would have to say that plastic bags are still readily available in all supermarkets. The ones I’m referring to are the bags on rolls in the produce areas of King Soopers etc. They are more convenient for picking up dog waste than the “old” shopping bags people used until recently. They are smaller and fit the hand better than the more voluminous ones. They are clear and you can see if you got everything.

So, until the bags on rolls are banned, I don’t see much relief for the landfills. I think MacDermott should write a column about the enormous amount of fuel that is wasted every day by people who sit in their cars, invariably staring at a so-called smart phone, while the 300-horsepower engine is being used to provide “conditioned cabin air.” Supermarket parking lots are a prime viewing area to see that type of behavior. The average person is so accustomed to living in air conditioned places that the slightest feeling of heat  sends them in a panic to push a switch to turn on the AC. Same goes with cold weather and the car heater. I would imagine the amount of squandered fuel is simply unbelievable.

Well, that’s enough for now.

Peter Bissell, Park Hill

Love Letter From A Canvasser

Dear Park Hill neighbor,

I just wanted to write a quick note to say thank you. Thank you for answering your door when you saw me standing on your porch, flyers in hand, sticker on my shirt, trying to get the word out about a candidate in the June 25th Primary Election. I was hot and sweaty and tired, and not only did you answer your door, but you were polite, friendly and engaged.

It was hard to find a time that worked for both you and me. I work, you work, and we both have to feed our families. I didn’t want to just leave a flyer; I wanted to talk to you. So that meant hitting you up at that sweet spot after you are home from work but before it got dark.

Sometimes I caught you as you were just walking in the house. Sometimes I jumped in conversations between you and your friend across the yard. Sometimes I interrupted dinner.  But no matter where you were in your evening, you were kind. You listened and asked questions, took my flyer and said you would fill out your ballot and get it in before the election.

Your vote matters to me, to the candidates in the election and to our city. As the late John Lewis once said, “The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy.” You appreciated that sentiment, and that was a great feeling to take home with me at the end of every night.

On a lighter note, for the few of you with “No soliciting” signs: I didn’t notice them before climbing your steps. I tried to slink away after I saw them but probably not before your Ring camera registered me at your door. Sorry about that.

Anyway, thank you again for opening your door. It was great to meet you. You make Park Hill the wonderful community it is, and I’m proud to be your neighbor.

Julie Selsberg, Park Hill

We love your letters, and give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name, and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.