September Letters To The Editor
The Trash Service Stinks
Dear editorial team,
Have you discussed the ongoing issue with the lack of trash pickup in Park Hill on the scheduled day? Given that so many residents park on the street it is really an inconvenience. I have reached out to Councilman Chris Herndon about this issue throughout 2022 but he doesn’t seem interested in pressing the issue.
Thoughts?
Bret Wilhoite, Park Hill
Nurse On A Mission
My name is Christy Haas-Howard and I’m a school nurse here in Denver. I am participating in a fellowship with the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments that partners nurses with community-based organizations working to address the impact of pollution, climate change, and other environmental health factors on communities across the United States.
I have appreciated the columns on the climate crisis that Tracey MacDermott writes monthly for the Greater Park Hill News. I’m wondering if she or others have any suggestions or insight into community-based organizations that may be interested in collaborating with a nurse. I have experience partnering with Love My Air Denver to implement air quality awareness programs and mitigation strategies with school nurses and other members of school communities. I also volunteer with Moms Clean Air Force to educate the greater community on the health impacts of poor air quality.
Thank you for bringing awareness to the important issue of climate change that affects all of us.
Christy Haas-Howard, RN, Park Hill
Let’s Work Together
Tracey MacDermott’s persistent focus on climate change is very inspiring. I am part of a group of Park Hill residents interested in supporting this cause. We have created a website: parkhillclimate.com.
Some of our areas of interest include:
• Helping neighborhood coffee shops create a more workable recycle/compost center for customers.
• Participating in postcard campaigns for upcoming elections that make voters aware of pro-climate focused candidates.
• Facilitating planting of small trees in northeast Park Hill.
We’re looking forward to collaborating and figuring out ways we can support common efforts.
Karen Chapman, Park Hill
Let Denver Be Wild
I was inspired by Rob Kapner’s letter to the editor last month — “Ideas to Save the Planet” — sharing ideas that are simpler, that we can all do, and that we can do immediately without having to wait for someone else to have to pass a law.
Here are a few of mine:
1. Plant trees that self-propagate (that aren’t “ornamental” or hybrids). These are hardier and live longer for future generations to enjoy.
2. Rid yourself of that labor-intensive Kentucky bluegrass. There are plenty of other grasses and ground covers to create a beautiful display.
3. Stop using pesticides, herbicides, chemicals and fertilizers and water by hand. In line with Rob’s suggestion, if you don’t buy them, stores won’t sell them.
4. Start a garden for health, to get a great workout, and for spending time in the sunshine and getting to know your neighbors.
5. Water by hand. You’ll be surprised at how much you will learn about what’s really going on.
6. Let it be . . . Leave some wild, keep Denver beautiful and natural.
7. Join the Denver Botanic Gardens. They do amazing things with plants and space.
My property, Paradise Found, is a mini-forest and is a registered Wildlife Sanctuary with both the National Wildlife Foundation and the Colorado Wildlife Foundation.
It is my way of respecting life in all of its diversity. I don’t spray anything nor do I kill anything — not even flies and mosquitoes — and that took some re-thinking on my part of where we are in the grand scheme of things.
Therese-Marie O’Sullivan
A Park Hill resident since 1995
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.