Editor:
Jay Hamburger’s article, "GOP wants a sweep in the county," caught my attention because he editorialized in a front-page article. It left me wondering what I wasn’t getting that he obviously thought that I, the reader, should be getting: He wrote that Summit County had "long been propped up by a population that includes lots of people who moved from places like California, New York and other states on the coasts."
What does "like places from " mean? Does it mean that they are more/less wacky/intelligent than the average bear?
Report the facts. Tell the reader what your hidden innuendos mean and don’t leave the reader guessing I read your articles to learn, not to extrapolate a mishmash of cultural stereotypes.
Sue White
Park City
Build a real dog park, not a postage stamp
Editor:
I may have a suggestion to end the dog-leash controversy.
First of all, I have owned a dog most of my life just not now. On the other hand, I do understand the feelings of people who don’t own dogs, especially when one of the friendly dogs jumps on them.
Secondly, alternate days on-leash/off-leash? No way anyone could track that most of all me! (Hey, I’m a guy!) It would be a nightmare to try to enforce.
So here is my idea: This is what a leash-less dog park should look like, not the postage stamp we currently have. Our younger daughter lives in Verona, Wis., close to Madison. This is her dog park where she lets her Bernese mountain dog run with her http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/prairie_moraine.aspx . If we fenced 20-30 acres in or around Round Valley (or anywhere else, maybe above McPolin?), and let the dogs run free in that area, there would less of a need for people to let their dogs run free in Round Valley. Then you increase the fines outside of the dog park to help pay for the maintenance of the dog park.
My feeling is that government agencies should never create a law they do not intend to enforce. If we have a leash law, it needs to be enforced. If it is not going to be enforced, drop it.
I discussed fencing an area north and east of Matt’s Flat in Round Valley with someone who understands land use in Summit County. The leash-less dog trail could parallel the trail that goes down to Quinn’s Junction and parallel to Matt’s Flat on the east side of that trail. Then go up over the ridge. That way humans and dogs alike can get their exercise with a nice view. Of course there may be better alternatives.
This idea could possibly work for almost everyone in Bark City, uh, Park City.
Bill Humbert
Park City
Preserve should take high road, allow cyclists
Editor:
The following is a copy of a letter I sent to Mr. (Kirk) MacDonald (developer of The Preserve):
Dear Sir:
Please reconsider The Preserve’s stance on prohibiting road bicyclists from the roads there. As you are quoted in The Park Record, "it’s a fabulous place to bike." I appreciate the fact that the roads in The Preserve are private, and the ability to ride there over the years is also appreciated. As a road cyclist, I am acutely aware of the inherent dangers of mixing with the hazards on the roads, be they distracted drivers in cars, construction trucks, deer and other animals (live and dead), rocks, glass, or odd pieces of debris. Considering the alternatives in the Park City area such as SR 224, SR 248, the frontage roads along I-80 and US 40, Old Ranch Road, Brown’s Canyon, SR 32, and the Mirror Lake highway (SR 150), riding in The Preserve is a quiet and safe ride in the park.
It seems that the real issue here is not the safety of the cyclists, but rather the exclusivity of The Preserve. Instead of following the examples of Glenwild and The Colony in prohibiting road bicyclists, The Preserve should take the high road (pun intended) and be welcoming. Studies have shown that the increased presence of cyclists and pedestrians slows speeds of drivers, increases safety, and lowers crime in an area.
Thank you for your consideration.
Brooks Robinson
Park City