Our Readers Write

Local businessman gives Christmas bonuses that prove a bonus to downtown merchants
Editor:
We would like to send a shout out and thank-you to a local businessman here in Evergreen, Russell Straub. Russ owns a company called Loanbright.com. He decided that this year his holiday “bonus” to his employees would consist of a sum of money given to them just before their lunch break. They were directed to “Go shop!” (which brought a welcome stream of revenue to downtown Evergreen!), and then  to meet at our business, One World Cafe, where he was treating them to lunch.
Russ’ decision to “keep it local” is one that helps to keep small local shops going. Although I cannot speak for the other businesses that benefited from Russ’ actions, I can assume that they were all as grateful as I was to receive such a show of local support. So thanks, Russ, and to all of your employees … shopping locally really DOES make a difference.
Susan Yeagley and Rick Caldis
owners, One World Cafe

More gun laws won’t deter killers
Editor:
I myself have no relatives or connections with Aurora, Columbine, Connecticut or other massacres that have occurred in the United States. Yet my heart bleeds for the folks — parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc.
The point being: The Connecticut massacre was horrific, unexplainable and very tragic to our society across America. Not to downsize or make it seemingly irrelevant, yet on the average, 32 people are killed daily in the U.S. — yes, daily — due to gunfire, whether it be accidental, deliberate or just plain stupidity.
Do you think more gun laws will really deter the gunmen, who in fact will somehow purchase ammo and guns, legal or not, to do what they are on a mission to do? No!
Dale Richter
a concerned, sad Evergreen resident

Keys on the Green will be missed
Editor:
The closure of Keys on the Green, an Evergreen landmark, is now old news to locals … but for all of us who lost our jobs unexpectedly, it is still a very bleak situation to endure, especially for those of us with small children to support. I wanted to express how deeply we feel the loss of our beloved restaurant and our “family” of co-workers and regular patrons.
We worked so hard to make Keys on the Green into THE place our community could count on for great food and drinks, and great service by staff many of our patrons called friends, in a comfortable atmosphere we called our “home away from home.” There will never be another place like it, or another crew like the one we had.  I looked around the mostly empty building, and tears poured from my eyes as I saw ghostly images of good times past: laughter, friends embracing at the bar, diners raving over nightly specials, regular customers being greeted with their favorite beverages before they were even seated at a table … so many memories.
The city of Denver can lock the doors on our restaurant, but it can never take away our memories. I know I’m not the only one who will miss Keys with all my heart.  
Adrianne Zellers
Evergreen

Wind energy tax credits should be renewed
Editor:
As Congress battles over government spending cuts and revenues, one of the decisions to be made is whether or not to extend a tax-credit program to continue to provide funding for the research and development of wind energy.
In the words of our senator, Mark Udall, a great champion of the tax credit to save hundreds of Colorado jobs in manufacturing, installation and maintenance of wind turbines:
“Congress’ inaction has disrupted the wind energy industry, creating a level of uncertainty that is bad for business. Investors have held back millions of dollars in capital and declined to make any new commitments.”
This has resulted in layoffs from Vestas, the wind turbine manufacturing company, that reduced Colorado jobs from 1,700 to 1,200 because of the expiring wind production tax credits. When we talk about bringing manufacturing jobs to the U.S., let’s actually provide an environment that does not impede their success.
Please tell your congressional representatives that this tax credit is vital to Colorado and vital to the energy future of our nation. Sign the petition on Sen. Udall’s web page and support his dedication in Congress to the extension of these tax credits.
Christie Greene
Evergreen

Get over it and have a happy holiday!
Editor:
It’s always interesting this time of year when there is so much angst about what the holiday season is called. Throughout time, most cultures have celebrated midwinter with various festivities: Solstice, Brumalia, Saturnalia, Yuletide, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, etc. Now there’s Xmas and the worship of materialism (Black Friday and Cyber Monday); as Homer Simpson said, it’s the birth of Santa!
Such a long tradition has many sayings — Happy New Year, Seasons Greetings, Happy Hanukkah, Ho Ho Ho, Merry Xmas, Bah Humbug, etc. How curious that some people take offense, and judge as insincere, the all-inclusive term “Happy Holidays.” Why not just assume people are trying to be nice; smile, show a little holiday spirit?
Lynda Drewry
Evergreen