Columns

Colorado voters are faced with two tax questions on this November’s ballot. One will impose sales and excise taxes on our newly legalized recreational marijuana industry, and the other will increase our state income tax to provide additional revenues for preschool through 12th-grade education. They both deserve our support.

In the wake of the catastrophic destruction and loss of property and life caused by the floods that ravaged our state earlier this month, many things come to mind. It reminds us of several things, including the ominous power of nature, our capacity to endure difficult situations, and how the inherent good and evil of people to either reach out and help those in need or to take advantage of a terrible situation show that disasters bring out both the best and the worst in people.

When Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his country’s citizens, killing more than 1,400 people, including defenseless children, he crossed a line for most Americans. While there is still much consternation over whether a military response is appropriate and, if so, how we limit our exposure and don’t get sucked into another seemingly endless intervention, there seems to be some consensus that the act of gassing innocents in Syria deserves a response.

By John E. Watson
The mission of the Evergreen Park & Recreation District is to improve the quality of life of the Evergreen community by providing a wide range of excellent, financially responsible park and recreation amenities and programs while maintaining and enhancing the area’s mountain character.