Elections, Emotions, Environments

First and foremost, VOTE!

This happens to one of the Very Important Elections, for the USA, for Colorado, for Larimer County, and for Estes.

The best advice I can give is to keep your eyes and ears and mind open, stay balanced through all of the dialogue and diatribes, and focus on the long future as you fill out your ballot. Generations from now, what will be the long-term results of the choices we make in the next weeks? This is the USA, and voting is as American a thing as you can do.

Whoever gets elected, we must find ways to work together. That IS possible, despite rumors to the contrary.

It takes vision and willingness from everyone involved — and the ability to not let emotions take over the discussions — to bring our diverse viewpoints together. Only then can we work toward common goals and a unity that sometimes seems impossible or at least elusive. We are the United States, let’s unite. I’m here to help do so at the local level.

There are two events upcoming that speak to these challenges. On Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. there’s an Estes Valley Voice-sponsored screening at the Historic Park Theatre of a documentary called “Trusted Sources.” This film considers the challenges of misinformation and the criticality of accuracy and truth in news sources. There’s a panel discussion after the showing in which I’ll participate. The event is free, but please RSVP.

Then, there’s a showing of “Undivide Us” on Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Estes Park Museum. This documentary “challenges the idea that citizens who disagree are not capable of civil conversation, and demonstrates the truth that, even in our differences, the American experiment is still alive and well.”  Sounds good to me. Let’s do it. To register, please click here.

A unified America is America the Beautiful. We need to all pull together despite our big differences of opinion on social agendas.

We all want a healthy planet to raise our kids and future generations. “Environmentalism” is not a political word, it’s a human venture that affects all other goals and projects. If we don’t maintain this Planet Earth, all other considerations fall away. So, how can we educate not only our children but also our guests, on the way in, and the way out, to raise their sense of protecting the beauty of this valley and beyond?

Visit Estes Park has embedded goals in their operating plan to help focus on the latter. Good, that’s a step in the right direction.

Despite our good works in this region, an Oct.16 report from the International Energy Agency says that fossil fuels are expected to remain a dominant part of the energy mix through mid-century.

While we expect to be at 85% green in Estes by 2030 through PRPA, the IEA report shows that fossil fuels are still projected to make up 58 percent of the energy mix in 2050. This makes it all the more important that those who can convert economically and dependably, should convert.

I network ceaselessly. I was interviewed by three seniors at the high school about immigration. I participated in the interviews for a new fire chief. I met with various citizens and merchants, state and county and federal politicians, peers from different municipalities, and much more.

I’m happy to hear of the Letter of Intent that Estes Park Health has crafted with UCHealth to affiliate with that large healthcare system. Eighty percent of us voted for that acquisition in May 2023. While it will take several months to complete the deal, this is a big step toward financial stability for our local medical center. I’ll support the move however I can.

I want to commend the great operation that Julie Lee and team do at Good Samaritan’s, supported by the regional vice president, Randy Fitzgerald. They are the only game in town for the services they provide, with independent senior living, assisted living, and assisted living respite care. They maintain a beautiful facility and their staff is expert and compassionate.

I’m happy to see that we’ve selected a new fire chief, Paul Capo. I’ll work to support Chief Capo in any fashion that I can.

I’m glad to see the search team begin to mobilize for a new CEO for Visit Estes Park. This is a great opportunity for VEP for new methods and directions. They have a very strong core of very talented folks on-board.

The Loop is looping nicely. Many shops have had an upsurge in September and October. CDOT has more asphalt paving for 2024. The Cleave Street project restarts and West Elkhorn will get a new coat.

These projects are still highly impactful. Expect to see me rounding in those areas to hear the challenges and to help bridge communication as needed.