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Letters for saturday

Matt Debus

This letter is in reference to an incident that occurred on Dec. 18, 2005. While snowboarding from the mountain top down to Mid-Vail I encountered a group of red coats conducting a sting operation on visitors going down the mountain too fast. At the time, I did not feel that I was going too fast for conditions or the number of guests on the mountain. I promptly learned that it is not the prerogative of the guests to determine if they are going to fast or not. Rather one must listen to and heed the warnings of a Vail employee. I was alerted by a member of upper management to stop so that he could talk to me. Feeling that I had done nothing wrong, I told him that I had nothing to say and proceeded to get on the Wildwoods lift for my last run of the day before work. I was riding on a Merchant Pass obtained through my employer when that pass was taken from me that day for using foul language toward a Vail Resort employee. Essentially, I violated the privileges bestowed upon me via the Merchant Pass program, as well as the dignity of the employees. For this, I am truly sorry. I have taken the time of both Bill Jensen and Brian McCartney in order to resolve this issue. For this, I am both thankful and apologetic. This letter of apology is part of my retribution for accosting two Vail employees. The second part of my punishment is a donation of $500 to a charity of my choice. I have chosen the Jimmy Heuga Center, contiguous to my employer. Jimmy was one of the best skiers in the world when he was diagnosed with MS. Now the center provides opportunities to persons with MS to find what they are capable of doing, rather than find out what they can not do. The third part of my punishment is the fact that I have not been able to snowboard since the incident. I am still obligated to pay for the Merchant Pass through my employer and I have been paying while not being allowed to snowboard. Be it known that when an employee of Vail attempts to stop you, you must stop whether you feel that you are at fault or not. Do not attempt to side-step the authorities. They will get you and punish you. The ticket scanners get a $75 dollar bounty for anyone trying to use a friend’s pass to get on the mountain. Vail will not hesitate to call the Eagle County sheriff and have you put in jail for 10 days if further infractions occur. Published in the Jan. 13 edition of the Vail Daily was the article on six skiers skiing out of bounds at Copper Mountain, four with out valid passes. They were ticketed for third-degree criminal trespass, and violating the Skier Safety Act. Also in the same publication is Vail Mountain’s Tip of the Week, which I must reiterate: “Go slow in slow zones … Respect others and reduce speed in these zones.” Matt DebusFound wanting I found your column in the Vail Daily dated Jan. 13 interesting and amusing. The depth of your reasoning seems to flounder in the shallow end of the kiddie pool. I have had deeper discussions with my 6-year-olds regarding God’s attributes and characteristics. Being one of God’s “chosen” people, I am disappointed in your apparent ignorance regarding who God is. He inspired 40 authors to write 66 books known has the Bible, thus revealing his character to those willing to seek and know Him. Below is a quote from one of the greatest Jewish authors in history, Saul (also known as Paul). Here is his resume.”If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” Philippians 3:5-6Regarding your questions of God and how he operates, I submit to you this passage. I hope you find it insightful. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 1:18- 25 Jeff Cerovich


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