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Letters to the editor

editor@vaildaily.com

Brian Raydon’s letter to the editor March 21 said it all and said it very well. This is a unique community with an odd collection of residents and therefore an interesting breadth of idiosyncrasies and challenges. When responding to friends and family who frequently ask, “Why do you live in the Vail Valley?” I often refer to the area as a wildly fascinating “petri dish” of human dynamics. But even though I have only lived here a few years, it seems perfectly clear that there are four choices for living in this small mountain community:

1. Bitch, moan, whine and complain about the raw deal you have to suffer through as an Eagle County resident. Boo freaking hoo.

2. Learn to understand why things are the way they are and make the best of what this area has to offer.



3. Become part of the solution for the real problems that exist.

4. Get the hell out.

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If you can, track down the March 21 issue (or visit vaildaily.com online) and reread Mr. Raydon’s letter. It should help you with No. 2 above. If you’re still not satisfied, choose No. 3. And if you’re still not ready or willing to live in this petri dish, No. 4.

But Mr. Raydon is definitely right about choice No. 1, people. Shut up if you’re not going to provide positive suggestions for the problems you bring up.

While I have been accused of being a “complainer” by some regarding previous letters of my own, I have always tried to provide solutions to the issues I’ve raised. I may not have demonstrated the same eloquence as Mr. Raydon, but my intentions were pure.

Freedom of speech is a wonderful and powerful right that we enjoy as American citizens. The pen is mightier than the sword indeed. But when wielded irresponsibly without careful thought, it is as unsafe as a child running with a pair of scissors. Think before you write.

Finally, Mr. Raydon might be well-advised to recognize that the average letter-writer is not (I hope) representative of the local population, and that very few have commentary that is as well thought out, knowledgeable and thought-provoking as his.

Maybe if more of the local intelligentsia shared their views in this way, we’d solve a few of these community problems as well as have something interesting to read for a change.

Gary Buck

Avon

Annie’s legacy

As a 15-year second-home owner, summer resident and a library aficionado, I have read in, studied in, slept in and volunteered in the Vail Library literally hundreds of times. In that time I came to know and value Annie Fox and her staff.

Over the years I refered to the library as Vail’s crown jewel and Annie Fox, keeper and builder of the library’s image, operation and legacy.

Does a legacy continue if its chief leaves? In Annie’s case, the answer is a demonstrable yes.

Why? Let me count the ways: She worked with architects and builders and plumbers and electricians and computer geeks and police and fire and public works and town managers and town council and town neighbors and friends. She developed programs. She agonized over budgets. She checked books in and out. She communicated with all, knowing their language or not. She led wide-eyed kids into the fantasy child’s room. She picked up the books after they left. She cleaned up the community room. Never, ever, did I hear her utter a disparaging work.

Of course, she didn’t do all these things alone. Annie is a leader. She created the vision and nurtured the staff to pursue the vision. The name “Annie” and the word “library” are synonymous in Vail, now and forever. Thank you, Annie. Wherever you go, whoever is fortunate enough to gain your talent, they and you, will commence a new legacy.

Paul Kuzniar


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