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Letters to the Editor

Compiled by Vail Daily staff
Vail CO, Colorado

Election cost

I am writing on behalf of Randy Milhoan, chair of the Eagle County Republicans, who recently wrote a letter to the editor.

Randy left town for vacation and as he was leaving, realized that he mistakenly assigned the wrong dollar amount to the high costs of having two elections on home rule. He asked me to correct the error on his behalf.



I left three phone messages after hours to the Daily that day, but unfortunately the Daily wasn’t able get back to me in time, which I understand. And, unfortunately, the letter ran the next morning with the incorrect math.

So, please allow my letter to correct Randy Milhoan’s math as he wanted me to do, by writing that the additional election on home rule was costing approximately another $40,000 to the taxpayers.

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Randy Nichols, Eagle-Vail

Secretary, Eagle County Republicans

Editor’s note: According Eagle County Clerk and Recorder Teak Simonton, the home-rule election will cost about $30,000.

This is Eagle

Randy Wyrick,

Having just read a comment from some idiot, I just want to say that your coverage of the Brock’s tragedy has been accurate, sensitive, and most respectful. Your words have been kind and brought tears to my eyes, imagining what these parents are going through. Thank you for covering this as someone in the community who cares.

This, to me, is what the Eagle I love is about, and what I will continue to fight for.

Rosie Shearwood

Poor judgment

The manner in which Patrick Strawmatt’s Park County hearing was conducted in February has me furious.

Despite strong objections by an assistant district attorney, the presiding magistrate apparently did not consider Strawmatt’s extensive arrest record and appeared to have total disregard for the violent behavior that brought Mr. Strawmatt into his court on Feb. 15.

Consequently, Magistrate Larry Allen released Patrick Strawmatt from custody on bail the very next day.

One of the best indicators of severe emotional disturbance is an extreme change in previously well established behavioral patterns. Mr. Strawmatt’s personal history indicates that he devoted several years to enforcing the law as a police officer, but that over the last decade he repeatedly broke the very laws he once swore to uphold ” often in a violent manner.

And, this extreme change in behavior raised no questions?

Here is a former police officer who has no less than 10 arrests in as many years.

And again, there are no questions about why.

Here is an ex-cop who apparently views former colleages as adversaries to attack with physical violence. And no one, not Magistrate Allen, nor apparently the nine previous judges Strawmatt appeared before in earlier arrests, is even curious about this extreme change in behavior?

How could one not see that this man was a danger to others? How many “red flags” does a thinking person need?

Could not Magistrate Allen at least have held Mr. Strawmatt for a psychological evaluation and possible treatment recommendations before deciding to release him unto the unsuspecting community?

Could not Magistrate Allen have heeded the serious concerns of a district attorney with both legal and law enforcement training about releasing this man?

Apparently not! Patrick Strawmatt was released from custody on the very next day.

Isn’t being a judge all about exercising sound judgment, employing reason, using common sense?

How did Magistrate Allen think Mr. Strawmatt would behave when he was released? Would he be less violent, less irrational, less dangerous?

Did Magistrate Allen even consider these questions?

One can hardly fathom the frustration of dedicated police officers and hard-working prosecuting attorneys who watch clearly dangerous, chronic offenders like Patrick Strawmatt walk out of jail the day after they commit violent, irrational acts.

Maybe Magistrate Larry Allen will learn something from this disasterous error; perhaps he will “get it right” next time.

Unfortunately, for two beautiful and vibrant young people, Jacob Brock and Jennifer Kois, there will be no next time.

Robert Willoughby

Avon


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