Turning Back the Pages

30 years ago – May 16, 1986

Letter to the Editor: To: A long-time part-time Central City resident, From: A short-time, part-time Gilpinite: Dear Madam, As a relative newcomer to the city, I have earnestly tried not to step on any proverbial toes of the establishment and in retrospect, perhaps my actions of the last two years have not met the expectations of the business community. Your formal complaint to the police department has been officially relayed to me and I concede that I stand guilty as charged, I do put out a poultry feed for the benefit of pigeons, sparrows, squirrels, and other hungry animals which eat cracked corn. Perhaps if you had come to me first with your accusation, we could have reached a mutually agreeable compromise. However, in that you chose to make the matter one of public consumption, I am responding via means of public forum. At this point it is interesting to note that during your absence, none of the people who traversed the sidewalks in question, including shall we say “relationships,” had made any type of complaint. The experience of having a formal visit from a police officer was indeed humiliating, and if that was your purpose, you succeeded. However, I now feel that it is only fair for me to ask if you also complained about: 1) Other shops and bars that sell popcorn, peanuts and assorted bread stuff items that are spilled on our sidewalks and end up as pigeon food; 2) Establishments that sell food to go in that the cans, cups, lids, wrappers and chewing gum somehow get thrown onto our sidewalks by persons unknown; 3) The dogs and cats that rummage through garbage cans, thus leaving trash to blow onto the streets and sidewalks; 4) The “residue” left on the sidewalks by those same dogs and cats. In any case, the pigeons and other partakers are hopefully going to find food somewhere and for the time being it will be in the vicinity of my shop. If anyone has an alternative feeding location that will be safer from the cats and maniac drivers, I will gladly make the change, because it was never my intention to create hardship on anyone. Since you elected to make this a formal police matter, you or anyone having a better idea may avoid my presence by passing your suggestions along to them; I am sure they will relate that message as adeptly as the first. For the record, I sincerely hope a solution can be reached because even though you have the apparent ability to influence local issues, no one is without “skeletons in their closet” and escalation instead of reasoned resolution of this matter will be detrimental to all concerned. Sincerely, Lary Brown, Central City.

Thelma Bibles was selected as the employee of the month for March at the Gilpin County School. Bibles “stands out because of her flexibility and willingness to assume different roles. In the past year she has been a PE assistant, art assistant, office helper and teacher aide. Her hard work and positive attitude are one of the best in the school,” according to Superintendent Fred Meyers and Principal Dan Ryan. The employee of the month is selected by Meyers and Ryan.