Columnists - The Journal

‘Benefit in bears acting like bears, not raiding ranches’

Is there any habit harder to break than harboring a grudge against an old adversary? Yet burying hatchets is exactly what it might take to conserve our wildlife, in the face of ever-increasi...

DATE: Feb 14, 2024 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Airline travel: ‘Other things to be concerned about on a plane’

If you caught my column about the way the airlines are treating us these days, you know that it was not a complimentary view, terming the flying experience an insult to cattle. Well, we now ...

DATE: Feb 9, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

A look back at the week Jan. 8-14

The following is a recap of local events for this time period throughout history. 40 years ago (1984) Aztec Police Chief Bill Smith is reminding area residents of a new law that went into ef...

DATE: Feb 8, 2024 | CATEGORY: Living

‘Jobs and tax revenue. But at what cost?’

Over the last 20 years, magazine articles and research papers have been written on how much of America has become homogenized. Everyplace looks pretty much like any other. The same big box s...

DATE: Feb 4, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

With Alzheimer’s diagnosis, ‘the unknowns are endless’

As part of an ongoing series of columns about what it feels like to have mild cognitive impairment as a result of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, I’m including this about typical progressions. I’v...

DATE: Feb 4, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

In rural West, ‘start treating maternity care with gravity it deserves’

There’s never been enough doctors in rural Wyoming, where I live, but a shortage of obstetricians is increasing the risks for pregnant women across the state – and the nation. In the last de...

DATE: Feb 2, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Bipartisan bills: ‘Rural legislators working with urban counterparts’

Our first few weeks of the second session of the 74th General Assembly have flown by quickly as we prepare for late nights, floor debates, committee hearings and meetings. During these first...

DATE: Jan 31, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Must call out those casual, careless about trust’

As director of a nonprofit in LaPlata County, I was dismayed to read the headline “Former director of Southwest Colorado nonprofit suspected of embezzlement.” The director of the local nonpr...

DATE: Jan 28, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

SCOTUS should accept Colorado decision Trump ‘not qualified’ for primary

Former President Donald Trump was denied his application to be on the Colorado Republican primary ballot by the Colorado Supreme Court that determined he is not qualified to serve as preside...

DATE: Jan 26, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

A look back at the week Jan. 29-Feb. 4

The following is a recap of local events for this time period throughout history. 40 years ago (1984) Old buildings and homes in Aztec are being surveyed this week by architectural historian...

DATE: Jan 25, 2024 | CATEGORY: Living

Energy guru says energy gap can be bridged ‘smarter, faster’

The experts tell us an energy gap looms. Fossil fuels are phasing out, and solar and wind power can’t produce enough electricity to meet the demand in coming decades. But that’s not the thin...

DATE: Jan 24, 2024 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Manufactured false choice of safety for more money’

Many of us who have lived in beautiful Montezuma Valley since before the crime and population explosion that began in late 2020 have become disenchanted with how our county leaders are perfo...