I am a longtime resident of Lone Tree and Douglas County (30 years). As such, I’d like to express my disappointment in the actions of my county commissioners and the time and expense they have expended in arguments against each other. Other than what I read in the Lone Tree Voice (LTV), I am certainly not privy to what goes on behind the scenes. But having read for the past issues of LTV I can piece together what I believe are the 2-against-1 behaviors of people who are putting pride before performance.

What prompted me to write this was Teal’s quote in the Sept. 7 issue. “No matter how this lawsuit goes, it is the people of Douglas County who will pay for Commissioner Thomas’ petulant and childish lawsuit.”

It showed me a character side of Mr. Teal. Same point could have been made by omitting what he considers to be petulant and childish. Is name-calling necessary?

The Sept. 7 article reported that Thomas personally paid $5,700 for her own defense that outside legal counsel determined did not create the hostile work environment for which she was accused. The article noted that the investigation of Thomas “by outside legal counsel cost about $24,000.” Question, who wrote that check?! I believe it was the “people of Douglas County.” I can’t be the only one who sees the hypocrisy.

How much time, energy and money has been used up by this behavior?

Please stop this and act as the mature, responsible, intelligent individuals I thought I was electing. This country is already divided enough. Wouldn’t it be great to see these three individuals, who don’t agree on subjects, come together and do what they were elected for instead of spending time and money combating each other?

Julie Schrock, Lone Tree

Open letter to Ken Buck

Dear Rep. Ken Buck,

You are my representative and if asked today whether I would vote for you again I would hope to find an alternative. First, I question your judgment based on your now famous letter responding to Todd Watkins about the Jan. 6 defendants. Secondly, I question your prosecutorial presumption about the Jan. 6 defendants where you’ve stated that “Every single person who organized or participated in the riot must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” You seem to accept all charges and don’t seem to believe they are innocent until proven guilty. Third, you’re not representing your Republican constituency and in your letter to Mr. Watkins you are instead supporting last year’s J6 Democrat Congressional media farce.

I’ve carefully read your letter that may be legally correct, but you proceed to make a black and white case, completely ignoring any merit for supporting supporting any J6 defendant. You’re not just being stubborn, like Chris Christie you’re revealing the many ways you’re seeking to oppose President Trump even if it means not supporting the current Biden impeachment inquiry. Hence, you’re supporting Liz Cheney and the J6 Democrat Congressional inquiry and the maligned J6 evidence they produced. For some reason you don’t see the contradiction of selectively accepting any action against the J6 defendants on one hand, but not accepting the abundant evidence for impeaching President Biden on the other.

In conclusion, politically you have found and chosen a terrible letter to make your point that simply demonstrates poor judgment. It’s clear that you’re pleased with the status of pre-trial detainees and thus you are contributing to the weaponization of our now two-tiered judicial system.

Smith Young

Parker