It seems to me we are suffering from too many “red lines”, both economically and internationally. In neither the House nor the Senate is there an apparent leader who can bridge the gap that has caused the current shut down of our government. I believe we should expect such leadership to be the responsibility of the Presidency — responsible to neither party but to the country. Perhaps there is still an opportunity for President Obama to succeed as did President Clinton when last we had such an impasse.

Ralph Gates

Park City

Alex understands land use issues

Editor

This letter is written in support of Alex Butwinski’s run for reelection to the City Council. While there are many important issues that may come before the City Council over the next few years, none are more important than those land use matters presently in the works, or on the horizon.

In addition to Bonanza Park, Treasure Hill and the Parking lots of both Deer Valley and PCMR could all be back in front of the City. Alex, has extensive experience with land use matters, including acting as the City’s liaison to the Planning Commission and the Historic Alliance, in addition to involvement on two State Committees dealing with building codes and growth issues. At the end of the day, Alex’s experience and skill will help guide the City in terms of preserving our historic heritage and small town feel.

I hope you will cast your ballot and join with me in voting for Alex Butwinski for City Council.

Mark Sletten

Park City

Previous letter writer was way off base

Editor:

Regarding Captain Jim Green’s Oct. 2 letter, he must be operating with a serious set of blinders if he is trying to pin the blame on the Senate for the Government shut down. There appears to be enough blame to go around for all of our elected representatives. Let’s try to keep our eyes on the larger issue that one of the few obligations Congress has is to pass a budget. Our elected representatives have not managed that since 1997 and we keep electing them!

This latest fiasco demonstrates that our leaders can’t even agree on a continuing resolution, much less a budget. The conservative members of the House have had quite some time now to develop their “Plan B”, and propose it as an alternative to their hatred of “Obama Care”. However, they seem to have no alternative plan, and holding the Government hostage over this, without a plan is reprehensible. Our current health care system is definitely broken. A rational, reasonable alternative to shutting down the Government would be to form a bi-partisan committee to spend the next two years identifying the problems and shortcomings of Obama Care and introducing legislation to modify the existing law. But our elected representatives have demonstrated that they are neither rational nor reasonable. The current situation is no more than political grandstanding at the expense of the American public.

Hopefully voters can keep this situation in their heads long enough to remember on election days over the next two years. Unfortunately, our incumbents will likely be re-elected, once again proving what our Congressional representatives believe the voters are morons.

Bob Chamberlain

Park City

Vote for Andy Beerman for Mayor

Dear Editor

I’ve watched Andy Beerman closely over the past few years. I’m on the Planning Commission and Andy is the City Council representative to the Planning Commission. He is intimately involved without being over bearing, he is informed without being a know it all, he is passionate about Park City without being a radical. I’m a huge fan of Andy’s and encourage you to consider these first hand observations in deciding your vote for Mayor.

Mick Savage

Park City

The Record’s editorial was irresponsible

I was appalled by The Park Record’s recent maudlin editorial dated Oct. 2-4,2013 regarding the recent partial federal government shutdown. Yes, there is definitely a deficiency in responsible action within the federal government at all levels. This is born out by two facts that the media seems typically reticent about discussing. First Congress and I imagine the President are financially unaffected by this shutdown. Secondly Congress and the President are willing to alter the rules of Obamacare for the congressional workers by subsidizing their healthcare premiums while those of us in the private sector with equal incomes are not eligible for these subsidizes.

You lament that their irresponsible actions will affect the food vouchers and subsidized federal medical care (free) for single mothers and their children. That maybe true but should individual responsibility not come into play here? Did it not take two to procreate these children? Where is the father and if all else fails where is the family of the mother? Why is the government, in other words citizens in the upper 50% income bracket who are the only ones who pay federal income tax, supposed to be the primary and never ending source of healthcare and food supplements? I do not consider myself an antiabortion right wing racist as most of you would label those of us who are not accepting of these prevalent socialistic policies. I just feel that individual responsibility is being woefully neglected by society and your editorial is a prime example of this.

Christopher Hoek

Park City