Letters: Thompson School District ballot measures; unrealized capital gains; cost of migrants; Loveland sales tax; city budget

Vote yes on 5A, 5B for critical repairs, improvements

As the mayor pro-tem for Berthoud, an architect, and the father of three Thompson School District students, I wanted to share some thoughts on news from our Town Board. Let it be known that these views are my own.

At the Sept. 24 meeting of the Berthoud Board of Trustees, we passed a supporting resolution unanimously in favor of ballot measures 5A and 5B, the proposed 2024 Bond and Special Levy for the Thompson School District. The two ballot measures proposed will make substantial investments in educator compensation, career training, safety and security, heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements, maintenance, and additional facilities. This will dramatically improve the learning environment for TSD students, educators, and support staff. It can also improve test scores and save the district substantial money in the lifetime of each facility.

We may wish for different financing options, a better system of support for our schools, or a better economy, but we must meet this moment in November. It cannot wait, it cannot be deferred. Having an intimate understanding of the growth we face in Berthoud and Northern Colorado, I feel I would be derelict in my duty if I did not convey how imperative it is to take action this year to keep our kids equipped for years to come.

Strong, quality schools are the beating heart of our community. As a steward of the public's treasure, I do my best to run our government efficiently and effectively. Yet the most essential component is not in my hands, but yours as a voter.

I strongly urge that you support these ballot measures in November to make these critical repairs and improvements possible. For those that would like to learn more, please see the district's webpage: www.tsd.org/2024-bond.

Sean Murphy, Berthoud

Unrealized capital gains tax proposal clarification

To the man from Windsor who wrote in to spread misinformation regarding the unrealized capital gains tax proposed by the Harris administration, please read the proposal. Unless you have $100 million in your wealth portfolio, this does not apply to you or anyone else who doesn't have that kind of money to play with. This is considered a tax on the uber wealthy, which is a tiny portion of our society. Vote Blue!

Lisa Beck, Loveland

Migrants' cost to communities is real

Almost 40,000 migrants have come to Denver in the past 15 months, a number that's become hard to comprehend. About $40 million has been spent on immigrants in Denver. If you think Fox News created this, then you're drinking CNN Kool-Aid. Wake up. Do you also believe the Russia hoax created by Clinton? The charges against Trump are politically motivated; it doesn't take a scientist to see that.

The Loveland City Council now wants to spend money on illegals by housing them in Loveland communities under the guise of the homeless. When did U.S. citizens become responsible for supporting illegal immigrants?

Marcus Estrada, Loveland

Tax letter was false, fear mongering

OMG! I said alarmingly to myself when I read Larry Roche's letter to the editor published in the Loveland Reporter-Herald on Oct. 1, 2024. Kamala Harris wants to tax the $50,000 value that has appreciated on my $500,000 house at a rate of 10% each year, even if I haven't sold the house!

Of course not. The author of that letter to the editor was spreading fear and ignorance, and the Reporter-Herald was complicit in publishing it. A quick and simple Google search I performed revealed that the author was referring to the so-called billionaire minimum tax plan, and it would only apply to those with a net worth of over $100 million. Naturally the author left out this critical piece of information, and it was disingenuous for him to infer that anyone with a $500,000 house will be affected by such a tax plan.

Unfortunately many readers will take what he wrote at face value and not do any research, so no doubt OMG! was exactly the reaction he hoped for in yet another of his fear-mongering letters to the editor of the Reporter-Herald.

Lori Dasko, Loveland

Another 1% is worth keeping Loveland, Loveland

Loveland has the lowest sales tax of any Northern Colorado city except for Wellington. Loveland's sales tax has not increased in 40 years. I have lived here for those 40 years and have had the privilege of seeing how our city services have expanded and diversified.

Perhaps like many of you, I have taken for granted all of what is available: our excellent full service library, classes at the Chilson, exhibits at the museum, Foote Lagoon concerts; which also draws visitors from neighboring towns who contribute to our sales tax. I know I am willing to pay pennies more on my purchases to raise our sales tax 1%. Don't take for granted all of what makes Loveland, Loveland. It's why we love living here.

Nancy Jakobsson, Loveland

City of Loveland's financial gap is self-inflicted

I had hoped that with a new City Council an end would come to the frenzied, growth-driven, super-competitive mental state the city has been in. A reevaluation of its obvious basic premise that growth is always good no matter what has to be done to get it.

In the dental hygienist's chair yesterday, I found myself wondering what the name would be of the next private business professing to be short on revenue, needing financial gap filling for its project. What would be the next name the city would add to its long list of firms granted financial favoritism in the marketplace, and how much longer would that inequitable practice be allowed to continue?

Centerra South, Bass Pro Shops, Hensel Phelps. These council actions were all of the same kind. The only difference is one of degree. With each approval, the council enabled the shortchanging of funding for core city functions.

As we now know, should something threaten the city's enabling capacity, it will call out loudly. It will call for the taxpaying public to fill its own self-inflicted professed financial gap. Even extending its call so far as to ask the voters to allow them to keep every last penny of excess revenue from now into eternity. Sad.

Aggie Chastain, Loveland