Biden, at 81, and extended thoughts on old age
Old age must be recognized and accepted for both what it is and what it does. That includes, as it accelerates, injecting incurable losses to our bodies and minds. Existentially we are all miniature creatures in an inexplicable universe with the same end on call for each. With those dark thoughts in mind, President Biden (81) must step aside from his thoughts of another run at the presidency by supporting a new younger person to run for and hopefully win the job.
Biden should be proud of his years in Congress, being the President of the United States, being the current leader of the free world, and having the insight and foresight to hand over his place to the next generation. But his time for such a decision is quickly passing. Accordingly, he must soon prove to us that, in his case, old men can have the strength, courage and wisdom to do the right thing by giving up sought-after power. Hopefully, I’m right in saying that I think he has such wisdom.
Paul G. Bursiek, Boulder
Weeds are a fire waiting to happen
I am very concerned about a possible fire issue in our neighborhood! I am talking about the berm between the RTD Park N Ride and Thunderbird, which we face. Our townhomes are wooden, and the grass/weeds on the berm are out of control. We do not know if goats are coming or the people that usually mow no longer exist, but it appears to be an accident waiting to happen. The weeds are also on Foothills and surrounding areas which has never happened in the past.
Barbara J Richards, Boulder
Landmark review has helped make Boulder special
The Boulder you know and love did not just happen. Historic preservation has made a valuable contribution to nurture the spirit of our town. Yes, it can add time to the review process to achieve a building permit but it’s worth it to protect heritage properties from demolition.
In a recent front-page article, the Daily Camera reported that the developer Rick White said the city review of his proposed demolition of a building caused a six-month delay in his project. The process of evaluating the intrinsic cultural value of buildings 50 years and older has been a part of the city approval reviews for decades. The building, a former dental clinic, was a unique and creative Mid-Century Modern design by the architect who was also involved with the first building at the Bureau of Standards (NIST). Its age, experimental modernist design and its architect certainly qualified as being worthy reasons to review the building before allowing forever demolition.
The developer’s claim that the landmark review delayed his project spreads a misperception that historic preservation slows down projects unnecessarily. How different would Boulder be if the following building demolitions hadn’t been reconsidered and prevented: The Union-Pacific Train Depot, the Highland School, the Hannah Barter House, the Central Park Bandshell, the Boulder Theater and all of Chautauqua, to name a few. It’s not unreasonable to take a pause in destroying potentially landmark-worthy structures to assess their contribution to the character of Boulder and see if there is a way to save them.
Thankfully the process has resulted in the saving of many buildings that express important stories about the many eras of Boulder and its evolution to become the innovative town we enjoy today.
Leonard Segel, executive director, Historic Boulder, Boulder
I know that people my age have lost a step
Joe Biden is turning into Donald Trump: He is putting himself and his ego in front of the country he has served. I have supported him in the past but can no longer do so. I’m 81, and I know that people my age have lost a step, or more. It is time to withdraw, as Lydon Johnson did in 1968, and pass the baton. I am reminded of the Amo Phillips line, “I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.”
Pete Lindquist, Louisville
