I did not try to oust Benson
Re: “Board wanted to fire Benson,” Oct. 22 news story
If you are a public official working in education, you have one job right now: Getting our schools, universities and the students they serve through the COVID-19 crisis. As a member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, that’s my top priority.
Unfortunately, however, some people would rather play politics with CU than do the work of getting our institution through these challenging times. A recent story published in The Denver Post cast a shadow over the departure of former CU President Bruce Benson. Bruce announced his retirement in 2018 – more than two years ago – and was one of the best presidents CU has ever had.
I don’t do petty politics, but I must correct some falsehoods that the Denver Post swallowed hook, line and sinker.
I did not try to get Bruce Benson fired. Bruce is a friend and a mentor whose example inspired me to run for CU regent. I defended Bruce against his critics on the board so he could retire on his own terms and help us find a worthy successor.
Pushing Bruce out and replacing him with a Republican member of the board, as was alleged, also makes no political sense. Then Gov. John Hickenlooper would have picked a Democrat to fill the vacancy, creating a left-wing majority to pick CU’s next president.
To the regents playing media games, I’ll say this: Don’t you have something better to do with your time?
Heidi Ganahl
Editor’s note: Ganahl is CU Regent at-large.
Lessening the divide
I have two thoughts that, in my opinion, would enable the U.S. government to run more smoothly.
The first, and more importantly, would involve a constitutional amendment requiring nominees to the Supreme Court be approved in the Senate by 60% or two-thirds. This would abolish the “nuclear option” recently adopted by the Senate. Enabling a nominee to be approved by 51 votes, regardless of party in control of the Senate, encourages extreme polarization of opinions. The Supreme Court is too important for that. I feel strongly that judges on the Supreme Court should have more generalized approval and be more aware of the wants and needs of our increasingly-heterogeneous population.
Second, I would abolish the “aisle” in Congress, to one side of which sit the Republicans and the other side of which sit the Democrats. I would have all of our congresspeople sit in alphabetical order so that they could get to know each other as people rather than as perpetual adversaries.
William Vigor, Littleton
Tripping along the city sidewalks
Re: “Your next adventure could be a walk away,” Oct. 25 feature story
Denver has a sidewalk problem: We need more! In a recent article Kassondra Cloos suggested a great adventure could be a walk away with a “staycation.” With people feeling trapped due to COVID-19 and needing to scratch the travel itch, more and more are looking for ways to “get out.” Unfortunately, Denver won’t offer anybody a great staycation within walking distance due to the poor sidewalk infrastructure in the city. Many neighborhoods in the city either don’t have sidewalks or they’re poorly maintained due to the costs being put on private citizens. Only once a city is walkable is it truly discoverable.
Reuben Saul, Denver
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