Consumers, hit the pause button

I don’t know what other consumers will do while the big boys throw rocks and mud at their supposed enemies over tariffs, but it feels like watching a gang of pre-pubescent school bullies yelling and picking fights with everyone else on the playground. I for one will postpone all but the most critical purchases for as long as it takes until the juvenile delinquents in the Trump administration are put in their place.

I urge consumers to hit the pause button in a big way right now and to especially consider Amazon for a boycott. When the economy slows to a crawl and warehouses and car dealer lots are full of unsold merchandise, “Trumpublicans” will pay dearly for the debacle that their dear leader is bringing on the country and world.

— David Bishton, Longmont

Boulder County commissioners are pushing aside horse riders

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) refuses to revisit the fairgrounds indoor arena policy to listen to more public comments on its decision. It dismisses the agricultural way of life; this points to being anti-agricultural.

We have gathered hundreds of signatures on petitions, had large numbers of supporters at public hearings, and even had Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) question the effectiveness of the decision process. The BOCC refuses to listen to its constituents and revisits the flawed decision.

Our lifestyle and values are being pushed aside as they are limiting the use of the indoor arena. This takes away our ability to provide educational opportunities for future generations. Agricultural traditions are being threatened.

The indoor arena, which was specifically built for historic horse activities and provides safe footing in the winter for the public to keep their horses in shape, is now merely a vacant unused space three days a week.

The BOCC’s policy for managing the indoor arena should continue to be related to historical use activities. Instead BOCC cancels riding activities for no apparent reason other than for the convenience of staff to perform routine maintenance.

Helpful solutions and compromises were given to both POSAC and the BOCC, offering successful neighboring practices from Jefferson County. Nevertheless, BOCC would not consider opening it for next year.

The horse community is planning on attending the next BOCC meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Courthouse on 1325 Pearl St. We hope to encourage the BOCC to take the issue back up and know the agricultural community demands that the indoor arena be reopened to the public. The BOCC should know the agricultural community is watching.

— Cindy Johnson, Longmont