Embrace Jon’s film program

Dear Editor: We, who have been lucky enough to live in Aspen, know what a unique community it is. At times it has felt as if we lived in our own version of Herman Hesse’s “Magic Bead Game.” But life evolves and the paradises dissolve with the pressures of over use and reality. This is a long way of saying that we ought to guard against losing those bits of character that still set us apart.I am very concerned that we may abandon Jon Busch’s film program at the Wheeler. Over the years he has presented us with “out of the main stream” film entertainment … not the homogenized pap of Hollywood or the crowded but fun atmosphere of a film festival, but films to challenge our intellects, provoke, tickle and sometimes horrify us. Perhaps with Jon’s straight forward, no bells and whistles, presentation, the films aren’t a great financial box office hit but their availability sets us apart from strip mall mentality. We shouldn’t contemplate losing this quiet opportunity.In a vision of Aspen for the future, let us not forget to embrace those assets that have given us character. We can’t afford to lose our soul just to enhance the financial bottom line. Aspen’s renaissance began with Walter Paepcke’s vision for our community. We might consider Jon’s film program as part of that evolution and follow it through as an arc for the future.Barbara ConviserAspen