Letter: Lead by example
Once again, Aspen reinforces its image as a leader in doing what is right for the environment.
It is incredibly impressive that Mayor Steve Skadron was invited to participate in an incredibly powerful and influential forum such as the recent global summit meeting in Paris.
There is no question that this tiny mountain town is watched closely by the world. Aspen sets the standard in many areas, and people take note of the activities and decisions made in this community.
Aspen Skiing Co. is a leader in the community that leads by example in creating an exceptional (I think the best in the world) skiing experience with an awareness of its relationship with the environment.
Being a leader takes innovation, courage and a commitment to go where others do not always go. It takes challenging the status quo to evaluate the way that things have been done and to ask the tough questions. It takes inquisitive minds to examine information that has been held as the way it has always been done and ask if new information begets a new paradigm.
Sometimes we need to pull back the curtain.
Like a rocket going to the moon, self-corrections need to be made along the way to ensure that it is still on the correct course.
Leaders will seek to look at themselves and check to see if their actions are congruent with their values.
When incongruences are revealed, it takes courage to take an honest look at what is really happening and make those changes.
Aspen and Snowmass take pride in the fact that our mountain waters have the image of being pristine and that they are of the purest quality.
Does it make sense that these towns would consciously choose to put a developmental neurotoxin in their drinking water?
How could a substance whose origin comes from the atomic bomb be considered safe to put into our bodies? Other substances included in the mixture added include arsenic and lead.
New research and information reveal that this substance is dangerous to infants, the elderly and those with kidney and thyroid issues.
Lowered children’s IQs, increased cancers, endocrine problems, hypothyroidism and other maladies are being linked to communities that put this substance in their water.
Is it prudent to continue to add this to the water, or should this nonsense be stopped until we can be absolutely positive that there are no dangers associated with this additive?
It is time for Aspen to evaluate this incongruence in order to maintain its status as a leader in doing what is right for the environment.
We need to stop adding this poison to our water. It is being done, and people do not realize that they are drinking this poison. They should have the right to choose what they put in their bodies.
We have a right to pure, clean drinking water. The substance I am addressing is fluoride.
Tom Lankering
Basalt
