A letter from a Concerned Citizen

Sallie,

I really appreciate your open dialog with me. You have replied to all of my messages, and I commend you for taking the time out of your day for my concerns. I am sure you are quite busy. I have a wife and two young children and know exactly where you are coming from with regards to safety. That is extremely important in my life too.

I agree, safety is the main issue. The quick fix is to say, "We need more lights." And to be honest, I feel that is what has been done in this instance. Unfortunately, this isn't a proper solution. It's not the number of lights that makes an area safe, it's the way the area is illuminated which makes the difference. Glare and too much lighting can cause just the opposite of the intended purpose.

The Colorado State Legislature has already thought about this issue in relation to state funding of lights. I am very pleased in the declarations of Section 1. I especially take note of Section 1, Item D.

http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/olls/sl2001/sl.203.htm

Proper lighting techniques do make a huge difference. Not only does it help curb light pollution, it can save thousands of taxpayer dollars (Section 1, Items A & B).

I along with many others, would really like to see Colorado Springs adopt a local policy regarding light pollution in the form of an Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. Street lights account for a lot of the current light pollution, but one of the main problem areas is with commercial lighting. Again I refer back to Section 1, Item C, D.

It's unfortunate the Gazette has made me out to be promoting "oil lamps" and some Council Members have made jokes about starting a "save the geese" campaign. That type of rhetoric and unprofessionalism distracts from the main problems associated with light pollution.

I think this is a huge opportunity for the Colorado Springs City Council to take charge of a situation that has been neglected in the past. Durango has done it. Aspen has done it. Other CO cities too. Why can't we?

Not only can we address your legitimate safety issues, but we also can help save one of Colorado's most beautiful natural resources which our children and grandchildren will definitely appreciate.

Matt Russell