Education and economy

To the Editor:

Abby Loberg should educate herself and get the facts before she writes any more letters to the editor. Contrary to Abby’s most recent letter, I have not been to a school board meeting since they were threatening to close the Fraser Valley Elementary in 2011.

I know very little about support for a Jr. High/High school in the Fraser/Winter Park Area, and have made no statement of the number of families that may support such an idea. Unlike Abby, I am supportive of the Fraser/Winter Park Area prospering and I do believe education and schools are essential to a strong community and building a stronger economy. Yes, Byers Peak Ranch does have a school concept included. That concept has been on the plans since our company acquired the property in 2006. We consider that good long-term planning.

Yes, I am working with the town of Fraser to encourage evaluation of its fee structure and regulations which are not conducive to constructing affordably priced housing or attracting new commercial ventures. Again, contrary to Abby’s letter, this effort is proposed to overlay the entire Town of Fraser. Addressing these issues encourages resident retention and attraction which in turn improves our local economy. I have not witnessed the “heat” from the Fraser residents that are against this concept; rather, I am questioned frequently about what can be done to address the housing needs of our community work force; what can be done to address the difficult economic environment many residents are challenged with to live here; how can the community better support existing businesses and attract more businesses; and are there opportunities that are being missed to create more jobs and better paying jobs. All challenges I take seriously and will continue to do everything I can to address.

I worked against Abby on the committee that was put together to address the closures of Fraser Valley Elementary and Grand Lake Elementary in 2011. Abby was an outspoken advocate of closing Fraser Valley Elementary. They succeeded in closing Grand Lake Elementary but found great resistance from the Fraser/Winter Park community to closing the best performing school in the district, Fraser Valley Elementary. One can learn what I learned about Abby in those meetings by reading the many letters to the editor Abby has written. She is in favor of anything and everything in Granby and opposes anything and everything in Fraser/Winter Park. I prefer to spend my time focusing on strengthening the Fraser/Winter Park area and assisting with addressing and planning for our communities immediate and long term needs. I hope Abby’s lack of fact finding and irrational, selfish behavior does not reflect the manner in which she teaches the 8th grade social studies students at the East Grand Middle School.

The latest school idea is apparently in its infancy and it could be a great benefit to Fraser and Winter Park; let’s hear more about it. I for one believe in choice and am supportive of a well-designed educational plan for the Fraser/Winter Park area.

Clark Lipscomb

Fraser