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Letters: Child care; Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley

Daily Times-Call - 12/8/2019

Dec. 8--Back the Child Care Workforce & Facilities Act

The average cost of child and infant care in Colorado is higher than the annual cost of in-state college tuition. Moreover, in our state, the majority of families have both parents in the workforce yet statewide there is a child care shortage.

As a pediatrician, I can attest that quality early childcare promotes language skills, social skills and helps to build emotional well-being. The fact that working families are facing high child care costs and a deficit of licensed child care slots across the state is both alarming and unacceptable.

Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have joined Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) to introduce the Child Care Workforce & Facilities Act. As a Save the Children Action Network advocate, I strongly encourage Sens. Cory Gardner (R) and Michael Bennett (D) to co-sponsor this bill.

This legislation will expand access to quality child care, ensuring that more children can enroll in quality child care that lays a strong foundation for their future.

Child care deserts are limiting the potential of our state's children. I urge our senators to join those already fighting for children in Congress and co-sponsor the Child Care Workforce & Facilities Act. Our children's futures depend on it.

Anne-Laure Shelton MD, PhD

Longmont

We need dignity in leadership

After reading Michael Bellmont's letter to the editor concerning the behavior of Mayor Bagley at the Nov. 19Longmont City Council meeting, I pulled up the video and watched it.

The response of our mayor to a citizen who shared his concerns during public comments was insolent and unwarranted. I also learned that after the meeting ended, Mayor Bagley followed this citizen to the lobby, where he had a virtual meltdown, screaming and yelling at the citizen.

This kind of behavior from our mayor is appalling and inexcusable. Longmont residents deserve better from their leaders. It seems to me that if someone is this easily offended, and has a hair trigger temper, that person should refrain from running for public office. Leadership requires self-control, dignity and a thick skin.

We are all tired of the drama and name-calling in our politics, from the national scene to the local. It is time for maturity and dignity to return.

Patricia Davis

Longmont

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