Member Feedback

Serpentine belts

Great article on belt replacement! [Sept/Oct, page 48.] I work in the industry and see many people wait to change their belts until they are actually stranded.

I wanted to mention one thing. The article notes that you may need to replace components such as the tensioner when replacing the belt. Truly, most times a belt needs to be replaced, it is because of a failed tensioner, so to not change it is to invite back the same problem very quickly. Tensioners are a wear part and need to be replaced when replacing a belt. It will save a lot of hassle and money in the long run.

-Wendy C., via email

Motorcyclists and eye protection

The remark by Sandy W. [Member Feedback, Sept/Oct] that "less than 50% of motorcyclists conform" to the law requiring eye protection screams out for rebuttal. I have been a motorcyclist for more than 20 years and I look at every motorcycle I see on the road. I cannot think of three times in 20 years that I have seen a biker without eye protection.

With bugs and road grit, it's not if that stuff hits you, it's how often. Bikers would wear eye protection even if the law did not require it.

Here's a simple test. Pay attention for the next week every time you see someone on a motorcycle. Are they wearing something over their eyes? I'll bet after a week, the number you see who are not wearing eye protection will be zero. Glasses and sunglasses are eye protection, both under the law and in reality.

Frankly, I find it a bit irresponsible of you to print such a blanket statement of "fact" without either asking the writer to back up what they're saying or at least seeking to confirm it yourselves.

-Ken B., via email

Editor's Note: As in other publications, letters to the editor are not intended to be read as anything other than the writer's opinion; AAA does not fact-check them or judge the validity of those opinions.

Lottery funds not the answer

In response to the letter "Roads and the State Lottery" [Member Feedback, Jul/Aug]: When the lottery was set up, its revenue was a gift of the citizens to themselves for ensuring the quality of life. However, it originally included higher education and prisons. When the large majority of funds ended up going to prisons and universities, voters then approved exclusive allocation to parks and recreation-just like fuel taxes are allocated to transportation.

Both fuel tax and lottery funds have been favorite targets to rob for the general tax fund. Using Lotto funds for transportation would be highway robbery and hypocritical.

-John P., Thornton

An Amazonian error

In the informative article on the Amazon by Tom Crosby [Sept/Oct, page 36], I would like to point out a glaring error. The tributaries that join the Amazon push water in the eastern direction, not western.

-Dietrich B., via email

Historic forts

I enjoy reading the articles in EnCompass. However, in the article "Colorado Strongholds" [Sept/Oct, page 28] there is a statement that the Fort El Pueblo massacre occurred in revenge for the Sand Creek massacre.

The Utes and Apaches, under Chief Tierra Blanca, attacked Fort El Pueblo in 1854. The slaughter of the mixed Cheyenne and Arapaho village at Sand Creek took place in 1864-ten years later. It's a bit unusual to take revenge for something that happens in the future! The article was interesting and informative, and makes me want to visit the sites of the Colorado forts I haven't seen so far. Thanks again for an excellent magazine.

-Morris J., via email

Editor's Note: We received several letters about this error. While the 1854 date of the Fort El Pueblo attack was given correctly in the article, the phrase connecting it to Sand Creek was placed in the sentence by mistake and the error was unfortunately not caught when proofreading.

Shelly Steig overlooked Fort Uncompahgre for her article on Colorado's historic forts. Established by Antoine Robidoux in 1828 near present-day Delta, it flourished for 16 years.

-Pat M., Grand Junction

Editor's Note: The article focused on eastern plains forts. The Fort Uncompahgre reconstruction, at Confluence Park in Delta, is an interesting destination on the Western Slope. In winter it is open by appointment-call 970-874-1718 for more information.

Let us hear from you Letters less than 200 words are considered first. An editor's note may be printed along with your letter, if deemed necessary. Letters under 200 words are considered first. Letters published in EnCompass do not necessarily reflect the opinion of AAA Colorado and, due to space limitations, we reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Send letters to the editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222. Fax to: 303-300-7710. E-mail: editor@colorado.aaa.com. Letters become property of AAA Colorado and are not returned.