Editor:

The truth is that no matter how much money is thrown at the financial crisis, money is only a necessary but temporary fix that is allowing the crisis to deepen.

The debate over what kind of spending – stimulus or tax cuts, is only a distraction from the solution. It is all deficit spending.

The solution to the crisis is confidence. Confidence can only be achieved with Transparency, Reasonable regulation, Accounting and Rating reform, and Prosecution.

Transparency is necessary before there can be confidence in what is on the books of the big banks and corporations.

Reasonable regulations have to be announced and actually put in place first, before anybody can have confidence in the future.

Accounting and Rating reform must be put in place before confidence can be restored. Accounting firms and rating companies continue today to commit fraud.

Prosecution must be initiated or confidence will not be restored. As long as persons are able to steal billions of dollars or commit accounting and regulatory fraud and still remain free, there will be no confidence. Without prosecution there is no responsibility and we are doomed to repeat the criminal history over and over until there is no money left all.

The government has changed by shuffling the deck. The old president of the Federal Reserve with considerable culpability is the new Treasury Secretary. He will only cover up and delay while the country sinks.

The solution is free, Transparency, Regulation, Accounting, and Prosecution – TRAP. Saving our money will not happen until the public is educated or mad enough to talk to each other and talk to their congressperson and make them implement TRAP.

Time is of the essence. The largest financial institutions are not just undergoing classic consolidation. They are being effectively nationalized. The country and the world are facing rapid descent into chaos. Only you can prevent disaster. Call your congressperson if you want to have any money.

– John Metcalf, Ridgway A First Rate Second Chance Fundraiser

Editor:

On behalf of Second Chance Humane Society, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all that support our organization. The 2nd Annual Wine & Whiskers Carnival, the organization’s major fundraiser that took place last weekend, was a smashing success. It grossed about $23,000 and accrued minimal expenses (under $3,000) thus exceeding the fundraising income from last year's event by almost 40 percent – and with the current economic environment this is quite incredible!

This success was made possible by the hundreds of people that attended in support of the event and the hundreds of businesses and service providers who contributed a wide range of live and silent auction items and sponsorships. Regional restaurants and chefs were also critical in the success, donating a wonderful array of spectacular food to nourish all our guests.

Additionally the event was made successful by the collective efforts of hordes of volunteers such as Kevin McNeil – auction coordinator, Alix Fremgen – food coordinator and her kitchen crew, and the numerous auction solicitors and the dedicated volunteers who helped set up and clean up after the event. And we won’t forget to thank the volunteer troopers who worked during the event on tasks such as registration and checkout (led by Laura Davis) and auction support– some of the more important yet least glamorous of tasks.

Additional thanks to Susan Long and her staff at the Ouray County 4H Event Center, who were exceptionally accommodating, helpful and enthusiastic about the event. Thanks to our event personalities: emcee/tango dancer Doc Joe, who paired again with master auctioneer Buster Cattles to make effective on stage personalities. And thanks to DJ Antone who mixed the Fashion Cabaret tunes seamlessly and got the dance floor spinning wildly.

Second Chance event planner Lisa Katz handled the gazillions (yes a true word whose meaning she defined) of details typical of such a large event with ease and style – not a small feat. And the Fashion Cabaret models – wow – what a show – deserving of being the talk of the town! The fashion, the music, the dancing, the talent, and the sizzling energy made this show one for the records. And guest appearances by Austin Powers, Tom Jones and the mysterious belly dancers (Marsha West and Lucy Reeve) marked the show as not only historical but also star-studded.

Let us not forget the behind the scenes crew either, wonderful volunteers such as Lisa Pfost, Natasha Pyeatte, Ivan Markovic, and Patrick Herron all made the show look flawless and professional. And the group of hair, makeup and changing room volunteers made the models varying runway transformations complete. The runway clothing – all from the Second Chance Thrift Shop – was coordinated by Fashionista’s Jill Kneeland, Michelle Kodis, Lynda Gegauff, and Melanie Tilley.

So thank you all – those named and unnamed – you have helped the Second Chance shelter pets and staff further believe in the compassion, caring and selflessness of humanity – particularly from within our surrounding communities. You have helped secure the second chance for our homeless pets and you have again demonstrated yourselves as a community that is willing to make a difference.

And thanks, of course, to the Second Chance Humane Society board of directors, senior, shelter, and thrift shop staff and volunteers whose passionate commitment and hard work make a difference for our homeless pets on a daily basis.

With Deep Gratitude,

– Kelly Goodin, Executive Director, Second Chance Humane Society