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Letter to the Editor <br />Dear Editor, <br />A Peculiar People? <br />Christians are known to be a Peculiar People. I am a Born Again Christian, so I chose <br />to express my thoughts about the big mine in our area in my own peculiar way. <br />"The Mine" in my opinion, has often expressed a willingness to be a "good neighbor" <br />and bragged that they are. <br />It has been the hope and dream of those in Cripple Creek and Victor that somehow <br />through the help of "The Mine" and others, our heritage would be restored. We are two <br />struggling little towns, the last of many historic towns of the "Cripple Creek Gold Mining <br />District." (We have a fabulous history. Why is it not in the history books ?) <br />Brian Levine, the author of "Cripple Creek: City of Influence" explains the difference <br />between Cripple Creek -the City and Cripple Creek -the District. <br />Most mine employees do not live in Cripple Creek or Victor or even in the old <br />District. They live in Canon City or Woodland Park. How much do they know or care <br />about our history and heritage? <br />At times, I have really believed that "The Mine" really wanted to be a good neighbor. <br />I tend to be an optimist. Never the less, I have seen the ruins of many little towns <br />disappear under the rubble of the mine. <br />Years ago Cripple Creek was designated a National Historic Landmark District, <br />including the area just outside town where gold was discovered. We thought that would <br />protect us. But now "The Mine" is encroaching on our National Historic Landmark <br />District and threatening it with its modern day rubble. <br />I ask you and the citizens of Teller County and the state of Colorado as well as the <br />Anglo Gold owners if you know the story of The Good Samaritan in The Bible? It is <br />Jesus' illustration of what a "good neighbor" is. <br />Has "The Mine" become blinded by greed? Have you? Whether or not you support <br />Cripple Creek, learn the true meaning of what it is to be a good neighbor. (You might <br />just become a Peculiar Person.) <br />I ask our county commissioners, planning commission and state representatives when <br />they are trying to be objective to consider my thoughts. <br />I carry around with me a bumper sticker that says, "Strip mining strips history." I <br />think in our case it does. <br />Thanks for listening, <br />Laura V. Jeffery <br />Cripple Creek <br />