Take time to check the facts
Dear Editor:
Wes Perrin of Paonia recently questioned the letter to the editor I submitted, so for his benefit and that of your readers, I feel compelled to respond. If Mr. Perrin would do a little research, I am sure that he can find the answers to both of his questions.
First, I should disclose that I haven't gone to the Smithsonian Institute to personally verify that Bill Koch is, or has been on, the board of the Smithsonian Museum for America Art, but it is listed in his profile on the Oxbow website so I would assume that it is true. If anyone would look it up, I have included the link so that it is easy to find and won't require too much effort: http://www.oxbow.com/ContentPageSSL.asp?FN=AboutManagementTeam&TS=1&MS=6
Second, I only need to look at the coverage in the local papers to get an idea of the amount of money that Mr. Koch and his companies have donated to the local communities over that last several years. Off the top of my head are the donations to the North Fork Ambulance Association, Memorial Hall in Hotchkiss, Delta County Libraries, Delta County Memorial Hospital, Delta County Fair and St. Mary's Hospital. Just by taking those few donations into consideration you don't need a calculator to know that Mr. Koch and his companies are responsible for well over $100,000 in donations this year alone. It seems to me that Mr. Perrin should know his facts, or just read the paper, before he starts questioning people and making accusations.
Marc Kanter
Delta