Koch’s ‘museum’ should be open to all
Dear Editor:
I'm writing in response to the letter to the editor by Marc Kanter (DCI 9/12/12) regarding William Koch's trophy town.
Mr. Kanter is probably employed by William Koch, otherwise who would go through the trouble of writing such a long response.
Why so defensive? Apparently I hit a nerve.
Unfortunately Mr. Kanter was not able to grasp, or probably ignored, the main points of my letter. Point one, I pointed out if Koch wanted to be viewed as a really good guy he should move his town to a friendly city. I should have expanded and included moving it to Delta, Montrose or Grand Junction. This move would create many more jobs in the area.
The people sure could use them. He probably has the bucks.
Or he could simply keep his hidden museum where it is now located and (point #2) open it up to the average American and charge a small fee. However, doing this risks people asking, "How does one person acquire so much wealth, when most people are just scraping by?" I mentioned using the Getty museum in Los Angeles as a model, which for a small entrance fee is open to the whole general public. People love it and William Koch would be much loved if he did the same.
I take exception regarding Mr. Kanter's comment that I am motivated by class envy. Relax. I do not envy William Koch or his class and I do not harbor an obsession to hoard artifacts from the old west, as I was born into the real thing.
I was born and raised in Crested Butte as well as my parents. We were a Colorado pioneer mining family. I am not a transplant.
Unfortunately for Mr. Koch, he was not born in western Colorado and no matter how hard he tries or how many millions he spends he will never be a true son of the West in spite of his billions.
Joe Krizmanich
Glenwood Springs