Dear Summit County residents: Just a reminder that if it weren't for non-residents there would be very few residents of Breckenridge. Non-residents are the reason there is a resort, ski area, golf courses, lodging, a housing industry and the myriad of jobs in Breck for the residents. Yes, I am sure that some non-residents misbehave and yes, even violate the local laws. So do some residents.

For the most part, we non-residents appreciate the residents. Like the non-residents you don't appreciate, there are residents we non-residents don't appreciate, like the one who didn't like it when I hesitated on the Dam Road to admire the coyote at dusk. He honked his horn many times, made a pantomime of an animal walking across the road, and gave me the finger while roaring around me (illegal pass?) and frightening my passengers. Personally, I don't see that residents and non-residents of Breck behave any different than any other area in the USA or countries I have visited, but for reasons mysterious to me, Breck residents seem to be less tolerant of non-residents' bad behavior as though they have some right to demand behavior acceptable to them. I would like to be able to demand behavior standards of some residents, but I know that life isn't fair, and people don't act right. Learn to live with it. Be tolerant of the occasional misbehavior.

Looking forward to my next trip to Breck! I will try to be on my best behavior.