On April 15, The Daily Sentinel editorialized regarding the need for cooperation between the leaders of the town of De Beque and Mesa County, specifically related to managing growth during the current energy boom.

Generally, I agree with the Sentinel’s position. It’s counter-productive for governing bodies to act opposing one another, and inadvisable to violate laws in the process. However, actions taken by De Beque’s leaders, assuming no breach of law, attest to their desire to be masters of their own destiny. In a microcosmic sense, their actions speak toward much of what ails our country as a whole.

Government regulations, oversight and confiscatory taxation have resulted in terribly negative effects. State or local governments attempting to circumvent the feds, run the risk of being excluded from participating in the taxpayer-funded swill, flowing like a river from Washington.

Comparing this local issue to those plaguing our country may be a stretch. Then again, it may not. Not speaking on behalf of De Beque’s leadership, I believe individuals in governments around the country have experienced enough onerous legislation and hindrance of economic development. I wonder if De Beque is a case in which a municipality has seen opportunity, and acted with providence and self-reliance on behalf of its constituents.

De Beque is in the middle of great upheaval, sitting directly in the path of an energy boom in full swing. Isolationism can be politically polarizing, and acting in opposition of others, or with disregard for existing laws, isn’t terribly prudent. Conversely, taking control and responsibility of one’s own destiny is highly commendable.

Personally, I hope De Beque’s leaders will unify with county government, while simultaneously acting to manage their own destiny. The window of opportunity is wide open, and I hope they will shove their heads through and proclaim to the world, De Beque is open for business.

BRAD STEIG
Fruita

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 11:46 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.