Posted 8 months, 22 days ago in 
Loading ...
April 20’s lead editorial seeks to clarify the circumstances regarding Mesa County’s seeking “party status with respect to state rule making on oil a gas regulations.” It also seeks to point out that Commissioner Craig Meis was not a stumbling block to that action even though he initially thought it was not necessary. Fine. The process within county government worked and he relented.
An article on the front page of the Local section points out that a late bill in the Legislature that puts forth state regulations for waste water settling ponds like the one near De Beque that has been a problem will probably not be pursued this session. It was put forth by Western Slope legislators because it’s badly needed and local government didn’t act. My understanding is that it could have.
Craig Meis, with strong energy industry connections, was instrumental in the choice to overlook a serious problem in favor of industry profitability versus protection of the interests of the citizens of the county. In this very conservative area that seems to believe that government that is closest to the people is always best, why was this opportunity to have county regulations ignored and left to try to have state regulations instead, which historically have been under-inspected for compliance?
Mr. Meis always seems to get his way, since Commissioner Janet Rowland defers to him in energy matters making for a two-to-one majority on the commission.
Waste-pit problems have proved to be real in our county and our commissioners, who could have acted, didn’t. Mr. Meis’ income is directly linked to industry profitability, which is directly linked to cutting corners in the matter of waste liquid disposal.
What is The Daily Sentinel’s editorial position relative to Meis’ reluctance in this matter? Apologist on this one, too?
JOHN BORGEN
Grand Junction
21 Responses to “Commissioners don’t act in county’s best interest on waste-pit problems”
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 11:06 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Meis is clearly skirting the topic, as his company (Cordilleran Compliance) is in the midst of representing & attempting to permit an evaporation pond facility for Noble Energy, known as the Parachute Evaporation Facility. Take a look at the County’s own GIS/mapping website for planning & land development applications. Call the Mesa County planning department for more information. Meis stands to personally profit precisely from this sort of inaction on the part of government. Yet another example of his many abuses of public office. Please vote him out in November.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 11:09 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Those of us who follow John B’s writings as a form of amusement have noticed that he seems to have a personal vendetta against Commissioner Meis, into which he pulls Commissioner Rowland at every opportunity. Whatever the cause of this personal animosity, it appears to be the source of all the problems we currently have here in the valley, and his propensity to attack everyone who doesn’t agree with his view discounts any valid points he could have made. I seriously doubt if Commissioner Meis is singly responsible for the worlds ills. If John B. wishes to have his words taken seriously, he should stop his personal attacks, and go back to his village.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 12:52 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Mr Borgen has publicly stated that he is actively supporting an opposing candidate to the Mesa County Board of Commissioners.
If he chooses to continue to write letters masquerading as a disinterested bystander, maybe he should be charged for political campaigning on behalf of Mr. Kearsley?
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 1:03 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
….which is great news for the future of Mesa County!!! Yet another confirmed vote against obstructionists like Mr Meis. Anyone in the current lineup, Repug or Demo, would be far superior to Meis or Rowland.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 1:14 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I have removed several comments from this dialogue for going over the line of what is appropriate.
If conversation continues in this manner, I’ll have to shut down comments related to this letter.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 1:26 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
WOW - the moral police have arrived. Pretty scary stuff, indeed, for a variety of reasons. Can you please articulate exactly what “going over the line” constitutes? Just so we can live within the confines of Daddy Sentinel’s moral (and religious and political) framework. Perhaps you could also answer the question posed in the last line of the orignal letter that we’ve been discussing.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 1:42 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
We’re not talking about the world’s ills here. We’re talking about the environment we live in which I happen to think is spectacular and relatively unpolluted. Meis, and with Rowland in lock step behind, have undeniably avoided any reasonable regulations for energy development which would affect the proftabilty of the energy companies, Meis’ clients in his real life. If you don’t care about our clean water supply, evaporation pits that are over capacity and have a history of spills and air pollution and the unreasonable intrusion on actual citizens property and peace of mind there is no hope for a balanced energy companies occupation of our area. This is not personal nor political except insofar as there are candidates who want to run for office who do care. One will get my vote and of which party will be decided when I’ve sized them all up.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
The comments were removed for personal attacks and name calling.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 5:36 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Well said, Willis. I counldn’t have done better myself. I owe you a cup of coffee, or whatever.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 6:00 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Patriot, you’ve neglected to answer my question as to what is your fascination with Dave Kearsley. I’m acquainted with him and I approve of his stand on energy regulations for the county and I think he would be a huge improvementover Janet Rowand as I’ve pointed out on may occasions. Now it’s your turn to explain your strange interest in his candidacy.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 6:24 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
John,
Let’s review. If you had caught my original comment, you would have known that my “fascination” was with his (Dave Kearsley) mud slinging. It had to do with his criticism of current office holders listening to all sides of the issue. The question that I posed to him was, If elected, would he represent all the people? My attention was diverted to you, John B. and your obviously liberal agenda, when you presumed to speak for your friend, Dave”. At first, I believed you to be a Trojan Horse, but it soon became clear that you were the self-appointed spokesman for Dave Kearsley. Your outspoken, radical rhetoric has probably done untold damage to Mr. Kearsley’s candidacy. But what the heck, you were on a roll and I saw no purpose in discouraging you from your appointed rounds. I have been waiting for Mr. Kearsley to speak up and disown you. Kind of makes you wonder why he hasn’t, doesn’t it? Heck, some of my best friends are liberals.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 10:11 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
What an odd fixation the original letter writer seems to have with the Commissioner. At least Mr. Kearsley can be understood in his one note attempt to get on the ballot as having a personal problem with not understanding the mineral leasing options when he purchased his own property. If his utter unfamiliarity with any other issues were not enough; Mr. Borgen’s support should be enough to doom his candidacy.
Posted April 21st, 2008 at 11:07 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
American Patriot - please give your audience a specific, detailed definition of what you mean by “radical rhetoric” so that a rational, reasonable, intelligent person might adequately respond.
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 7:44 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Rather than give you a definition, it is easier to give you an example. Reread your own writing. I would say you are a fine specimen. Your request presupposes that radical rhetoric comes from rational, reasonable people. This is not the case. It would be a waste of time as rational, reasonable people already know the definition.
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
In other words, Proteus, he’s not going to do it. It’s the classic “If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you” argument.
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Curmudgeon - I think you’re right about American Patriot. I suspect he won’t answer my question because he really has no idea what it means. American Patriot’s critical thinking skills and analytical abilities are obviously limited.
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
See, that’s just gonna set him off. He’ll pounce on the allegation, and the insult, and still not answer the question. You just gave him another excuse not to answer.
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 10:55 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Anyone can write a letter to the editor commenting on an elected representative, whether the comment be positive, negative, or nuetral.
Same goes for comments about people who are running for office.
Civics 101, folks.
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Curmudgeon - American Patriot won’t answer my question because he lacks the intellectual capacity to do so, not because I’ve allegedly insulted him. If what I said “sets him off,” it simply verifies that he possesses an inconsequential mind and lacks the capacity to discuss issues in a rational and dispassionate manner.
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 11:10 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
As often as I agree with you, I have to point out, you’re just pouring kerosene on the Farenheit 451 bonfire…
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Curmudgeon - You’re right, of course. But this is easier and much more fun than actually having to think (smile).
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.