Gerald L. Figueroa’s inaccurate letter entitled “Delta court case disputes local candidate’s claims” of July 17, cannot go unanswered. I am a candidate for Delta County commissioner, District Two. My opponent, Bruce Hovde, was seconded for nomination by Mr. Figueroa; hence the unfounded attack. I’m a total novice at politics, but it’s safe to assume that when facts aren’t available, distortions always are.

Mr. Figueroa cites “District Court Case Number OOCV76”, a case dismissed years ago. A summons or complaint was never served. The dispute had arisen shortly before the completion of an irrigation ditch pipeline engineered by the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and inspected on a daily basis. The dispute was settled out of court.

Initially no one objected to my proposed pipeline. I had a historic and a recorded, legal right-of-way. There was neither “negligence,” “breach of contract,” “trespass,, nor “property damage.” I personally spent well over $10,000 for improvements for the neighbors’ benefits. They were not required by law.

There is a fallacy in Mr. Figueroa’s logic. This legal dispute was between individuals. We settled this dispute without government interference or regulation. This is the essence of individual property rights.

Mr. Figueroa did get one thing right. His statement that a major part of my campaign is “championing the protection of property and individual rights” is totally accurate. When we bought our small ranch, we also bought shares in an irrigation ditch and a right-of-way from the head gate to our ranch. This is a common real estate transaction. I made every attempt to mitigate any problem with the neighbors. I broke no laws. I protected my individual property rights just as I plan to protect those of my constituents once I’m elected to serve as Delta County Commissioner, district two.

MIKE MASON
Delta County Commissioner Candidate
Cedaredge

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