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I have lived here 32 years and have never seen a more flagrant insult to the county land use code and the people than what was allowed by the Mesa County Commissioners Aug. 12.
Delta Petroleum Company made application to expand a drilling operation on six acres on the Grand Mesa near Vega Reservoir. Instead of waiting for the outcome of the pending application, they continued operations on the site as if it didn’t matter whether it was approved or not.
The County Code Enforcement Office had to issue a cease-and-desist order to stop them. The Planning Commission denied their permit. Delta Petroleum went to the commissioners to obtain their conditional use permit. One would expect an honest and objective review of the matter; perhaps some accountability for a company conducting a $36 million operation which requires them to operate with a permit.
Instead Mr. Meis acknowledges that he has several contracts with Delta Petroleum Company, but says that detail will not prevent him from rendering a fair decision. He voted to grant the company their permit. No consequence, no accountability, no apology, no fine and no penalty.
I proposed at that hearing that Mr. Meis recuse himself when making decisions about companies with whom he has a business relationship. After all, he was elected to represent the whole county’s interest, not just his and the energy companies with who he does business.
I also proposed that Delta Petroleum contribute $300,000 to a fund to assist low income and senior citizens on fixed income with their gas bills this winter. Delta has a responsible board of directors including former Sen. Hank Brown that I feel certain would consider such a contribution in lieu of a fine. But unfortunately Mr. Meis did not ask.
DAN ROBINSON
Grand Junction
21 Responses to “Delta Petroleum should create fund for low-income citizens”
Posted August 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Mr. Robinson;
Craig Meis is an arrogant , vicious Pit Bull. The only way you have a chance of beating him in November is to go against everything you hold dear and get down in the fighting pit with him. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the only way.
The question is whether you want the position of County Commissioner badly enough to do what is necessary to win - do you?
Posted August 20th, 2008 at 4:55 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
The money that Delta Petroleum would have to pay for the fund belongs to the people that invested their money. Why should they be forced to pay for other peoples bills? Does Dan Robinson own any shares of stock in a company that he will ask to pay other peoples bills?
Posted August 20th, 2008 at 5:08 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Alexander - My goodness, young man, but you’ve suddenly grown-up on the blog,or has it always been that way. Being a grown-up and playing like you’re a naive Christian kid is something the baby Jesus doesn’t approve of. Beware, you’re playing with your very soul.
Posted August 20th, 2008 at 5:20 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
GJB: “Craig Meis is an arrogant, vicious Pit Bull.”
Please do not insult pit bulls in this awful way!
Posted August 20th, 2008 at 5:36 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Ash - I know, I know, sometimes I get carried away. We all missed your steadying hand last weekend when you were out of town - things can get pretty nasty when it’s just the “boys.” Sue tried to help, but was overwhelmed.
Posted August 20th, 2008 at 6:51 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Ash,
Welcome back. We missed you.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 8:57 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dan Robinson… Why does that name seem to familiar?
Is this the same person as ‘Pastor’ Dan Robinson that is running for County Commissioner?
Religious organizations and Churches have traditionally been the ‘charitable’ givers in American society, but now a “pastor” wants to use the power of government to FORCE shareholders of Delta Petroleum to give their investment earnings to other people?
So much for his ‘religious’ leanings…
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
No, Willis. They should have payed a fine for starting and continuing with construction for 2 1/2 months without a permit. He is recommending a charitable donation, in lieu of a fine. It is moot, anyway because the “compliance officer ” for Delta Petroleum is none other than former COGCC director, Brian Macke. Craig Meis and Brian have known each other for years. I wonder if their respective companies do business together? Hmmm?
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
” I also proposed that Delta Petroleum contribute $300,000 to a fund to assist low income and senior citizens on fixed income with their gas bills this winter. Delta has a responsible board of directors including former Sen. Hank Brown that I feel certain would consider such a contribution in lieu of a fine. But unfortunately Mr. Meis did not ask.”
A ‘charitable contribution’ at the point of a gun?
The power of government includes the point of a gun duck.
When a person, or business is required to make a ‘charitable contribution’ by any government, at any level, it is no longer a ‘charitable contribution’ but a forced reallocation of wealth from those who have, to those who did not earn, nor deserve.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Gun? I didn’t see a gun. Who had a gun?
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 9:45 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Now duke, that would be the gun that comes out to FORCE COMPLIANCE with a government edict.
For an example, try approaching the military installation at Groom Lake, Nevada, and get belligerent with the nice security officer.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 9:48 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
You are stretching, Willis. Dan simply suggested that a charitable contribution would be an appropriate substitute for a fine. Since Mesa County chose not to levy a fine, the point is moot.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 10:02 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Your position is s ‘fine’ mandated by a government is different from a ‘contribution’ mandated by a government?
ya know duke, even for an environmental nutcase, that is really reaching….
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 10:05 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Willis - Your ignorance was really showing when you wrote, “Is this the same person as ‘Pastor’ Dan Robinson that is running for County Commissioner?”
In reality, County Commissioner candidate Dan Robinson is an attorney, retired head of Mesa County Youth Correction (juvenile hall) and Co-Founder of Partners.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 10:18 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh pooh, I apologize to all the real Pastors out there who may have felt some anguish at being inadvertently placed in the same thread as Mr. Robinson.
There, now do you feel all better gjblubber?
I apologized.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 10:22 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Did the earth just shift on its’ axis,or what?
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 10:28 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Not in my world duke.
I was incorrect in who I believed Mr. Robinson to be, it was called to my attention, I investigated and found myself in error and acknowledged mt mistake.
It’s the Manly thing to do.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 10:33 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Well, brush my teeth and call me “Pearl”. Good for you Willis.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 11:13 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
No thanks necessary Pearl.
An apology, where warranted is the proper and appropriate.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 11:14 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
(to finish that sentence).. thing to do.
Posted August 21st, 2008 at 11:22 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
If Delta Petroleum has violated the law, and that can be proved in court, they should be fined. If Mesa County wants to use the money derived from that fine for a handout to poor citizens to help them offset heating costs this winter, let the county do it.
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