I must attempt to rebut the opening statement “doesn’t care,” that Mike Wiggins wrote in his biography about me as a candidate for Grand Junction City Council.

My record as an entrepreneur who has successfully built and sold nine different businesses in Grand Junction demonstrates my ability to listen to other people and incorporate their ideas. My voting record on the planning commission indicates I was often in the minority, a dissenting vote because I was listening to public opinion during hearings and allowed public opinion, not the strict interpretation of what the development code allows, to sway my vote for or against an issue.

My involvement in the past as chairman of the Mesa County Mental Health Association, member of the original Crime Stoppers Board and countless other community organizations demonstrate I work with other people with and innovative and enthusiastic style.

It is true, that I am a maverick when it comes to addressing the status quo. Entrepreneurial ideas are rarely supported by “group think.”

Mike Wiggins opened his bio about me with his opinion of why I was not a two council meetings. I am the vice president of the National Council Real Estate Exchange, the largest real estate exchange group in the USA. The conference in question had been scheduled and planned for one year. I was responsible for it, and could not miss it due to a hearing involving volunteer service on a board. I left before the vote at the next council meeting because the outcome was clear.

My campaign and my plan for service is predicated on including community input in decision making, not having public hearings where officials go through the motions of listening while passing any development proposal that meets the letter of the development code.

I have maintained and continue to maintain that if we are not going to incorporate public opinion into development plans, there is no need for public hearings. I am not suggesting we eliminate public hearings. I advocate a change in the way we are doing business.

BILL PITTS
Grand Junction

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