Best numbers available
used for Clifton effort
With regard to whether the Clifton and Fruitvale areas might annex into the city of Grand Junction, Mesa County leaders feel the population numbers that the county is citing in its analysis of the area are the correct numbers to use in this situation.
There are no clearly defined, accepted official boundaries for Clifton and Fruitvale. Population numbers from the federal Census Bureau for Clifton and Fruitvale are significantly larger than the estimates the county is using, with good reason. Mesa County is looking specifically at the clearly defined unincorporated areas where annexation is being proposed.
The larger census estimates include significant numbers of people who have already been annexed into the city of Grand Junction. The census numbers also include additional areas that are not currently being considered for annexation.
When preparing our estimates, county staff calculated the population — of the precise unincorporated areas being studied — as accurately as possible. These calculations considered population data, as well as the exact boundaries of the proposed annexation areas, using an advanced geographic information system.
Regardless of which population numbers one uses for the area, the fact remains that we all pay Mesa County taxes — whether we live in a city or not. And whether the Clifton/Fruitvale population is closer to 12 percent (of the total county population), or a higher number (for percentage of the unincorporated population), these unincorporated areas still use — for certain programs and services — an estimated 40 percent of the county’s resources. Either way, the use certainly exceeds the proportion of the population.
Most importantly, regardless of the population numbers, the county tax dollars generated do not cover the types of urban services that many residents say they want (such as streetlights, sidewalks, increased law enforcement, code enforcement and more). These are services typically provided by a city or town government. It will be up to property owners to decide whether they are willing to pay in order to bring those services to the area.
JON PEACOCK
Mesa County Administrator
Grand Junction

Officials responded
promptly and effectively
Thanks to Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland, Sheriff Stan Hilkey and Tim Hayashi of the Mesa County Planning Department.
I wanted to express my appreciation for the work that was done regarding the traffic situation on F 1/4 Road at 33 Road. I very much appreciated that when we met, they listened to our concerns and suggested alternatives. I know that in the grand scheme of things, our issue was small but they treated it as important. There was no “analysis paralysis” as often happens in government. The concern was presented, we discussed solutions, and they quickly put those solutions into actions.
As a result of their resolution on our issue, we have experienced a decrease in traffic on the road. There also has been a significant reduction in the amount of traffic on the ditch road as well. The resulting reduction in traffic has made it easier for us to keep the inside of our house clean and has made it easier for us to breathe. It has also improved the safety of pedestrians, especially the Clifton Elementary School students, who walk that road.
Thank you again for help in this matter.
STEVEN HUSKEY
Clifton

Scott McInnis off target
in attack on Gov. Ritter
Scott McInnis’ tirade against Gov. Bill Ritter seems quite timely given the nature of an article buried on Page 7 of the Nov. 2 issue of The Daily Sentinel.
Perhaps someone should send Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell a copy of Scott’s endorsement, along with the article, “Southern Colorado county copes with methane mystery.”
The real mystery is why Scott chooses to ignore the fact that until Gov. Ritter was voted into office, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission acted as the cheering squad for the industry it was intended to regulate. New rules were long overdue, considering the changing nature of the population and the proximity to the natural gas drilling.
Our need for natural gas has never been greater and impacts from extraction will continue to occur. However, it is past time for those making the profits to mitigate the impacts created making that profit. Scott’s assertion that Gov. Ritter has “run the gas business out of the state” is nothing but political rhetoric. The price of natural gas is what has slowed drilling down. Energy companies are run by some of the brightest minds available. When profits are down, they cut capital expenditures. Economics 101.
To ignore the impacts in order to create more short-term employment is not wise policy. Accountability should be required on all fronts. Scott should know that many of those employed by industry still have not registered their vehicles in Colorado, much less registered to vote. Taking care of some of the impacted farmers’ and ranchers’ needs might just be a wiser political maneuver.
Scott rode in to the political arena on a white horse called “term limits.” That plank fell out of his platform when it was his time to come home. I think Josh Penry has a more moderate approach to the oil and gas industry and will get my primary vote next year. As far as I can tell, Josh has not flipped on issues due to his own ambitions.
CARL ROBERTS
Hotchkiss

‘Czars’ help Obama get
around Constitution
As a parent, would you invite drug dealers, gang bangers and thieves to live in your home with your children? And ignore the advice from your friends and family that their negative influence will rub off and corrupt your family? Would you disregard all the warnings and invite even more “friends?”
This is the current situation at the highest levels of our government. There are socialist, Marxist, Maoist and communist sympathizers surrounding our president. These czars are not subtle in their convictions. Some are very vocal and self-avowed. They are appointed by the president and do not have to be approved by the Senate, except for one, the Regulatory Czar, Cass Sunstein.
He says that America needs to accept socialism and support communism but is too racist to do so in his 2004 book, “The Second Bill of Rights.” He doesn’t like property rights and favors redistribution through climate-change policy.
The president has the right to appoint advisers. It has been done in the past, e.g. drug czar, energy czar —but only a handful at a time. Now we have more than 40 czars.  The extremist czars are not out on the fringe. They oversee manufacturing, climate change, green jobs, science, regulatory, energy, FCC.  They answer to no one except to the president, are funded by our tax monies and cannot be subpoenaed by Congress.  
It looks like the president has found a loophole in the Constitution to create an extremist political party within the White House. So much for checks and balances.
DETLEF HOFFMANN
Grand Junction

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