Montezuma County Commissioners Keenan Ertel and Larry Don Suckla are seeking re-election and running unopposed. Over the past term, their legacy has been mixed. But overall, these commissioners are, well-intentioned leaders who are willing to consider different perspectives and negotiate solutions. Future goals for them should include gaining access to county landlocked BLM lands, pushing for and helping to cleanup the old M&M Truckstop property, promoting the Paths to Mesa Verde (and figuring out private landowner incentives), addressing the opioid epidemic and developing a solid plan for high-speed internet service in rural parts of the county.
In 2005, when Senate Bill 152 was passed, it did not make sense for governments to expend tax dollars moving into industries the private sector was tackling. Eleven years later, that industry has had its chance. Internet providers have cherry-picked the lucrative markets and left small communities and even more sparsely populated rural areas with substandard internet services. Now it is time for the public sector to step out from under SB 152 restrictions. That is what Montezuma County and Dolores are asking voters to approve. An opt-out vote allows them, like Cortez, Mancos and 60 other Colorado counties and cities, to investigate the feasibility of that option. County voters, vote “yes” on 1A. Dolores voters, vote “yes” on 1A and 2A.
Montezuma-Cortez School District Re-1 is asking for voter approval to use $1.874 million for asbestos abatement and demolition of the old high school building and restoration of the old high school site. There is no tax increase associated with this measure. Voting “no” on 3A will not provide a new stadium. It will just leave money sitting, unusable, in a district account and leave it with a $70,000 per year maintenance bill. A blight in the middle of a residential neighborhood, and a safety risk, it is time to tear down the building to make room for a park, infill housing or other development and turn a liability into a community asset. Vote “yes” on 3A.
District Attorney William Furse, seeking re-election in the 22nd Judicial District (which includes Dolores County), has no opponent. His is a thankless job, and most of the complaints against the DA are perennial rather than being specific to Furse. He now has a full term under his belt. In his second term, he needs to step up his leadership and improve his communication with the press and public. He should work more closely with law-enforcement agencies to bring better evidence to the courtroom, make fewer mistakes and better use of public resources.
The Mancos Library District is asking voters to approve a 2 mill property tax increase to fund operating costs for the library. Of the local ballot questions, this is the only one with a tax implication, and it is a worthwhile investment. The Mancos library is a vibrant, modern place where users of all ages (61,000 visits per year) can avail themselves of hard copy and electronic books and many other materials, the internet and a wide range of classes and fascinating educational programs. One of the town’s cultural and learning centers, the Mancos Public Library provides essential research, literary and educational services to the community, including middle and high school students whose schools do not have their own libraries. The approximately $2 per household per month that this mill levy will cost is well worth it. A good public library is the intellectual glue of a community. Vote “yes” on 5A.
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