Whole lotta nothin.’ That is the basis for the petition to recall La Plata County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt.
First, Commissioner Lachelt lobbied to get the methane rule passed which, by the way, was a bipartisan bill. The deciding vote was cast by United States Senator John McCain, a Republican. Industry studies indicated that this rule would actually save businesses money, not overburden them as indicated by David Peters.
Second, Commissioner Lachelt’s work with Western Leaders Network, which this paper incorrectly labeled as a conflict of interest, is not a conflict of interest. Conflict of interest rules were instituted for the specific purpose of allowing skilled and committed public servants to serve on various boards and commissions that may have conflicts. They detail guidelines when a specific issue is in specific conflict with a specific person. When that happens, the person simply is required to recuse himself or herself from the specific decision making process. They do not require that someone resign one position altogether that might, sometime in the future, be in conflict with another position held by that person. The Herald missed that subtlety in its own editorial on Nov. 18.
Third, Commissioner Lachelt’s voting record as it relates to the oil and gas industry flies in the face of this petitions recall effort. These petitioners are merely trying to remove someone from office that they disagree with. That is no basis for removal.
So, what are these “petitioners” left with? A whole lotta nothin.’
Frank Lockwood
Durango
