We did not elect County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt to continue her fight against our oil companies as an activist. She was elected to represent us and make policy that is in the favor of all of the county residents.
Instead, she is fighting against the very industry that has made our county prosperous, contributing over 50 percent of the tax revenue to the county for years. In addition to 100 percent of the people benefitting from lower taxes, because of the gas and oil industry, hundreds (perhaps thousands) of the residents work directly for the industry. There are also over 3,000 county residents that receive royalty checks every month and depend on this income to continue.
The Colorado Supreme Court has just ruled against her advocacy to ban hydraulic fracturing, and yet she states that the ruling will not stop her in her quest to shut down gas and oil development in our area. After driving away gas and oil development, killing the goose that laid the golden eggs, the commissioners are proposing massive tax increases for us landowners to make up for the upcoming budget deficits.
In the next election we need to vet every candidate and have them pass the litmus test,“ Are you for or against gas and oil development (and coal), in our county?
Ron Enge
Durango
