It feels rather quaint to talk of truth and facts anymore in this post-factual era. However, in defense of Commissioner Lachelt, who seems to have committed the sin of trying to relieve her constituents of the “privilege” of breathing the by-products of the oil and gas industry, several “misunderstandings” have arisen regarding the extent of her actual power.
In a recent Letter to the Editor (Herald, March 2) it was asserted that, “Lachelt has crippled the Sheriff”s Office by putting them in Priuses.” The Sheriff, not the county commissioners, decides what vehicles will be used by the Sheriff’s Officers.
The letter writer also claimed, “She is pushing for “solar” for the county, which will cost us over $400 million just to get out of the contract with Tri-State....” This, too, is not a county, rather an LPEA issue. Lachelt cannot be held responsible for things over which she has no control.
“She’s raising crime by promoting a “homeless camp....” Homeless camping has existed in La Plata county for over thirty years, and Lachelt has promoted neither homeless camping nor an official “homeless camp.” Show us the statistics that support this claim.
“She’s refused to give an accounting of her expenses when asked.” According to the county, every request for information on expenses has been answered.
So, my fellow citizens, let us refrain from name calling, and engage in true and meaningful debate with one another to make this government “thing” work, and not, “just throw stuff against the wall to see what will stick.”
Michael Lee
Durango
