I’m responding to Josh Joswick’s letter (Herald, Oct. 28). It’s sad to see he has resorted to making statements that are false.
Claiming I have no interest in civic involvement (nonprofits, service clubs) is not true. I have helped organize and sponsored Toys for Tots for years; I’m a member of nonprofits and always donated to organizations that asked. Our donations to charities have been about $50,000 per year.
I have never stated or believed that government is bad and the private sector is good.
Here are some facts, not lies:
Joswick and Commissioner Gwen Lachelt have been on the boards or employees of environmental groups such as Earthworks and San Juan Citizens Alliance. The IRS shows Earthworks had donations of $2.4 million in 2014! Their agenda is clearly not aligned with most La Plata County citizens.
It’s true I have not been on government boards. Running a local business was an 80-hour-a-week job. If I knew back then how stacked the county boards are with environmentalists, I would have found the time to be on boards.
I have been misquoted on my position related to public lands. At public meetings, such as the candidate forum in Bayfield, I stated that more local input is needed for the management of public lands. We should not let politicians from other states dictate public land policies in Colorado without local input.
At county commissioner meetings, it’s embarrassing to see Lachelt come unprepared (exception being gas and oil issues). Just listen to the recordings of the meetings. Further, Lachelt frequently says she can’t make scheduled county meetings, which forces rescheduling. The county commissioners must show leadership, and by not attending meetings or coming unprepared sends the wrong signal to county employees.
I firmly believe that elected officials must represent the interest of all citizens, be ethical, do their homework and not take sides.
There are many good environmental organizations and environmentalists, and it’s too bad that Joswick and Lachelt give them a bad name.
Lyle McKnight
Durango
Editor’s note: Lyle McKnight is the Republican candidate for La Plata County commissioner from District 2, the seat now held by Gwen Lachelt.
