In reading our ballot, the subject of “La Plata County Question 1A” caught my eye – “the revenues of which will be allocated to the county road and bridge fund.”
I see no reason why any homeowner who is a resident of any of many subdivisions, should vote for this item. The county for years has refused to assume responsibility to maintain the roads used by the residents of these subdivisions. Some of the highest real estate taxes are being paid by people who have the least benefit from the road and bridge department. Homeowners’ associations spend thousands each year on roads that are open to the public but are not maintained by the public.
As an example, roads in Animosa, Albrecht, Red Rocks, Blue Sky, Dalton Ranch and Trimple Crossing subdivisions are paid for by the homeowners. In leaving the subdivisions, motorists enter Highway 550, maintained by the state. From the highway, we enter city streets. Nowhere do we use a county road in going about our business.
However, residents of neighboring areas feel free to use Animosa Drive as a dog walk, with the resulting droppings, and as a bike lane, etc. Seldom do we see any security patrols from the Sherriff’s Office unless someone calls in a complaint. In other words, very few, if any, county services.
One exception is CR 202 from CR 203 at Barr Bridge to its dead end. It is paved and maintained and even has been repaved whether it needed it or not. By a strange coincidence, one of the prominent residents of CR 202 is a former Road and Bridge commissioner who also at one time was a county commissioner.
Do not vote for question 1A. Put an X next to the word “no.”
Eric Greene
Durango
