Bayfield voters have some big decisions to make when they cast their ballots, which are due on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
The top issue for many voters is whether Bayfield should decide to allow marijuana sales in our town.
The town board had made that "no" decision for the past four years, then trustees decided to put it up for a public vote.
I have to admit, part of me thought this might be a good idea. Bayfield is a tax-poor town, and as the former owner of a business and building on Mill Street, I know our downtown needs economic revitalization.
Looking at dispensaries in Durango, and talking with residents about the idea, I think the negatives outweigh the positives.
Yes, we probably would get some increased sales taxes, as well as a fee on each sale of marijuana.
But Bayfield is known for being a small-town, family-oriented community. Buying pot downtown doesn't fit in with that reality.
Also, retail marijuana would have to be sold more than 500 feet from local schools. Is that as a crow flies or as you walk home from school? Who is going to make sure one, or two or three dispensaries, comply with this detail, as well all the other rules governing marijuana sales? We don't have a whole lot of staff at Bayfield Town Hall.
I also don't know if marijuana retailers are going to make that much money here. A lot of locals grow their own marijuana or buy it in Durango.
The Times supports no votes on Bayfield Ballot Question 2B and 2C.
What Bayfield does have is a well-run library with lots of books, activities and youth programs. A small increase in our property taxes to pay for those services make sense. Vote yes on Ballot Issue 6A.
Also, Upper Pine River Fire Protection isn't asking for a tax increase, but permission to adjust the mill levy so it can keep the funding it receives from residential property owners. This is known as "de-Gallagherization." Vote yes on 7A.
In Ignacio, the cemetery district is asking for a small mill-levy increase. This seems reasonable, considering they are overseeing five cemeteries in the area. Vote yes on Ballot Issue 6D.
Finally, I hope Bayfield voters will continue wanting to read their legal notices in the local newspaper, the Pine River Times.
A proposal by the town board to run the titles of the notices, then the text on the town website, just isn't a good idea in an area where not everyone has Internet access, or when we do, it can be painfully slow.
Keep public notices in the hands of the public. Vote no on 2D and 2E.
Thanks for reading.
