Concerning the editorial “Gwen Lachelt” (Herald, Nov. 18): Many of us were so pleased to find out some months ago that Commissioner Lachelt was forming a nonprofit organization by which regional organizations could work together to conceptualize and formulate needs, problems and solutions for our region.
We had noticed that rivers polluted with mine waste send their waters crashing across political boundaries, that methane clouds don’t have clean air and skies just over La Plata County and that wildfires take off in all directions.
There are questions concerning transportation, public lands, electricity, housing, etc., common to us and our neighbors. We were already hurt and disappointed that the commissioners refused to participate with the rest of the state in pipeline rule making. That signaled that we were not interested in any local control for our safety. This, in the face of pipelines everywhere with little or no oversight.
And then our only local daily newspaper gave us an editorial repeating the whining rhetoric of the gas industry in a disgusting and patriarchal manner. It was overwhelming that the Herald would repeat the “victim” statements of the industry and ignore the desire of citizens for safety, breathable air, unpolluted and undiminished water and respect for property rights.
We can only hope that Commissioner Lachelt can find the strength and courage to continue to do what is so desperately needed.
Jim and Terry Fitzgerald
Bayfield
