To the editor:
The following letter was sent to Gov. Bill Owens Feb.
8:
The health, safety and welfare of the Elbert County citizens are
at severe risk. One life has already been lost. Therefore, as
governor, we ask that you take the drastic action of suspending the
BOCC and sheriff temporarily and appoint a board of trustees to
assure the governing of the county until such time as these
questions are answered and that corrective measures are put in
place.
We also ask that the appointees be from outside the 18th
Judicial District to remove the appearance of any political
consideration. This is due to the fact that the 18th Judicial
District threw out a successful petition to recall these two of the
three same commissioners, a sore point with many of the residents
of the county.
Reviewing all the media reports from Channel 9 News, and the
Elbert County News, concerning governmental problems in Elbert
County one fact becomes very clear.
Without taking sides in the on-going disputes between the BOCC,
sheriff and road and bridge dept, it is evident that these parties
have individual agendas and cannot cooperate in the management of
the county. It is the residents who are paying the price.
Beginning with:
q The death of a resident from being mauled by dogs;
q The unacceptable response by the sheriffs office and the
dispatching of medical help;
q A statement by the president of the fire chiefs association
that there are problems with the dispatch service in the county
that he will not make the public aware of;
q The budget dispute between the BOCC and the sheriffs office,
is it too small of a budget or is it poor fiscal management by the
sheriff;
q The building of roads to nowhere at a cost of $150,000 and
contradicting statements from the commissioners;
q Being ordered by the Federal Wage Board to pay back wages of
approximately $650,000;
q Accepting more than $900,000 from the state of Colorado that
they should have known they were not entitled to.
These occurrences in the last year demonstrate dangerous
conditions exist. How much longer do we tolerate an emergency
dispatch system that puts lives at risk every day? How much longer
do we invite the criminal community into our county by advertising
we have only one deputy on duty? How much longer do we condone the
wasteful spending of our limited tax dollars?
No doubt political issues are at play. Considering that this is
a one-party system in Elbert County, how much longer do the
residents have to suffer while the politicians settle their
disputes?
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Frank G. Starkey
Thomas M. Starkey
Parker