Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110901.tiff RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS MINUTES BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO APRIL 6, 2011 The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, met in regular session in full conformity with the laws of the State of Colorado at the regular place of meeting in the Weld County Centennial Center, Greeley, Colorado, April 6, 2011, at the hour of 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by the Chair and on roll call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of the members thereof: Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair Commissioner Sean P. Conway, Pro-Tem Commissioner William F. Garcia Commissioner David E. Long Commissioner Douglas Rademacher Also present: County Attorney, Bruce T. Barker Acting Clerk to the Board, Elizabeth Strong Director of Finance and Administration, Monica Mika MINUTES: Commissioner Long moved to approve the minutes of the Board of County Commissioners meeting of April 4, 2011, as printed. Commissioner Conway seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: There were no amendments to the agenda. PUBLIC INPUT: Jerry Long, Weld County resident, stated he testified at the emissions testing hearing twice; however, the Democrats voted against it, and they would not listen to the public testimony. He indicated that Weld and Larimer Counties should file a class action lawsuit against the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to try to recuperate all the $25.00 emissions fees the public has paid, and to return the fees to the citizens who have wrongly been required to pay the fee. He stated the State is unwilling to listen to the plight of its senior citizens and the fee is completely unwarranted. Mr. Long submitted a packet of documents into the record, marked Exhibit A. He stated the emissions testing program is a scam against the citizens of the State, and the State is ill-equipped to complete the emissions testing. He indicated one man had to pay $600.00 for new tires because the State's equipment was not able to test his vehicle with the tires he initially had on his vehicle when he went to the testing facility. Mr. Long indicated people may be eligible for hardship waivers; however, the information on how to obtain a waiver is not readily accessible. Commissioner Rademacher and Chair Kirkmeyer thanked Mr. Long for his testimony. Commissioner Conway thanked Mr. Long for submitting the information contained in Exhibit A, and he stated he will speak to the County Attorney about what litigation options are available to the Board. He thanked Mr. Long for his testimony today, as well as his testimony at the Rule Making Hearing held at Island Grove Park last year, and his testimony at the two (2) emissions bill hearings at the House and the Senate. He stated the reason the emissions testing facility is unaccommodating in many respects is because the company was awarded a sole-source contract, with no requests for proposals (RFP); there was no opportunity for other �, Minutes, April 6, 2011 2011-0901 t Page 1 BC0016 companies to develop a better testing process, and the company has the monopoly on testing millions of vehicles in northern Colorado. Commissioner Conway stated the Board has received other complaints about the facility, and one of the Commissioners attempted to utilize a "Rapid Screen" van and he could not locate a van, since the vans were not located where the website indicated. Commissioner Rademacher clarified he tried to locate the "Rapid Screen" on 1-25 and it was not where it was supposed to be on Thursday; however, the van was located in the indicated location on Monday and Tuesday. Mr. Long stated he saw a "Rapid Screen" van within the City of Greeley recently. Commissioner Conway stated his point is the "Rapid Screen" vans are not customer friendly when the vans are not located where the webpage indicates. He stated he has had local car dealerships contact him to report customers cannot have cars with the new performance tires tested at the stations, and Ghent Chevrolet indicated their new performance cars cannot be tested. He stated there was a State audit completed and it indicated 30 percent of the time the testing stations are incorrect and are either passing cars that should have failed the test, or failing cars that should have passed the test; therefore, the testing company is not only not accommodating to the public; it is also wrong 30 percent of the time. Mr. Long indicated one person reportedly failed the test and the site subsequently placed his vehicle on a rack and it did not make any adjustments to the vehicle; however, it charged him $60.00, and when his vehicle was tested a second time, it passed the test, without anything being altered on the vehicle. Doug Meyer, Weld County resident, stated he wants to clear the air about a discussion he had with Mr. Barker, where Mr. Barker indicated he does not agree with how the American Stewards of Liberty use the coordination mandate and he does not agree it should be used to protect private property rights. He stated Mr. Barker also indicated he does not believe in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; however, the Board of County Commissioners is an example of this type of government, since the Commissioners all reside within the community and are elected by the people, to do a job for the people. He stated Mr. Barker previously inquired as to why the ranchers do not take the Forest Service to court and he replied the ranchers do not have the time or money to spend 20 years in court, as occurred in the Hage versus the United States case, at which point Mr. Barker indicated he does not believe that the process took 20 years, which he finds offensive, since he has only provided facts to the Board, which are supported by the law. Mr. Meyer stated the people on this Board won their elections because people had trust in them, respect for them, and believed they would do the right thing for them. He stated he hopes the Board has trust and respect for the County's citizens, since the Comprehensive Plan states citizen participation is promoted and encouraged. He stated there are citizens who would participate; however, they are not convinced it would not do any good, which he finds to be true. Mr. Meyer stated he has tried to earn the trust and respect of this Board, and he has tried to respect the Board by refraining from speaking when there is a lot of business on the agenda. He stated it is difficult to communicate a position on any topic within three (3) minutes per meeting. He stated the American Stewards of Liberty uses coordination exactly as it is intended to be used, and he hopes the Board will use it the same way. Mr. Meyer stated last week he provided a copy of a letter requesting a coordination meeting, to William Woods, Supervisor of Salmon Challis National Forest, which concerns a Travel Management Plan; however, many items in the letter apply to other topics as well. He stated the letter indicates Mr. Woods' staff did not meet with the Board early in the development process to develop procedures for coordination, which he believes also occurred with the ranchers and the Forest Service. He stated the letter also indicates the personnel did not show any assessment of the inter-related impacts of the plan with the policies of the County regarding roads and accesses within the forest, and the personnel did not meet with the Board to consider alternatives for resolution of conflicts between the local policies and the Forest Service plan, which occurred in Weld County as well. He stated the letter also stated the Forest Service did not coordinate with the Board on the development of the final record of decision; it did not review public input with the Board; it did not meet with the Board to analyze or determine the local policy with regard to designation of the roads; it did not meet with the Board to identify and discuss conflicts with the local policy; it did not meet with the Board to seek to reconcile inconsistencies between the local policies and the record of decision or to Minutes, April 6, 2011 2011-0901 Page 2 BC0016 review the final draft before it was released to the public, all of which also occurred with the situation in Weld County with the ranchers. CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Rademacher moved to approve the Consent Agenda as printed. Commissioner Conway seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. PROCLAMATIONS: DAY OF THE YOUNG CHILD - APRIL 9, 2011: Chair Kirkmeyer read the certificate into the record, proclaiming April 9, 2011, as the Day of the Young Child. Commissioner Long stated he has attended this event since he has had children, and he encouraged people to attend even if they do not have children. He stated he will not be able to attend this year because he has 40 children coming to his house for a soccer program. He thanked Promises for Children for organizing the event, and making lives better for children through its endeavors. Jildi Gentry-Chacon, Promises for Children, thanked the Board for the Proclamation, and she stated this will be the 30th Anniversary of the North Colorado Children's Festival. She stated Promises for Children is extremely pleased to be able to organize the event and there will be approximately 4,000 to 6,000 people who attend the event, along with 90 booths. She stated sales are limited, since they want every family to have a great time at the event, regardless of socio-economic status, and to not be pressured by their children to purchase items. Ms. Gentry-Chacon thanked the Board for making children a priority, which it has consistently accomplished. Commissioner Conway stated our children are our greatest asset and he will attend the event, as he has done for a number of years. He stated this wonderful event impacts thousands of families in Weld County. Commissioner Conway indicated he will present the Proclamation at the event on Saturday. COMMISSIONER COORDINATOR REPORTS: Commissioner Conway stated there will be an important North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting tomorrow night, to discuss transportation priorities. Commissioner Conway stated he had the opportunity to meet with the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District yesterday, in preparation for the rally on May 19, 2011, in support of the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), which is coming along quite well. He indicated it is likely John Salazar, Secretary of Agriculture, will endorse NISP, based on a successful meeting earlier in the week. He invited everyone to attend the event, which will be at the Ranch, at noon, and beef burgers will be served. He stated the event is free and open to the public, and Congressman Cory Gardner will be the featured speaker for this important water project. Chair Kirkmeyer stated this afternoon Senate Bill 124, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Reserve Bill, will be considered by the House, and she will be testifying on the matter. BIDS: PRESENT BID #B1100055, SLURRY SEAL/SAND SEAL REJUVENATOR/CHIP SEAL - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: Monica Mika, Director of Finance and Administration, stated said bid will be presented for approval on April 20, 2011. APPROVE BID #61100052, MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE/CONTROL — DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT (CON'T FROM 3/28/11): Ms. Mika stated there was a work session conducted on this matter earlier in the week, and staff is recommending acceptance of the bid from Colorado Mosquito Control, Inc. In response to Commissioner Conway, Sara Evans, Department of Public Health and Environment, stated staff recommends acceptance of the bid from Colorado Mosquito Control, Inc., because the low Minutes, April 6, 2011 2011-0901 Page 3 BC0016 bidder, Ottertail Environmental, Inc., has been the contractor providing these services for the Department for the last two (2) years and there have been issues with poor performance and quality control. She stated Ottertail Environmental, Inc., also increased the price per trap by more than $16.00 last year. Further responding to Commissioner Conway, Ms. Evans stated the Department contracted with Colorado Mosquito Control, Inc., in the years 2003 and 2004, for mosquito surveillance and control, and the Department has a very positive relationship with the company. Commissioner Rademacher stated in the electronic information it is specified that when working with Ottertail Environmental, Inc., the low bidder, there were equipment malfunctions with increasing frequency, and there were issues with the traps not being placed in the correct location or not being placed at all; therefore, there are numerous reasons for not selecting the low bidder, and he is in favor of awarding the bid to Colorado Mosquito Control, Inc. Commissioner Garcia stated it is his understanding from the work session that grant monies will cover the expense of the mosquito surveillance. Ms. Mika clarified that Dr. Mark Wallace, M.D., Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment, indicated at the work session the grant will cover 40 percent of the cost of the mosquito surveillance; whereas, the County has paid the entire cost in prior years. Commissioner Conway moved to approve the bid from Colorado Mosquito Control, Inc., based on staff's recommendation. Seconded by Commissioner Garcia, the motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES: The resolutions were presented and signed as listed on the Consent Agenda. No Ordinances were approved. Let the minutes reflect that the above and foregoing actions were attested to and respectfully submitted by the Acting Clerk to the Board. There being no further business, this meeting was adjourned at 9:33 a.m. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS �q LO WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: t i ill / ��Z _a$$3 /i�<< � 4: `Yara Kirkmeyer,jChair / Weld County Clerk to the Bo 861 �tCb ag� p �� SeAn P. . way, Pro-Tem BY: a 9 Deputy Clerk to the Boar�'��. 1 Wi' ]u F. Garcia APP ED FORM: ` t4,2I C David E. Long _---f Coun Attorney - o (reS nice-Act'— Douglas Rademacher Minutes, April 6, 2011 2011-0901 Page 4 BC0016 State Senate Agricultural, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, Ref: HB 11-1082 As a constituent of Greeley Colorado, I most readily understand your committee's consternation on the matter of the emission testing in northern Colorado. You appear to be voting for the sake of our environment and that is an admirable cause, but in this matter there may be other considerations that should be weighed in that decision. The cost that may be considered minimal to one may be a considerable burden to another. The working poor who find themselves trying to transport themselves and loved ones from one place to another may find repair and the very fee itself a reason to lose mobility as maintenance and upkeep cost increases. In an ideal world everyone should have a new eco friendly car but in reality there are many who do not find them selves in a financial situation to do so. With an economy which is impacting many of your constituents negatively the question has to be asked, "since the area currently under consideration meets the new epa standards, why put an additional strain on the working class? ". This issue can wait since the apparent main concern of the legislature should be on employment as that would increase the tax base so needed by the state and country.This is a fee which hurts the working poor and the elderly in the pocketbook, people that need governments help more than an environmental policy in an area currently meeting and/or exceeding national standards. Implementation of policy to correct levels can be quickly instituted when it is proved by valid data that the area is exceeding the national or agreed upon local level limit. I hope you stand by the principles to defend the poor and the elderly and stand against an unneeded fee in this current economic climate. thank you, Neil Chikazawa 1604 14th avenue Greeley, Colorado 80631 Registered Independent •'VI C'S- t m t ''gip " 2010 Ozone Data: More Evidence That CDPHE Is Cooking the Books December 12th, 2010 by williamyeatman Categories: Archive, CDPHF, HB 1365 One Response Twice I've provided evidence that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Energy (CDPHE) has inflated projections of ozone ambient air concentrations (see here and here). Those were critiques of ozone projections. This year is the first year that we have a data set against which to judge the accuracy of CDPHE ozone modeling during the New Energy Economy era. Unfortunately for Coloradans, the results are even worse than I'd feared. See for yourself: 2010 Ozone Air Concentrations: CDPHE vs. Reality CDPHE Actual Projections Projections Monitoring Station (Ozone ppb) (Ozone ppb) Highland 77.3 75 S. Boulder Creek 80.7 72 Chatfield State Park 83.4 79 Arvada 79.1 75 Welch 75 72 Rocky Flats North 84.9 76 NREL 82.2 74 Fort Collins West 84.8 75 Greely-Weld Tower 77.5 73 It's difficult to overstate the magnitude of these exaggerations, which range from 2ppb to almost 10 ppb. For comparison, consider that the PUC last week authorized $1.3+ billion worth of ozone pollution controls that are projected to reduce ozone air concentrations less than 1 ppb by 2020. This is what happens when civil service agencies become politicized. Colorado's supposedly worsening ozone status was a major impetus for the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act, which, in turn, was the centerpiece of Governor Bill Ritter's political agenda—namely, to advance the climate change mitigation goals as part of his New Energy Economy. William Yeatman is an energy policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. 1. Lana Csizmadi says: December 13. 2010 at 9:00 pm Mr. Yeatman, I live in Greeley, Colorado, Weld County. For years I have used the weather channel to find what the forecast for Greeley is and I have noticed over the last year or more that the ozone level for this area has been GOOD. Yes, I am enraged that emission testing is starting here. Many Weld county residents cannot afford to buy new cars or to spend $700 required to bring their older cars up to new car standards. Our local representative, Jim Reisberg, was cold as a fish when I asked him about being in favor of it at one of the debates he had with Bob Boswell. Reiserg is suppose to represent a few people here in Greeley, but he's for bigger money in Denver. Its outrageous! I had felt Mr. Boswell would win the election. Afterwards when I asked him what went wrong he told me he couldn't fight Reisberg's $400,000 war-chest. Where were the Republican's and the right when Mr. Boswell needed them? The Democrat's are so dug-in and entrenched with their 527's and George Soros money it will take an exterminator to be rid of them. Or worse, the collapse of Democracy altogether. I would also like to predict that you will see many in this area fraudulently violating this new law while many of us that follow the rules, buy insurance and the rest, pay as usual. The left will win if they are allowed to bleed the public dry with taxation, regulation, and fees. ' Can CDPHE Be Trusted To Measure Ozone? November 23rd, 2010 by williamyeatman Categories: Archive, CDPHF, HB 1365 No Responses Earlier this month, I asked whether CDPHE (a.k.a., "the Department") is cooking the hooks on Colorado ozone. In particular, it struck me as suspicious that the Department used data from 2006, an anomalously active wildfire season, as inputs for models used to project ambient air concentrations of ozone through 2020. You can read all about it here, but in a nutshell, wildfires inflate ozone, so the CDPHE's use of the second-most active wildfire season on record as a constant in an ozone model is inappropriate...unless, of course, it was trying to exaggerate the threat of a federal crackdown on air quality in order to, say, lass legislation that mandates fuel switching, like HB 1365. Remember, the Denver-area's non-attainment for federal ozone regulations was a major reason put forth by the Ritter administration in support of Clean Air Clean Jobs Act. **Here's the Wikipedia entry on ozone; for this post, all you need to know is that nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a primary precursor for the creation of ozone In the two weeks since I wrote that post, I've become even more suspicious of the CDPHE's ozone practices. Here's why. On page 1-4 of the "7015 and 2020 Ozone Projections for the Denver Area," ENVIRON (the modeling company) explains that input data for NOx emissions was provided by the Department. On page 2-24, EVIRON states that NOx emissions from point sources were projected to increase 23% by 2015 and 46% by 2020. So CDPHE told the modelers that NOx was expected to increase in Colorado. But that's not what the Department suggested eighteen months ago. Take a look at pages 5 and 6 of this February Dower point presentation by the Air Pollution Control Division (which is part of CDPHE), titled, "Colorado NOx Evaluation for Regional Haze and Ozone." In it, the Division estimates that point source NOx emissions will decrease by almost 15,000 tons per year over the next decade, due to pending regulations. That's about 150/0 of current NOx annual emissions from point sources in Colorado (118,000 tons per year). Given these projected decreases in NOx emissions, it's not readily identifiable why the Department would tell the ozone modeling company that NOx emissions will increase by 46% through 2020. Where are all these big NOx emitters coming from? Indeed, CDPHE has since conceded that its NOx inputs were way off base. On May 7, 2010, CDPHE's Mike Silverstein gave a power point presentation titled "Air Quality Modeling Overview and Preliminary Ozone SIP Modeling Results" to the Regional Air Quality Council. On Page 19 of the ppt, Mr. Silverstein described the 2010 modeling "improvements."Among them was "assumed more realistic growth in major NOx sources." By the CDPHE's own admission, then, it exaggerated the NOx. The results of the "more realistic" NOx inputs were very significant (compare pages 21 and 15 to see the difference made by the NOx exaggeration): Ozone concentrations decreased by almost 5 parts per billion (almost seven percent). For comparison, consider that HB 1365 would only decrease ozone concentrations by less than one part per billion. That is, CDPHE's NOx exaggerations impacted projected ozone concentrations more than 5 times more than the Clean Air Clean Jobs Act!!! (To see the impact on ozone of HB 1365, see page 5 of this presentation by Paul Tourangeau, director of the Air Pollution Control Division). Remember, we still don't know the significance of the ozone overestimations that I detailed in my first post! William Yeatman is an energy policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute s c Is CDPHE Cooking the Books on Colorado Ozone? [Update] November 10th, 2010 by williamyeatman Categories: Archive, CDPHF, NB 1365 No Responses Is the Department of Public Health and Environment cooking the books on Colorado ozone? Without explanation, CDPHE plugged 2006 meteorological data into the models it used to project ambient air concentrations of ozone. That's suspicious, because 2006 just so happens to be the second worst year of Colorado wildfires on record. According to the 2015 and 2020 Ozone Projections for the Denver Area (p1-4), "For the 2015 and 2020 modeling, both biogenic and fire emissions were held constant at 2006 levels, and were the same as what was used for Denver ozone state implementation plan 2006 and 2010 modeling." Yet the report doesn't note that 2006 was an anomalous year for wildfires. I wonder why not? It's certainly germane, because the scientific literature demonstrates that more wildfires mean more ozone and more ozone precursors. To be clear: I don't know how (or even whether) using the 2006 input data impacts modeled ozone projections. And I will likely never find out. CDPHE paid for the modeling by a private environmental consulting firm (ENVIRON), for which the model is proprietary. That is, ENVIRON can keep it secret, even though the model was paid for with taxpayer money. Today I'm sending an email to the lead author of the models, ENVIRON's Ralph Morris, asking about the implications of using the 2006 data. I will update this post if he responds. In any case, I find it remarkable that the report doesn't even mention that wildfires were especially bad in the year that was chosen to be an input into the ozone model. This could be a big deal. The Clean Air Clean Jobs Act (HB 1365), legislation that incents Xcel to switch from coal to natural gas, was sold by the Ritter administration as a necessary evil in order to avoid Big Brother. The first paragraph of the law states that purpose of the legislation is to meet "reasonably foreseeable" federal air quality regulations. As is explained here, the threat of pending federal regulation was grossly overplayed by the Ritter administration in order to lend impetus to the bill. Now I am starting to suspect that I underestimated the lengths that the Ritter administration went to promote fuel switching. A federal crackdown on ozone was essential to the Governor's case for HB 1365. Yet this warning was predicated on CDPHE's models that may have been unduly biased by the use of input data from an anomalously fiery year. Stay tuned.... [Update--Below is the email correspondence between Ralph Morris, the lead modeler, and me. To his credit, he responded very quickly and politely, even though it has been months since he worked on the modeling. He allows that using the 2006 input data is "conservative" in that it tends to overestimate the ozone data, and also that ozone could be lower than the projections if wildfires in future years are not as great, although it remains unknown by what magnitude.] From: William Yeatman Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 11:41 AM To: Ralph Morris Greetings, I have a question re: "2015 and 2020 Ozone Projections for the Denver Area." Given that 2006 was the second worst year of wildfires in Colorado history, are 2010, 2015, and 2020 projections of ozone affected by the fact that fire and biogenic emissions were held steady at 2006 levels? Would it make a significant difference if they were held steady at 2005 levels, a less anomalous year for wildfires? Best, William From: Ralph Morris Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 2:55 PM � , To: William Yeatman From what I remember, the high ozone concentration episodes in the Denver area during June-July 2006 were not that affected by wildfires so we don't think they played a big role. This is in contrast to the 2002 modeling we did for the EAC SIP where there were some episode days with wildfire influences. Even if wildfires did have an influence by holding them constant we are being conservative in the attainment demonstration modeling. Ralph From: William Yeatman Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 12:10 PM To: Ralph Morris Greetings Ralph, Thanks for responding so soon. Would you be willing to briefly explain why holding them constant at 2006 levels would be conservative. It seems to me that if you hold those inputs (ozone, NOx, and VOC emissions attributable to wildfires/biogenic) constant at a year in which they were higher than normal, they would inflate the projections. Is that wrong? Again, thanks for taking the time to respond. Best, William From: Ralph Morris Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 3:38 PM To: William Yeatman William, By "conservative" here I mean tending toward overestimating ozone levels in 2010. In this context we are talking about the 2010 attainment demonstration modeling in the 2008 Denver ozone SIP where the modeling demonstrated that Denver would achieve the 1997 ozone NAAQS (0.08 ppm) in 2010. If wildfires in the future are lower than they were in 2006 then ozone could be lower, but still demonstrated attainment. Hope that explains what I meant. Ralph Colorado's Clean Air Clean Jobs Act Will Accomplish Neither October 27th, 2010 by jlongo Categories: Archive No Responses by Amy Oliver Cooke and William Yeatman The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Xcel Energy, and Governor Bill Ritter colluded to fast track the misnamed Clean Air Clean Jobs Act (HB 1365), which effectively mandates coal-fired power plants to switch to natural gas. The trio essentially duped lawmakers into hasty passage of this bill. They warned legislators that the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would crack down on Colorado coal power with the Clean Air Act. But that was really a bogeyman meant to frighten lawmakers. While it is true that President Barack Obama's EPA is hostile to coal-generated energy, the governor and the PUC grossly exaggerated the regulatory threat in order to advance their agenda, and Xcel went along with the ruse. After rushing the bill's passage under false pretenses, the trio rushed its implementation to avoid consideration of less costly alternatives that easily could meet the EPA's Clean Air Act guidelines. Xcel makes a nice profit, while Governor Ritter and the PUC satisfy their anti-coal agenda, and ratepayers pay the price. o o to 41 . . Uj 1 A -o 0 a LLI o, .-I O O 0 H ^C C 00it n cp C �° `� � N C14 L. bA 4 ° C L" .� t-iis°'. CD C> > PO CC y "O C = a t i C? a o N `o N 77) ch 0 0 -c0 O N o ' 4 -is ad O by •� 0 3 ' 3 N a' 0ti © - O O ct cn J) ..4 ) yE NO i.:::, 0 N •�E C CCj W E 8 ' N � o C� © Ha" 8 �, ‘" la k .- N ile C w .C C E o at D -t la ' t C 44 .7tC' ct Ct 0 O z~ >' .^" ICI �. el p •I Oa o o C 3 8 E .� t z CD C H C t H TS Ca t t __ E U - 0 Lr, •O '•Y� M o 0 4© et Ca tit a' c O O >, U N N C e, -c U U u C to .-C . ue O O `n 5.C) 0 C =H 3 w w C7 d ct P� Even your tires can fail this emissions test I Face the State FACE = STkTE ,\� �. � .� \� \. \\ \•;�-'- \ \ \.\\�� ,��\�\ a�� .��, \ About FTS Archive Topics Even your tires can fail this emissions ARCHIVES ONLY test Face The State ceased publication in February. 2011 Enjoy our online archive. Meanwhile, a bill is pending to push the controversial program out of Larimer, Weld counties January 31.2011 NCR L iy q By Greg Campbell.Face The State Commuters in northern Colorado who are still smarting over the need to have their • D •. vehicles'emissions tested have more to worry about than whether their old clunker can ; meet state air-quality standards.They also have to worry about whether their cars will even fit Among America's on the machinery used to test them. "best political blogs" Vehicles with oversized or low-profile tires -"The Fix."WashingtonPost.com —in other words. many off-road SUVs and customized sports cars—must swap ;, v ''k?INC'; •,‘\A: i",`T�.' out their wheels and tires, at owner expense, before they can get tested. VEHICLE EMISSION'S "I don't understand why that should have TESTING STATION to be our problem."said Doug Curtis.a A.,„ Fort Collins resident who raised a stink with elected officials in northern Colorado after his son was turned away at the Air Care Colorado facility in Fort Collins because his car wouldn't fit on the testing equipment He drives a Chrysler 300. Faered loather in nonnern:;o!oraao purchased brand new from the dealer with low-profile wheels. `They said'You've got to go buy a set of tires and rims. put them on the vehicle and come on over and do your test Curtis said."To me,that is just absolutely asinine." Envirotest spokeswoman Renee Allen said that testing centers simply can't accommodate vehicles with tires larger than 32 inches and smaller than 17 inches. "Almost always. those are aftermarket tires,"she said. In those instances. its up to the vehicle owner to replace the tires to get the test. The only exception is for vehicles whose stock tires are too big. 'There are a few instances where there are stock tires that are too large or too big and then we send them to the state of Colorado Technical Center and they'll allow us to do a tailpipe test on those vehicles,"Allen said. "However, if those tires were purchased aftermarket and put on the vehicle aftermarket,then(state health department regulations governing the emissions program) generally do not allow"for a tailpipe test. Curtis's son spent$600 on tires and rims just so he could get his$25 emissions test. He was able to sell the tires back for 5525,essentially renting them for$75. 'I think that's kind of indicative of the result of rushing to get this into place."said Rep. Glenn Vaad. R-Mead who has introduced a bill to remove Larimer and Weld counties from the emissions program. which began in November. Ostensibly, the program is intended to reduce ozone levels in the area,but Vaad points out that the counties are not only meeting the current air quality standards—and has for the past three years—but also stricter standards to be adopted in 2014. �� 1} Indeed. Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway,who's long been a critic of the emissions -"° '+ o program as a "feel-good revenue enhancer"for the state,says that only two monitoring stations "' /c Try t http://facethestate.com/by-the-way/20148-even-your-tires-can-fail-emissions-test[3/10/2011 12:21:23 PM) • Even your tires can fail this emissions test I Face the State in the entire state exceeded air quality standards for ozone in 2010. and neither was in Northern Colorado. "You can't even measure,according to the Colorado Department of Health, the impact on air quality(from the program),"he said.'It is not even having a measurable impact on air quality on the Front Range." Conway said he's received dozens of complaints about the testing program, including about the restrictions on tire size. Of greater concern to him are poor and elderly motorists who are more likely to have cars that would fail the test and who can't afford to repair them. "I've heard from senior citizens who literally are going to have to give up their cars. and thus their independence" because they can't afford the repairs required to pass the test. he said. Both Vaad and Conway said the bill is garnering bipartisan support beyond just northern Colorado. It's scheduled to be heard Thursday in the Health and Environment Committee,where they're hopeful it will be passed on to the full House. "I don't know how the health department is going to continue to justify the residents of Weld County being in this program.'Conway said. "We all know this program was rushed through at the end of the Ritter administration, and now the consequences are coming home to roost." Contact the author at gregi facethestate.com or 720-279-9870 x 107 .;.%\N a NAVIGATION RSS FEEDS opyright 2010 Capitol Media Group-AU Rights Reserved )D 1 http://facethestate.com/by-the-way/20148-even-your-tires-can-fail-emissions-test[3/10/2011 12:21:23 PM] r x,. ..emssm; - amilimatiVar-r— -, . '; •, -, . •• . r. u• ....,•,„,„ .•.„ .., • 1 S,'''' F.A4�'� '4,6' 6` t; /�i.,o'�. � _.� »• / ,•,.k(,:alt-,,,--!' om,, +'x* 2 it .r.n.. �".{Tr�," 'I.Y 'A, t �M,�3r&,F'1 3•"� b' ,�'� [ _ t } ` � Er i-.`".a`•°�'`it+ to'° J bFf i E3\ i• ..., /F I�. .. Il ,..,-.. - s y- :£ f t r 3 � st 'alto l } ,Yr' ('f „i-• _ , ,�.s-.^ ^. J�.— s ci .. • • `` s4P-. 1 - ®. r. _...f f .•yyam��,, _ t • (` 1 , , . : .‘,. '` , fig 7"? . = z _i i _ ... . .. 1 i tit, ..I:L . , .. ,...:...... ,...,•,,,, . a:11 411 liMi . • / ill= , ,IV..._ ' i VIIII,[ r �y� ( 4( e ,.) -- • p vr,k A. A Y r, C rE } i r : 1 • i li, .„.?....t,:.�'..y E +6' ,..,010.?.', „, ,>+. `fl.• ,{ ., } • .'� "� ;c if,' f. .. J''/* ,.r, r r l f•! '.?4 fi10 h5,�3de,.' l't - hK j �;‘Y<:-7,'t ..rir 5%1 �� X .:ire • j • ,..„ ,q'4.15-z,. 'A .•� r ins /y r� (� ,�..' ?. .-..$art.,�� .. 'y/�' ,b` �' , -. % j `� !\r .. _ m,,,,rr is ._ < '1=,.,; " -+-.• " t sa.+r \ �' d ,.1..3.{.' '__ _ r, '�°"- - ' '.r^`t f,' .IA. C�- wa r' u:. /fi { .if r \ r3+ `+� _ s �, 64� �_,: y �� •• 1 • :f # yr, ` 'ai...`%a «fd J s� �`>a ,, /y ,..' `:,fir-` .:-.,. "NAT', t.'"'''.. ili,111..*S} �{+' 0. r(If'4.'t� Fes,�,:, r - s — ' " t ® ..�� liNni =1 ',:iii°1,....,-:„.„,,,,zfl#_ :!.4.:151. ,. ' —' . ' A,,,,t 1/4 , I: l'i , -f.,,:g,,,:::-' 1:: : ''..;;:f.,,7171:''''• '%,7...4:N;:': . 1 :ii c4 ..: t:.: .. . - ,,,,,,,i, ,,, .. .,., , ,,.. it. a "'' ' • illirlial ' :-. .111 , i;'.4.:- '..,--..4, ' , _. �• • # �' t � t / ;A t • c E I H Y >L , y j'`F`' r 1.0 I C+..J fi V 4.f}• 3C ►L.! is, ,l7`. K R 19 i.;:l • V nil i:. t 1'`- . \ I- IS) i f) • lit f -a +-► is�O i IS) i(j M R i%J i,TI I:1.1 la .. ..} � ► I I i.y I l.1 i` i Lit �_ . .L" i- i+"_) w--( ��;, Ill cu U; i::0.-_› err:, r< r .���ts) .�t i,j j t Oj ' --- i .1 �c at r _ H i'„3,i a_ I-__ co .i : ts) \ i �t! T• '.•. • _I •. •��. E`er tdrt.4_ { -t-I ,%. I _ 'Si(`yi r-- - -1.1- ID ._> :7'. N.l;6 1-_-- i_.li > t� ij( t . i r`:1+r:a ill i`si7 CO1. : ►. .;a 'a. :ii Ili nt i [1.. E..) cc ._"I ; .i .I u CO � V (`3!Z is)-1. (..0 E_j j (3I--- IL E-.-- :2:. 0IL.. . .� IA .:r ,- (11 OCP cc� ►c.. ,.. rf3"---.. iz-r r.._.rr.. rt .t 'r. t • t .'r .-s . r-r rr 'v .-_ •-a s _r . . • LA..+.r tia t.u 'IA- •....1P , L.`. I . •.&. I..►.. ... -- _ LA COw is O IlJ CO -_-> > !:!w C...) 'm a. f1 T iwri n_ i. I: 4,t C at c O .C t,_..,turia. ,..tiorti,..ch,,,,,Lv..,,-- -v.-:.4.4:,',Ipprp,"....6..,." 'Ntierr-iiiiikalpi 4;., , fimonw • �" sr $fig �rQ'. � r•�'►h. .,- * / - v +'. ' P - ,...._1.. k Straiit*-• 4"4:0,4*.-.4,',/ `ilk Of 4.f :r.:—t, X41/ '. �.•„., —44.y!� �` ..'_F? - �. s :. //Y � �' _yeµ .► t` ,i,,ik G.... a ', I r �'' ', O .. 4 �I 1 �' fi mod.. .>916P.•;+'' ' y �, {. -:5.--, -,4 , .�,9 l f yY :‘,'—?..!..1". .,7:"'" ' ,.. #ij, -p ,�',.,:41 , -^ak "rt ?' � P+ 1 ( :] • ,e -.`�: "t --,t .� �. ~'.�$�14�kNI -r.fib r .rff�,,,,,4^ `rr ,. '') < 'L' i � ZJ �I.— it 4 '''.. IIM C L 1 II I 4/,, 1 . (ill) ° ',, , , • 4.• ‘.,/ ifi - =L.. .,,,.. , ,,,,,,.., ,, . . , , ,.v..-.._ ._ . , 4,ts, t . IZ, ,‘„, ,y4 t, 4, [•,• \ ,',i, , 1 • "Frye f i IF I', �ylt Y,f Ar+.flilY t ,,�y, y i r'l'rv • — ' ail. r 1 k • .. r.t .. .., strsr 7 .° jr a • # l''. c• Tay y ' t 'y �Yy� � ~ r . til /Yk v f V is t 71F-1: . , • I . >f'i , '.e+ rig d '- r , Tr�.ufY �I 'i f '• • <S« key f: r F = 53 .} b • N . - 1 j , . w + 4 Y '�u.ax ti . • ..sE„. : j • r., u 3 nsm4k 1 : sr',1'. t. I+ w, , 1 i y' r , 1 \ YM: ;... rig Page 12 • creele) jazette • March 4, 2010 Seniors endure hardships while Congress votes themselves a $5,000 pay raise - realize the American dre un ` _ 5 for some and is' Totally truer ' °'^ z - 4 tamable for many. '".*ti • 1 'i, ". � a« " G plainly show the truth $113 a fys "'* r " s i6 S0IJNL gallon price increas I"ere m one y a a y • .11 f•✓ :::„:„,;(":",,,,,,,,,S); year. B you have a 15 gallon Uk y f <,:....1:,,.,c.:.,7,76-,::.f. STATE. • C$f ;x ur+ ° ' gas' tank and fill it up once a a ""1(' .f '' +•'� I - week, you are spending R '^t, • "'1 WOE SAHA$ y ; S67.80 a month more than you • .,4. ' a F i•`•X,:::, ,,2 1( did a year ago. If you have ■� eF ° y' , "h � r�: two cues,double that ��j !V i i � J+ These photos are examples �f q of our government's failure to d J �� - .R• w ,{A protect us from Wall Street t ; 4,0,,,„,.,-.. u ,1t I y speculators and oil companies 4yq, _ "d c- '4.'1'ii ++*- { ,� who are getting rich and lining SF s 7w x""-,m rye (>•9 ' ¢- - a �'d"." -* AGENT - yy Their p •ockets at the expense of "ti t - ..� .•-M , T r the American public. Demand ,$, ' .'ME-:„..,*,.„,4,,,,z ,(t,"R" z` us.." 3,{-, t `f for gasoline is going down but as- g rx , , -- ,,, -44. 2^;r-r-r>-'1'-- prices at the pump are going =il It Last year milhotis of • s & Americans lost then jobs ,( �1 'l while Wall Street executives ' I •` +d ^� ✓I Exxon Mobile announced a "q i7� 'may' . - record $45.2 billion dollar Ie '- r Ar•�'�'.f o �•'� ",c+Lw,., ' •y profit for 200R, breaking ns Ms's r r,; Santa Fe,New Mexico 1938,photo courtesy Library of Congress,Photographer Dorthea Lange. own previous record of$40.6 -$ I-^' 1"t"t'yam Sa•-, billion set in 2007. Chevron Jerry Long/The Greeley Gazette By Photosournabst Jerry Long, Urban Wage Earners and fees((axes)that our Colorado reported profits of$4.9 billion U-Pump-It,37th St& 11th Ave.in Evans.Jan.15,2010. for the Greeley Gazette Clerical Workers (CPI-W), State Legislature imposed on for the fourth quarter as well. dependence on foreign oil. prices to reflect the upward from the third quarter of the all of the drivers in Colorado. The United States today has Now, former Colorado price speculation and did so With the passage of the$787 last year to the corresponding In fact,there is evidence that a more oil reserves than all of Senator turned Interior with gusto. Thus, millions of billion stimulus bill by period of the current year. whole lot of trucking compa- the Middle East countries Secretary Ken Salazar is for- consumer dollars were divert- Congress at the beginning of This year there was no nies simply registered their combined, with the discovery mutating new laws which will ed to gas bills instead of other last year, all Social Security increase in the CPI-W front trucks in another state to avoid of the Bakken formation in the further restrict oil and gas obligations.That lit the fuse of recipients received a check for the third quarter of 2008 to the the fees. Williston basin located in development in the United the recession." $250. Meanwhile Congress third quarter of 2009:' In response to last year's$4 parts of North Dakota, States. Why is it that our own Do you remember the1973 voted themselves a $5,000 a I strongly disagree with their a gallon gas prices, I did a Montana and western South government does not seem to Arab oil embargo that caused year pay raise. Subsequently, analysis. My photographic photographic study of the Dakota. have any common sense? long lines at the gas stations? there will be no COLA proof provided on this page price at the U-Pump-It gas sta- The U.S.Geological Service Quoting from a "position People wanted to get gas for increase for seniors on Social shows otherwise. tion here in Evans. To put this issued a report in April 2008 paper" obtained from the their cars so badly that they Security. If ever there was a Additionally, they fail to in perspective,I found a 1938 that only scientists and oil Independent Petroleum started pumping it themselves. case where government gives take into account the rising photo of an old gas station in men knew was coming,but it Association of Mountain This marked the end of"serv- you something with one hand, costs of health care. Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was big! It was a revised States: "Interior Secretary ice" stations as we knew then takes more from you with Personally speaking, my gives a complete breakdown report (hadn't been updated Ken Salazar's proposed them. Almost nowhere in the the other, this is it. It seems wife's and my health care of the gasoline price, plus since 1995)on how much oil changes to the federal onshore country will a gas station that there is a double standard insurance premiums rose $40 taxes. You don't get that was in this area of the western oil and gas program, check your oil,put air in your in this country, one for mem- a month, forcing us to transparency today.The lower two-thirds of North Dakota, announced in early January, tires, or wash your windows tiers of congress. and another increase our yearly deductible left photo was taken January western South Dakota, and create a additional layers of anymore. for hard-working seniors who from$1000 to$2,500. Also, 4,2009 and shows each gallon extreme eastern Montana. and tape and ignore the energy Congress has had their head have helped make this country food and utility costs continue of gas cost $1.29. The upper The Bakken is the largest policy act of 2005, which in the sand now for 37 years. great. to go up.While we attempt to right photo,taken January I5, domestic oil discovery since passed Congress with biparti- What is it going to take for According to the Social conserve by using less, the 2010, reveals gasoline at Alaska's Prudhoe Bay and has san support, including then them to actually do something Security website: "By Law, utility companies keep raising $2.42 a gallon. For a histori- the potential to eliminate all Senators Barack Obama and about it? We have had noth- Social Security and their rates so that their rev- cal listing of gas prices from American dependence on for- Ken Salazar". ing but broken promises from Supplemental Security enue doesn't fall. So we are 1919 to 2004 go to eign oil. Why is it that the State of several presidents who said Income Benefits Increase now paying more for less. I http://www Leere.energy,gov/ Hidden 1,000 feet beneath Colorado, with a population they were going to fix the Automatically Each Year If am sure that the Social vehiclesandfuels/facts/2005/f the surface of the Rocky of 4.75 million people, problem but never did. It.s There Is an Increase in the Security method of determin- cvt_fotw364.html. Mountains lies the largest according to the 2006 census, time to hold Congress Bureau of Labor Statistics' ing the COLA failed to take Some examples of how untapped oil reserve in the only has ONE oil refinery'? accountable for their inac- Consumer Price Index for into account the additional prices are directly affected by world.It consists of more than Wyoming has a population of tions. I would suggest mem- increasing oil prices are:ham- two trillion barrels.On August 515,000 people but has FIVE bers of Congress work for$I N, burger meat from 30 cents a 8, 2(1(15 President Bush man- oil refineries. This does not au year like the auto company pound to around $3 dollars a dated its extraction. In 3-1/2 make any sense at all. The executives have pledged to pound now. A loaf of bread years of high oil prices none real problem is the environ- do. r� could be purchased for 10 has been extracted. With this mental laws that unduly Congress only does two ly i is fs'/ .-0:( cents around 1960:today it is mother lode of oil,why are we restrict the new construction things extremely well. it Ate, over$2. A Pontiac Grand Prix still fighting over offshore of oil refineries. The single NOTHING and OVER- S° `s,' with a V8 engine could be drilling? We have more oil biggest obstacle to getting any REACTING. It would seem g g ag purchased for$5,000 in 1977. inside our borders than all projects started is the two year the only thing they are truly r ��.� Today the price of an "aver- other proven reserves on waiting period required by an interested in, front the age"car is around$30,000. Is earth. The official estimates outdated NEPA law enacted moment they take office, is s rat it any wonder the car compa- are that we have 8 times as by Congress in December. getting re-elected and catering is p c, nies are having trouble? much oil as Saudi Arabia, IX 1969 and signed into law by to special interest groups who iDstki:. . 4 I personally was against the times as much oil as Iraq, 21 President Nixon on January I, can help in that regard. i a General Motors and Chrysler times as much oil as Kuwait. 1970.This law requires a two With 46,000 registered lob- 'ri g 'v - bailouts. I tried to be patriotic 22 times as much oil as Iron, year environmental impact byists in Washington D.C., „,..,,,:wt,... 4,;' E ,,,,m,.../7„..,' & and bought three GM cars in a and 500 times as much oil as study to be completed before which works out to 86 lobby- a` 8 l"- sx' ".t,� ? ^,' row. All of them turned out to Yemen, all right here in the anything can be done. Isn't it ists for every single person in ,u. """ssss"' be absolute lemons because of Western United States. Why about time to get rid of this 40 congress. Is it any wonder '"'� I ^I .�-, U � r' � poor electrical and mechanical are we not extracting this right year old law? why"Ws.the People"have so •Q,S,r ' r ' .O jc(,t'- design,as well as manufacnir- now? On January 8, 2009 then much difficulty getting our eb H# ing problems. I personally The answer is because the President-elect Obama gave a voices heard? With the rising 1' t F' LE called Senators Bennet and environmentalists and our speech in Fairfax, Virginia popularity of the Ica parry and is 74, a I 1 Udall offices in Washington own government are blocking wherein he stated he was 9.12 movements, Congress is ph I s 't �, �,� D.C. pleading with them not all efforts to help America going to double this country's finally starting to be held 4 5{ , t �l to vote to bail out GM, but become independent of for- investment into alternative accountable for their actions. . yxs n ,.•..u. they voted for the bailout any- eign oil. According to T. and renewable energy projects The recent elections in Boone Pickens, we imported over the next three years. Virginia, Massachusetts and =--t t.— D_e�1'=-- ,es ;:,- Oil price increases have also 4.35 billion barrels of oil in Under the current law it will New Jersey have shown that ■fl[9 caused the cost of homes to go 2009 at a cost of over half a take two years before any the people are fed up with the 11 up by increasing building million dollars per minute. action even begins. This has status quo. Members of S 1 material and labor costs. In That's another$265 BILLION to change NOW!!! This coon- Congress, hear us! We The / ./ lwrW"ate „ „ -• 1972, I purchased my first siphoned out of America's try cannot afford to wait three People are watching you,and Jerry Long/The Greeley Gazette .e.' Jerry for $26,500, less than struggling economy, and we more years for action. we will hold you accountable U-Pump-It,37th St& 11th Ave.in Evans.on Jan.4,2009. the average cost of a car today still haven't adopted a real By the way.if he was going for your actions and inactions. It is increasingly difficult to energy plan to reduce our to double the investment in You were elected to represent 9� •`; - alternative energy, why is us;if you don't listen,we have i 'ca Vestas having a slowdown and the power to vote you out and y r �f� furloughing its employees due we will. {e7 f $a, -� - to lack of sales? Wind turbine If you are a senior citizen Y1 ;e, • It, � t,- _ , am, blades are silting unused all colleting Social Security and • .,", sry +* "- r_._ over the field next to their far.- are upset that Congress voted { * r h • tory in Windsor themselves a$5,000 year pay 1� t.t m S T Quoting Bill O'Reilly; "The raise, while expecting you to ! yi 'h dramatic rise in oil prices last do more with less, I would ..n .� AF" I iii ,n , c. °' spring was artificially driven urge you to call them at the ,ms's- h by greedy speculators, some numbers listed to the left. Tell I [ 1p5 of whom worked out of some then to tighten their belts as C.$111:419 I \-'•04.',Sy 'r{ ,. brokerage houses like Morgan they are forcing us to do. Representative Betsy Senator Michael Rennet, Senator Mark Udall, Secretary of the Interior, Stanley and Goldman Sachs. Editor's note:The opinions Markey, Washington D.C. Washington D.C.(202)224- Washington D.C.(202)224- Ken Salazar, Washington The oil company chieftains in this article are not neces- rAn1 9Ye.a676 Greelpv CCe9 no,..,". rinis see G94 Greeley (97n1 i56- Dr_(2021 205-31011 quickly realized they could sarity that of The Gazette or March 25, 2010 • creele* azette • Page 5 Democrats excited over Health Care law hundreds, sometimes thou- The tax increase will not sands of dollars. This causes impact people unless they By Vanessa Dominguez, excited. The bill, now tumed cuts.Perez confirmed this,but wishes for treatment in case a those who do have medical make $200,000 a year or for The Greeley Gazette law,has created confusion for clarified, the cuts will not be situation arises.This will save insurance to have increased more.There will also be help many, confusion that Perez from cutting benefits, they their family members form premiums and increased fees available for families who Joe Perez,the Weld County was happy to clarify. will he from reducing and pain and confusion, for everyone.When these pen- make $80,000 or less to pur- Democratic Chairman said, The impact of the hill will eliminating fraud, abuse, and Uninsured people are the pie have health insurance, it chase affordable health cover- "We are one of the wealthiest be felt for years to come,just unnecessary duplication of same as insured, when they could replace the emergency age. countries in the world,one of like social security- you may tests.There will he an oppor- get sick they require medical department visits with a visit President Ohama promised the most generous, we are all pay in a little now and see the tunity for seniors to discuss care. Many times the only to their primary care physi- change, this is one example. Americans" rewards in the future their final wishes with their option for medical care of the cian, potentially saving hun- Some view it as negative,oth- The historic vote has passed It has been said there will be physicians and come up with a uninsured is the local emer- dreds or thousands of dollars ers positive. leaving some angry and some a $500 billion in Medicare living will that includes their gency department, costing with one visit. Colorado air quality commissioner's unanimous vote for emissions testing in Weld and Larimer counties flawed by corruption _;. - "� , , /..„.,„...,�.,•, is ,_ r>v" +, q • . ir —a PEW , • - - =� T, Vie. �: ` • .i' i` . Sen. Kevin Lundberg Sen. Scott Renfroe Maria Secrest Sheriff John Cooke Don Feldhaus Steve Moreno For the Greeley Gazette, data on ammonia or VOC lotion achieved. for an emissions test actually da"> 34.4,3344"404V3-1111 by photojournalist Jerry long emissions on dairies. There Air Quality Commission ran into his toolbox because ofs e re$ `d„ 334 are a lot of regulations on Chairman Barbara Roberts poor brakes. I don't know ?<dk,„, +r On March 18,2010 a public these things by the seat of the said all commissioners ho- about you, but I certainly 4111', 's, „413.3•418133:1- ,4 hearing, attended by 200 to pants without any substantial tened carefully to each testi- would feel more secure know °1" w 250 people, was held by research to hack it up," said ninny, however, yawns, fidg- ing the car following me has '}{{ I k - Colorado Air Quality Slutsky. ding and cell phone activity good brakes,whether passes 'k- Commissioners at Island Unfortunately, this appears was observed from the audi- the emission test or not. "$"i, ya'ill Grove Regional Park. to be an example of corruption ence. Commissioners Robert - 4 �.' Four Weld County in Colorado state government. Amott and Radford Byerly Editor's note:The opinions s. Commissioners,two Colorado Weld County Sheriff John were overheard saying to each in this article are not neces- . ,. - , 3s: State Senators and other elect- Cooke testified before the other, "We might as well go sarily that of The Gazette or Doug Lawson Commissioner ed officials testified,as well as commission that this was a ahead and do what we want to it's management Jon Slutsky 24 citizens (pictured lower bad law and that he would not do because these people , right) who represented them- direct his deputies to enforce already think we're incompe _ '"� { r _SE 34,43 I 0 .. selves or their businesses. it.Skip Carlson described the tent and corrupt." " . 8,(4.3X0113.*',";',.ino'"4 :' ' s Weld County Attorney plight of'Evelyn,'one of his Greeley 9.12 leader Brian i - -• - Bruce Barker had filed at, i r _ r¢tiy insurance clients who is a 74 Button handed the comma J" y .t tw. Motion for Continuance to year old senior citizen on a sinners a written document fr f have the hearing delayed stat- fixed income having the showing how areas in Denver, a ''s 4.• '-- y" ing that insufficient notice amount she had to pay for her Boulder and NREL are the :-..141,1'481151-41, y 4 - was given. The Air Quality license plates double,and now worst offenders, while Weld 1111,, a s _ a;- - Commissioners stated that can't afford another fee put on County met or exceed the .1„"`"this motion was frivolous her by the state. Skip stated specifications by the EPA. He ,r 181 a-,d 't a_ poorly argued, and untimely: "God put it in my bean to give told them to look in their own � im therefore it was denied. The her $35 to go get her plates. backyard and solve their own - order was signed by I'm telling you she can't pay problems instead of asking us Commissioner Jon Slutsky. another$25 to have that 1987 to pay for their pollution.The y . It should be noted that Buick inspected. So which commissioners were observed a" — .� Commissioner Slutsky owns one of you here are going to passing the document to an '. -sa- _ - .. ., -• La Luna Dairy Farm in step up and give her the$25 to assistant without looking at it. _ s - r Wellington,a part of the orig- do that" In addition to the Weld County Commissioners and County Attorney testifying at the Air quality hearing. inal emissions testing area. Of the 24 people who testi- Commission being unwilling Left to right are:Barbara Kirkmeyer,Sean Conway,County Attorney Bruce Barker,and His dairy farm has since been fled before the commission- to hear the Motion fur Doug Rademacher. excluded. I detect an odor ers, 20 were completely Continuance, they only • here and it isn't the cows. against adopting emissions allowed 15 minutes of testi- .,•y-r-=T Could there be a huge conflict testing.Four testified in favor, mony,not the hour requested. 4111.48`11:)“'"" ' of interest? It would appear one being the owner of an This is in stark contrast to the Y� i Slutsky might have received auto repair business who 45 minutes given the support- F `-� special treatment when the would stand to gain financial- ers of emissions testing. How 1 - .)4 q lines were drawn showing ly if testing were enacted can this possibly be construed ✓ where emission testing would Doug Lawson testified on as a fair and equal hearing? r N ao ¢ and would not be done. We behalf of the Weld County The commission completely _ found this statement on a web- Commissioners. Ile is an air ignored the need for cars to r chel t ' g,-'S mA Skl ails` ('GC2°I! a'R -,, ,y 1 Yr1 C Yj'StIn1 - sirc talking about the emission pollution scientist and said undergo a safety inspection.A '` '`... from his cows:"It s so impor- emissions testing is very mechanic friend of mine relat- '���„ 'ry; tant to continue to have good expensive for the small ed that, in his experience, sjs/.' ,,t � research.There is not a lot of amount of reduction in air pot- there is a lot of fraud that goes -.f - y with the emissions inspection Inside with • process. Mechanics were -'s*• i being paid$50 to pass a fail " Ns N4,. . -- the coffee... i ing vehicle by actually meal �;; � i --- - uring the tailpipe exhaust ,r,,wix s• ' 3,k'. William Victor from another 'clean'car.This ,� � -. V;'ui9 7 6`aa`++ I„ urn.-Ifni-r;v r. z,.,,, .. n t Tim Anabell was done to avoid the cost of "" _needed repairs. Some cars - _l. Snow, Sunshine, Snow Pass the emissions tests, but ' ifs r� . L,, ,: _ have bad brakes or no brakes P =t' , iilimiliiii, Sunshine; at least the at all. My mechanic friend `" @ I .� edescribed how a car comet in _ t —' s coffee is consistent) K --* - • a, ,.1111_ aC "S i,�, O$s, Borb "What can we do about the Weld 6 school money problems?" - s 'x - - 4;Ati sY - me "A Monfort student's mother mentioned some ideas lately." Have a thought? 'Y' , 7, Borb "And what were those?" , '110 t4444},yg- lB'14F.:�i1e 7hnioky .`4:41' , r t yam. Ptl W i- ^0 i. me- 'One was to limit the food arrangement at Weld schools; A concern .. maybe not have so many choices,and fewer meals in general." Confused or simply "` - Borb "WHAT? That would mean parents would have to feed the s s� •elf rt children want to commend * ,; .ar me Um,yeah. t, , " Borb "The parents might not feed the children," a Cr, # ,-C • - 1 "'�, me 'Or maybe they would start person, } -, •Borb-"Nope.won't work The county must provide." organization p"- tt„ r7 - 'iSs time Okay then how about if we cut sports programs and focus on 1. f f education?" or business? F. V •_'x' ' • -N:, 'i Borb WI IAT> Sports are..., life! How could we possibly deny it..� 3^'P Q'kkiiii, 1, Tid;v3t t 10,; i Robert-Y- ,. Lucindnil u children the earnings potential of sport stars?" Exercise your v me "So,how about parents volunteering more often;or grandpar- "Freedom of . An "Si," r •I r"'- ems?" Barb-"Are you mad?Parents have no time for volunteering! Many Speech" t _ B F ' have no idea of what their children are being taught anyway,so how IL y' could they possibly help?" right here! me Well,what about fewer days per week,with more hours per it. rs� day.' Write a letter to the ', ' '•: '+, .' Borb- "You are mad.That would mean parents would have to editor! Please Include -: spend more time taking care of their children." your full name, ultli, t+x 144"1,'' - SS me-"And the problem with that would be._?" address, and daytime .,•• -Mcaani 0 Jimmy Johnson T f'kg 1 ',:it, - . Joy 6F2i$r; \hies •Borb-"Less income for a family on two incomes." phone number. Editor •- -- Itti - _ me-"Or more jobs opening up and higher wages with the fewer job reserves the right to - °' " _ �r d f1i seeken. t accept or reject any/all , . r tr^A Bo l'T q last be better ways.wa's." letters and edit their 4 - content if libelous,or in me dirtheu'em. -N A .•3 r.n^°' , poor taste. Occasional t , $ f�, '�Jvymg more computers and teaching aids.' t '"et.�'3�tpy�g'�i authors will take prece- `r • me "How doe-the ded be'buying'help save money?' 'µ a deuce over those sub- Borb l he value-added added benefit of the purchases exceeds the cost , u muting letters on a reg- 1 ,-:1.,4441c.4„,,,,rs of purchases,thus saying money." .., -ti :jg, • p ' ‘, - s tfk ,,,. ,,, t.3'iy. Hello