Recall

Recall
Replace one sanitation district director and bring in fresh ideas

November 1, 2001

Recalling officials who were elected by the public is not a task to be undertaken lightly, but in this case, the time has come for the Cortez Sanitation District board.

Board members have exhibited a disturbing willingness to dismiss the criticisms of those they were elected to serve. They appeared not to respond to serious and oft-repeated concerns about their policies until the Denver Post held up our entire community to ridicule. The board has demonstrated an inability or unwillingness — both serious flaws — to instruct their manager to perform his duties in a respectful and genuinely helpful manner. Besides the difficulties of residential constituents in settling differences with the district, problems in obtaining new service are common knowledge among the business community, and that obstructionism is an impediment to economic development.

The 33 years chairman Stan Pierce has served on the board is long enough to build an empire and too long to be a public servant. Pierce was the only one to vote not to test a system of filing liens against delinquent customers rather than simply disconnecting sewer service, thereby necessitating the cessation of water service as well. His reluctance to discuss that stance, or any board business, with the press demonstrates a lack of responsiveness that has plagued the district. As chairman, he’s been heavily influential on a board that has seemed particularly unresponsive to constituent concerns, and he has 2.5 years remaining on his current term.

Those are sufficient reasons to remove him from his seat.

There is less reason to recall Sam Jarvis or Jim Bridgewater, especially since both come up for re-election next spring, and a good argument can be made for allowing them to retain their positions while voters observe what they can accomplish without Pierce’s influence.

In replacing Pierce, voters should choose between two committed and qualified candidates, who deserve the opportunity to serve the people of the district.

Fred Blackburn, a local historian and author, is well-informed on sanitation district issues, owes no loyalty to the special interests most likely to place pressure on the district, and also has expressed good ideas about change.

Norm Hall, co-owner and manager of La Plata View Homes, spent 29 years as a supervisor for the Illinois Power Company. He is very knowledgeable and well-spoken about future goals for the sanitation district.

Voters have a rare opportunity to make a point that the sanitation district board members have been sadly slow in understanding. Voting "yes" on the recall question and replacing at least one incumbent would emphasize that point quite clearly.