Ask Commissioner Whitman

Commissioner Forrest Whitman (Dist #3, north Gilpin County) gets questions all the time and various news outlets pass some on to him also. Here are three:

The County spends a lot on emergency preparedness.  Is it a good use of funds?

  This is a mandated program, as are most county programs. It’s not particularly an unfunded mandate at that. The “feds” funded our “mass casualty from terrorism drill” last year and reimbursed our volunteer agencies. They also bought us some equipment including $67,000 for new consoles at the Sheriff’s Dept.  Our main dollar outlay is for wildland fires and for the director of emergency management. That director position is open at present, and it’s a big job. This person has to prepare and drill for any massive emergency. This is preparedness not just to “put out the fire”, but to have social services, animal services and all other services ready to do back up. It’s not only a good use of funds, it’s a mandatory use of funds. Pray that we don’t have to fight a wildland fire if you want to keep this line item low.

What’s Going On With Dog Control? Are We Euthanizing Dogs?

  Actually it’s called animal control. The officer we share with Clear Creek County responds to problems with all sorts of animals. He seems like a very caring individual, and a very patient one too. Of course our own Sheriff also does animal control, but the little truck you see with the Clear Creek emblem on the side is the main component of the program.  About euthanasia:  of the  273 dogs impounded last year 51% were redeemed by their owners over at the facility on I-70 near the Dumont truck weigh station. Of the rest 29% were adopted (they’re called “rescue dogs”). 12% were transferred to other facilities. Only 1% (three) were actually euthanized. Also, keep in mind that Gilpin dogs have a longer grace period than other dogs. We pay to keep Gilpin impounds for 30 days. Others are subject to various measures after 15 days. I haven’t told Luz, Ruby, and Gus about the extra grace period though.

I thought Rollinsville Neighbors Asked Last Year for Port-A-Potties

  Be patient. Presently the only year round comfort stations are at the ball field, but we’re working on a way to get one or two in front of the county shop in Rollinsville. In the meantime there is no public facility in north county. It’s one of my priorities as it would make us more welcoming for tourists and locals alike.