Letter to the editor

3/2/2006 - Dear Editor,

  I had no clients tugging at my coattails and relatively quiet at home, so I decided to attend today’s BOCC meeting.  It was all pretty “standard”, benign sorts of issues.  Even the proposed issue of installing lights at the ball field would have been “ho-hum”, save the fact that there was a presentation from county recreation folks who talked about the contractors that may be used to install the lights; some technical specifications about the lighting – light pollution and such.  After the formal presentation, the Commissioners continued their discussions about the proposed lighting, with the two staff members from Parks and Recreation.

  The issue of proposed lighting at our local ball fields, in and of itself had been a visceral one for me.  I hadn’t really thought about it much, other than I live at Dory Lakes and I get to hear some of the “excitement” on some summer nights.  What caught my attention, again, was not that “someone” had thought of the idea of installing lights at the ball park, it was that the Commissioners discussed the issue as if a final decision had already been made.  In fact, Commissioner Whitman pointed out to the Park and Recreation folks that he was sure that we would have lights up by this summer.  Part of the ensuing discussion was the need for a public hearing.  Tentative dates for a public hearing were provided.

  During the press/public comment period (careful not to exceed my 5 minute limit) I reminded the BOCC that this issue, (lighting at the ball park) clearly demonstrates what many of us (Gilpin County citizens) have been complaining about – a “runaway” Board of County Commissioners that makes public policy decisions and informs the public after the fact.  Now, what the Commissioners will tell you is that public hearings are scheduled for April, during which the “public” will have an opportunity to comment on the new lighting.  My, not-so-rhetorical question to the Commissioners was:  “Are you going to rescind your de-facto policy of installing lights if the “public” is opposed to it?”  There were no answers.

  You see, this is the issue – the issues that have plagued this Board of Commissioners – let’s make decisions and worry about public sentiments later.  This is what has happened with new developments; this is what has happened with the new Road and Bridge building; this is what will happen with the new Administration building; and today’s discussion (as innocuous as it is) on new lights, is a primary example of what is wrong with public policymaking and the democratic process of public participation in Gilpin County.

Rudy V. Garcia

Dory Lakes