La Plata County Land Use Code - UPDATE - meeting Nov 27, 1:30-4:30

Since this blog was started in order to offer objective information as a counter to some malicious outside interest groups who invaded our community (in particular Koch’s Americans For Prosperity a brainwashing organization dependent on misrepresenting facts in order to fan fabricated fears. For supporting information see bottom of this post.) intend on instigating mistrust and tension amongst neighbors, rather than constrictively supporting our democratic processes that are already set up to deal with the Land Code and issues.

Something everyone has an opinion on and loves complaining about, but when it comes to the nitty gritty of doing the boring work that needs to be done, few show up.  In any event, I figure I should share the following official update.

__________________________________

La Plata County Land Use Code
Policy Input:
Zoning

---

La Plata County is working on the land use code revision project as a county-led effort that draws on internal resources, reviews of land use codes from similar counties in Colorado, and existing work products to craft a code that works for La Plata County. There are a number of policy issues that the Board of County Commissioners will give staff direction on how to address in the code revision process. The Board of County commissioners is considering these policy questions and will be providing staff direction after seeking public input on each of the issues, as well as considering best practices from a staff review of land use regulations in six other Colorado counties.

One of the most critical policy topics the Board of County Commissioners will consider is zoning, and we want your input to help guide the direction given to staff on how the revised land use code contemplates zoning. Your input will help inform the Board of County Commissioners decision-making on land use regulations. 

Background documents
Agriculture Plus Zone District (memo)
Overlay Zone Districts (memo)
Euclidean Zoning Policy Considerations (memo)
Zoning Comparison Exercise
Comparative Zoning Model
Potential Problems with Euclidean Zoning (memo)
Policy Consideration for Non-Conformities (memo)
Legal Overview of Zoning's Purpose & Implementation (memo)
Zoning Classification Implications on Tax Assessment (memo)

The board will discuss this topic and take public comment at a work session from 1:30-4:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 27 in the Board Room of the La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 E. 2nd Ave., in Durango.

Recall Petitioners' Blissfully Unaware of Koch's Klan Connection

I was driving home a couple days ago, when I saw a pick up truck at a pull out with a "Gwen Lachelt Recall Petition" sign and an old gal with a clip board in hand.  Driving by I started thinking about why she was doing it, so I turned around and drove back to ask.  She had the basic boilerplate complaints. Gwen went to Washington D.C. to raise a stink about oil company Fracking and Methane leak regulations.   What's wrong with that, I ask?  She was fulfilling promises that helped get her elected by citizens like myself, there was nothing secret or inappropriate about it.  

There was no answer forthcoming, instead she continued to the next point of contention, the awful Draft Land Use Code.  Well, okay, but is that really a justification for starting a recall petition, which is normally reserved for extreme misconduct and dereliction of duty, not for differences of opinions.  Why is only one of three commissions who shared blame for the Draft Land Code disaster being attacked?  Incidentally, what about the reality that the Draft is being reworked and already much improved, thanks to the normal run of our democratic process.  Again, not much of a response, instead we moved on to her trump card.

(This time I get personal and finish this post with pictures of my current renovation project.

Yup, you guessed it, making excuses for my sporadic posting record.)

DurangoTelegraph, Peters, Hawkins, Cugini - Oh the irony indeed! 3/15/18

It's not often I see the Durango Telegraph the day it hits the newsstand, but I did today.  When I opened up to the Letters section I see "New Questions for Gwen Lachelt."  It turned out to be the same old "news release" the Durango Herald covered a few weeks back.  

This is an example of the type of malicious deception these extremist depend on to make their case.  Lachelt received some money from a Denver group, that receives some money from Tom Steyer.  Tom Steyer knows nothing of Lachelt and vis versa but it's the sort of sliver of truth the Koch Klan has learned to manipulate and morph into a bludgeon for beating their targets to death.  It's contemptible, amoral and unAmerican!

While the holier than thou Peters, Hawkins, Cugini scream foul play over a small donation that was duly recorded and reported and that brakes no rules, these men are benefactors of a multimillion dollar DarkMoney machine that is trying to steal our government away from We The People.  Allow me to explain.

__________________________________________________________

Durango Herald's February 22:  “O the irony!” said Dave Peters, another (Lachelt) recall organizer, in the news release. “It turns out the queen of outside dark money is actually Commissioner Lachelt herself.” Recall supporters created a website, Save La Plata County, which explains why they are seeking her removal from office.”  

Oh the irony indeed!

What about The Rest Of This Story? 

What about SaveLaPlataCo.com’s many ties to unabashedly oil loving, environmentalist hating outfits with their vast amounts of Koch DarkMoney ready to be lavished on any go-getters ready to join their fabricated war on rationality and raise hell in their communities?

A network that Ken Francis alluded to in his thoughtful November 17th, 2017 Durango Herald opinion piece,” “Big oil and gas behind county commissioner attacks.” https://durangoherald.com/articles/195280 (at the end of this I share his insightful final paragraphs.)

Where is SaveLaPlata.com getting their funding from?  No hint at their blog.  I’ve sent Mr Peters an email requesting that information, we’ll see if I get a response. I will keep you updated.

Here we look at the brain-trust three locals depended on to fabricate their malicious effort to do an end-run around the democratic voters' will. 

(click on images for clearer view)

To begin with, isn’t their summary title a bit hysterical? 

Can I retract my signature from the Lachelt Recall Petition? YES.

I’ve heard that some individuals who’ve signed the “Save”LaPlata Recall petition, have had second thoughts after learning more about what a contrived and deceptive petition it actually is. 

SaveLaPlataCounty.com's lack of openness regarding their funding is also causing unease among many.  For more details peruse the posts in these pages. 

I wrote our County Clerk asking about retracting one’s signature and she responded with the following helpful information.

Basically if you want to retract your signature from the contrived Lachelt Recall Petition, you simply have to write up a short request and get it to our County Clerk

(I)  Any signer may request that his or her name be stricken from the petition at any time prior to when the petition is deemed sufficient and the time for protest has passed by filing with the designated election official* a written request that his or her signature be stricken and delivering a copy of the request to at least one member of the committee**

(** That would be SaveLaPlataCounty.com).

* La Plata County Clerk & Recorder

Tiffany Parker

98 Everett St, Suite C

Durango, CO 81303

970-382-6294

970-259-5413 – fax

www.laplatacountyclerk.org

_________________________________________

TITLE 1 ELECTIONS

GENERAL, PRIMARY, RECALL, AND CONGRESSIONAL VACANCY ELECTIONS

Colorado Revised Statute – 1-12-108 (9)(d)(I)

Kochs' 400 million dollar assault on our democracy - 2018

Koch and pals are investing 400 million dollars, hoping to dictate this election’s outcome?  Why?  Because they really and truly want to rob us of our American democratic birthright.  

    

Going forward demands recognizing what we are facing.  Allow the reality to scare the bejeezus out of you, because it really is that scary.  Don’t kid yourselves, these guys are playing for keeps.  But don’t allow the fear to paralyze you, inform yourselves, don’t trust, verify.  The more knowledge you acquire the better you will be able to see through their well constructed make-believe alter-reality, which will enable you to better explain the illusion to those around you.  We really do need to start thinking about getting people to think of the folly in their uncritical faith dictated world view.

   

If we don’t defend honesty, truth, constructive intellectual confrontation, the scientific method, along with respecting diverse communities of individuals, and America institutions who will?* 

   

John Lewis, one of our greatest civil rights heroes has a few words worth taking to heart:

John Lewis  |  CNN  |  Published March 4, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR9QhXxx4VI

______________________________________________________

With references to the following articles:

Trump Picks DAPL Lobbyist to Oversee EPA Water Safety in Same Week He Rolls Back Water Safeguards

Billionaire Koch Brothers Have Extracted “Laundry List” of Victories from Trump Admin

Koch Brothers’ Demand for Obamacare Repeal & Lobbyists Flourishing Under Trump

Koch network identifies top 2018 targets and outlines plans for heavy early spending

Koch brothers try to navigate differences with Trump going into 2018 elections

The Koch brothers are “all in” for 2018 with plans to spend up to $400 million

Koch network to spend $400 million during 2018 midterm election cycle

Koch’s, “Efforts in Government: Advancing Principled *Public Policy”

The Koch Brothers Plan to Spend a Record-Setting $400 Million

TIME INC. BUYER HELPED KOCH BROTHERS AIRBRUSH THEIR IMAGE ACROSS THE INTERNET

KOCH DOCUMENT REVEALS LAUNDRY LIST OF POLICY VICTORIES EXTRACTED FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

________________________________________________________

Koch network identifies top 2018 targets and outlines plans for heavy early spending

By James Hohmann January 29, 2018

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/01/29/koch-network-identifies-top-2018-targets-and-outlines-plans-for-heavy-early-spending/

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Top strategists for the Koch network briefed their donors Monday about how they’re planning to allocate more than $400 million this election cycle on politics and policy.

Kochs using their wealth to fabricate a facade - 2018

Here we look at how its all about fabricating facades in order to manipulate people’s feelings to fight for a preordained agenda, one that has nothing to do with The Peoples' well being.  Where do we go when honesty and truth mean nothing any more?

With references to the following articles:

PBS Killed Wisconsin Uprising Documentary "Citizen Koch" To Appease Koch Brothers

Dark Money': Koch Brothers' Donations Push Their Political Agenda

The Corporate Dictatorship of PBS and NPR

Did the Koch Brothers Buy NPR?

Rebranding Koch

~~~  bonus  ~~~

Documents: Koch Brother Orchestrated Grassroots effort to lower corporate taxes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TIME INC. BUYER HELPED KOCH BROTHERS AIRBRUSH THEIR IMAGE ACROSS THE INTERNET

Lee Fang | December 1 2017

https://theintercept.com/2017/12/01/time-magazine-koch-brothers-meredith-corp/

On Monday, Koch …

The Koch brothers claim they provided $650 million to purchase Time Inc. — which has faced a consistent decline in revenue as advertising income has faltered, …

Koch’s partner in the Time buyout, however, has a history of involvement in exactly the type of media manipulation that critics fear most. In the coverage of the Meredith-Time deal, little has been made of the fact that Meredith has worked as a social media marketing firm for Koch Industries. …

In the early years of this decade, Meredith provided stealth marketing efforts to delete critical commentary about the Koch brothers and their political ventures. New Media Strategies, a subsidiary of Meredith, was retained by Koch Industries to airbrush Wikipedia articles relating to Koch Industries, David Koch, Charles Koch, the Tea Party, and Richard Fink, a strategist for the Koch brothers’ political operation. It’s not clear if such relationships continued after they were exposed.

An internal investigation by Wikipedia editors found that one account New Media Strategies employees working for Koch had also used a number of so-called sock puppet accounts to edit articles relating to the Kochs. In one instance,

¶ “O the irony!” says "Save"LaPlata's front man, Peters. The irony indeed.

Durango Herald's February 22:  “O the irony!” said Dave Peters, another (Lachelt) recall organizer, in the news release. “It turns out the queen of outside dark money is actually Commissioner Lachelt herself.” Recall supporters created a website, Save La Plata County, which explains why they are seeking her removal from office.”  

Oh the irony indeed!

What about The Rest Of This Story? 

What about SaveLaPlata.com’s many ties to unabashedly oil loving, environmentalist hating outfits with their vast amounts of Koch DarkMoney ready to be lavished on any go-getters ready to join their fabricated war on rationality and raise hell in their communities?

A network that Ken Francis alluded to in his thoughtful November 17th, 2017 Durango Herald opinion piece,” “Big oil and gas behind county commissioner attacks.” https://durangoherald.com/articles/195280 (at the end of this I share his insightful final paragraphs.)

Where is SaveLaPlata.com getting their funding from?  No hint at their blog.  I’ve sent Mr Peters an email requesting that information, we’ll see if I get a response. I will keep you updated.

Here we look at the brain-trust three locals depended on to fabricate their malicious effort to do an end-run around the democratic voters' will. 

(click on images for clearer view)

To begin with, isn’t their summary title a bit hysterical? 

Koch Brothers Exposed [2014] Robert Greenwald documentary

Here's a look at what the Koch Brothers were up to until about 2014, their investment seems to be paying off handsomely.  These are not "libertarian" defenders, they are predators and taking over our government is their goal.  At least that's what all the evidence consistently points to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLvpwrCfqFI  |  55 minutes  |  Robert Greenwald

Koch Brothers Exposed - 2014 Edition - challenges David and Charles Koch's abuse of money in politics. Robert Greenwald's updated film has new stories on corporate greed, environmental abuse and the buying of elections.  ______________________________________________________________________

¶ SaveLaPlataCounty's "Facts" Tainted by Koch's DarkMoney Tentacles

Examining the fundamental deception being foisted on us by “SaveLaPlataCounty” and the 

Koch DarkMoney funded web they are a part of.  

   

(click on image for clearer view)

To begin with, isn’t their summary title a bit hysterical? 

La Plata County doesn’t need saving.  Look around at our country, we are amongst the luckiest people in America, in the world.  What La Plata needs saving from is a ruthless, contrived campaign intent on injecting misunderstanding and divisiveness into local politics.

Second, they repeat idealistic sounding phrases, but show little concern for accurately representing facts, their own, or their opponent’s actual position.  Their narrative breaths contempt for environmental problems and safety regulations that benefit all of us, along with all who are concerned with those issues.  

Third, there’s nothing homespun or grassroots about SaveLaPlataCounty.com or their recall effort.  It is part of a national strategy to make end runs around “liberal” bastions of our country, and eject us from what they feel entitled to.  “All of it!”

Please consider the four references "SaveLaPlataCounty.com/the-recall-effort/" provides for supporting evidence of their claims.  Look at them.  None contain specific evidence or charges.  Instead they are agenda driven ‘news’ articles of carefully crafted word-salad.  Full of insinuations, attitude, but nothing solid except for links to Koch’s DarkMoney octopus and a distain for environmental safety standards. 

1, 3)  Western Wire Reports

Facing Recall, New Questions Emerge For Lachelt Ahead Of COGCC Hearing”

  -  By Michael Sandoval, February 12, 2018

Ethics Questions Continue To Swirl Around La Plata County Commissioner

  -  By Michael Sandoval, July 17, 2017

Western Wire is a project of Western Energy Alliance, a non-profit regional oil and natural gas association based in Denver, Colo., and active across 13 states. (http://westernwire.net/about/)

Michael J. Sandoval is a contract Energy Policy Associate Analyst for the Independence Institute.  Before that an investigative reporter for The Heritage Foundation and he is a 2013 graduate of the Koch Associate Program.   (https://i2i.org/about/our-people/michael-sandoval/)

Speaking of transparency, do you know who Western Energy Alliance is?

“Western Energy Alliance: The Voice of the Industry in the West - focuses on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, public lands and other policy issues. We represent the voice of the Western oil and natural gas industry in a variety of ways.” 

https://www.westernenergyalliance.org/alliance/who-we-are/staff 

          https://ballotpedia.org/Western_Energy_Alliance

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgave2.php?cycle=2018&cmte=C00426569

  

The Coors-funded Independence Institute is a free-market, libertarian think tank based in Denver, Colorado. The non-profit is a member of the State Policy Network. 

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Independence_Institute

2)  Free Range Report Depicts Lachelt’s Lobbying Activities

By Marjorie Haun  |  http://freerangereport.com/index.php/about/

The author Marjorie Haun has written for American Thinker, the Heritage Foundation’s Daily Signal, Watchdog.org, and Colorado Peak Politics…

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/American_Thinker

          https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/american-thinker/

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Heritage_Action_for_America

          https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Koch_Family_Foundations

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Heritage_Foundation

watchdog org

Watchdogorg is a project of the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, a non-profit organization dedicated to the principles of transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.  (As part of our 501(c)3, non-profit mission, which is where the DarkMoney is)

Franklin Center Top Donor Is Right-

Joe Strupp   |   February 22, 2013

https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2013/02/22/franklin-center-top-donor-is-right-wings-dark-m/192770

Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity  -  Background

https://www.desmogblog.com/franklin-centre-government-and-public-integrity

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Franklin_Center_for_Government_and_Public_Integrity

3)  Colorado Peak Politics Article

“RECALL! Environmental Whacko Faces the Ax By Voters”

February 9, 2018   |  Colorado’s Conservative Bully Pulpit

poor job performance  -  A LIE !  -  https://gwenlachelt.com/commission-record/

double-dipping  -  A LIE !  -  https://durangoherald.com/articles/207192 

“No substance to the Lachelt recall effort”

repeatedly leveraged our public office for her private gain  -  A LIE !  -  https://durangoherald.com/articles/208122

“Recall effort: Blaming unpopularity of land use code on Gwen Lachelt alone is misguided”

That article is pure biased angry inflammatory bullying.  Venom filled words, but in the end very little substance and what there was of that was misrepresented.  This is precisely the kind of emotional vitriol that destroys the democratic civility we depend on to keep our society functioning.  Exactly what the oligarchs want, this cynical recall attempt is doing their bidding.        

__________________________________________________________

Gwen has been working for her constituents !  I copied this from 

https://gwenlachelt.com/commission-record/

Gwen Lachelt’s Work as La Plata County Commissioner, So Far:

• Re-ignited the Comprehensive Plan conversation and pursuit with the Planning Commission

• I supported the creation of the La Plata County Water Advisory Commission to aide the county both in planning for, and protecting, our waters.

• I sponsored the Public Lands Resolution, which passed unanimously, calling for maintaining federal ownership of our public lands.

• I advocated strongly in DC for passage of the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act, critical to our tourism industry.

• I supported convening a Fiscal Sustainability Steering Committee to help the commissioners plan for the county’s financial future.

• I led the county in developing strong state air quality standards and the nation’s first rule controlling methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

• I testified in Washington DC in support of the BLM’s Venting and Flaring Rule to reduce emissions and protect the US Treasury.

• I served as co-chair of Hickenlooper’s Oil & Gas Task Force and fought hard to maintain the authority of local governments to regulate O&G operations.

• I have been serving on the boards of San Juan Basin Health and Housing Solutions for the Southwest.

• I advocate daily for diversifying our economy so we are not so dependent on any single industry.

• I’ve worked with residents and local businesses to strengthen our local foods economy, support community garden projects, and promote sound food policy by creating the Herbicide Carryover Working Group to educate growers and the community about the risks certain herbicides pose to gardens and farms in our region.

• I promoted the first community solar garden development on the Boys & Girls Club rooftop.

_____________________________________________

Bonus, a couple peeks inside their master plan.

Follow the Money: Koch Brothers Back Pruitt to Head EPA  

By Elliott Negin | January 30, 2017

https://www.ecowatch.com/koch-brothers-pruitt-epa-2225721522.html

The two dozen nonprofit groups and Senate committee members defending Scott Pruitt, President Donald Trump's nominee for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, have at least two things in common.

Like Pruitt, they're climate science deniers. And, like Pruitt, most of them are funded by Charles and David Koch, the billionaire brothers who own the coal, oil and gas conglomerate Koch Industries.

Koch's Marriage with BigTobacco-1993-Citizens for a Sound Economy-Jeff Nesbit 

Adapted from Poison Tea: How Big Oil and Big Tobacco Invented the Tea Party and Captured the GOP, copyright © 2016 by Jeff Nesbit

https://americansforkochsprosperity.blogspot.com/2018/02/big-tobacco-koch-citizens-sound-economy.html

History is important, and its amazing how much history Koch’s Americans for Prosperity has.  Here I share some details from Jeff Nesbit who wrote: Poison Tea: How Big Oil and Big Tobacco Invented the Tea Party and Captured the GOP, which is followed by tips and links to 10 other articles about various aspects of this long running strategic campaign aimed at an ultimate hostile take-over of our United State of American’s government of the people, by the people and for the people, by a few wealthier than god oligarchs. 

_____________________________________________ 

This is a personal unaffiliated effort to educate neighbors regarding Americans for (Kochs) Prosperity

citizenschallenge at gmail