GRAND VALLEY ECHO • Mid-August / Mid-September 2010, Page 7
Government
G R A N D
VA L L E Y
The Battlement Mesa Service Association What’s all of this incorporation talk? By Keith Lammey, president, Battlement Mesa Service Association If you live in Battlement Mesa and you’ve lived here more than a week or so, you know that we aren’t really a formal town or a city. In short, we are not incorporated. Instead, we are an HOA, or homeowners association. Over the many years that Battlement Mesa has existed, residents, visitors and others have asked why Battlement Mesa isn’t a town rather than “just a homeowners association.” The easy answer to that question is, “Well, just because.” The truth is there are both advantages and disadvantages to being incorporated versus being an HOA. I am not an expert on the subject but I know enough about it to know that it is a very complex issue. In order to understand the pros and cons of incorporation, an incorporation study is being conducted. Longtime residents may remember that an incorporation feasibility study was completed in March 1995. Several local residents including Bill Wilde, with the current Battlement Mesa Metro District and BMSA Manager Steve Rippy (he was the Garfield County assessor back then) contributed to this approximately 80-page study. Officially the study concluded that, “The Incorporation Feasibility Study Committee sees no services justification and no desirable financial reasons to pursue incorporation of a City of Battlement Mesa at this time, but suggests that population and potential tax base volumes be monitored to evaluate when a favorable financial feasibility determination can be achieved.” This two-year study concluded that it didn’t make economic sense to incorporate, so Battlement Mesa has continued as an HOA community in unincorporated Garfield County. So who’s behind this effort? Some members of our community have frequently suggested that “if we were a real city then (insert your favorite thing that you hate about being governed by an HOA).” Other members, like me, just think that after 15 years, it is time to take another look at incorporation. And then there is the county. Why the county? It is simple, really. Battlement Mesa is a very large financial drain on Garfield County. We’re sort of like their 35-year old son who is still living at home and not contributing to the household expenses. An example of the financial impact that Battlement Mesa has on the county are our streets. Battlement Parkway, Stone Quarry Road, Spencer, Sipprelle and all of the streets in the Tamarisk Village, Tamarisk Meadows, Willow Creek, Monument Creek, Battlement Creek and The Reserve are county roads. The county is responsible for maintaining them and for plowing them. If we were a city, the City of Battlement Mesa would have to maintain the roads. Several months back, a few of us approached the county about “helping” fund another incorporation study. Much to my surprise, the county has agreed to not only help but to bear the entire cost of the present study. The new study is being done by Winston Associates/BBC Research & Consulting. It’s underway and should be completed in a few months. It is far too early to know what the study will conclude. Some residents are convinced that the study will show that nothing has really changed and that it doesn’t make economic sense to incorporate. They may well be correct. And, even if the study shows that it is economically feasible to incorporate, there are many other factors that would have to be considered before moving forward to becoming an incorporated community. There is little doubt in my mind that if we didn’t care what it cost and if we had the political will we could incorporate, but I am equally convinced that the study will show that, like it or not, our HOA style of government is far more affordable than the alternative.
HEADLINES SALON headlines salon bids Ellen DeKam farewell and wishes her much luck in the future. Headlines salon West is accepting applications for a stylist. If you are interested please come by 83 TAMARISK TRAIL and complete an BATTLEMENT MESA, CO 81635 application or 970.285.9279 bring a resume. 970.285.0395
Grand Valley Quilt Show scheduled for Sept. 25-26 By Monty Rhodes, Echo contributor
The Grand Valley Historical Society and the Battlement Mesa Sew & Sew Quilters are preparing for the Grand Valley Quilt Show. This annual event is being held this year on the weekend of Sept. 25-26. The quilt show runs on Saturday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and on Sunday from12-3 p.m. at the Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse, at 7235 County Rd. 300. Those attending will enjoy the show plus tours of the historic schoolhouse, plus the nearby Glover Cabin. Last fall, the cabin was moved from its original site on Parachute Creek and now sits next to the Battlement Mesa Schoolhouse. Through a joint effort of the Grand Valley Historical Society and Williams, the cabin has been renovated and furnished to look as if a schoolmarm still lives there. Hourly bed turnings of antique quilts will be featured in the cabin during the show. Quilt viewers will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite quilt. Viewers Choice Awards will be presented to various winners. Please come and enjoy an inspiring day of history and quilts. There will be a $3 suggested donation to benefit the Grand Valley Historical Society.
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