is on May 13th! Volume 11 • Edition 9
May 2, 2018
Serving rural Adams, Morgan, and Weld Counties
What Should a County Commissioner Disclose? By Bob Grand On August 19, 2013, Weld P205 Land Holdings, LLC acquired two parcels of land for $3,650,000 which were transferred to Anadarko E&P Offshore, LLC on the same day In today’s world of instant news, whether you like it or not, it is important to have full transparency from all of our elected officials. The recent story in the Lost Creek Guide of Commissioner Kirkmeyer and immediate family members involved with the Wright Farm on the encroachment issue on adjoining parcels of ground led to a look into the history of the properties involved. It turned up some interesting information. The property involved with the Wrights Farm question was a recorded exemption piece owned by Kirkmeyer and immediate family members. The piece that the recorded exemption was subdivided from and an adjoining piece of property were both purchased, ultimately, by Anadarko E&P Offshore. The purchase involved a sale to an LLC that transferred the property to Anadarko, on the same day. Now one could say that Kirkemeyer and partners did not know the LLC was going to sell to Anadarko. But for ground that had been dried up, i.e., no water, possible, but it does not seem credible. Purchase date was August 9th, 2013, the first parcel for $2,700,000, with an assessed value of $46,250, and the second for $950,000, with an assessed value of $32,580, for a total purchase price of $3,650,000 dollars. Kirkmeyer sold her interest in the $950,000 parcel to her brother and his wife, with no value identified on public documents on September 25th, 2012, according to documents filed with the Clerk and Recorders office (Document number 387943). The second piece of property also sold on August 9th, 2013 for a value of $ 2,700,000 (Document number 3957497). Now I am a strong believer in individual property rights and what people do is their own business but one has to ask that during this time period did Commissioner Kirkmeyer disclose what she was involved with?Was she aware that Anadarko was the ultimate purchaser? Did Commissioner Kirkmeyer have an obligation to disclose her participation in these transactions or even recuse herself from votes effecting Anadarko, if she knew that Anadarko was the ultimate purchaser while this was all transpiring? Because of the voter approval of 1B the current system in place stops the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission from investigating these transactions because the events took place greater than twelve months ago, which means they are precluded from investigating, by statute (Colorado Independent Ethics Commission; Rules of Procedure; Section 7; Paragraph G) Since it is not a criminal matter the Weld County District attorney does not get involved. So that leaves the Weld County Council which could investigate but has no authority to do anything about it. So where does that leave the Weld County citizen in all this? Feeling a little bewildered and left in the dark.This author believes that in the interest of transparency the responsibility lies with the elected official to disclose anything that might reflect a potential conflict of interest. What do you think? Email us at publisher@lostcreekguide. com.
Roggen Farmers Elevator Association Annual Meeting 2018
Held at the Weld Central High School in Keenesburg
Roggen Elevator annual meeting was held at the Weld Central High School. The Association strives to be the preferred merchandiser of agricultural products by: Being an ethical business partner Being the employer of choice Continually seeking opportunities for growth Providing increased value and profitability for our members. On a business note, the Association had another good year. The Roggen Farmers Elevator Association is not only a strong business member of our communities but also an active participant in supporting our local communities. Officers for the coming year are: Kevin Helzer, President, David Rupple, Vice President, Curtis Lewton, Secretary, and Alex Swank. We would like to recognize and thank the Association for the many things they do to support our communities. More Photos on Page 16...
ABATE of Colorado Participates in Tribute for Motorcycle Awareness Month
Preserving the freedom of the road, individual rights, and motorcycle safety are very important topics in the motorcycling world, especially to ABATE of Colorado members. The impact of ABATE of Colorado as a motorcycle rights organization was demonstrated today. 8 members of ABATE were recognized in the Colorado State Senate chambers as the Senate did a tribute proclaiming May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. Several Senators stopped to say hi, shake hands and talk. Northeast Colorado and Morgan County was well represented with Bill Smith, ABATE District One Representative, Belva Smith, ABATE District One secretary/treasurer and ABATE State recording secretary, and Don Enninga, ABATE Northeast Coordinator all present for the tribute in the state senate chambers. Senator Jerry Sonnenberg representing Senate District One from Sterling visited with the ABATE members on the Senate floor. Senator Sonnenberg worked with Senator Jack Tate who rides a motorcycle to facilitate this tribute and recognition. After the tribute proclaiming May as Motorcycle Awareness Month was read on the Senate floor, ABATE members were recognized as the entire Senate applauded. ABATE which stands for “A Brotherhood Active Towards Education”, is a non-profit, educational, charitable and safety oriented motorcycle rights organization. ABATE, District One holds monthly meetings to inform the members about issues that affect them and plan events. ABATE of Colorado also offers motorcycle rider education courses in Northeast Colorado at Morgan Community College in Ft. Morgan and at the airport in Sterling, CO. Membership in ABATE includes motorcyclists from all walks of life who are interested in the rights of motorcyclists and education of motorcyclists and the public. Anyone interested in joining ABATE of Colorado, District One can contact Bill Smith at 303-517-8342 or visit the ABATE website at http://www.abateofcolo.org/ As weather warms up, remember to “Look Twice, Motorcycles are Everywhere!” and help save lives!
What’s In This Issue:
Page 2: Way of the World Page 2: Letter to the Editor from Sandi Elder Page 4: Sandi Elder and Steve Moreno’s Policy Views Page 5: Aims English Honor Society Donates More Than 150 Books Page 6: CDOT Survey Reveals New Insight on Marijuana and Driving Page 7: Weld County 4-H Banquet Page 8: Third Vietnam Veterans Pinning Ceremony Scheduled Page 10: State Veterinarian’s Office Investigates Colorado Equine Herpesvirus Case Page 13: United Power 79th Annual Meeting