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Blog Entry 82 of 102 A Journalist's Musings
As a journalist, I don't often have the opportunity to share my opinion. So I thought I'd come over here and share my point of view on matters affecting our community and the state. I'm not afraid to take a stand, and I welcome the conversation that will follow if you tell me your point of view!

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~CastlewoodRanchCouncilman

Council dumps goal of writing sustainability plan
Contributed by: Hank Lacey   on 11/29/2007

At its Nov. 27 meeting the Castle Rock Town Council directed town manager Mark Stevens to delete a planned $5,000 expenditure for drawing up an environmental sustainability plan for the community.

The deletion, which passed on a 6-1 vote, was sought by Councilman Doug Lehnen of District 6 (Crystal Valley/Plum Creek area). I opposed the request and voted against the budget on first reading because it will not include any funding for improving local policies aimed at reducing energy and water use by the town government.

The Council had unanimously requested the town manager to make writing of a sustainability plan a priority in 2008 at its annual retreat in June. The Council ratified that decision when it later approved the memorandum summarizing the retreat outcomes.

Mr. Lehnen indicated that he did not believe the $5,000 expenditure, in a budget with spending exceeding $150 million, was important. Councilman Ryan Reilly said he thinks the town is involved in enough planning work already and that working on a sustainability plan is not consistent with working on a strategic plan. Mayor Randy Reed said only that "things have changed." Councilwoman Katie Kruger said that the town can achieve its goals of improving environmental policies by incorporating concern for the planet in everything done by Town Hall.

I voted no on first reading solely to register my concern that the public's aspirations for stronger protection of this community's quality of lifeand the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are now going to be neglected. However, there are many good things in the budget and the draft document before us reflects lots of hard work and effort by a beleagured and overworked town staff. I hope to vote for it on second reading.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Hank Lacey

Castle Rock , CO

Hank Lacey has posted 102 blog entries and 8 comments since joining on 5/31/2007. Hank Lacey 's average blog rating is 4.98.
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