On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the Mancos Town Board of Trustees met in executive session and voted unanimously to appoint the town attorney, David Liberman, to negotiate a contract for the position of town administrator with Andrea K. Phillips, of Columbus Ohio.
Mancos Times
Mancos, Colorado
Representative Scott Tipton met with the Dolores County Commission and promised to give his full support to keeping the Gunnison sage grouse on the threatened list rather than the endangered list. March 12 was the deadline for citizen comment. A letter was submitted signed by four senators and three members of the U. S. HOuse of Representatives pleading with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to grant a 60-day extension.
Dove Creek Press
Dove Creek, Colorado
Last Monday, in a three to two vote, the Ouray City Council passed an ordinance "imposing a temporary moratorium on the use or consumption of marijuana products on property located within the C-1 and C-2 zoning districts that operates as a place of private assembly for the purpose of inviting persons to use or consume marijuana or marijuana products on site." The intent is to prohibit "marijuana clubs" that are appearing in other cities.
Council member Michael Underwood, who voted for the ordinance, stated the moratorium encompassed a "spirit of compromise" and would allow the council "time to analyze the situation" while the state works on regulations to implement Amendment 64. The moratorium ends Oct. 1.
Ouray County Plaindealer
Ouray, Colorado
San Juan County has a new administrator to take the place of Rick Bailey. Kelly Pehrson, who is the current City Manager in Monticello, has been hired and will begin work on April 1. Bailey has held the position for 27 years.
"These are going to be hard shoes to fill. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Rick for the next two years," said Pehrson.
Bailey will continue in his position as he trains Pehrson and will then focus on emergency services.
San Juan County Record
San Juan County, Utah
House and Senate officials have requested a 60-day extension of the comment period of the proposed rules for the Gunnison sage grouse. The extension is designed to give local communities more time to participate in this complex ruling that could result in serious property use restriction.
"This practice, referred to as 'sue and settle,' is very problematic," says Senator Michael Lee. "In cases like this, an agreement is reached between Fish and Wildlife and environmental groups with very little opportunity for the communities most impacted by the decision to have their voice heard."
San Juan County Record
San Juan County, Utah