On Dec. 11 and 12, the gas and oil task force spent more than 13 hours over two days in Rifle talking and listening to each other, the public and experts about the impacts of gas and oil production on people and communities. This was the fourth such meeting.
Task-force members have extremely different experiences, access to power and points of view concerning gas and oil activities. Nevertheless, members have been patient and respectful to each other throughout.
The story about our meeting (Herald, Dec. 12) focused almost entirely on a relatively unimportant discussion during the last 45 minutes of our meeting. The article was cynical – the headline read “Gas and oil group can’t agree” – and glib – saying, “Another gas and oil task force meeting, another day without consent.”
The Herald has managed to make a difficult undertaking even more difficult.
Jim Fitzgerald
Bayfield