Roeber doesn’t understand ‘right to farm’

Dear Editor:

At his recent meet and greet in Hotchkiss commissioner candidate Mark Roeber immediately made the point that he is for "private property rights." Sounds good!

So I asked if he would repeal the Delta County requirement that farmers get a special permit (permission not right) to raise confined animals like chickens, goats, cows, etc. His response left me dumbfounded. He said that if your farming activities offend your neighbors, YOU should find another place to farm.

Delta County's right to farm resolution states:

Colorado is a "right to farm state" as set forth in C.R.S. 35-3.5-101 et seq. Landowners, residents and visitors must be prepared to accept the effects of agriculture and rural living including ... dust from animal pens ... odor from animal confinement silage and manure ...flies and mosquitoes (from irrigation)...aerial spraying... etc.

Mark is not for the right to farm; he is for community decision (the county as a big home-owners association). I ask him further if he would regulate property values, if he would regulate growth? His answer was yes to both. These things can only be carried out by infringing on private property rights. I don't exactly know which property right he would protect as they all looked to be in play for him.

Additionally, he was unaware of Delta County's land use regulations as well as much of the activity of Delta county government. Without a strong understanding and backbone he will be like putty in the hands of the county bureaucracy and others that would be more than willing to teach him the need to regulate and control the population.

This is why I cannot and will not vote for Mark Roeber but will vote for Roger Bentley who is almost the polar opposite of Mark.

Mike Mason

Cedaredge

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