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Letter: Hedlund, Protect the reasons we live here, Vote for 1A

Protect the reasons we live here, Vote for 1A

As we all know, Colorado especially the Front Range is experiencing unprecedented growth that is also reflected in its mountain communities, and Grand County is no exception. Reflect on the reasons you chose Grand County over other mountain towns whether you are a full-time resident, a part-time homeowner or a person vacationing here. Chances are that you probably selected it for the same reasons we did: a warm, friendly, low key community; less traffic/congestion and development; expansive swaths of agricultural, open space and incredibly quick and easy access to trails, lakes, rivers and wilderness areas. As long-time residents, we have always believed in maintaining balance between growth and a healthy economy, and protecting our natural resources. Issue 1A: Open Lands, Rivers and Trails, which will be on the ballot November 8 is an opportunity to ensure that we can maintain some of Grand County as we know it today. This measure is a temporary (10-year), countywide 0.3 percent (3/10’s of 1 percent) sales tax, which won’t be collected from food or prescription drugs. The cost to the average Grand County household is $5/month. Unlike many other mountain towns in Colorado and across the nation, none of the county non-profit agencies working for either open space protection and/or trails have a dedicated source of funding. This measure would relieve the financial burdens so that our organizations can devote more time to their missions. Issue 1A: Open Lands, Rivers and Trails is a well-devised, temporary, non-partisan, accountable measure which takes steps to protect, maintain and assist. An independent, county-wide citizen advisory committee will oversee to ensure funds are spent solely on a) enhancing water resources in our crown jewel, the upper Colorado River, b). protecting agricultural lands, scenic open lands, wildlife habitat and c). maintaining trails. Less than 5 percent of the funds will be used for administration. A vote for Issue 1A is a vote for protecting the reasons we live here; why people recreate here and for having a ‘grand’ Grand County to pass on to our grandchildren and beyond.

Michele and Roger Hedlund



Fraser


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