At a time when we are so susceptible to mosquito borne diseases, it is inexcusable that our Montezuma County commissioners would hamstring the Colorado Mosquito Control, forcing them to relocate at the most critical time for protecting their constituents.
Insensitivity to public protection resulted from anger and non-negotiation at this critical time. The situation between the Montezuma Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and Colorado Mosquito Control (CMC) is a perfect and terrible example of poor communication, poor timing and angry over-reaction to a situation that should have been discussed and resolved.
As 18-year residents of Montezuma County, my wife and I have been appreciative of the professionalism, technical ability and responsiveness of CMC. For all of those years they have consistently addressed and promptly responded to our calls and those of our neighbors, in addition applying new preventative techniques.
Thanks to their sensitivity, we were able to spend and enjoy our time outside. Always available, they’ve done their best to protect the county population.
More to the point, in our season of high vulnerability to mosquito borne disease (Zika the latest, but not the only one), our BOCC has chosen to allow an over the top, angry response to the mosquito board election process to discredit, displace and undermine our CMC’s ability to function.
Dependent on CMC to protect us from the health and comfort problems that mosquitoes present, it is unconscionable that CMC has lost precious time as a result of their forced relocation when they could have better served the public by addressing their real job.
Our (the county residents) issue is, that CMC is having to do its job hampered by political and personal issues. The bottom line is that when we get bitten (and possibly health-compromised), should we be arguing about board elections or support those who have served us so well and been here for us for so many years?
CMC was here for us before our current county commissioners and hopefully will be here when they’re gone.
Joel Kantor
Dolores
