Over the past several years, I’ve enjoyed a sense of security knowing that County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt has demonstrated a firm grasp of how to balance the needs of the gas industry and those of La Plata County’s citizens.

Her opponent in this year’s election, Lyle McKnight, accuses her of “pursuing her own activist-agenda” regarding local energy-industry oversight, but that is not true.

Instead, it is the agenda of the hundreds of county residents who voted her into office in the first place. We are residents who believe it is possible to have gas company jobs as well as the healthy quality of life to enjoy the benefits of those jobs.

Lachelt has shown us that she has the knowledge and experience necessary to achieve this balanced goal. Her voting history shows clearly that she has never been against the development of resource extraction nor has she ever been against holding gas companies accountable for maintaining the best possible practices that the industry has to offer. Her approach gets everybody what they need and let’s La Plata County become a national leader in the stewardship of our natural resources.

Keeping Commissioner Gwen Lachelt in office will make us all more secure.

Rebecca Koeppen

Ignacio