Public speaks out

During another heated debate at this week’s City Council meeting, council members received an earful when it came to prohibiting the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. Residents and medical marijuana dispensary owners came from Greeley, Evans, Gilcrest and La Salle to speak their minds about allowing this business to come to Greeley.

Richard Present, who currently works for Nature’s Medicine, spoke on several different occasions at the City Council meeting, is a strong advocate in making this business legal in Greeley.

“Loveland alone got $6,700 from medical marijuana dispensaries,” said Present. “We get at least 150 patients from Greeley a week and Loveland gets all those taxes.”

Another speaker was Jeri Shepherd, an attorney in Greeley. She stated what benefits medical marijuana holds. Nobody can overdose on cannibus. It is safer than alcohol and most over-the-counter prescription drugs and has been linked to lowering alcoholism. Shepherd is also an advocate for Sensible Colorado, which is Colorado’s leading medical marijuana advocacy organization.

However all council members had something to say on why they feel this ordinance should pass. Mayor Ed Clark was one of the first to speak on the matter.

“I have a real problem with opening dispensaries in Greeley,” said Clark. “I have a problem with it. I don’t think we’re there yet.”

Council members voted against this resolution.

City Council Speaks its Peace

A great portion of the Oct. 6 City Council meeting was devoted to establishing development fees for public improvements, facilities and equipment, drainage and transportation services. Tim Nash, Greeley’s financial director, showed council members the cost of building permits in neighboring cities such as Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Windsor. All council members argued against raising these fees due mainly to the poor economy we’re in. They feel many residents, as well as businesses, will suffer with these increases. I think Mayor Ed Clark said it best when he claimed that it doesn’t make sense to be the city with the least progress in the area, yet have the highest rate of fees and nothing to show for it. Council member Charles Archebeque was quite vocal when it came to his opinion on the matter.

“I am definitely opposed to raising fees until economy improves. Maybe in a year’s time it could be considered again.” All members feel the same way Archebeque does. As a result, this ordinance was denied by the council. In my opinion, raising fees for development projects around the city when homeowners are possibly taking out mortgages on their house to pay bills just doesn’t make sense.