In the Feb. 13, 2015 edition of the Cortez Journal, Montezuma County Commissioner Larry Don Suckla is quoted as saying, “Our job (as county commissioners) is to protect property rights in Montezuma County.” However, on July 7, 2014, he voted to take away property rights – transferable development rights – from property owners in the Dolores River Valley. The County Land Use Code in effect at that time defined transferable development rights as “a real property right” (Section 8102).

As of May 4, 2015, Montezuma County has disbursed nearly $28,000 of taxpayer funds, without prior authorization, to six property owners in the Dolores River Valley as compensation for the loss of their property rights (TDRs). This payment to these property owners for the loss of their property rights is in direct contradiction to the stated job of the Montezuma County commissioners.

It seem to me that the taxpayers of Montezuma County should not be held financially responsible for the inappropriate action by Commissioner Suckla.

Greg Kemp

Mancos