The following is a compilation of the responses we and/or Halt The Power Lines supporters received. We are not in the business of endorsing candidates, and leave that up to you to consider their responses on this topic, along with your concerns on other issues. However, we have noted mildly our significant concerns with one response.
We believe non-response is a significant indication about the candidate. The following candidates have not yet responded to Halt the Power Lines or, to our knowledge, to any HTPL supporters: Dustin Jensen and Mark Malsam. (If anyone knows either, you may want to encourage them to share their thoughts with us, as it may only indicate missed communication. If they do give us info., we'll update this post.)
Our next post will address candidates for other offices.
The responses appear in order of receipt:
(September 30) Josh Martin (current member of town council)
(He wrote to us and several supporters, adding bits of information along the way. We are cobbling together his position from several different emails.)
"As a sitting Councilmember, due to significant legal constraints, I cannot take a position on the power line issue. As you know, since there is not an application in front of the Town at this point, for me to state an opinion would be considered prejudicial, and potentially open the Town to legal prosecution. That being said, the Town has engaged an independent 3rd party to complete a top to bottom review of the potential impacts of the proposed additional power line."
(Note: One supporter reports Josh wrote to him that town council has hired Tom Ghidossi, an exponential engineer, for an independent review, with results are expected in 60 days.)
"As a resident of Canterberry crossing, I am very familiar with the current power line and Xcel easement through both of our neighborhoods."
"I have spent probably 10-15 hours researching the topic, including websites, etc. from all sides of this issue, as well as what other communities have done when proposals like this have come in front of them. Also, the Council has received a number of emails both in support of and against this project. I've read all of them and have taken both the support and concerns under advisement."
"I have not spoken with any representatives of Xcel. I have had (mostly email) feedback from a number of citizens that support the project." [Editor's Note: Refers only to his communication he's had with project supporters. One wonders what would motivate anyone to support this project at this point unless they have a vested interest in its outcome or a relationship with Xcel. Many of the letters sent to the PUC (remember the school board) are provided by "friends" of Xcel. That's why the company maintains such an extensive community and government relations organization.)
"The study will be made public and it will be presented and discussed in a Council Study Session, like anything else of it's type would be."
(Note: Another supporter--a realtor--reported that he included the following in his response to her/him, "I see the 'Godzilla Towers' from my back deck, and having been a VP for a mortgage company for 9 years in a past life, I certainly understand the impacts things like this can have on property values.")
"As a sitting Councilmember, due to significant legal constraints, I cannot take a position on the power line issue. As you know, since there is not an application in front of the Town at this point, for me to state an opinion would be considered prejudicial, and potentially open the Town to legal prosecution. That being said, the Town has engaged an independent 3rd party to complete a top to bottom review of the potential impacts of the proposed additional power line."
(Note: One supporter reports Josh wrote to him that town council has hired Tom Ghidossi, an exponential engineer, for an independent review, with results are expected in 60 days.)
"As a resident of Canterberry crossing, I am very familiar with the current power line and Xcel easement through both of our neighborhoods."
"I have spent probably 10-15 hours researching the topic, including websites, etc. from all sides of this issue, as well as what other communities have done when proposals like this have come in front of them. Also, the Council has received a number of emails both in support of and against this project. I've read all of them and have taken both the support and concerns under advisement."
"I have not spoken with any representatives of Xcel. I have had (mostly email) feedback from a number of citizens that support the project." [Editor's Note: Refers only to his communication he's had with project supporters. One wonders what would motivate anyone to support this project at this point unless they have a vested interest in its outcome or a relationship with Xcel. Many of the letters sent to the PUC (remember the school board) are provided by "friends" of Xcel. That's why the company maintains such an extensive community and government relations organization.)
"The study will be made public and it will be presented and discussed in a Council Study Session, like anything else of it's type would be."
(Note: Another supporter--a realtor--reported that he included the following in his response to her/him, "I see the 'Godzilla Towers' from my back deck, and having been a VP for a mortgage company for 9 years in a past life, I certainly understand the impacts things like this can have on property values.")
(October 6) Renee Williams
"I appreciate you for bringing this concern to my attention. The emails I received on September 30 were the first I heard of this topic.... Since becoming aware of the issue, I have started to educate myself on it. I have reviewed your website and joined your email list. Please feel free to forward me any additional information you have. At this time, I do not feel I have enough understanding to respond to your questions...."
(October 12) Al Bollwerk
"I personally am opposed to having the new Xcel Power Lines being planned to be constructed across Rowley Downs. I am not sure at this time if the Parker Town Council has plans to try an impede or delay the progress of the building of the High Power Lines. I heard that Xcel proposed plans now lies with a PUC judge to decide where the plan needs to go from here for the next step of approval. If elected to the Parker Town Council in the Nov 4th election, I would oppose any passing of the plan and vote for delaying it as long as possible. Putting the high power line underground would be probably make the most sense."
(October 13) Amy Holland (current member of council)
"As a responsible citizen and Councilwoman, I can assure you that I am staying on top of all of the literature, presentations, videos, newspaper articles, e-mails, letters and social media to ensure I am gaining the most accurate and detailed information regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, to maintain the ability to serve in the best interest of the citizens of Parker, I must uphold my responsibility to all concerned by adhering to the current legal constraints at this given time.
I certainly hope that you are able to respect me and the position I hold and take very seriously as a current Councilmember. Please know that I am not taking this situation lightly by any means."
(Follow up question not yet responded to: Have you ever discussed this project in a meeting or otherwise with an Xcel representative or anyone supporting this project?)
Meanwhile, to maintain the ability to serve in the best interest of the citizens of Parker, I must uphold my responsibility to all concerned by adhering to the current legal constraints at this given time.
I certainly hope that you are able to respect me and the position I hold and take very seriously as a current Councilmember. Please know that I am not taking this situation lightly by any means."
(Follow up question not yet responded to: Have you ever discussed this project in a meeting or otherwise with an Xcel representative or anyone supporting this project?)
(October 14) Mark Schmitt
(Cobbled together from two different responses.)
"I share your concerns as I am a resident on Sagewood Lane [Hidden River] in Parker. My boys and I play in the parks on the circle too. I have lived here for the last 7 years. I drive under the unsightly lines twice a day. I too prefer the sky to be beautiful and clear. ...Comments must be very cautious in nature but [that] doesn't mean [you] can't say at least a stand or opinion."
"I share your concerns as I am a resident on Sagewood Lane [Hidden River] in Parker. My boys and I play in the parks on the circle too. I have lived here for the last 7 years. I drive under the unsightly lines twice a day. I too prefer the sky to be beautiful and clear. ...Comments must be very cautious in nature but [that] doesn't mean [you] can't say at least a stand or opinion."
(October 14) Mark Lane (Mr. Lane gives the most complete answers, but it seems most of his "facts" come from Xcel.)
The answers to the following questions will explain my views on the (not yet) proposed Xcel project...
· What is your understanding of the Xcel proposal?
Xcel Energy is predicting that due to the growth of Douglas County and areas south that the demand for electricity will increase and that they will need to supply another 550 MW (Mega Watts) in the next 6 years to meet this demand. The transmission lines will run adjacent to the current lines in the existing right-of-way. The new poles will range from 70' to 150' in height. As the existing poles are right at 140', not much of a difference.
· What have you done to understand the proposal and process?
I have spent many hours on the phone gathering information. Many more researching online and reading the reports and talking with both Xcel and Douglas County. The only comment I can get from the Town of Parker is that an application has not been submitted so they cannot offer any specifics on what the proposal may look like. It is my understanding that this project will be submitted in the fall of 2015.
· What have you done to understand constituent concerns related to the proposal?
I have received many comments and concerns from my fellow constituents on this project. Mainly from residents who live closest to the existing lines. I do understand their concerns and have researched them. The two links below show photos of what the additional line will look like. I have also researched the electromagnetic effects it may have and there is no research I have found that determines that power lines cause adverse reactions to those living near by. As far as real-estate values, I have learned that there may be a 2-9% decrease in property values. However, as this is an addition to existing lines I don't see it to be a factor.
http://www.sb100transmission.
http://www.sb100transmission.
· From town staff, we understand the mayor and town administrator have met with Xcel representatives to discuss the proposal. Have you ever discussed this project in a meeting or otherwise with an Xcel representative or anyone supporting this project? Of the many meetings I have attended, this project has not been discussed. As I stated, it won't even be proposed until fall of 2015. In fact, most of the residents I ask about this project don't even know about it. If the PUC determines that the transmission line is needed, than I don't see it not happening. I do believe that running it next to the existing line would have the least impact on the 5.5 mile run through Parker
· What have you done or plan to do to engage the interested parties in a search for a solution that works for all parties?
When it does get proposed and becomes an issue that can be worked on then I believe being informed on the issues and getting input from our residents we will be able to come up with the best case option. I do know that to run a transmission line is approximately 1.8 million per mile where as burying the line cost 40 million per mile! Do you realize the huge increase we would all be burdened with? Now that will be a very hard sell.
· What is your position on Xcel's proposal?
As I stated earlier, if this is deemed to be needed for future needs, then it is going to happen whether we want it or not. All we can really do is to make the project happen with the least impact to our community.
· What do you believe the Town Council can do to most effectively influence the final outcome of this proposal and ensure it meets the needs of the Parker community? If I am elected to serve, I will do everything I can to ensure the project will have the least amount of impact.
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