What are the facts?

"Houpt has no respect for her oath of office"
It's interesting what you find when you google somebody.
Posted May 18, 2008. Refrences: Post Indedpent October 18, 2006 Letter's to the Editor

 

October 18, 2006

Dear Editor,

Good-old-boy or good-old-girl system, which is it? Trési Houpt was attempting to tamper with the hiring process when she was ruled out of order, and, slow learner that she is, she overran her time during the Lions Club meeting the next day. The job of any moderator is to ensure that all subjects and speakers receive equal time. We all know that Trési is trying again to hire one of “her people,” even though the commissioners are not directly involved in the hiring of employees. This is to prevent the very thing that Trési was trying to accomplish, another of her conflicts of interest.

It seems that she really took it to heart when Leslie Robinson called her “the Queen of Garfield County” after she was elected, because she feels that no rules or laws apply to her or her supporters, even though the laws they violate put others’ lives at risk. We all know how many times construction workers are killed just trying to do their jobs, but these workers seem to have little importance to “Ticket-Fixing Trési” and her people.

If Trési has no respect for her oath or office, why is she running for re-election?

Paula Adams
Glenwood Springs

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"State Sen. Greg Brophy expressed his concern over confirming Houpt as a COGCC commissioner because of her position towards the oil and gas industry. Brophy is quoted in the article, wondering, “Are we going to have a true representative of local government here?”"
A State Senitor was concerned Trési Houpt wouldn't
be a true representative of local government
Posted May 18, 2008. Refrences: Post Indedpent March 12, 2008 Letter's to the Editor

March 12, 2008


Oil and gas industry is critical to our economy In Phillip Yates’ Glenwood Springs Post Independent article on March 6 regarding the state Senate’s confirmation of Trési Houpt’s Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission appointment, State Sen. Greg Brophy expressed his concern over confirming Houpt as a COGCC commissioner because of her position towards the oil and gas industry. Brophy is quoted in the article, wondering, “Are we going to have a true representative of local government here?”

I think Houpt’s absence from the COGCC stakeholder’s meeting held in Parachute on Jan. 3 substantiates his concerns. If confirmed, I challenge Trési Houpt to fulfill her responsibilities to the constituents of Western Colorado communities by validating and respecting our concerns about our local economy, which is substantially supported by the oil and gas industry.

Furthermore, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent has provided ongoing coverage of the COGCC rule-making process, yet a portion of State Bills 1298 and 1341 have been overlooked. Provided for in HB-1341, under the section titled “Comprehensive Development Plans,” is a gross undermining of personal property rights. These rules allow for neighboring property owners and local citizen groups to protest the location of a drilling site. There is a separation of surface and mineral rights owners in Colorado, which has been an ongoing point of contention among landowners, and which is a separate issue. However, personal property rights have borders, which can be staked at the corners. Under no circumstances do these fences include consideration of neighboring whims. The verbiage included in the draft is ambiguous and open-ended, placing no set limits on the degradation of individual rights. This portion of the legislation before us goes beyond political, industry and economic impacts. This is government chipping away at constitutional rights.

The COGCC must be held accountable for their actions. Ultimately, it is up to each individual citizen to take an active interest in the future of your livelihoods, property values and economic well-being.

Kaycee Manuppella

Rifle

 

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"Trési is a polarizer - I believe Trési has been more obstructive than constructive"
Republican county commissioner candidate Steve Reynolds
accused Houpt of obstructing the business of the commission.
Posted May 18, 2008. Refrences: Post Indedpent October 18, 2006

Heat comes on at candidates forum
Commissioner, assessor candidates come out swinging

Donna Gray
Post Independent Staff
October 18, 2006

Two hotly contested races for county office got a heated airing at the annual Glenwood Springs Issues and Answers Forum Tuesday night at City Hall. Republican county commissioner candidate Steve Reynolds went right for his opponent, Democrat incumbent Trési Houpt, accusing her of obstructing the business of the commission.

"I believe Trési is a polarizer," he said. "I believe Trési has been more obstructive than constructive."

He said Houpt's Democratic leftward-leaning politics and Commissioner Larry McCown's right-facing Republican philosophy often make for impasses over important issues. "It's no secret the board doesn't work well together," Reynolds told the standing-room only crowd.

Reynolds said he has what Houpt doesn't have, experience as a businessman working in contentious situations "and coming up with solutions acceptable to all parties. I'm a facilitator not a polarizer."

Houpt answered the charge with considerably less heat.

She said that three-member boards often find themselves in a two-to-one vote situation. But that the single vote "rotates around the commission room."

Despite the fact that she and McCown and Commissioner John Martin have different approaches to issues, "We come to the table and we look for a way to create solutions."

Reynolds was also quick to say that Houpt is not entirely at fault for the dynamic of the board.

"I'm not blaming her. To say it's just Trési, to say it's her fault isn't fair to her," he said. "We need to put egos and political agendas on the back burner."