Vernal, Utah–The March 27th oil shale meeting in Vernal, Utah that was attended by the Garfield County Board of Commissioners has been deemed a “technical” violation of the state’s open meeting laws. The Uintah County board of commissioners made the acknowledgement today in response to a lawsuit filed by a Vernal citizen. Garfield County Commissioners Tom Jankovsky, Mike Samson and John Martin accepted an invitation from Uintah County to take part in the meeting discussing the BLM’s oil shale plans for the area encompassing parts of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. According to reports, the public notice of the meeting was posted 4 minutes past the deadline.
Glenwood Springs–Colorado is still in a severe drought but a recent series of afternoon and evening rainstorms have improved conditions on the Western Slope. Stage 1 fire bans have been lifted in Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle and Mesa Counties. In addition, the city of Rifle has lifted it’s water restrictions on watering and irrigation.
Denver–Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh is ordering 10 medical marijuana stores to close or their properties will be seized. Walsh says the stores are in violation of the 1,000 foot buffer zone from schools. The stores have 45 days to comply or they could face federal charges.
Basalt–Hundreds of people crowded into the Basalt High School Gymnasium dubbed “The Bighouse,” to hear Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney speak Thursday afternoon. The gym wasn’t big enough for everyone as a couple hundred more were turned away. Romney was joined by 10 leading Republican governors including Rick Perry of Texas and Chris Christie of New Jersey. Romney and each governor criticized President Obama’s economic policies and touted a five step plan to return America to prosperity. The plan involves less government regulation and taxes and greater emphasis on domestic energy development.
