Amendment 64: Greeley City Council Votes No

On Oct. 16^th, the Greeley City Council declared they will be opposing Amendment 64 and encouraging citizens to do the same.

The passing of Amendment 64 would permit the consumption and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana in Colorado.

Greeley Police Chief Jerry Garner also opposes the bill and believes Colorado citizens should vote no on the legalization of marijuana.

“Every professional law enforcement association in the state of Colorado has announced their opposition to Amendment 64,” Garner said. “Drug driving is already a problem for us in this state. Putting more marijuana out there is going to make it a more serious problem because drugged drivers are more difficult to detect than drunk drivers.”

Currently, medicinal marijuana licenses permit the possession and consumption of one ounce or less of marijuana in Colorado, as well as 16 other states. Washington and Oregon join Colorado as the only states to possibly legalize marijuana this voting year.

Greeley Mayor Tom Norton also spoke about the issue.

“Based on my passed experience as a legislator, when you make a change in the Constitution to the state of Colorado that violates federal law, considerable difficulty in lawsuits can be forthcoming,” Norton said. “I would recommend a negative vote on 64 for that particular reason.”

Greeley Prepares for Sormwater Audits

On Oct. 2^nd, the Greeley City Council approved the revision of three city codes related to its stormwater program.

In 2002, Greeley was issued a Stormwater Discharge Permit (MS4 Permit), which requires cities to meet certain requirements and pass random state audits related to stormwater regulations. Cities that fail to meet the regulations may be fined and penalized by the state.

“These regulations are in place to protect our citizens and property from flooding in severe storm conditions,” Greeley City Councilman Robb Casseday said. “Strict rules are placed on developers and maintenance requirements to assure their ability to handle flood waters.”

The revised codes focus on the cities grading soil and erosion control in areas where mud and soil wash onto roads, creating more efficiant enforcements on city channels and detention ponds, and preventing oils and other chemicals from being washed into storm sewers.

These changes are minor and Greely City Councilman John Gates says there will be no direct impact on Greeley residents.

“These changes are recommended from the state as new requirements for permit holders,” Gates said.

The state will begin the random audits for permit holders on Oct. 15^th.