Pubdate: Thu, 13 Aug 2015
Source: Daily Sentinel, The (Grand Junction, CO)
Copyright: 2015 Cox Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.gjsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2084
Author: Ruth Mann

DE BEQUE SHOULD BE PROUD OF SUCCESS WITH MARIJUANA

I have tried to keep up with the issue of marijuana in De Beque and 
I've seen plenty of stories of locals bad-mouthing their own town. 
I'm wondering why they feel that way about themselves? Do they not 
know they are at the cusp of a brand-new day? Do they realize they 
will never have to be concerned about having financial difficulty again?

I have to admit, I'm amazed at the response to marijuana in De Beque. 
There seem to be some people who are not making sense. How can a town 
that sells cigarettes and booze denounce marijuana? I bet everyone in 
De Beque knows someone who has died from a DUI. Can they name one 
person who has died from THC? How can a town that tried to embrace 
gambling because the town was "dying" turn their nose up at a 
perfectly legal, and amazingly lucrative, plant?

Not one single resident in De Beque will ever be forced to use 
marijuana. If parents do the hard work of parenting, their kids will 
be safe. The people in De Beque who say this is a "gateway drug" are 
doing nothing more than insulting every other parent in town. 
Obviously parents in De Beque are awful, so others must step in to 
help them parent?

De Beque is more financially set than at any other time in its long, 
dusty history. The real issue is: How smart is the De Beque town 
council? Smart enough to handle this sudden windfall? As I hear and 
read their reactions I have my doubts. It could be that the biggest 
issue in De Beque will be finding council members who are ethical and 
moral and patient when it comes to how do make the most of their 
tremendous luck.

Be proud De Beque. I've lived in this area for nearly 40 years and 
this is the first time I can ever remember you being in charge of 
your own future. Good luck.

RUTH MANN

Grand Junction
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom