COMMUNITY NEWS
BOCC receives update from COG, Bruce criticizes group

During the July 19 BOCC meeting, Commissioner Douglas Bruce (left) addressed volunteers COG Chair Jan Doran and Vice Chair Amy Lathan (at podium) of the Citizen Outreach Group for offering to write a letter in support of getting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in the County. “I think we’re capable of writing our own letters,” he remarked. PHOTO BY LINDA HOBBS

By Linda Hobbs
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) heard an update from the Citizen Outreach Group (COG), an organization of volunteers established to educate citizens about county services and functions.

Volunteer COG Chair Jan Doran informed the Board the Citizens’ College is offering an eight-session class designed to teach people about how county government works.

Vice Chair Amy Lathan added that COG has been working to help bring an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office to El Paso County by writing to Congress to back the Board’s efforts.

Bruce expressed concern the group is overstepping its bounds, telling them, “I think this Board is capable of continuing to serve as a policy-making body for the County, and doesn’t need a surrogate organization to serve as a cheerleader to reinforce this Board’s position that we need an ICE office. I think we’re capable of writing our own letters.”

Bruce added that the County Court is in fact a State organization, and COG should not be including judicial agencies in their program, and should only focus on County matters.

Vice Chair Jim Bensberg responded to Bruce, “I think you have done a disservice not only to folks who have served on COG but to the public by distorting what they are charged with doing.” Bensberg added, “In your typical over-the-top fashion, you have unnecessarily distorted the goals and mission of this very valuable group of folks who convene once a month. We are in fact an agent of the State, so it is very appropriate to discuss judicial matters because we fund them.”

Commissioner Sallie Clark added, “The judicial system is intertwined with what we do with the Sheriff’s office, and every part of law enforcement that we work with. We do work with the judicial system, so I think it’s important that be a component of [the Citizens’ College].”

Bensberg and Clark praised the volunteers for their efforts, which includes manning a booth at the County Fair in Calhan from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the event.

For those interested in learning how County government works, classes for the Citizens’ College will be held weekly on Wed. evenings, 5:30 – 8:45 p.m., Aug. 29 – Oct. 17. Applications must be received no later than Aug. 10.

During the summer, the BOCC meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday morning in the third floor conference room, 27 East Vermijo Ave.

If any residents of Widefield, Security or any County-governed region have issues, questions or concerns, or if they merely wish to listen to their Commission in action, they are encouraged to attend.

CONTACT THE WRITER • linda.hobbs@ftnvalleynews.com