Martin Stands Alone

A big crowd turned out for the Oct. 20 City Council meeting. The local news networks were there. Photographers brought their cameras. Reporters had their notebooks. The reason for all this buzz? Pot.

That’s right, marijuana. This was the final reading of an ordinance pertaining to the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. On the agenda, item number 35 proposed an ordinance to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in the city of Greeley.

Proponents on both sides of the topic came to argue their cause in front of the Council, just hoping to sway an opinion or two. Those in favor of adopting the ordinance to prohibit the dispensaries did not see the need for such establishments. Many were not advocates of having businesses set up in the Greeley community for selling marijuana. Others questioned the legitimacy of both the caregivers and the users.

However, the majority of those speaking to Council were against this ordinance, and therefore in favor of the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. Jeri Shepherd is a supporter of the dispensaries because she said the drug offers legitimate benefits to those who are authorized to use it. Shepherd has a Web site, Sensible Colorado, used to gain support for medical marijuana. The other dispensary advocates agreed with Shepherd and added that allowing dispensaries legitimizes this business. They stressed the revenue for Greeley that sales tax dollars would generate and the ability to control who is using marijuana.

After much public input, the Council discussed the possibilities before voting on the ordinance. Mayor Ed Clark definitively stated that he is against dispensaries and therefore in favor of the ordinance. Councilmember Feldhaus agreed, stating that despite the compelling arguments from the audience, and the compassion he said he feels for the patients, there are just too few regulations in place to safely allow dispensaries. Councilmember Carrol Martin was the only one on the other side of the fence. He argued that dispensaries are the only way to enforce and regulate medical marijuana rules. Martin was unable to convince the others to oppose the ordinance resulting in a 6-1 vote to adopt the ordinance. This means that medical marijuana dispensaries are not allowed within the city of Greeley, but patients still may grow marijuana for their own personal use and continue to use the substance. The community support was there, the Council just wasn’t budging.

More Than Just Codes and Ordinances

It is often assumed that City Council meetings consist only of legal mumbo-jumbo that is incomprehensible to most people. Although there are some items pertaining to complex rules and regulations, meetings also include issues that are closer to home. For example, at the Oct. 6 meeting, the Greeley City Council heard of an important development in the community. During the citizen input portion of the meeting, Melissa Jensen addressed the Council to shed light on a new literacy center opening in Greeley. Jensen, the High Plains Library District Foundation director, stated that the High Plains Library District received a grant for executing new projects. With this grant money, the district is setting up a Southeast Greeley Literacy Center targeting single mothers, young children and senior citizens. This center will help those who do not have easy access to library resources. Jensen said that the demand for library services is increasing due to the state of the economy. Some residents are finding it increasingly difficult to gain access to the Internet and reading material. With this center, these resources will be available for those who need it. During her brief presentation, Jensen stressed the need for community partnership in order to move beyond these tough economic times. I certainly agree.

So, even though City Council meetings often seem overwhelming, we can all appreciate local developments and stay involved in the community. There is most definitely a community aspect to City Council meetings; it is not all about the legal ramifications of complicated issues. This bottom line has nothing to do with money totals; it has to do with community development. After all, that is what a city is about -- building a community.