Jerry Dahl, an attorney employed by the Elbert County Community and Development Services Department, advises the public about his stance on county oil and gas regulation, at the Planning Commission meeting last night, 1/26/2012.
Audio here: Jerry Dahl at EC Planning Comm 1_26_2012.wmv
It is reasonable to conclude from his remarks that Mr. Dahl is promoting a county “right” to further regulate oil and gas development, and that he foresees the need for the county to litigate the question.
As an attorney Mr. Dahl represents his client’s interest, and the client is Richard Miller, the director of the Community and Development Services Department. Mr. Miller introduced Mr. Dahl and it is fair to conclude that Mr. Dahl accurately represented Mr. Miller’s interest.
So, the director of planning wants to regulate oil and gas development at the county level, and he’s hired an adversarial attorney who shares that interest.
And who are the people to be regulated by these forces? You and me. The county has an attorney sworn to zealously defend their interest, because all attorneys take an oath to zealously defend their clients’ interests, against you and me.
Should our tax money be used to fund an adversarial legal process that is aimed at us?