Haven't heard from Hurd

After checking in this past week with a diversity of local residents I concluded that I wasn’t the only person wondering why our newly elected Congressperson Jeff Hurd wasn’t standing up to raise his voice as to how the recent machinations of the Trump Dis-Administration were adversely affecting SW Colorado citizens – the same ones that Hurd specifically spoke about supporting in his recent campaign.

Thinking that perhaps I had missed a statement or comment from Hurd in the media, I checked the most recent press releases on his website and found nothing there indicating he had raised his voice (or at least his hand) to indicate concern about the dismantling of federal funding (including matches to local districts, citizens, non-profits, etc.) I phoned his D.C. office for clarification. “No statement is available” was the sorry response I received.

I’m hearing and reading that, at the pretense of “government efficiency” (perhaps like saving on your food budget by not eating?), payments from federal programs that had been authorized by Congress and coordinated through a diversity of federal agencies are being “held” or terminated. Apparently, Hurd doesn’t feel the need to raise a voice of alarm about the truncating of financial commitments to local individuals and/or entities (governmental, private or nonprofit) that is now being used to “hang out to dry” the citizens he emphasized he would support.

The withdrawal of these mutually agreed-upon and legally approved funds undercuts efforts in our community to repair/upgrade irrigation infrastructure; implement critical prescribed fire needs in our forests; and restore watersheds to enhance our climate/drought resiliency. I haven’t even touched upon social services, law enforcement, public health, nutrition support and a slew of other federal-local partnerships.

The citizens of Colorado’s Third District have done their part to create initiatives to better the lives and lands of our region. We have diligently paid our taxes to the federal treasury with the reasonable expectation that some of these monies will be returned to our region. I’m not quite sure why Hurd isn’t jumping onto his desk in the House of Representatives to demand that his constituency (along with those across the country) be treated fairly, respectfully and (gee!) like adults by fulfilling these financial agreements. However, if we individually jump onto our phones and give him a call to let him know that we are more important than irresponsible political antics, perhaps he will get the message. The number to Hurd’s office in D.C. is 202-225-4676. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to hear from constituents.

– Jimbo Buickerood, Hermosa