Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to the Moffat County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday. It is reprinted here at the request of its writer, former Local Marketing District board member David DeRose.

Dear Sirs:

Late in the summer of 2015, I was approached by (Moffat County) Commissioner Frank Moe to help place on the ballot the concept of a Local Marketing District. This required 50 percent of the commercial real estate owners to sign the ballot based on assessed evaluation. Since my service to Craig as a city council member and mayor, the concept of growing our economy has been something that I held as very important. I have watched as different groups tried to make changes and witnessed the struggle to obtain the funding needed to succeed. This concept of a revenue stream that could be used for this purpose was something I felt was a move in a positive direction.

Having served in office, I know that elected officials change as often as every two years, and this concept of a dedicated funding source would make a difference. One that did not depend on elected officials’ opinions or political whims. That being said, I did work to secure signatures of many of the land owners, and when this concept was approved by the voters for a 10-year period, I decided to offer my services to this cause.

On Tuesday, the 5th of December, I received an email with a letter from Commissioner Moe after a Local Marketing District meeting held on Nov. 29. During that meeting, after the press had left, we had a discussion about what I can only identify as the continued micromanagement from Commissioner Moe, and I offered to present my resignation. The letter I received from Commissioner Moe asked both personally and officially for my resignation, and I am willing to provide that for you now. I do that, as it was on Moffat County letterhead, and I presume this is the wish of the entire board of commissioners.

To the Craig community, I apologize for thinking this revenue stream might make a difference or that it would be protected from elected official interference. My belief at the time was we could make a difference, and now, I no longer believe that. To those who questioned the motives of the elected officials wanting to create this stream, I apologize for defending what I, at the time, believed to be a good move for all of us.

Please accept my resignation effective today, Dec. 7, 2017.

Sincerely,

David DeRose