So I'm all set to call it a night when I get email from 2 candidates asking when my grades go up. So it's late, but here goes - my grades on the Camera's question about Prairie dog tales.
Personally, I think the amount of time and money devoted to prairie dogs is ridiculous. First of all, favoring prairie dogs over all other species throws the environment out of kilter. I definitely don't see how this kind of environmental intervention would square with the precautionary principle.
Second, with all the serious problems here, to waste time and money on this issue is just obscene. With that said, the existing plan is ok and opening this up again would be a further waste of time and money. So with that, the grades...
Matthew Applebaum A- : Good solid answer and points out the stupidity of highly favoring one species.
Philip Bradley D : The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Philip, it's nice to think we could find a balance that everyone can agree on but it's not going to happen.
Seth Brigham A : Great answer - really puts it in perspective about how tiny this is compared to the large issues we face.
Shawn Coleman A : Another good solid answer laying out the trade-offs and that we have so many more important issues we need to address.
Macon Cowles A- : Wow, Macon and I agree on an environmental issue. This may be a first. Short succinct good answer.
Angelique Espinoza A- : And another strong reasonable answer. Has sanity descended upon Boulder?
Crystal Gray B : It's not clear if Crystal thinks we should stick with what we have or "tweak" (ie spend 4 years discussing it for half of each council meeting) it a little more. Good point that bears are going to be the new problem. (if only bears ate prairie dogs, we could solve both problems at once...)
Andrew Harrison F : no answer. (Andrew never answers.)
Philip Hernandez B : Philip says that we clearly devote too much time on this issue (good) but says nothing on if we should stick with what we have or fight this out again (bad).
Nabil Karkamaz F : Vote on each prairie dog issue? Are you nuts? The city council would become the prairie dog (non)mitigation council. Terrible proposal.
Kathy Kramer D+ : Kathy want to have her cake, and eat it too. And give it to the poor and recycle it and... We need to revisit it, balance better (and more for the rodents) and yet spend our time and money on more important issues. Kathy, there is an inherent conflict in your goals.
Adam Massey D : Thank you Mr. Obvious. Nothing about if the present plan is good or what Adam would do.
Lisa Morzel D : Thank you Ms. Obvious. Said the same thing as Adam but used twice as many words (and provided more detail). Lisa will work toward creative solutions - I guess as opposed to others who want non-creative solutions?
Alan O'Hashi B+ : Ok, Alan is out there with his solution - and I have no idea if it would work. But it's a very interesting proposal.
Susan Osborne A- : Strong statement in the success of the present plan and that we should keep it.
Eugene Pearson B : Ok, Eugene wants to reopen the issue (bad) but raises the very valid points that we are spending way too much money on something that makes no scientific sense (very commendable).
Susan Peterson D+ : Another have her cake and eat it too answer. No the plan isn't working - so dump the problem on the city staff. Yes, they have time to devote to handling a contentious political issue. Not to mention that the root decision is one that belongs to the council.
Larry Quilling A : Great answer about the opportunity cost we have lost on prairie dogs. No comment on if he supports the present plan but support is the logical result of his statement.
Tom Riley B : Like Eugene, wants to reopen it but for all the right reasons. (I had a very hard time not giving Eugene and Tom an A++ for their answers - but the time taken if we reopen it would be gigantic.)
Eric Rutherford A- : Another solid answer that the plan is working. He says it is doing an excellent job which is a bit of a stretch.
Rob Smoke D+ : Rob never answers if we should revisit the existing plan (and avoids answering the main question for 6 long paragraphs). And he wants to resolve everything in the prairie dog's favor. How come people with this view never welcome a prairie dog colony into their front yard?
Ken Wilson A : Ken's answer is a polite "no, no, please don't bring this to council again." I get the feeling that this exhausted the council. Also Ken's standard "science & business background..." comment.
