“All I can say right now is I’m going to do my best to make things right. Our county is too special a place to be ruined by bad decisions,” said Dave Morlan during the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners regular meeting Tuesday.
In his public statement, Morlan responded to the board’s unanimous decision not to reappoint him as the County Road and Bridge Director, a role he has held for 17 of the 35 years he has worked for the county.
“I believe my success has been because I’ve always listened to all sides of these issues, I’ve always had great open communication with the boards I’ve served, and I’ve made all of my decisions with the majority of Rio Blanco County Constituents in mind,” Morlan said.
He also lambasted Commissioners Gary Moyer and Jeff Rector for decisions that he called “self-serving and destructive to some really good people” and “not in the best interest of our county.” Morlan also accused Moyer and Rector of treating him with “total disrespect” over the last six months, related to an “employee matter” that he says should have been handled with the HR department. Morlan also said the two had lied to him about his future employment status.
“In recent meetings, they’ve assured me that I would be allowed to serve my last year until I retired in December, and obviously that’s another lie.”
All three commissioners voted against Morlan’s re-appointment.
“We were instructed by the county attorney not to talk about it, but I think that there’s many contributing factors,” said newly-elected Commissioner Ty Gates when asked if he wanted to comment on Morlan’s statement.
Commissioner Jeff Rector confirmed that he had also been instructed not to comment on the matter “through legal advice.”
Commissioner Gary Moyer responded to Morlan’s statement, saying “I’m sorry you feel that way,” before moving on to the commissioner updates. Moyer was unable to be reached for comment.
The Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at 3 p.m. to approve advertising for a Road and Bridge Director, and appoint an interim. The meeting will be held by telephone only, those wishing to participate or provide public comment can do so by calling 970-878-9432.
Dave Morlan’s full statement:
Transcript:
“I just need to make a couple points here about your decision not to re-appoint me. Rio Blanco County is my home, as we all know it is a special place. I’ve worked for Rio Blanco County for 35 years and I’ve proudly served as RBC’s Road and Bridge Director for the past 17 years, and I do appreciate everyone I’ve been blessed to serve.
I believe my success has been because I’ve always listened to all sides of these issues, I’ve always had great open communication with the boards I’ve served, and I’ve made all of my decisions with the majority of Rio Blanco County Constituents in mind.
My team and I at Road and Bridge have accomplished some amazing things. Roads are safer and in better condition than most counties in Colorado.
We’ve all seen Rector and Moyer make decisions that have not been in the best interest of our county. Several decisions have been self-serving and destructive to some really good people.
Throughout the last six months, Rector and Moyer have treated me with total disrespect, and I’ve been shunned because of an employee matter that should have easily been handled by myself and HR.
In recent meetings, they’ve assured me that I would be allowed to serve my last year until I retired in December, and obviously that’s another lie.
All I can say right now is I’m going to do my best to make things right. Our county is too special a place to be ruined by bad decisions.”
By LUCAS TURNER | [email protected]om
