From: Coalition Opposing Mandatory 4-H and FFA Premises Registration

John Reid, Chairman

Ordway, Colorado

To: Jeff Goodwin, State 4-H Program Director

Recent news articles regarding the issue of mandatory 4-H premises registration reflect statements attributed to you that the coalition finds disconcerting and that I, as an individual, find problematic coming from a person in public employment, particularly one that holds a position as Director of the Colorado 4-H Youth Development Program under Colorado State University’s Cooperative Extension Service.

From the North Forty News & Fossil Creek Current article titled "Larimer Support Sought for 4-H Premises Registration" dated July 2007:

"The registration program, however sparked revolt by what Goodwin characterized as fringe organizations that contend premises registration constitutes an invasion of privacy and a perpetual covenant on property."

"Goodwin said he wants to assure the Larimer commissioners that the critics have no credibility."

The coalition consists of many individuals from across the state, along with numerous county and state organizations. A majority of coalition members are connected to the 4-H program in one fashion or another - 4-H leaders, 4-H parents or guardians and many are past 4-H members themselves. Certainly, as taxpaying citizens of Colorado they are constituents of the land grant university system and the Cooperative Extension Program and, as such, deserve equal opportunity, respect and consideration - even when their opinions and positions on issues differ from yours or the university’s. These are the very people the university relies on for support and funding. Referring to your own program’s participants and supporters as having no credibility is a demeaning insult.

If you were misquoted in this article, I suggest you contact the publication and request that a retraction and correction be published immediately. I also urge you to consider carefully and responsibly the comments you make on this subject to the media in the future.

You have also referred to the Colorado Independent CattleGrowers Association (CICA) as a "splinter group", and you insinuated during a meeting with coalition representatives that CICA’s participation in the premises registration issue is nothing more than a ploy to gain members.

CICA is not the only state group involved in the coalition and it is disconcerting that you, as an educator and director of a state youth program, would make such statements without a clear understanding of what groups or individuals are involved in the coalition. CICA does have policy opposing mandatory premises registration for 4-H and FFA youth. This is membership-driven policy presented and passed by CICA’s members, who must own cattle to vote on the organization’s policies. These same members are also taxpaying constituents of Colorado State University and its Cooperative Extension Service, and they too deserve your respect and consideration. They have worked diligently to build a state organization they feel represents their interests and deserve far better than to be referred to as a "splinter group" or "fringe organization."

These inflammatory comments do nothing to resolve the issues at hand and certainly do not reflect a responsible, solution-oriented approach.

It has also come to the coalition’s attention that a Colorado 4-H youngster in attendance at the National Conference held recently in Washington, DC was subjected to rude and discouraging conduct by a county 4-H youth development agent from Boulder. During a session held early in the conference, youngsters were encouraged to discuss the issues of importance to them. A 4-H member from LaPlata County indicated that her issue of importance was mandatory premises registration. Her family opposes mandatory premises registration for 4-H. Reports from a number of youngsters in attendance confirm that the agent’s response to this youngster’s desire to discuss the issue was inappropriate and made them feel uncomfortable. It is not the role of a county agent to stymie a youngster’s interest, creativity and passion for the issues that concern them. Rather, it is the agent’s responsibility to facilitate the youngster’s interest. It is unfortunate that this particular youngster, and others who witnessed the event, came away from the incident feeling as though they are not permitted to have an independent opinion if it differs from the university administration’s and they unfortunately learned what consequences to expect when they do. I do not believe this is the sort of behavior Colorado State University’s Cooperative Extension Service wants to propagate among its employees.

It has also been brought to our attention that the university’s email system is being used to circulate information from proponents of mandatory premises registration. If this is the case, then the I will assume that the same consideration and service will be provided to opponents. I would appreciate information about how to accomplish this.

The mandatory 4-H premises registration matter is a sensitive issue that is growing in attention and scope throughout the state. The coalition continues to expand in membership. I remain available to you for discussion of the matter.

Respectfully,

John Reid

cc: President Larry Penley

Dr. Marc Johnson, Interim Director

Good Neighbor Committee
P.O. Box 155 - La Salle, CO  80645
info@goodneighborlaw.com

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