Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE — Saying a bill that would require carbon monoxide detectors in homes smacked of “Big Brother, excessive government,” Commissioner Allan Belt voted against supporting it.

Still, the county’s resolution supporting Senate Bill 187 went through Monday, after Commissioner Bill Patterson seconded a motion brought by Commissioner Gary Ellis.

The bill would require homes being sold, transferred or constructed on or after July 1 to have a working carbon monoxide detector within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes.

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The bill’s provisions would apply to homes with a fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage.

Ellis referred to two Olathe deaths in January when he presented the county’s resolution of support.

In January, Julian “Russ” Beamer, 72, and his infant grandson, Truett Simoens, were found dead in Beamer’s home from what the coroner later ruled was acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

Beamer’s wife, Phyllis, was found in critical condition, but survived after being rushed to a hospital.

Ellis had presented the resolution at the request of Tony Licwinko, executive director of Sunrise Creek Assisted Living Center.

Licwinko was unable to attend Monday’s meeting because another matter came up, but told the Daily Press he supports the bill on behalf of his sales manager, Heather Simoens, who is Truett’s mother and Beamer’s daughter-in-law.

“I’m definitely all for it,” Simoens said during a phone interview.

“Had this been in effect before, my son would still be alive. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. People are not aware enough. If this act goes into place, it’s going to save more lives than they realize.”

She pointed out that smoke alarms are already mandatory, as are seat belts.

“I personally saw the value of it (SB187),” Ellis said during the meeting, adding later that carbon monoxide detectors, which retail from $20 and up, are relatively inexpensive.

“This is way, way beyond the role of government, requiring individuals in their own homes (to get detectors),” Belt dissented. “That is Big Brother, excessive government. Why would they stop there?”

He said it was possible the government would begin requiring homeowners to install sprinkler systems and other safety devices.

“I think this is a terrible bill,” Belt said.

Ellis said he’d considered it from a public safety standpoint. “It’s such a silent killer,” he said of carbon monoxide. “To me, it made sense.”

Belt was the lone no vote. “And I hope to God this bill fails,” he added.

Belt later said he had “a great deal of sympathy” for the Simoens and Beamer families, but it was customary to take suggestions to Colorado Counties Incorporated before individual boards of commissioners voted to support particular legislation.

“I feel very strongly that government has no place coming into private homes...It’s government micromanaging at a level I do not like at all,” he said.

“I know there’s been some disastrous cases of carbon monoxide deaths over the years, but I simply draw the line at the government coming into your house and telling you you have to have a carbon monoxide detector.”

Belt said it would be better if public officials warned consumers about the dangers of carbon monoxide and suggest, but not mandate, detectors.

Licwinko said he didn’t see why people view the bill as an intrusion. “There was opposition in Colorado Springs from people who felt it was nanny government,” he said.

“I don’t know how you could think it was nanny government. It’s no different than a smoke alarm.”

Simoens was aware of opposition from builders and real estate associations, but said SB187 was “definitely not” Big Brother.

A carbon monoxide detector would have saved her family, she reiterated. “They would all be here. Phyllis is still with us, but carbon monoxide stays with you forever. I think, in general, most people are (in support).

“It just makes sense.”

Comments

BaldJim wrote on Apr 15, 2008 10:39 AM:

" @ ebby, what is a nanny government?

People who curse 'politically correctness' in discussion, use the term to ridicule government rules which they believe interfere with the individual right to make stupid choices.

For example, no smoking laws, wearing seat belts laws, -- all sorts of regulation of behavior intended to make people behave rationally.

Just as a nanny controls the tiny tots in her care.

O.K.? "




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amontonati wrote on Apr 15, 2008 10:24 AM:

" I sit here, reading these comments. It is a very sad to hear these. People aguing over this issue. Kirby and Heather are not trying to "socialize" America, they are trying to make sure this does not happen to another familiy. A Co dedecter. Come on! If you have nothing else to do but worry about that, you better go watch CNN and then you can really see our government controlling our lives! The Simoens are good people trying to help others. GO HEATHER AND KIRBY!!You never know,one of these detectures might save one of your lives someday! "




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MichaelSW wrote on Apr 14, 2008 8:39 PM:

" Goo Goo Gaa Gaa "




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ebby wrote on Apr 13, 2008 11:54 AM:

" excuse me, but what is a nanny government? "




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BaldJim wrote on Apr 11, 2008 11:22 AM:

" @Member17: you obviously have some personal vendetta>

How do you come to that?

There are quite a number of ranchers who consider the BLM to be the epitome of nanny government.

They think it quite ironic to hear a former employee of the bigest nanny government (the federal one) ranting about nanny government on the scale of a home safety device.

He's a nice photogenic guy. "




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MichaelSW wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:14 PM:

" We elected these people to represent us, right? This is the USA, not perfect, but greatest country in the world. If people are so paranoid about the people we elect,aka our government, then vote for someone else or get the hell out of this country! What is the danger in having carbon monoxide detectors in homes? Did'nt hear anyone complaining about smoke detectors 25 years ago. There should be a law against people that want to endanger the lives of their familes by not following the laws of the land. Support Our Troops! "




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canyonman wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:32 PM:

" If I don't want to install a CO detector in my house. My descision. You want one in your house, buy one. Don't tell me I have to buy one unless your buying it for me. And I mean you, not the tax payers in general. "that child would be alive if..." Bovine feces. Coulda woulda shoulda. As far as that goes, that child would be alive had he been HOME. Doesn't sound the same, does it? "




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Member17 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:23 PM:

" Hoorah to Commissioner Belt for vote with a NO to stop legislating bills to protect ourselves!! A vote for our freedom and not an emotional vote. We need to protect ourselves and be informed and decide what is best for ourselves, our families, and our community. We don't need a law for every tragedy.
And to BaldJim - Why is it not polite to mention working with the BLM prior to being Commissioner? LUDICROUS - but you obviously have some personal vendetta! "




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BaldJim wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:25 AM:

" The fighters against socialism and communism as encroaching on our nanny government have energized the Daily Press to censor my comment posted here about Commissioner Belt's employment before his election to the Commissioner position.

Where did he work? That may not be mentioned in polite company. "




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U Ben Hadd wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:53 AM:

" There is absolutely nothing that prevents anyone from installing CO detectors on their own today. If you feel that strongly about it, DO IT. What we really need is more personal responsibility and less reliance on others. If our attitudes of today had prevailed 200 years ago we never would have gotten west of the Mississippi. Take care of yourself and everything else will fall into place. "




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MontroseResident wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:35 PM:

" Smoke Detectors are required to be in homes. Is it really such a great leap to require a carbon monoxide detector? "




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OnMySoapbox wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:54 PM:

" I'd also like to add that none of you have to put the detectors in your home unless it is "sold, transferred or constructed on or after July 1."

Did anyone even read this before they started throwing around terms like "socialist", communist", and "liberalist" that they doubtedly know the meanings of? "




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OnMySoapbox wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:45 PM:

" To Allen Belt and his supporters,

This is what you call "Big Brother Government"? OPEN YOUR EYES. There are larger issues that one should be concerned about in terms of living "as we wish?" (i.e.: The Patriot Act).

Do you choose not to put on your seatbelt as you drive to work, Allen? Have you uninstalled the smoke detectors in your home, johngault? If you have children, rdthibeau, would you say that child safety/carseat laws invade our private lives?

I doubt it. Why would you people oppose a simple, inexpensive law that only makes people more safe? "




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johngault wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:02 PM:

" hey payson - do you know the hazards of an unswept chimney? or a full bathtub, a hot stove, a temporary heater?...the list is endless. do we want the government to protect us from living? if you do, you will be living in a world devoid of freedom, even freedom to be stupid. "




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scoutthis wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Two questions come to mind when I read the comments-Have you actually read the Bill? and do YOU have a working CO Detector in your home? Office? Yes? Then ask yourself:Do the people who care for your children(during the day or overnight)have one? Smoke detectors are required-CO Detectors? johhngault: know the facts - Their son was at Grandma's house, not theirs. Where is one of the safest place for kids to be? GRANDMA'S HOUSE - Does yours have a CO Detector? Would you ask and insist befor your kids spend the night? Not until now. Thank You Commissioners "




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PaysonAZ wrote on Apr 8, 2008 2:57 PM:

" Kudos to the Montrose County Commissioners for passing a Resolution
in favor of SB187/Carbon Monoxide Detectors!!!
Smoke detectors have be proven to save lives; CO detectors are just one more safety device in the same vein.
If SB187 passes, homeowners need to make sure the CO detectors are placed near floor level, not overhead (as smoke detectors are). CO is a heavy gas and builds up from the floor.
"




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johngault wrote on Apr 8, 2008 2:12 PM:

" “Had this been in effect before, my son would still be alive -- What prevented you from buying a detector to begin with? Just another government mandate, there is no end to it, everytime something terrible happens some bureaucrat whats to pass a law. We need more Allen Belts in Government! "




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rdthibeau wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:36 PM:

" Thank You Allen Belt for being level headed enough to see that this really is big brother government. It is liberalism at it's worst. We should have the right to live as we wish. Where will all the unenforceable laws end? I feel they will end when we are full fledged socialist or communists. Then, and only them will we miss what the American west used to be. But we'll be too busy walking to work to pay our criminally high taxes to notice that we have no rights left. The liberals will have made all the choices for us. "




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