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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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.”

BaldJim wrote on Apr 15, 2008 10:39 AM:
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.? "
amontonati wrote on Apr 15, 2008 10:24 AM:
MichaelSW wrote on Apr 14, 2008 8:39 PM:
ebby wrote on Apr 13, 2008 11:54 AM:
BaldJim wrote on Apr 11, 2008 11:22 AM:
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. "
MichaelSW wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:14 PM:
canyonman wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:32 PM:
Member17 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:23 PM:
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! "
BaldJim wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:25 AM:
Where did he work? That may not be mentioned in polite company. "
U Ben Hadd wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:53 AM:
MontroseResident wrote on Apr 9, 2008 9:35 PM:
OnMySoapbox wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:54 PM:
Did anyone even read this before they started throwing around terms like "socialist", communist", and "liberalist" that they doubtedly know the meanings of? "
OnMySoapbox wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:45 PM:
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? "
johngault wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:02 PM:
scoutthis wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:03 PM:
PaysonAZ wrote on Apr 8, 2008 2:57 PM:
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.
"
johngault wrote on Apr 8, 2008 2:12 PM:
rdthibeau wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:36 PM: