Post by Admin on Aug 16, 2019 8:14:34 GMT -7
GLA President Riley Blames Wunsch for the Golemeyer Creek Fiasco
Both men knew of violations but denied any knowledge of them
At the August 12th Glastonbury Landowners Association (GLA) monthly board meeting President Dennis Riley was asked by the Forum when he first knew of the Army Corps of Engineers Notice of Violation sent on December 4th, 2018. The letter details violations of the federal Clean Water Act, possible penalties and requests information regarding wetland delineation. They letter also asks the GLA to respond by January 21st, 2019 to let the Corps know how they plan to resolve the violations.
President Riley angrily hurled his response to the Forum by throwing himself forward in his chair while stating that "this is not a court of law and I do not have to answer any of your questions". He then looked to other board members for support and saw only expressions of shock at his defensive outburst. The Forum continued with our questions as Riley assumed a fetal like position in his chair. He tightly wrapped his arms around his chest, pulled his feet in under the chair and slouched down as far down as he could. He wore an insolent expression and was clearly contemptuous of our questions. At one point he stated that the Forum published only lies and as such he never read our articles. Then almost in the next breath he exclaimed "I can hardly wait until I read tomorrow what you wrote about me tonight".
The Forum persisted and Director Kevin Newby jumped in with questions. Director Mizzi offered commentary to inoculate the Board from the Golemeyer Creek fiasco. At one point she exclaimed that "Walter has nothing to do with the GLA". The other directors were generally silent. As time wore on President Riley adamantly defended his comments made on July 25th to the Forum that "there were no violations or Board communications with the agencies". He then blamed Project Facilitator and GLA Board agent Walter Wunsch for not notifying him of the Corps' violation letter. Wunsch was not present to defend himself and the GLA Board accepted Riley's accusation without question. Audience members whispered to each other. The discussion and questioning ended when the GLA Board agreed to assign President Riley to look into the matter.
Walter Wunsch stated on July 27th to the Forum that Dennis Riley was correct in his statement "there were no violations or Board communications with the agencies".
On August 13th, 2019 we emailed Walter Wunsch and his wife Regina. We asked them what they thought of President Riley's accusation. Regina replied:
The Forum persisted and Director Kevin Newby jumped in with questions. Director Mizzi offered commentary to inoculate the Board from the Golemeyer Creek fiasco. At one point she exclaimed that "Walter has nothing to do with the GLA". The other directors were generally silent. As time wore on President Riley adamantly defended his comments made on July 25th to the Forum that "there were no violations or Board communications with the agencies". He then blamed Project Facilitator and GLA Board agent Walter Wunsch for not notifying him of the Corps' violation letter. Wunsch was not present to defend himself and the GLA Board accepted Riley's accusation without question. Audience members whispered to each other. The discussion and questioning ended when the GLA Board agreed to assign President Riley to look into the matter.
Walter Wunsch stated on July 27th to the Forum that Dennis Riley was correct in his statement "there were no violations or Board communications with the agencies".
On August 13th, 2019 we emailed Walter Wunsch and his wife Regina. We asked them what they thought of President Riley's accusation. Regina replied:
"Walter received the violation letter being the agent for the GLA. Walter contacted Dennis regarding this, since Dennis is the legal applicant for the project and responsible for the reply. A three page detailed response was drafted which both Dennis and Walter signed. This was sent to Helena via certified mail. Walter followed up via a phone call several days later and the chief engineer acknowledged receipt of the letter. A copy of this response to Helena, signed by Dennis and Walter, was also sent to the Park County agency.".
The Forum can confirm that a three page GLA Response letter was sent to the Corps. It was signed by President Riley and Walter Wunsch and was printed on official GLA stationary. We have that letter and another GLA letter signed by Riley and Wunsch that was sent to the Park County Conservation board on October 29th, 2018. The subject of the October 29th letter was "Potential Golemeyer Creek Violation File #PK-67-18C".
The public record shows that both President Dennis Riley and Walter Wunsch knew about potential violations even before the official Army Corps of Engineers Notice of Violation was mailed on December 4th, 2018. Yet, both men publicly denied knowing of any violations or GLA communications with the agencies as late as July 25th, 2019. Fines for violating the Clean Water Act are accrued on a daily basis. The maximum fine is $50,000.00 per day. 256 days have elapsed since December 4th, 2018. Wunsch and Riley's willful intent to hide the violation evidence from landowners could accrue an extra $12,800,000.00 in fines.
The Forum is working on an article regarding the GLA letters mentioned above. We will publish both letters with that article in a few days.
The Forum can confirm that a three page GLA Response letter was sent to the Corps. It was signed by President Riley and Walter Wunsch and was printed on official GLA stationary. We have that letter and another GLA letter signed by Riley and Wunsch that was sent to the Park County Conservation board on October 29th, 2018. The subject of the October 29th letter was "Potential Golemeyer Creek Violation File #PK-67-18C".
The public record shows that both President Dennis Riley and Walter Wunsch knew about potential violations even before the official Army Corps of Engineers Notice of Violation was mailed on December 4th, 2018. Yet, both men publicly denied knowing of any violations or GLA communications with the agencies as late as July 25th, 2019. Fines for violating the Clean Water Act are accrued on a daily basis. The maximum fine is $50,000.00 per day. 256 days have elapsed since December 4th, 2018. Wunsch and Riley's willful intent to hide the violation evidence from landowners could accrue an extra $12,800,000.00 in fines.
The Forum is working on an article regarding the GLA letters mentioned above. We will publish both letters with that article in a few days.