FORT COLLINS — Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden says is making county leaders too uncomfortable, so he may begin posting comments on a private website.
That would be just fine with County Manager Frank Lancaster.
“I think it would be more appropriate, and it would make things easier for the county,” Lancaster said Wednesday.
The Bull’s-eye and the Bull Sheet come out each Wednesday on the county’s website. The Bull Sheet is written by sheriff’s spokeswoman Eloise Campanella and describes daily activities in the county jail and what deputies encounter on the beat.
The Bull’s-eye is written by Alderden, who has discussed a variety of topics, including a recent proposal by the city of Fort Collins to use more secular symbols in its holiday-lighting displays.
Alderden attacked the idea as being anti-Christian. The city has since altered the proposal to allow more Christmas symbols.
Alderden recently took aim at defense lawyers as “people who make their living working to ensure that thieves, rapists and murders aren’t held accountable for their offenses.”
Two local defense attorneys have since asked a judge to find Alderden in contempt of court for his comments.
County commissioners, Lancaster said, are concerned that Alderden’s editorializing in the Bull’s-eye could be seen as pushing a personal agenda on a taxpayer-supported website.
“Our website is not meant to be a blog but to provide services and information to the public,” Lancaster said. “There is a fear this could get out of hand.”
Alderden said instead of halting Bull’s-eye, he may launch it from a private server. “I think it’s a good public service because at least people know where I stand on certain issues.”
He is tendering several offers to build a website for Bull’s-eye for free. The current site recently received more than 4,000 hits from fans, Alderden said.
“The reason why we are doing this is to get our side of the story out,” he said. “Heck no, we’re not going to stop.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
