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The Pueblo Chieftain Online Page 4 of 5 <br />will review them by the end of the month. <br />"Hopefully, (GOCO money) will come through, either in full or partially," said <br />County Commissioner Jake Klein. "We're just waiting to hear." <br />Given the uncertainties, the commissioners in June unanimously approved a <br />resolution to pay up to $1.3 million to the landowners if GOCO funding is <br />withheld. <br />"The people did this in good faith, and we proceeded in good faith," Klein said. <br />"There was no question about the appraisals when they came to us. <br />"This is a pilot project and there's a lot riding on it. We want to see it work." <br />Some, including Nancy Hazlett of Fowler, who has launched a letter- writing <br />campaign, have questioned the potential expenditure of tax money to <br />compensate a handful of farmers, and have said the decisions were made <br />without sufficient public involvement. <br />Not so, according to Bauserman. <br />"Those funds were set aside a couple of years ago, when we originally applied <br />for the $4 million grant," he said. "We have the money, and we're not looking <br />at a tax increase. <br />"The farmers bid in good faith, and the credibility of the county is up in the air. <br />I don't worry about the politics. I'll do what's right and let it fall." <br />Bauserman added that the entire process was conducted in meetings that were <br />open to the public. <br />Swartout and most GOCO board members are hoping the issues soon will be <br />resolved and grant funds are authorized. <br />"It would be a sad day if we couldn't make it work," Swartout said. "That's not <br />my wish and it's not my board's wish. It's too important - there's a lot at <br />stake." <br />Faust agreed, saying, "I hope it can work and I believe it can. And the county is <br />to be commended for its efforts." <br />If the new appraisals are accepted, landowners could be paid by the end of the <br />year. If not, Otero County will step in with its money. <br />While the proceedings are being watched by many, no one has a keener <br />interest than the Otero County commissioners and their constituents. <br />http : / /www.chieftain.com /print.php ?article= /metro /1090735200/2 7/28/2004 <br />