After all, it got JJ a job. And JJ’s first “interview” as Mesa County Commissioner proves it.

For the life of me, I still can’t figure out why JJ Fletcher ran for Mesa County Commissioner. After all, when I asked JJ serious questions (with obvious follow-ups) that he was ill-prepared for in a Facebook thread, his final answer was to block me.

Not that the interview I read the other day was exactly hard-hitting. I find it more of a setup for local media to go after original members of “Team Mesa.” So forgive me if I’ve come to the conclusion answering questions — hard-hitting or not — is not a tool in JJ’s belt.

If this interview is any indication, it appears commissioner JJ isn’t going to differ much from the “it’s time” candidate JJ. Because neither appears capable of bringing much to the table for the citizens. Although from the answers in this “Q & A,” it appears JJ is already paying dividends for the few in Mesa County he really represents.

And here’s exactly what this Q & A was designed to do. Promote JJ (which is hard to do when you listen to him speak or read his answers) while getting the other commissioners on record, so claims can be made against them during JJ’s first term and when the next election rolls around — because in the end, it’s all about controlling a second commission seat.

And while many in publishing would say don’t use or quote your competitor’s content in a story or editorial in your own paper, I say, “Unh-uh.” First, it’s mainstream media MO to use surveys and polls to create agenda-based content, rarely in a good way. Second, I have First Amendment rights, period. Lastly, where the heck do many of our (better covered) stories come from? Other media.

So, let’s go to the Q & A, shall we?

First off is JJ’s co-opting the tag of “Team Mesa.” Now, I have known the members of the previous County Commission for years. The Business Times has covered them in stories collectively for several decades. One could argue, correctly, that Janet Rowland is counted among my very good friends; that Bobbie Daniel sends me Christmas cards, so our friendship is a little more than just publisher/public servant; and my newspaper has covered Cody Davis and his companies and time as commissioner over many years. AND they sent me flowers when I was in the hospital, too.

So what? One could also argue, correctly, when I believe they are doing something wrong, they tend to hear about it — usually in this column.

I will add to the above one thing: None of that makes me a member of Team Mesa. Team Mesa was what Janet, Bobbie and Cody called themselves internally when working together on the business of Mesa County.

I do tend to agree with JJ’s answer in one way: He does need to build relationships with his fellow commissioners. Because it’s JJ’s job to work with Cody and Bobbie for the betterment of the county. So, stop trying to appropriate the name or your membership on a team you weren’t part of to look good in the paper.

How about the issues of vital importance of wolves and Dolores Canyon? While I would agree they do spark passions, I don’t think the voters of Mesa County put them at the top of their list — although the encroachment of an apex predator due to the ignorance and yes, stupidity, of the Colorado Legislature on wolf reintroduction does have it rising rapidly.

But you don’t need a listening-and-taking-action tour to know where you should stand on wolf reintroduction. Or do you?

My favorite response? I’ll quote word for word to the query of what does Mesa County do well. The gospel according to JJ: “I believe the Team Mesa provides the necessary government services for our community in a cost-effective way. The end result is a value-added product and service.”

Wow. Just wow. And you’d only been on your version of the “team” for a week or so.

JJ’s answer leads us to one conclusion. It appears “Team Mesa” was doing a bang-up job before JJ got there. Yet JJ ran for office stating over and over how “It’s time” for a change, new ideas and listening to the people before making decisions and taking action — and Jeff Kuhr’s demise. Pray tell, JJ, how else could Team Mesa provide an “… end result (which) is a value-added product and service” to the people of Mesa County if it wasn’t presenting new ideas, listening to constituents and then making decisions?

And while the initial answers in the Q & A provide proof JJ got elected by (still) never having to answer a serious question (and blocking those who dare challenge, basking in glowing coverage and the silent backing of the local Republicans), here’s the real reason for the survey. It’s so JJ’s backers could write an op-ed about who’s hurting economic development under the guise of how the county commissioners are — while also being the reason why we lost Costco. Even though we all know the City of Grand Junction screwed it up.

I suppose to JJ and his benefactors, that deflection is of “particular importance.” Maybe the real question isn’t, “Why did you run for county commissioner?” It’s really, “On whose behalf did you run for county commissioner?”

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.