The fear and reward of ‘Standing in the Gap’

By Bradley Beck | Special Contributor The almost empty Town Hall meeting room was soon to be filled with an angry mob. I was, to say the least, anxious. I arrived early so I could sign up to speak first, and get it over with. Just prior to me addressing the Town Council, a representative from Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development (CRED) asked if I would present the 300-plus signed petitions of my neighbors who were opposed to an upcoming fracking moratorium proposal in my town. This Town of Erie meeting 10 years ago was to consider banning new oil and gas development in our community. I could not sit on the sideline. Too much was at stake. The Town Trustees were under intense pressure from anti-energy development activists. It was an issue I was ready and willing to address. Energy production jobs were important to the local economy of our little town and to the livelihoods of thousands of individuals who worked in the energy sector in Colorado. Many were my friends. They lived in my community and had families to support. Energy was important to the lifestyle of my neighbors and myself – from heating a home on a minus-20 degree winter day to keeping food cool and fresh in a refrigerator on a sizzling 100-degree summer day. I approached the lectern first and made my three-minute presentation. Add to my trepidation a photographer in the room from a major newspaper. Following my speech, there were applause and jeers, but whatever I said got a positive reaction from the Town Trustees, someof whom were acquaintances. Why did I “stand in the gap”? Because it was the moral thing to do. I had skin in this game, as I worked at a spray paint company and our products were sourced from by-products of oil and gas. I felt certain that by showing up and speaking, I made a difference in how the vote went concerning the moratorium. It was over. Or, so I thought. The following day on my drive to work in Boulder, I nearly ran off the road as I caught a glimpse of a photograph of myself “above the fold” in the sidewalk newsstand of the Daily Camera. I grabbed a handful of quarters and bought the newspapers in the rack, so no one else coming into my work would see my picture. It didn’t work. When I arrived, lying on my desk was the front page of the same paper with a sticky note attached by my former boss. It read, “What’s this about?” I felt like Astro from the Jetsons, “Ruh Roh”. I was somewhat challenged by someone who wanted our company to lay low and not make any disturbances, less we wake the noisy few around us. I was even more determined to ruffle a few feathers. I did not always have this feeling of fortitude. I was more a “go along to get along” person. However, by reading, studying and associating with people who knew information I did not, I felt informed and emboldened. Seven years earlier, I received a phone call from my friend Don Beezley, who informed me he was going to run for Colorado House District 33, where he and I both lived. “Congratulations, Don,” I said. He replied, “Thanks, and I want you to be my financial guy for the campaign.” I continued, “Don, I know nothing about campaign finance.” With humor Don continued, “That’s OK. I mess up, you go to jail. It’s all good”. We both laughed, as I asked, ”When do you need to know?” His reply was, “Tomorrow”. “Ruh Roh”. I agreed to take on the task, but only if we hired a real campaign accounting firm to keep me out of jail. We did and thus began a journey in which we out-worked, out-walked and outwitted the incumbent opponent. Our campaign won that race by 217 votes. It was a squeaker, yet Don stood in the gap for two years slowing down the opposition craziness, and his own party at times. Don’s principles and integrity made my decision to work with him on his campaign an easy yes. Often, it’s the first follower who helps the leader make things happen. In this instance, I was “standing in the gap”. These two personal stories demonstrate how one or just a few people can make a difference. I don’t know if you have the fortitude or the desire to “stand in the gap”. However, I do know it can be done by ordinary people, who know they must do something to make a positive difference in defending the rights of the smallest minority there is, the individual. Here’s my challenge. Are you willing to “stand in the gap”? As Sam Parker reminds us in his book, “212”: “At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train”. Bradley Beck is a husband, father, GrandBrad, Distinguished Toastmaster, Optimist, and 360 Guy. He’s a special contributor to Rocky Mountain Voice. https://rockymountainvoice.com/2024/02/the-fear-and-reward-of-standing-in-the-gap/