To drill or not to drill on top of the Roan Plateau is the question faced by a number of government bodies. Many have weighed in with opinions, but there is a notable exception in Garfield County.

The Garfield County Commissioners have been on the fence long enough. It is now time for the commissioners to let their voice be heard on the issue.

Last week, County Commissioner John Martin said, "We're trying to stay neutral." As elected officials, staying neutral is shirking their duty as the leaders of Garfield County. It also denies their constituents a voice in the process.

By staying neutral, the commissioners essentially are endorsing the Bureau of Land Management preferred alternative to drill atop the Roan Plateau. If this is the stance the commissioners wish to take, that's fine, as long as the commissioners do take a public stand one way or the other.

Of course, the Post Independent has come out against drilling on the Roan Plateau. If the commissioners need a push, we would prefer to see them land on the side against drilling.

The fact that Garfield County is one of a number of cooperating agencies for the Roan Plateau Management Plan should not preclude the commissioners from voicing their opinion. Nor should it impede future cooperation with the other agencies if their opinions are different.

The commissioners should be the voice of the county, and residents deserve to know what that voice is saying.