Officials say they did not cancel trip because of heated e-mails

The last-minute cancellations follow weeks of heated e-mails between Gardner and Caroline Eader, the Boulder and Frederick resident who originally invited commissioners to Colorado to see firsthand the recycling programs.

According to Gardner, Eader organized tours and events during the three days without input from commissioners, leading to confusion.

But Gardner insisted her decision had nothing to do with the e-mail exchanges. ‘‘There was a debate over the agenda and scheduling, but I have kids home from college and decided to put my family first,” she said.

In her e-mails to Gardner, Eader insisted there was no confusion, saying she had been working on the schedule for months.

Gardner cited family obligations as her reason for backing out at the last minute. ‘‘It’s always been inconvenient to go on this trip,” she said. ‘‘I just had no time. I probably should have said ‘no’ in the first place.”

Gardner decided instead to attend her son’s college graduation and her daughter’s two dance recitals. Gardner said she needed to make time for her family especially since she spent three days in New York City last week meeting with bond rating agencies for the county.

Marschner said he also had family obligations and needed to cancel. ‘‘Primarily it was to accommodate my family,” he said.

Marschner’s deputy director, Kevin Demosky, went instead.

‘‘Kevin will be doing some videoing,” Marschner said. ‘‘We can put it together and have a presentation not only for the commissioners, but for the citizens.”