Endorsements
Since the Greeley Tribune finally published its endorsements, I figure it’s time for me to do the same. Actually I wanted to wait until after the debate between republican Weld County at-large commissioner candidates Sean Conway and Mike Freeman, which I hosted today on my show. If you missed it, visit KFKA’s audio-on-demand.
I sent in my absentee ballot so below is how I actually voted.
First, for Weld County Commissioner at-large. While Mike Freeman would make a good county commissioner; Sean Conway would make a GREAT county commissioner. So I voted for Sean.
Anyone who has listened to my show for any length of time knows that Sean is a friend of mine, but he is also the most qualified. He has a firm grasp of all issues facing Weld County. His knowledge of everything from transportation, to water, to economic development, to oil and gas, to private property rights is impressive. Listen to the debate if you need any further convincing. Also Weld County residents will be the beneficiary of Sean’s work in Washington D.C. He has contacts through out the state that will serve him (and ultimately Weld County) well when Weld County Commissioners must work with other elected officials and state agencies to get some of the multi-jurisdictional projects completed — especially water and transportation projects! What a great resource for Weld County to have!
Both candidates agreed on most issues but there was disagreement on fiscal policy. I asked the following question: Are taxes too high, too low or just right? Mike answered “just right,” and Sean answered “too high.” My view is the same as Sean’s. TAXES ARE TOO HIGH! Furthermore, Mike supported the largest tax increase in Colorado history Referenda C and D. According to the July 27 2005 Highland School Board minutes when Mike Freeman was president of the school board, he spoke and voted in favor of a school board resolution to support Referenda C and D. C and D got hammered in Weld County with C getting about 44 percent of the vote and D getting barely 40 percent. Supporting the massive tax increase was not reflective of local values nor mine.
The other endorsement I’m making in this post is for Weld County Commissioner District 3. I voted for the incumbent republican Rob Masden. Rob is an expert at balancing oil and gas revenue with agriculture, the environment and private property. No other commissioner worked as hard at lobbying the state, Governor Ritter and the recently altered Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to recognize that Weld County should be a role model for the rest of the state and not forced to adhere to draconian regulations that would kill one of the most important industries for Weld County, making up 40 percent of the county’s property tax revenue. That doesn’t include the energy impact grants and plethora of high paying jobs that oil and gas provide for Weld County residents. I cannot overstate the importance of this industry to our county. That’s why it’s important to keep Rob Masden and his expertise on the Weld County Board of Commissioners.
That being said, my second choice is Clair Orr. Clair is a principled conservative and I would support him if not for Rob running for a third and final term.
Former Weld County commissioner and head of DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) Barbara Kirkmeyer also seeks the republican nomination for District 3. She is the Tribune’s first choice. Here’s what the paper said about her, “Kirkmeyer stood above her opponents in her commitment to all areas of concern for the county, and her enthusiasm for public service. She is our choice to represent her party in the November election.” I have no idea what that means exactly, but cheerleaders are best left on the sidelines. They are enthusiastic, but I wouldn’t put them in the position of quarterback or even on the team.
My problem with Barbara Kirkmeyer is her tenure at DOLA, which I consider to be an 800 pound fiscal gorilla in Kirkmeyer’s living room that the Tribune has conviently ignored. According to a November 2005 Colorado Springs Gazette article, “an audit revealed that DOLA improperly used federal homeland security grants to build a $5.9 million emergency response center.” There was more. The same article also said, ”the audit also turned up $2 million in other questionable expenditures, highlighted poor accounting controls and found that the state did not have procedures to evaluate how homeland security grants were being spent.”
Here’s how the Rocky Mountain News recently explained homeland security grant spending during the Kirkmeyer era:
Colorado’s record in spending federal homeland security grants has hardly been exemplary. A 2005 report by the state auditor found state officials parceled out millions of federal dollars to local governments without a careful appraisal of risk. After a 2006 federal audit, Washington ordered the state to repay $1.5 million in misspent federal grants. And a review of state homeland security procedures by Gov. Bill Ritter led to a full revamping of Colorado’s security operations.
Worst of all, she didn’t seem to think it was problem and defended what the Rocky Mountain News called a “Byzantine funding route.” I have a problem with that type of fiscal mismanagement and so should every other District 3 voter.
Furthermore, would Kirkmeyer even be running had Bill Ritter not renewed her contract? Apparently she wanted another state job and even consulted with an attorney because she wasn’t offered one. Color me skeptical about her enthusiasm for public service to Weld County.
To recap: County Commissioner At-Large — Sean Conway; County Commissioner for District 3 — Rob Masden.
Feel free to comment on my endorsements but make sure your voice is heard on August 12, otherwise no whining!