She sees the whole picture of what is important to us, now and in the future. She is running against J. Paul Brown to be our state representative in the…
Amendment 69 would strip military retirees of their earned health care benefits. As a retired Air Force colonel, I’m covered by Medicare and secondarily by Tricare for Life, which serves…
She clearly has a ton of expertise and experience on these topics. What impressed me was her balanced approach to solving problems facing the Western Slope. My limited experience with…
Also, in The Tyranny of the Two–party System, Lisa Jane Disch criticizes two-party systems for failing to provide enough options since only two choices are permitted on the ballot. America’s…
There is ample opportunity to volunteer in our community, but he has not once exercised that option. La Plata County itself, the organization he wants to lead, has 37 citizen…
Instead, we have J. Paul Brown, a man who consistently votes against school funding and against every common sense issue involving women’s rights. He owes his livelihood to grazing on…
That thinking has been in evidence throughout his remarkable career. After working as a government lawyer, Bennet made the leap to the private sector – and Colorado – working for…
I wish more people from La Plata County were present last spring in Farmington when Lachelt professionally and knowledgeably spoke in front of an overflow regional crowd at a hearing…
We, as voters, cannot allow government an all-or-nothing approach on the important issues we face. So, I watched and listened to the candidates, the content of their words and the…
Hence the choice of a republic (“if you can keep it,” reportedly said Ben Franklin) and the leavening of the representative government. A way to undo the republic is the…
If the state or county took over the San Juan National Forest, La Plata County would “own” about 21 percent of the acreage; can we really afford the roads, maintenance,…
“The Department of Defense recognizes the reality of climate change and the significant risk it poses to U.S. interests globally. The National Security Strategy, issued in February 2015, is clear…
Colorado ranks among the lowest in the nation in per-pupil funding. McLachlan has experienced the direct effects funding deficits have on public schools, our students, teachers and administrators. We only…
How do we vet those streaming over our borders? And how do we guaranty the safety and security for our own people in this reality? Sadly, by the time we…
Just 16 years ago, I watched Ralph Nader on television criticizing both Bush and Gore. He said there was no difference between them. A lot of good people voted for…
We have a pair of county commissioners who are doing a great job. They have serious challenges considering that we have a very low tax rate. Nevertheless, we do have…
Her opponent proudly advertises “he’s never been involved in politics before” and “wants to do his part to make things better.” I expect he wants to “Make America Great Again”…
Phased in over four years, small businesses like mine will have time to adjust and adapt. I want our employees to be able to afford rent, mortgages, groceries and what…
Unfortunately, in Colorado we do not have the option of “multiple minimum wage zones” due to Colorado Senate Bill 99-014, which prohibits municipalities from setting their own minimum wage. Because…
The county should be more concerned about safety, rather than comfort only. If you talk to experienced commercial airline pilots, they would attest to the dangers of flying into the…
Back in 2012, there were hints and signs that our oil and gas revenue would decline in the next few years. Our current commissioners acknowledged in their campaign that they…
By any measure of merit, the Durango-La Plata County Airport and associated infrastructure is more indicative of a mid-20th Century Third World facility than one designed to attract air carriers…
Clinton lied to us. The release of her emails enforces the extent Clinton and her close alliances will go in their quest for the White House. Be informed, review the…
Raising my wage would help us afford the basics of life, such as food and rent. We are currently on WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)…
A 2012 study in Psychological Science found that children growing up in poverty experience increased “allostatic load,” a biological measure of chronic stress on the body. Fortunately, research also shows…
My last cigarette was somewhere around 1964 and this tax doesn’t affect me either. But do I feel we need to punish smokers even more? Seems like people are spending…
Doing so would also preserve the momentum and positive energy now evident in county government. That will be crucial in coping with the downturn in county revenue resulting from the…
Why would we build a new terminal that can only handle present traffic? Build for the future. Why can’t we move rental cars off site and extend the terminal and…
The county will appoint a road and bridge advisory committee to give advice on priorities, and to provide citizen oversight and accountability. As part of 1A, there is a 10-year…
I am honored to vote for Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff for county commissioner, Barbara McLachlan for our state representative, Gail Schwartz for the U.S. House and Hillary Clinton as…
