Category Archives: Election

Romney’s positions are proof of quantum physics

By Tim Cooper A Parallel Universe News Service –  Stanford University’s  professor of theoretical physics Tyme Cangeru declared today that the  models produced by the application of “string theory”, the overarching mathematical explanation of the universe, to the latest poll … Continue reading

Published in Election

High school doesn’t deserve tax increase

Voting is such an earned right, and we all have our opinions, but I have huge concerns regarding the 3B on the ballot concerning our communities need for a new high school. First of all, RE 1 School District’s graduation … Continue reading

Published in Election

Amendment 64, will reason or blind conservatism prevail?

By Travis Kelly Up for our vote in November here in Colorado, Amendment 64 would do two immensely sane and beneficial things: 1. Re-legalize marijuana and regulate it just like alcohol. 2. Make the growing of industrial hemp crops legal … Continue reading

Published in Election Tagged

Sal Pace is a man of moderate world view

You know it is a topsy turvy world when your congressman • Votes to deeply defund government support for those who need help the most and protect largesse for those who need it the least. Like slashing prenatal and childhood … Continue reading

Published in Election

A rational argument why conservatives should vote for Sal Pace

If there’s one thing Congress has proven in the last four years it’s that it can’t get anything done. Our political system has become an unmanageable log jam thanks in large part to an unwillingness on the conservative side of … Continue reading

Published in Election

Citizens of Cortez initiate city-council recall

  Related To recall or not By Dan Porter A committee of concerned Cortez residents has initiated a recall of five city council members which includes Betty Swank, Donna Foster, Matt Keefauver, Robert Rime and Mayor Dan Porter. The committee … Continue reading

Published in December 2010, Election

Voters say yes to the GOP, no to ballot issues

Nov. 2 was a good night for Republicans in Montezuma County. Voters favored every Republican candidate on the ballot, locally or statewide, and Republicans won the only three contested races in the county. Cortez Police Sgt. Dennis Spruell realized a … Continue reading

Published in Election, November 2010

Salazar: 3rd District needs a moderate

  Colorado’s sprawling 3rd Congressional District spans 54,100 square miles and a diverse population that includes blue-collar Democrats in Pueblo, staunch conservatives on the Western Slope, and a large number of independents. John Salazar believes he’s the right person to … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2010

Tipton touts free-market solutions

  If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. . . . For Cortez businessman Scott Tipton, his second run for Congress has a certain ring of familiarity. His opponent, incumbent Rep. John Salazar, is the same as in … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2010

Whitehead: Set priorities for budget

  It’s time to prioritize with an eye to getting lean and mean, says Sen. Bruce Whitehead. Whitehead, a civil engineer and water guru, aims to continue as senator in District 6, the seat to which he was appointed in … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2010

Roberts calls for across-the-board cuts

The Legislature needs to act immediately to deal with Colorado’s budget crisis, Rep. Ellen Roberts says. Roberts, a Durango attorney and House District 59’s representative since 2006, hopes to unseat Bruce Whitehead in Senate District 6. Colorado’s budget shortfall could … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2010

Myers seeks stability, focus for office

  District Attorney Mac Myers sees the recent history of the prosecutor’s office in the 22nd Judicial District as troubling and, if elected to a full term in November, plans to continue on a path toward what he believes are … Continue reading

Published in Election, September 2010

Wasley pledges to live within DA’s budget

  Russell Wasley knows the resources of the 22nd Judicial District are limited. So, as the Republican candidate for district attorney, he is promising to focus on several types of offender if elected: repeat criminals, meth dealers, violent criminals, and … Continue reading

Published in Election, September 2010

Challenging tradition: Women seek the Navajo presidency

Navajo Mountain in Arizona emerges as a symbol of beauty and tradition resting on the northern horizon of the Navajo Nation like an indigo ship at sea: graceful, mysterious and remote. It is a two-hour drive from Kayenta and three … Continue reading

Published in Election, July 2010

Hart emphasizes commitment to community

The two Republican candidates for Montezuma County sheriff in the Aug. 10 primary have quite a bit in common: Both have more than two decades of law-enforcement experience, both advocate the fair and impartial enforcement of our laws, both have … Continue reading

Published in Election, July 2010

Meet the new boss: Election results from around the region

The night of Nov. 4, the weather turned cold suddenly across much of the Four Corners area. Wags quipped that it was hell freezing over — because a black man had actually been elected president of the United States. On … Continue reading

Published in Election, November 2008

Young calls for planning, vision in county

Related stories Hughes concerned about land-use regulations Koppenhafer advocates fair code enforcement   Planning – whether it be for land use, oil and gas development, economic development or roads – is the key to a bright future for Montezuma County, … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2008

Wilson proud of his record as DA

  Related story Myers calls for fewer felony plea bargains When Jim Wilson, incumbent candidate for district attorney, talks about crime, his enthusiasm for public service and dedication to enforcing the law are undeniable.After a four-year term as DA, Wilson … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2008

Myers calls for fewer felony plea bargains

Related stories Wilson proud of his record as DA     District attorney candidate Mac Myers has a professional, self-assured manner, a trait earned through years of experience in the courtroom and an obvious love of the law. Between 1996 … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2008

Koppenhafer advocates fair code enforcement

Related stories Hughes concerned about land-use regulations Young calls for planning, vision in county     Gerald Koppenhafer knows there are flaws in Montezuma County’s landuse code. But he doesn’t believe they are fatal ones. “As far as the land-use … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2008

Hughes concerned about land-use regulations

Related stories Koppenhafer advocates fair code enforcement Young calls for planning, vision in county   A few years ago, Alfred Hughes would not have imagined he would be running to be a Montezuma County commissioner. But that was before a … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2008

Better communication is theme for Blackburn

  Related story   Rule is proud of board service, hiring choice   When Fred Blackburn decided to run for county commissioner, he thought land-use planning would be his main issue. But he changed his mind. “Before you plan, you … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2008

It was politics as usual, except for Obama

” . . . if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination – not merely victory for our party, but renewal for our nation.” – Sen. Edward Kennedy For reasons probably better left unexplored, I have been … Continue reading

Published in Election, September 2008

Action outside the convention proves lively

“What a field day for the heat, a thousand people in the street. Singing songs and carrying signs, mostly say hooray for our side.” – Buffalo Springfield  “For What It’s Worth,” the classic ’60s protest song, came to mind during … Continue reading

Published in Election, September 2008

Being there: There’s nothing quite like a national political convention

Do political conventions have any real reason to exist? Probably not, as was demonstrated by the Republicans this month, when they scaled back their convention because Hurricane Gustav was hitting the Gulf Coast. The parties’ candidates are chosen during primaries … Continue reading

Published in Election, September 2008

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign: Cardboard clutter they may be, but signs are effective – and protected

Voting takes place in secret, but campaigning is done as publicly as possible. In the past month, political signs have been sprouting throughout the area. And as the signs pop up, so do rumors of vandalism and theft, charges of … Continue reading

Published in August 2008, Election

Rule is proud of board service, hiring choices

  Related story Wilkin wants more planning, land-use guidelines If you think Montezuma County needs radical changes, don’t look to Larrie Rule to bring them about. While the incumbent commissioner believes the county has its fair share of problems and … Continue reading

Published in Election, July 2008

A counterpoint to my opponent’s assertions

The Nov. 7 General Election is quickly approaching and I want to take this opportunity to address comments made by my opponent, Sam Sparks, in his Oct. 7 candidate column in the Cortez Journal. My opponent stated his campaign planks: … Continue reading

Published in Election, November 2006

Protection vs. private property rights: Building codes spark debates

Imagine you are a newcomer to Montezuma County. You buy a beautiful piece of land. You hire a local builder to construct your architectdesigned dream home. You move in. A hairline crack in the living-room floor begins to widen. Inches. … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2006

Welch cites experience with county, promises good service

Karen Welch, Democratic candidate for Montezuma County treasurer, was asked to write about her qualifications for the office. I’m Karen Welch, candidate for Montezuma County treasurer. I’d like to take a few minutes to let you know why I believe … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2006

Sparks: Boost drug enforcement, animal control

Sheriff’s candidate Sam Sparks has encountered a few major pitfalls along the campaign trail, but he emphatically declares he’s still in the running. Despite pending charges of animal cruelty, and a recent suspension from his job as a Mancos deputy … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2006

Political gadfly Larson seeks commission seat

An outspoken political gadfly decided to go all the way last spring, throwing himself and his considerable energy into a quest for a seat on the Montezuma County commission after no other Democrat stepped forward to seek the nomination. Galen … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2006

Mill-levy hike would aid curriculum, teachers

School Superintendent Stacy Houser agrees with the tax foes who say that throwing money at problems doesn’t solve them. What he wants to do with a proposed mill-levy increase for School District Re-1 is not to throw the money at … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2006

Lovejoy touts economic development for Navajos

Lynda Lovejoy might just become the first female president of the Navajo Nation. Her candidacy — and her surprising second-place finish in the Aug. 8 primary — have certainly piqued the interest of observers. Incumbent Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2006

Republican treasurer’s candidates give views

Dyess, chief deputy public trustee, uses common-sense approach My name is Sherry Dyess. I am a candidate for Montezuma County treasurer. I am originally from Monticello, Utah, where my parents, Madge and Roy Miller, homesteaded a farm. I have lived … Continue reading

Published in Election, July 2006

Wallace says deputies solving more cases

Conner promises to boost morale in sheriff’s office Montezuma County Sheriff Gerald Wallace believes he knows why the county commission chose him 2-1 to succeed former Sheriff Joey Chavez a year and a half ago — even though Chavez, who … Continue reading

Published in Election, July 2006

Findley touts experience, accomplishments

Montezuma County Commissioner Dewayne Findley takes pride in his work and would like to keep his job for another four years. The chairman of the Montezuma County Commission is running for a second term, but faces opposition from within his … Continue reading

Published in Election, June 2006

Chappell promotes roads, economy, communication

Montezuma County commission candidate Steve Chappell didn’t mince words when asked what he’d have done differently over the past four years than incumbent Commissioner Dewayne Findley, his opponent in the Republican primary this August. “Communication between the county and the … Continue reading

Published in Election, June 2006

John Salazar: A moderate in the Third District

John Salazar, a state legislator and San Luis Valley potato-seed farmer, was elected Nov. 2 to replace Scott McInnis as U.S. representative for the sprawling Third Congressional District, which includes Pueblo and much of the Western Slope. Salazar and his … Continue reading

Published in December 2004, Election

Mancos vet wants tougher penalties in land-use code

Gerald Koppenhafer, a Republican, is running for the county commission in District 3, the Mancos district. His opponent is independent Kerry O’Brien. Koppenhafer is a veterinarian. He served on the 12-member working group that created the county’s land-use plan, including … Continue reading

Published in Election, October 2004 Tagged