The future of this great country as well as our community requires
a belief in more than hope and change. The true measure of our success will be based on the restoration of our core principles
of personal responsibility, individual freedom, property rights, market economics and the recognition that there are responsible
limitations on government intervention.
In order to achieve these goals nationally, we must be willing to face these challenges
at the local level. As a Commissioner, I will strongly advocate for the implementation of the following core principles.
1. Maintain a Primary Focus on the Core Functions of Government:
We must develop fiscally conservative policies to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our citizens. The foundation
of our tax policy and core services must be based on the fundamental understanding that the use of taxpayer dollars is a privilege
and not a right. Government agencies must be held accountable for working within the same fiscal constraints being faced
by the very citizens it’s been empowered to serve.
2.
Regional Approach to Water Management: Historically,
Northern El Paso County’s participation in a regional solution to our future water supply has been a secondary issue
in the negotiations with other municipalities. Over the next few months, critical decisions will be made about the future
water supply and its impacts for this region. As we move forward in this process, the Northern El Paso County water supply
concerns must be incorporated into a regional solution.
3. Recognition That We Play a Vital Role
in This Nation’s Homeland Security: We must develop and maintain strong partnerships
with our military installations. This will require the implementation of policies that enhance our national security
and support those service members that protect our way of life.
4. Protection of Our Rights Afforded Under
the Constitution: We must continue the fight to preserve all of our constitutionally
protected individual liberties and property rights.
5.
Illegal Immigration: We must remain
committed to developing policies to addresses the growing impact of illegal immigration.
Finally, questions will be asked regarding
why I’m deciding to run for County Commissioner after being reelected to City Council. I’ve been extremely
critical and have publically opposed two recent tax proposals sponsored by the city and county as well as the establishment
of a stormwater fee without a public vote. As I’ve stated in my opposition, the fiscal challenges facing this region
are beyond the scope of a single governmental entity. If we’re going to move forward and resolve these issues,
we must first reestablish a level of confidence in a system of accountability over taxpayer dollars. Before we can justify
requesting additional tax revenue, we must be able to resolve the following issues:
1. What are the core
services that should be supported by the taxpayers?
2. Can any of
our core services be consolidated with other governmental entities in order to improve efficiency at a reduced cost to the
taxpayer?
3. Are we currently providing services that could be maximized by partnering with the private sector?
4. Are
we currently providing services that should be privatized?
Proponents of the two failed tax proposals have requested that a representative
in opposition come forward with a different approach to resolving our fiscal issues. I intend to accept this challenge.
