This year is arguably one of the most critical elections at virtually every level of government we have seen in a very long time. At the county level, an expansion of the Board of County Commissioners and the occupants of those new seats are going to be critical to the county’s future. Residents need to ensure the people they vote for will continue the much-needed reforms that have been started. County Commissioner District 3 Incumbent Erik Hansen was first elected four years ago and came in with a plan to clean up the corruption that had permeated county government. That plan has shined a light on the dark corners of the government center in Brighton and resulted in increased accountability, streamlined and improved services, and help put the county back on the path of credibility. His has often been the lone voice of reason on the board as he fights an uphill battle against the other two members. The Aurora Sentinel said Hansen is, “the best thing to happen to the Adams County commission in decades.” That is high praise coming from a left-leaning paper and it recognizes Hansen’s good stewardship of the county. On the other side you have Manny Solano, local lawyer, and far left activist. Solano is the husband of former state representative and current state senate candidate Judy Solano. Both are well-known for their support of causes and candidates outside the mainstream. Manny acted as the defense attorney for Heath Russo, a man charged with 33 felony counts for his role in the Quality Paving scandal. Clearly, as Adams County tries to get itself back on the right path, the last thing we need is someone who apparently thinks those who ripped off taxpayers for millions of dollars did nothing wrong. Solano has virtually no support from anyone of note and for good reason. A vote for him would be a tremendous step back and essentially hand a seat back to those who spent decades fleecing and damaging the county. If ever there was a no brainer when it comes to making a choice in an election, this is it. Vote for Erik Hansen. County Commissioner District 4 One of two new seats on the board that was created when voters agreed to expand the number of members to five, Joseph Domenico faces off against Steve O’Dorisio. O’Dorisio worked as a prosecutor in the Adams County DA’s office, one of the many county offices that has seen more than its fair share of troubles. With strong ties to the old Adams Family that brought many of the scandals that have embarrassed the county, it is hard to see how this is a man that would work toward restoring the public trust. The name Domenico is one you may recognize as there is a good chance your family has enjoyed food on your table provided by his family run farm. If ever there was a salt-of-the-earth candidate in Adams County, Joseph Domenico is it. He knows what it takes to run a successful small business and more importantly he sees all that is wrong in the county. The county needs reform-minded candidates like Domenico. Vote for Joe Domenico. County Commissioner District 5 Jan Pawlowski and Wilma Rose are vying to take this second new seat on the board of commissioners. Both are names that many residents will like recognize. Rose is a longtime resident and served on Brighton City Council until this past January. Rose’s campaign manager penned a letter leading up to the primary saying she was a “lifelong Democrat and loyal Adams County Democrat who will work hard to contact as many Democrats in Adams County.” Clearly a partisan message and one that seems to leave the remaining 65% of Adams County voters out in the cold. Maybe she should try to be loyal to Adams County and all of its residents. Pawlowski is the former mayor of Brighton and as such would certainly appear to be quite in tune with the needs of her constituents. She recognizes the folly of the stormwater tax and says she wants to continue pushing the reforms that are needed to restore residents’ faith in county government. I will be coloring in the bubble for Jan Pawlowski. tonysrants/thornton/election-2014-adams-county-commissioner-races/
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 13:59:11 +0000
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