I’m not sure where the anger comes from in Lyle McKnight’s letters and comments about me, but it saddens me that the ugly national tone has infected the discourse in even local races.
I ran four years ago as a proud public servant, having worked on landowner and environmental issues for more than 25 years. My record is no surprise to most voters. Ninety percent of Coloradans support clean air and water; I believe this view is in clear alignment with La Plata County residents’ concerns.
For McKnight to attack me on my attendance record (when it is actually 93 percent) instead of speaking to his own vision for this county tells me that he is better at reacting negatively and spreading misinformation rather than working positively for us all.
If a reader wants to explore my level of preparation, he or she has only to watch the League of Women Voters’ televised debate from early October to determine whether I or my opponent is better prepared.
Unlike what McKnight implies in his attacks, I do not make decisions in a vacuum. I did not set my own salary – that is decided at the state level for all elected officials, including sheriff, assessor, coroner, treasurer, clerk and surveyor here in the county. I did not suddenly decide to spend money on county buildings, but rather followed through on capital improvements budgeted for by county commissioners and staff since 2000.
I am used to making light budgets carry heavy loads, and I will continue to make cost-effective decisions for La Plata County.
If you have not yet voted, please do so by Tuesday. No matter which candidate you favor, I urge your participation in our democracy. And if preparation, long-term commitment and a deep understanding of the issues facing this county are important to you, I ask for your vote in this election.
Gwen Lachelt
Durango
Editor’s note: Gwen Lachelt is an incumbent La Plata County commissioner and the Democratic candidate seeking re-election in District 2.
