La Plata County is by no means homogenous when it comes to its politics. While the city of Durango is a Democratic stronghold, outlying regions in the county are solidly Republican. Given that just three people are charged with running the county, crafting a commission that represents residents’ diverse interests and ideologies is a perpetual challenge that can lead to pendulum swings on the commission’s ideology. To strike some balance, Brad Blake is the best candidate for La Plata County commissioner.
Blake, a Republican, is running against Democrat Cynthia Roebuck for an open seat on the commission. Bobby Lieb, a Republican, is forgoing a re-election bid and instead is running for county treasurer. Blake and Roebuck have long and deep ties to the community, and are keen to improve the county’s land-use systems so as to make them more expeditious and less Byzantine. An industrial plumbing business owner and self-proclaimed conservative, Blake’s experience and views would complement well those of commissioners Julie Westendorff and Gwen Lachelt, both Democrats. Westendorff is an attorney with real estate background, and Lachelt has decades of experience in the advocacy community, helping craft gas and oil regulation policies locally, statewide and around the country.
Blake’s decidedly pro-development, pro-business stance would provide for well-rounded discussions among the commissioners. That could be critical as the county revisits the comprehensive plan, which was shelved in 2011 after a vocal opposition arose late in the process. Ensuring that the plan, which is the purview of the county’s Planning Commission, reflects the county’s breadth of views and concerns will be aided by a similarly broad commission make-up. Blake is correct when he says, “The county could use a good business person, a business-minded person and an industry-minded person, and a conservative voice.”
Roebuck is herself a well-qualified candidate for the post. With extensive experience in real estate development, Roebuck is attuned to the challenges of the county’s planning processes. She has worked with developers to shepherd through such notable projects as Dalton Ranch and Edgemont Highlands, and was a former director of planning for Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort. Her expertise would serve the county well in helping craft its needed land-use code. Blake’s experience and perspective, though, would broaden the commission in an important way.
With constricting revenues and growing demand for services, the county commissioners will be facing difficult choices in the years to come. Budgetary decisions will become increasingly challenging as a result and as full a range as possible of county concerns should be included in the requisite discussion. Blake’s is a voice that can help ensure that diversity.
Vote for Brad Blake for La Plata County commissioner.
