The force of momentum is on constituents’ side with the county commissioners work of incumbents Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff. In spite of the glacial pace of government, there has been much progress under these two unusually knowledgeable, qualified and energetic officials.
Their first-term progress is stellar, and threat of standstill or backpedaling looms after a potential changing of the guard. One big factor is momentum. It is critical, obvious and sensible to re-elect Lachelt and Westendorff. We can vote for both regardless of residence.
Examine just a few of many impressive accomplishments: completion of the previously shelved County Comprehensive Plan; initiation of an update on the 30-year-old Land Use Code; advocacy for methane hotspot control; advocacy for maintaining federal ownership of public lands; intense response to Gold King Mine spill and remediation of ongoing leakage; and critical progress on King Coal Mine permitting and enforcement. Lachelt and Westendorff are not in any way operating as a pair. They have distinct expertise, judgment and style. Their differences compliment the full board with deeply thought-out decisions coming from their own background, Lachelt – the gas and oil realm; Westendorff – an attorney with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and real estate.
Counter to what you may have heard, their attendance on the job has been beyond reproach – in the mid-90 percent range – and balanced decision-making on behalf of their full constituency consistent and solid. Complaints by their opponents of unnecessary budget increases are based on superficial glances at complex numbers. One example is the costs of time-sensitive sensible facilities improvement opportunities.
The next four years have an unusually high number of critical issues that require expertise, familiarity and follow-through. Please join me in a vote for both Julie Westendorff and Gwen Lachelt when your ballot arrives – a vote for continued progress with the thrust of momentum.
Kathleen Adams
Durango
