Marsha Porter-Norton is doing a fine job as county commissioner as she approaches the completion of her first four-year term, so good that she’s without a challenger this November. The Montezuma County native who is part of a deep rooted and very respected ranching and water advocacy family has been an effective issues facilitator as a profession. On her government website is a long list of projects she has either led or been involved in as a commissioner, including targeted ARPA funding, a water dock, new gas drilling regulations, funding to close a landfill, support for the unhoused and an initiative to reduce substance abuse. There’s more, the breadth reflecting the extraordinary variety of issues that county commissioners deal with, and can initiate.
At the beginning of the list, Porter-Norton clearly says she didn’t do these things alone, but that she worked in collaboration with her two fellow commissioners and with county staff members. That’s honest of her, although we know she can both lead and collaborate.
Following this glowing review, however, we do have an issue with her reelection support for fellow Commissioner Matt Salka, who in his desire for a second term does have an opponent. On Aug. 8, Porter-Norton co-hosted an event with Salka, “a fundraiser and meet and greet” to support his candidacy. Tickets were $25 with any donation accepted. Then, a tagline on the event flyer says: “his opponent is a conservative.”
Bad idea to boost Salka, we say, against his challenger, small-business owner and rancher Paul Black, who has held leadership positions on fire and conservation district boards and on an irrigation ditch company. We can understand that Porter-Norton might want to continue what appears to be a good working relationship with Salka, but she ought to stay out of the District 3 Salka-Black race. Whether Salka wins or loses, Porter-Norton is diminishing her support from the right.
Porter-Norton’s campaign website says she’ll work to “get things done for everyone,” and “regardless … of your political affiliation.” Knowing that her history is one that genuinely respects conservative thinking, how did she happen with a few words to broadly put conservatives in a negative light? See what can happen?
If someone asks how is Matt Salka doing, say something like, fine, he’s doing good things for the county. More than that is too much from a fellow commissioner at election time.
