Opinion Editorial Cartoons Op-Ed Editorials Letters to the Editor

Our View: Reelect Matt Salka for La Plata County commissioner

Paul Black has been a member of several critical organizations that make a community function safely and efficiently, the fire district probably the most significant. But there are water and soil conservation districts, as well, and at least one of Black’s businesses has the community at its heart: Le Platt’s Pond, an event center for weddings and social events.

At the heart of Black’s drive to be county commissioner is the desire to reduce county land use regulations. He has experienced their excess, he says, when a request for a particular use at a portion of Le Platt’s Pond triggered a demand to review other unrelated components of the property. That was unnecessary, he feels, and sunk the new initiative.

Black’s area involvement – fire, water and soil and small business (a partner in Cascade Timber Salvage) – make him a strong candidate for a seat on the county commission.

The challenge, however, is that incumbent Matt Salka has also had intensive involvement in the community, particularly as Bayfield’s mayor, and can point to initial term accomplishments as commissioner that are making La Plata County an improved and more appealing place to live and to visit.

Salka hasn’t done this all by himself, of course, but during his four years the county’s land use department leadership has changed, $11 million in federal economic recovery funds has been applied to several different projects, a public health department independent of Archuleta County has been established and, at the current commissioners' initiative, a portion of lodgers’ tax dollars may soon be applied to workforce housing and child care needs. Salka additionally has infrastructure, and broadband accomplishments to his name.

The Herald’s editorial board would be comfortable with Black as one of the three commissioners, and as a Republican he’d likely bring a welcome different perspective on issues, but Salka has proved himself. With four years of experience, the coming four should be even more accomplished.

Vote for Matt Salka.