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Recall election is best way to judge Truden’s performance

Post Independent Editorial Board

Some comments can be as revealing as a Las Vegas showgirl’s wardrobe.

Even the state’s top lawyer questions some of 9th Judicial District Attorney Colleen Truden’s management decisions during her first seven months on the job.

State Attorney General John Suthers didn’t say a lot about the embattled DA, but what he did say was loud and clear.



“She clearly made a mistake in hiring her husband. … You just don’t do that in public office,” Suthers said Friday.

Concerning the staff turnover in the DA’s office, Suthers also offered a critical observation.



“Given the size of the office, the level of turnover that has occurred so far appears extraordinary to me,” said Suthers, who is a Republican.

When it comes to District Attorney Truden, everyone seems to have an opinion. This is one soap opera that has gotten old fast.

Since the effort to recall Truden began July 12, the controversy surrounding the DA’s office and other related circumstances has continued.

Most first-term DAs have hurdles to overcome and challenges to confront. But Truden’s first seven months have been rough as sandpaper.

A total of nine attorneys and staff members left the DA’s office during Truden’s first few months on the job. Then came the questionable hiring of Fred Truden to do contract computer work. Colleen Truden originally said her husband wasn’t being paid, but after a check of public records, that proved to be a false statement ” Fred Truden was paid $1,000 a week for six weeks.

There have been questions about Truden’s budget spending, then the Garfield County Commissioners scrutinized the accounting practices within Truden’s office and recently yanked credit cards from some of Truden’s employees.

The turmoil has continued lately. Attorney Tony Hershey, who was hired by Truden, offered a damaging blow to the DA’s reputation when he resigned Aug. 3. In his resignation letter, Hershey said he could not work “in an atmosphere of abuse, disrespect and outright hostility.”

Then Fred Truden hopped back into the spotlight when he confronted recall supporters at Silt Heyday. He was slapped with a temporary restraining order, which was dropped a few days later. Assistant District Attorney Vince Felletter also was accused of confronting recall supporters at the Silt event.

One thing after another ” Truden’s first seven months have been a ridiculous ongoing saga.

The recall effort reportedly has more than 3,500 signatures. To force a recall election, 5,455 valid signatures are needed by Sept. 16.

Opinions will continue to vary on Truden’s job performance during her first seven months. With so many problems and so many questionable management decisions, Truden should be held accountable by the same people who voted her into office last November.

Truden’s job performance should be questioned and a recall election is the best way to resolve this soap opera. The voters should have the opportunity to settle this issue and have their opinions heard.

Votes always come across loud and clear.


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