Samson seeks to add to record ‘of balancing requirements with resources’

Last Wednesday, an attack ad from my opponent made a variety of false assertions. I have served the citizens of Garfield County for the past 16 years as a commissioner and I am seeking your vote in this election, but I’d like your vote to be informed by unassailable facts that are a matter of record. 

Once you know the truth, I’m confident you’ll find I have been a sensible public servant who has well stewarded the public trust; one worthy of your trust for 4 more years.
My opponent’s article erroneously suggests local government dictates local housing prices. Anyone versed in economics knows natural market forces dictate such things. County commissioners must responsibly contend with those forces with sensible solutions; always knowing government can easily worsen such circumstances. 

Contrary to my opponent’s claims, our Board of County Commissioners has contributed $300,000 to Habitat for Humanity’s affordable housing efforts. I personally asked West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition (WMRHC) to include lower valley towns (e.g. Silt, Rifle, Parachute) in their plans. I never heard back. I have supported expanding up to four employee Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on an employer’s business site. I have also contributed to inclusionary zoning (affordable units alongside free-market housing) and non-profits like the Salvation Army, the River Center and West Mountain Regional Health Alliance. I could go on for two full pages and I might do that in the coming days. In short, however, the article in question amounts to so much mendacity.

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My name is Mike Samson. I am one of your Garfield County Commissioners and I have faithfully served you for 16 years. I have an enviable record of balancing requirements with resources and have helped keep this place, my home all my life, a wonderful place to live. I encourage you to examine my record as compared to how it has been characterized. What I have shared here only scratches the surface of what I’ve helped accomplish as a commissioner. With your vote, I’ll add to that record with prosperity for all.

Mike Samson, Rifle

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Vote no on ranked choice voting

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is just another way for operatives to tamper with our elections. The rules are confusing and time consuming. How many times do you want to cast your vote before you get a result?

It sounds good because of more choices, but often ends with the second place candidate winning the day, even if first place wins by a wide margin.

It works much like a game of cutthroat where two can conspire to take out the leader. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the current ‘winner take all’ method of voting. Please vote no on Prop 131.

Gwen Zengota, Glenwood Springs

Carey and Arauza ‘love and trust our independent libraries’

Who do you trust? I trust Steven Arauza and Caitlin Carey to be our new Garfield County Commissioners. They love and trust our independent libraries.

I also trust the Garfield County library staff who tell us that our children are reading just what you would expect them to read: age-appropriate materials. There are plenty of things that put our children at risk. Going to the library isn’t one of them.

County commissioner candidate Mike Samson has made several statements against the American Library Association and in favor of controlling which books people can read in our libraries. He also voted in favor of the commissioners taking control over selecting Library Trustees. Commissioner candidate Perry Will voted against the new law that will help protect public libraries in Colorado from partisan book bans. 

I hope you’ll join me in voting for Steven Arauza and Caitlin Carey, leaders you can trust.

Carole O’Brien, New Castle

‘Hopefully, we can still hear’

I feel compelled to come to the forefront during these most challenging moments in our history. 

These thoughts came after a recent conversation I had with a first time voter, who seemed dismayed, discouraged, and disappointed with what opinions he has been hearing. Those constant contradictions have now led him to not believe anyone. He said, “Why vote? It really doesn’t count.” And. My response to him was, “of course, I understand.”

We are, the People, who have heard this red, white and blue human being sublimely portray a walkin’ talkin’ American flag and incessantly reiterate repeated rhetoric with his trumpet. Those sounds of hatred, a pyramid of lies, violence, racism, self obsessed love of power and a “wanna be” dictator, have been deafening to our ears. 

Enough.

Hopefully, we can still hear and we have not become instruments to his coveted, cult leadership. 

Pause. Silence. 

We are, the People, who can intonate these words. 

“Give me your tired, we are, tired of negativity. 

Your poor, we are, from your mirror-like projections. 

Your restless, yearning to breathe free, we are, from your chaotic, discordant, cacophony sounds. 

Hear. 

We are, the People, who have a voice with our vote and there are accompanying deep resonating tones, which can embellish us. 

“We do not see (hear) the world as it is, we see (hear) the world as we are.”

Anais Nin

Thanking you in advance for the harmony we are, the People, can create.

Annig Raley, Glenwood Springs

Rifle airport expansion just a gift to the wealthy

It’s no wonder that Mike Samson didn’t want to mention his and his fellow GarCo commissioners’ pet project at the debate in Rifle, considering he was sitting in front of the community most negatively impacted by their plans to once again have taxpayers fund an expansion of our county airport to exclusively serve and enrich their fossil fuel executive friends, and nimby Aspen Institute advisers (GPI 2/5/23). 

This gift to wealthy fossil fuel addicts will quadruple the already heavy air traffic, with devastating impacts to working families in Rifle and the lower Colorado River valley from air and water pollution from jet-wash and lead-based fuels spewed over our Colorado River water source, noise (over 90 decibels) second only to air pollution for causing serious health impacts, habitat and water loss, and plummeting property values from living under a toxic airport without the restrictions that Aspen enjoys. All while condemning already impacted working communities to a continued fossil fuel economy serving the worst polluters responsible for extreme weather, drought, flooding, wildfires, deaths, an unsustainable future, and without a vote.

Europe is already implementing limits or bans on private jets due to the economic and environmental injustice they impose upon citizens, in that 1% of travelers are responsible for 50% of all aviation pollution. New private jet fuel tax legislation shows that they make up 16% of flights, but pay only 2% of the infrastructure needed for airports, traffic control, etc., while commercial passengers pick up the tab to perpetuate the polluting lifestyles of the rich and pay-less. Not to mention the tax breaks for purchasing private jets that Trump gave all his billionaire buddies. 

Considering the unified voices of scientists assuring us of a looming planetary emergency, and with less than a decade to course-correct, we have no time to indulge climate crisis denier candidates and their wealthy enablers.  Rifle, the lower valley, and the country, need to turn the page on servants to moneyed interests, and elect representatives who will be their champions, and not those of entitled jet-setters seeking to maintain the status quo for their polluting lifestyles.

PJ Breslin, Rifle

‘2A isn’t the right answer’

I won’t vote for this street tax.  We will need to fund our streets, and a sales tax is the way to do it. But the 100% tax increase with ballot Question 2A isn’t the right answer.

In 2006 the citizens and the city made a deal. The citizens would pay a half cent tax for 21 years, and the city would fix the streets. There’s two years left, but the city wants more money now – twice as much money.  The city can’t even wait until the current tax ends.

Revenue from the current tax has gone up much faster than inflation, and should keep beating inflation in the future. Isn’t that enough?

And the wording is vague; future Councils could spend at least $30 million dollars of it on the South Bridge project: improvements to Midland Avenue, Airport Road, and even the intersection at Hwy 82. When the City needs money for South Bridge, can they resist using this tax money? And how much will be left over to fix the neighborhood streets we use every day?

Supporters say this isn’t for South Bridge; but the ballot language doesn’t say so, and that’s the only thing that matters.

Most of the support for this tax increase comes from members of the Chamber Resort Association. The Chamber has “worked to pass every major tax initiative … in the past 30 years.” These are good people, but the Chamber receives about 80% of its funding from the City. How could they not support this?

We have two more years of the current tax; let’s get this right …

If we’re paying for South Bridge work, will there be anything left over? If it’s not for South Bridge, the ballot language should say so.

Do we really need a 100% tax increase? Revenues have been going up much faster than inflation.

And the city should keep its deal; start the new tax in 2027, not now.

I’ll vote NO on 2A this time, and encourage the City to bring the street tax back with the problems fixed.

Jon Banks

Glenwood Springs

Consider climate change when voting this year

As the election draws closer, we cannot ignore the growing impact of climate change on our communities. Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, along with dozens of wildfires this past summer — they’re all clear warning signs of a very real climate crisis. 

This issue deserves more attention than it’s received so far this election cycle. During the presidential debate, only one brief question was asked about climate at the very end.

The fact is, the climate crisis impacts us all, no matter where we live or how much money we make. Americans are being told to flee their homes and risk losing everything. Meanwhile, big oil continues to put profits over people by prioritizing fossil fuels that continue to destroy our environment.

We cannot afford to lose any more time in the fight against the climate crisis. We need leaders — at the federal, state, and local level — who believe in the science of climate change and are willing or can be convinced to take bold action before it’s too late. So I urge everyone: When you cast your ballot this November, think of our planet and the people that call it home.

Evan Michael, Glenwood Springs

Arauza has displayed dedication to community

I am writing to express my full support for Steven Arauza, a Democratic candidate for Garfield County Commissioner in District 3, who has consistently demonstrated his dedication to our community. It’s troubling that some have resorted to petty tactics, such as distributing opposing literature in public bathrooms, placing anti-Steven stickers on Walmart products, and, most disturbingly, posting pictures of his child online to criticize his parenting. These actions are not only absurd but cross a line of decency, distracting from the real issues at stake in this election. Our community deserves better than this kind of childish behavior.

Steven Arauza is more than just a political candidate—he’s an asset to our county. With over eight years of experience as an environmental protection specialist at the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, he has a proven record in environmental policy. His role on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board highlights his dedication to standing up for marginalized communities affected by pollution.

Steven’s contributions go beyond expertise. He’s advocated for working families, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community, promoting fairness and inclusivity at a time of political division. His commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of everyone makes him a vital leader for Garfield County.

We need leaders like Steven, who combine professional experience with a genuine commitment to building a stronger, inclusive community. His knowledge of environmental protection prepares him to tackle challenges like sustainability and affordable housing, with integrity and vision.

I urge voters to look past personal attacks and focus on what truly matters: Steven Arauza’s leadership, knowledge, and dedication to the well-being of our county. His vision for a more inclusive future is what Garfield County needs.

Mae Gray, New Castle