Anne Scarffe, Gilpin County. Gilpin County Republicans met on March 4, 2021, at 7 p.m. at the Gilpin County Arts Association building at 117 Eureka Street, Central City, Colorado. There was also a Zoom meeting for on-line participants. The meeting was informative, and informal. This meeting was a quarterly meeting and discussion was started about monthly meetings in the future, both in-person and on Zoom. 

Sheriff Kevin Armstrong invited anyone to attend the Gilpin County Board of Commissioners meetings where he provides extensive Sheriff’s Office coverage to the commission and the public. The Commissioners meet twice a month, the first and third Tuesdays, with the Sheriff’s report on the third Tuesday. He said ABC’s 20/20 program is reaching out for comment to local residents about an old case follow-up.

Chair of the Gilpin County Republican Party and Commissioner Webb Sill discussed his campaign promises that he has started to keep. He has committed to attend other local government meetings, and has been meeting with local mayors. 

He said, “The way to find out what’s happening in the county is to wander around and meet people.” He wants to do things for the county that do not cost anything or little.” 

He ran for County Commissioner on repairing the Recreation Center and jail. Both have needed repairs for a while. He said, “It’s like a toothache. It doesn’t get fixed by itself.”   

Chair Sill is appreciative of Secretary Michele Roussel and Vice Chair Marie Mornis who have been very active, with the new stuff going on in the Republican Party, putting Gilpin Republicans ‘on the map.’ Treasurer Rebecca Shirey has been updating the Facebook page, with 350 followers currently.

Discussion started about possible candidates for office needing to start getting involved within the local party, volunteering possibly, not just three months before an election. Getting involved first as a voter then working as a poll watcher or election judge are needed. 

Sill said a poll was taken in all counties of Colorado as to what voters consider the most important issues in the election, with 62 percent saying election security was most important for integrity. Participants voiced concern for Dominion voting machines not being reliable. It is easy to be an election judge, but training and knowing what is expected, is important.  

Discussion was started about fundraising past and future. Sill said the County Fair has been a good fundraising opportunity with most monies raised. This year, the fair will be on July 24. 

In the past, funds have been raised by selling foods like pizza and tacos, and formal dinners at the Black Forest Restaurant and Isle of Capri Casino. Some money was raised in a flea market event. Any ideas for fundraising are welcome.

The next Gilpin County Republican Party meeting is planned for Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Gilpin County Art Gallery, 117 Eureka St., Central City, at 7 p.m., with Zoom access.

(Originally published in the March 11, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)