Dear Editor,

My husband was Commissioner Web Sill. Marie replaced Web immediately after his death, a year and 5 months ago. I believe she has done a good job and has voted like Web would have voted. Prior to his death Marie worked closely with Web and has a good understanding of his position on issues.

When he left office the first time in 2004, our debts were paid, we had a large emergency reserve and we had the lowest taxes in the State of Colorado. The fairgrounds and recreation center were built and paid for in full, county roads were greatly improved and we had a small but effective government. The county was only about 500 people fewer than the current population and on a budget of half the dollars or less of the current budget. Does that tell you something? We focused on hiring from within Gilpin. Since then our County budget has ballooned, our government has grown, we import employees, and we struggle to fund basic operations for debt free facilities

Two of our current commissioners have exploited a minor population growth to justify what is quickly becoming a multi-million dollar government bureaucracy. They have utilized non-local consultants and formed a highly paid management team, only to do the work that you elected them to do. In fact, two of our commissioners have hired a new employee to communicate with citizens so they don’t have to. The funds required to support this top-heavy government expansion have come at the expense of our much-loved fairgrounds and recreation center. But it won’t stop there. To meet these new obligations they will have to divert from infrastructure, law enforcement, and emergency reserves. And finally, they’ll impose new taxes to pay for the essential services.

As many of you may remember, it was nearly always a two to one vote against him and Commissioner Hollingsworth on more than one occasion tried to keep Web from speaking! Marie has experienced the same. They both have voted for the best interest of all Gilpin citizens. It’s a serious matter to keep Marie as commissioner and elect Cory Marshall in district 3 so we can get this county back on track. Marie Mornis understands this and if you look at her voting record, she has proved this time and time again.

It’s counterproductive to have a primary battle when we already have a good and accomplished candidate, Marie Mornis. Please vote for Marie Mornis for Commissioner District One in the upcoming primary and then vote for Marie in the General election in the fall.

Diann Sill, Gilpin County