Dear Editor and Readers,
While the national government is in a state of radical change and uncertainty, the Gilpin County government has a familiar steadiness about it. Faced with the prospect of radically consequential changes in 2024, voters...
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Dear Editor and Readers,
While the national government is in a state of radical change and uncertainty, the Gilpin County government has a familiar steadiness about it. Faced with the prospect of radically consequential changes in 2024, voters chose the two Democratic candidates for the board of county commissioners, so the current board is once again composed of a majority of Democratic commissioners.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. The last time the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) had a Republican majority was in 1994 with Jim Collins and Ralph Knull.
Since 1981, Democratic commissioners have had majority control of the BOCC for 31 years while Republican commissioners have been in the majority for four years (87-88 & 93-94).
There have been ten years where the board has had a neutral composition, but the Independent commissioners (Craig Nicholson and Forrest Whitman) leaned progressive in their policy positions.
Gilpin County at this moment is one of the most stable and peaceful places on the planet. The towns have prospered, and the environment has been protected. It is a wonderful place to raise kids or retire.
One critical difference between Republican and Democratic candidates over the years has been the respect for our county employees. Instead of viewing them as parasites and useless bureaucrats, Democratic candidates have repeatedly affirmed the worth and value of our county employees.
These employees are considered neighbors and friends. They are the ones who show up at accident scenes, stay up all night plowing subdivision roads so people can go to work in the morning and offer protective services to abused children.
Mountain folk understand that they aren’t only rugged individuals but are part of a greater community that relies on our county employees to help promote a civil society and sustainable environment.
The absolute earliest that Republicans will have a chance to gain a majority on the BOCC is 2029. In the meantime, county residents can expect steady, sensible and sane leadership that works to maintain our quality of life, protect our environment and help the most vulnerable in our community. It’s basically more of the same.
Wes Isenhart
Black Hawk
