Web Sill, Gilpin County. For 37 years I have lived, worked and raised a family in Gilpin County. I served as your commissioner starting in 1997. When I left office 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. We focused on hiring from within the County. 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. 

What happened?  

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 senior management team, only to do the work that you elected them to do. 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.  

I believe that government officials exist to serve the people and not to be served at the people’s expense. Our government needs to operate efficiently and proportionate to the independent rural community that it serves. Our best government should be and can be again a local government. Our fairgrounds, library and recreation center MUST be reopened without new taxes. Our critical services MUST be fully funded. We MUST have a reserve for unpredictable events such as wildfires, pandemics and economic recession. In the late 90’s we stopped a wildfire headed into Gilpin County with a suppression bomber. This was only an option because we had a large savings. We can do these things without tax growth or government expansion. It will require commitment and hard work by your Commissioners and that is what I can offer you.  

I will prioritize spending for the services you need and want even when it makes my job harder. I will work closely with the struggling communities of Rollinsville and Central City to find solutions. I will endeavor to attract much needed private services such as banking, grocery, hardware and healthcare. Most importantly, I will work to serve YOU. We are a rural mountain community and we can once again be the best little county in Colorado.

Why I decided to run?

When I left office in 2004, the county was in a good position and we had a healthy savings in reserve. We had worked hard to accomplish this. As I watch what has happened since, I am increasingly concerned. Seeing the recent closure of our County facilities and lay-off of so many County employees was the last straw for me. I could no longer stand aside and watch the destruction of the County we all love. I have always been willing to serve, from serving our Country in combat as a Marine Captain to my time as a County Commissioner. I want to serve you again and get our County back on track!

My Goals and How to
Accomplish Them

When I left office, our County enjoyed the benefits of an efficient balanced budget, lowest combined taxes in Colorado and big additions to our County that were paid for and fully funded. My goals are to bring back all of those County attributes and do so by getting the budget back in control.

• We do this by STOPPING irresponsible spending - or as I like to say “stop digging! The hole is getting deeper.” - Our County was in serious trouble, in the hole, before the pandemic.  

• Expect county commissioners to be the leaders you elected them to be - accountable to you the citizens, not hired high paid senior administrators.

• Let’s do our own planning and vision, we do not need high paid consultants from urban areas to tell us what we are and what we want to be!     

The total of these savings alone would likely be sufficient to re-open the Rec Center.  It’s taken years to get in this trouble, with bad management and one well meaning wrong decision after another. It will take hard work and leadership from commissioners, not consultants, to get back on track.

The county budget in 2004 was approximately $12,000,000. The county has recently cut their budget down from $24,000,000 to $22,000,000. I believe their income will be much closer to $18,000,000. I believe I can open closed facilities and create savings on a budget of $18,000,000. It will take some major changes and some time, but I sincerely believe it is doable, and doable without tax increases. After all a levy is a tax and we do not need more taxes!

Sunlight

In my previous terms I repeatedly said that the government needs lots of sunlight, nothing hidden from those it serves. During that time, we had SUNLIGHT. Our commission meetings were open, and I intend to make that our policy again. Executive sessions were for the privacy of employee matters and bid proposals. I want you to know what is happening in the County - sunlight! You should be informed and free to participate, comment and call your commissioners. 

This is your County and as we all like to say, “we moved here for a reason and we want to keep it that way!” 

I will work hard for you. I am always available to you. Let’s not wait for 4 more years of increasing debt. Let’s start now. Together we can do this. I respectfully ask for your vote.

For more information check out www.websill.org.

(Originally published in the October 8, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)