Lynn Hirshman, Gilpin County. Sunday, September 28, started out beautiful, with locals as well as many, many visitors on Gilpin roads enjoying the spectacular aspen color. Nonetheless, about 50 dedicated people showed up at the Gilpin School at 2 p.m. to see what the candidates for District 2 Commissioner and for Clerk  Recorder had to say.

The second of the forums jointly sponsored by Gilpin Republicans and Democrats, and moderated by retired Judge Frank Dubofsky, began as audience members drifted in. The forum started with opening statements from the Commissioner candidates. Challenger Linda Isenhart won the coin toss and went first.

Isenhart is a 30-year resident of Gilpin County. She and her husband, Wes, raised their two children here.  She is currently working as account specialist and food bank coordinator for the Gilpin County Department of Human Services, where she has been since 2009.

Prior to her current position, Linda worked for the Gilpin County Public Health Department for two years. Isenhart was the billing supervisor for five years for Mountain Family Health Centers. In the early 90s, she was a volunteer for Gilpin County Search & Rescue Ambulance, now known as Gilpin Ambulance Authority.  She is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a BA in education.

In her opening statement she stressed her experience as an account specialist for Human Services, adding that she could bring those skills to bear as Commissioner.

Incumbent Commissioner Connie McClain is also a 30-year resident of Gilpin County who raised her family here while working as an engineer for United Airlines for 18 years. At United, she moved from “the very bottom” to a “high” level. Furloughed after 9/11, she worked in the Gilpin Clerk & Recorder’s office, and was the Chief Deputy for eight years.

As Commissioner she has worked on the three different Broadband Groups and the Transportation and Telecommunication Steering Committee with CCI (Colorado Counties Inc.). She serves on Boards for Health and Human Services, Mental Health, Senior Living, and Veterans.

As before, the forum followed with questions to each candidate. The first was addressed to Isenhart, asking why she wants the position; what problems she sees, and how the office can be improved.

She responded by saying she’d “been working toward this all my life,” and that she has a “pretty good idea” of how the County government was functioning from her work with Human Services.

McClain, asked what can be done to improve County government, said that we need to encourage economic development, and definitely “need to get technology up here….I’ve been working on this for four years,” she added. She wants “to make a difference.”

When Isenhart asked for details of the “technology” the County is trying to attract, McClain clarified that we need better broadband; that there are two new cell towers; and that people complain about broadband service. She went on to say that technology is slowly moving up here, but that we are being charged more than elsewhere. Almost as an afterthought, she added that the Clerk & Recorder’s office needs better technology.

Isenhart added that we “have to be patient with broadband,” but at the same time need fewer people opposing cell towers and other forms of improved service. “We need to move forward and get this done.”

McClain admitted that government was part of the problem: that one commissioner put a moratorium on towers, which was supported by the Planning Department.

The inevitable question regarding possible budget cuts elicited passionate responses. Isenhart noted that “if Amendment 68 passes,” we can’t cut mandated services. That leaves the Community Center, the library, CSU Extension in jeopardy; she suggested creating new districts for these services. Staff cuts, she said, were “always on the table” – but we “have to be creative about that.”

McClain said that the County was already looking a forming a “Rec district,” while already cutting $300,000 from the rec center budget. They are also, she said, looking at a  library district, and looking at charging admission for the County Fair. Isenhart suggested bringing County residents into the brainstorming sessions around these changes rather than including only County staff; McClain claimed that the “Commissioner Coffees” served that purpose.

Asked about a Master Plan for the County, McClain said that was “very difficult,” and goes back to the technology issue. Isenhart stated that the Planning Commission is working on a Master Plan. Meanwhile, building permits need to include renewable energy. An increase in “cottage industries” gives County residents a chance to work out of their homes – which comes back to the need for better broadband.

When each was asked why she would be the better choice for Commissioner, Isenhart cited her experience working with the ambulance service, Mountain Family Health Center, and Human Services (including Human Services at the State level), and cited her membership in the State Finance Managers group.

McClain, rather surprisingly, said “I think Linda would be a good choice,” then added that there is a huge amount to learn for that position. “You don’t hit the ground running,” she said. Isenhart, grinning, said “I’m ready – got my running shoes on!”

How to increase County income? If A 68 passes, with its inevitable cut to County revenue, McClain believes that the only way to increase revenue is with a mill levy. “And we’re working on that,” she added, reminding everyone that Gilpin has one of the lowest mill levies in the state.

Isenhart agreed: “the taxpayers will have to decide,” but added that, with Gilpin’s abundant solar and wind power, we need to attract new industries.

Questions on recent salary cuts – necessary but painful was the consensus – and possible problems in the Community Development department, elicited general agreement.

Connie McClain laughed that the question she wanted to ask Linda Isenhart had already been asked and answered. When Isenhart asked her what her biggest challenge was as a commissioner, she responded “getting the other two commissioners to vote the way I want!”

Clerk & Recorder

Challenger Mary Giancola won the coin toss and presented the first opening statement. She emphasized how much she and her husband love Gilpin and its outdoor lifestyle. Her early marriage to “a farmer” taught her, she said, how to work hard, and gave her a good start as a manager at a casino, where she spent more than 20 years managing and developing employees while ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. Her experience, she said, includes overseeing multi-million dollar budgets while training employees to give the very best customer service.

Incumbent Clerk Colleen Stewart played on her name, claiming she acts as “steward” of “many aspects of everyday life” – from license plates to marriage licenses. And, of course, of the integrity of elections. “I am the steward of very important records of  your life,” she concluded.

Asked why people should vote for her, Giancola responded by citing her 20 years of managing “highly state-regulated” departments, as well as solving problems and analyzing procedures to make her departments more efficient. She has worked with multi-million-dollar budgets. “I think Colleen has done a great job so far…now it’s time to move forward.”

Stewart emphasized how much experience is necessary to learn the job, noting the 132 pages of statutes regarding elections she has to know. She spent five years working in that office before running for Clerk.

Both candidates stated that they would comply with State law on same-sex marriage, although Stewart expanded on that: “I am just waiting for the Court’s decision. In my heart I want to do it (issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples).”

Regarding Giancola’s flyer attack on Stewart’s integrity around voters’ lists, Giancola apologized for the wording of her flyer, but maintained that “the question remains as to how accurate the voter registration lists are.” Stewart attempted to explain the complexity involved in vetting the voters’ lists in the two minutes she had, and concluded by stating that the list of inactive voter is now down to 400.

Asked what could be improved in the Clerk’s office, Stewart replied that they are working “short-staffed…like everyone else.” She made the difficult decision to close the Motor Vehicle office at 4:30 instead of the preferred 5:30 because of lack of staff. She also really wants to complete the digitization of all her records: a grant provided funds for scanning the old books from 1851 to 1966. Now she needs funds to do the same from 1966 to 1994.

Giancola thinks “her office is doing a pretty good job,” but she would like to re-evaluate procedures to become more efficient, require cross-training and ensure that the staff is “welcoming and friendly.” Stewart responded that the staff is very friendly, and all are cross-trained. She stressed how proud she is of her staff.

Dubofsky asked about the new all-mail-ballot election – are mail ballots easier or harder to deal with than vote centers? Stewart said some things are easier, although voters can still bring their ballots into the office and vote in person. This makes voting much easier for the voter, while costing the department – and the taxpayer – much less.

Giancola said that mail ballots scared her, with ballots going to everyone. Stewart attempted to mollify her, saying that election judges verify every signature. Asked if she anticipated any “issues” with mail ballots, Stewart said no; that people seem to be more likely to vote with mail ballots.

Stewart challenged Giancola’s readiness for the position, noting that her background is in finance, which is “about 5%” of the Clerk’s job – and what was her plan for learning the rest of it? Giancola responded that there is state-mandated training that would help her learn every step of the office. “It’s what I do best,” she said.

In closing, Stewart said “there’s a lot to learn and a lot to do….election is in my blood.” Giancola closed by saying that “I am a person of great integrity, and I will not compromise that integrity.” An election she said, is like “getting a second opinion at the doctor’s.”  “We need a new look at this office,” she concluded.

The thoroughly educated audience left the school at about 4:15, to find a refreshing rain outside, leaving a rainbow ending in a grove of golden aspens.