Editorial not published by The Flume

Letter to the Editor, Natalie Breitung Sept 22, 2024

I disagree with the thought process of those trashing Commissioner Mitchell in the Sept 13 edition. One person from Bailey, supporting the Democrat candidates, believes taxing residents, “responsibly funding”, is better than obtaining road funding from other sources that do not negatively impact Park County Residents. The thing about grants, it is a pool of money that will be awarded to chosen applicants, meaning someone will be awarded the money.  Why should Park County not receive some of the grant money that is set aside at the federal or state level? Do the Democrats believe it is better governance to let another government entity get the money?  Park County is under TABOR with capped growth that is not keeping up with the current high inflation that is caused by those in power - the Democrats. Park County Road and Bridge received $850,000 from Mitchell’s efforts, which is real money. This grant is being used to fix roads that historically have cost large sums to maintain to a somewhat-safe level due to high traffic volume.

Do you want Commissioners who respect you and your hard-earned money? Who understand the limited function of government? Who support tax caps under TABOR? Or do you prefer Democrats who prefer to take more money out of your pocket?  Who want to repeal TABOR? Just look at the failed policies of the Federal Government’s runaway inflation and open borders; the Colorado Legislature voting to use your TABOR refunds to fund programs; and Denver’s failed sanctuary status, all Democrat decisions. Do not let Park County be ruined by tax and spend Democrats.

Natalie Breitung, Hartsel

Community Interest Piece, Celebrity Stockshow

The Celebrity Stock Show.  Amy Mitchell wins first place in round, third place in the Grand Round.

Commissioners deny Bailey event on four counts

I voted to deny the event due to 1) the "fire" focus of the event, creating undue wild land fire risk to the area, 2) the lack of two-way vehicle access for the estimated 350 +- vehicles on the driveway that provides access to the event location where emergency vehicles would be unable to pass during an emergency, plus the inadequate secondary emergency evacuation route that cannot accommodate standard passenger vehicles, 3) the lack of fire suppression water to be stored at the event, 4) the event being disruptive to the surrounding area due to noise and the increased wild land fire risk nature of the event. 

Amy Mitchell, to Eliminate Any Undue Influence, Steps-Down as Park County Republicans Chair

At the January 10th, 2024, Park County Republican Central Committee Meeting (PCRCC), Chairperson Amy Mitchell resigned the Chair position to eliminate any perception of undue influence, effective February 1, 2024. Republican Party candidates have two options to gain access to the primary election ballot: 1) go through the Republican Party process of caucus and county assembly, or 2) petition onto the primary ballot by obtaining the requisite number of Park County Republican signatures. Mitchell stated at the January 10 meeting "if a Republican candidate wanted to run against me for commissioner district 1 using the county assembly process, it would be wrong for me to be chairperson of the Party". Even though Mitchell has no Party opposition, she resigned based on principle. There will be a new chairperson elected at the regular February 14th PCRCC meeting, held at the Fairplay Community Center. The meeting starts at 7PM. 

Colorado Counties Inc. elect Amy Mitchell Vice Chair Public Lands Steering Committee

My fellow county commissioners at the January 26th Colorado Counties, Inc., CCI, Steering Committee meeting, elected me as vice chair of the Public Lands Steering Committee.

Colorado Counties, Inc., a nonprofit membership organization for county commissioners, helps amplify the voice of counties. With 62 of 64 counties as members, during the legislative session commissioners meet for two days every three weeks. Nine topic-focused steering committees lead the discussion about bills that will positively or negatively impact counties. Once a motion is made to take a position, each county votes on the position of  "support", "oppose", "monitor" or "neutral" to solidify the counties' position with 65% in agreement. CCI lobbyists then interact with legislators, other interested parties and testify in House and Senate committee hearings to advocate for the position of the counties.

The Public Lands steering committee deals with State and Federal lands policy issues that impact counties. Only counties that pay into a separate Public Lands Fund are eligible to serve in leadership. It is my goal as the Vice Chair of the Public Lands Steering Committee to engage with the State's Division of Natural Resources and the Federal Government's Department of Agriculture to improve, change or support or oppose policy impacting counties which contain public lands.