Opponents, Not Enemies
Opponents, Not Enemies
As the County Commissioner race heats up, I think it is important to remind everyone that Travis and I are not enemies; we are merely opponents. It is always difficult when two members of the same team compete against each other, but I have no doubt that Travis loves this county as much as I do. I have seen that love firsthand through his dedication to sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation in the ag mechanics program.
One of the reasons I bring this up is that how we view this concept fundamentally alters how we receive and process information.
When we view a race through the lens of enemies, every disagreement feels like an attack, and every difference of opinion looks like a character flaw. It forces people to pick camps and close their minds. But when we view each other as opponents on the same team, a disagreement is just a different perspective on how to solve the same problem. It allows us to actually listen, debate the merits of an idea, and find the best path forward for our county.
At the end of the day, Travis and I likely desire the same outcomes for many of the opportunities and challenges facing Rio Blanco County. We both want to protect our water, we both want to preserve what makes our county unique, and we both want bright opportunities for our children and grandchildren.
Where we differ is simply the toolkit and life experiences we bring to the table. My perspective is uniquely shaped by two distinct halves of my career: my years serving as a pastor, and my thirty-plus years in private-sector business management.
My time in ministry taught me a profound understanding of humanity and compassion. It trained me to look at our community through a lens where every single person matters, and everyone’s issues deserve genuine attention. Local government isn't just about policies; it's about the people those policies affect. I carry that deep sense of care and accessibility into everything I do.
At the same time, my decades in business have given me the practical tools required to get things done—balancing budgets, navigating logistics, and operating efficiently every single day. Managing a county requires a balance of both: the compassion to listen to every constituent, and the bottom-line problem-solving skills to manage our resources wisely. It is this unique combination of heart and hard work that I offer to the Board of Commissioners.
When the election is final, should the voters choose Travis, I will faithfully continue to serve Rio Blanco County as I have for the past decade. Likewise, I am confident that should I be elected and need Travis’ input on a matter, he would never withhold it to impede progress. I am certain that we will have no problem working together for the betterment of our community in the future—because when it comes to the place we call home, we truly are Better Together.