Faith & Service
Faith & Service
As I’ve been out meeting people the last couple of weeks, there have been several questions that I’ve been asked. I’d like to answer one of those right now, and will continue to answer more in the coming weeks.
The first question, " Can you leave your faith at the door?" It is a suggestion that to work in government, one must compartmentalize their deepest convictions, setting aside the very values that define them.
Today, I want to be clear and transparent with you: I will not leave my faith at the door.
Perhaps if more politicians practiced on Monday what they preached on Sunday our nation wouldn’t be in the peril it’s in. Our forefathers understood the importance of electing moral leadership. As John Adams once said:
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
I believe that true leadership requires integrity, and integrity means being the same person in private that you are in public. My faith is not a coat I take off when I enter a meeting or a campaign event; it is the foundation of my character. It is the source of my commitment to hard work, my dedication to family and devotion to community.
When it comes to protecting our water rights, ensuring our children have a future here, or managing our county’s resources, I will do so through a lens of service and responsibility. To set my faith aside would be to set aside the moral compass that directs me to be honest, fair, and compassionate toward every person in this county.
This isn’t just a philosophy; it is how I have done business for over 30 years.
Throughout my experience as a pastor and as a business owner, I have learned that traits such as patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, honesty, and impartiality shouldn’t just be the attributes of a pastor, they should be the hallmark of every public servant. My faith has provided the ethical framework that allowed me to lead with a clean conscience and a steady hand.
I want to be clear about the nature of my service: I already have a pulpit for preaching. I am not seeking a public office to find a new congregation but to offer my proven experience and commitment to effective leadership for the entire county. My convictions compel me to listen, to show respect, and to serve ALL citizens with a heart for the common good. We may not always agree on every issue, but you will always know where I stand and the values that drive my decisions.
I am here to listen.
A letter or a post is only a one-way conversation. I want to hear from you—your concerns, your hopes for our county, and your questions. I am making myself available to meet individually with anyone who would like to talk. Whether you want to discuss local policy or simply get to know the person behind the name, my door is open and I’d love to hear from you (970) 942-3243 or rich@ford4rbc.com. I will also be hosting several MEET THE CANDIDATE FORUMS in both Rangely and Meeker in the coming weeks, and will post those dates soon.
I believe in this county, and I believe that by being our authentic selves, we can build a stronger future.
Better Together,
Richard Ford