Fiscal conservative for Morrissey

To the editor,
Allison Morrissey, our candidate for the position of La Plata County Treasurer, has personally visited thousands of homes in the county to meet the residents and to talk about her qualifications for the treasurer’s role. This effort continues to demonstrate her dedication and commitment to fulfilling the needs of the office of the treasurer and hearing the feedback of our residents. Through her conversations with residents of the county, it has reinforced to her even further how important it is to get the most qualified, committed person in office in order that the taxpayers receive the best value from her leadership and from the operations of the Treasurer’s Office. This position is a nonpartisan position, and the responsibilities of this role are very clear. When it comes to managing the county’s money, it doesn’t matter what your political affiliation is. I am however, a fiscally conservative Republican, and I will be casting my vote for Allison Morrissey for La Plata County Treasurer. I encourage your vote for her as well.
– John Camacho, Hesperus

Udall wants to steal your liberties

To the editor,
Our national anthem contains the phrase “land of the free.” Are we? Polls are showing that most people feel the country is “going the wrong way.” Perhaps we should think about liberty instead of just feeling that we’re “free.” I love liberty, and I hate political parties. I refuse to join one because it would threaten my independence.

According to one definition in Webster, liberty is “the power of choice.” Before any of you who define yourselves as “pro-choicers” celebrate, that is a singular issue. Focusing on a singular issue is killing us. It could well end up being the lone carrot granted by a tyrannical federal government. A carrot, that is, that can be taken away as well as granted. If you think that Democrats are “liberal,” ask yourself how a big central government4 increases your personal freedom. If you think Republicans are the party of small government, ask yourself how the federal government has gotten so big and so invasive in our daily lives.

We are fighting ourselves over singular issues and sacrificing our personal freedoms to the federal government in the process. Not every federal servant is an enemy of your freedoms; however, some are obvious. Consider the fact that President Obama has continually brought up his frustration with being checked by Congress. That check is one mechanism in place to preserve your liberties. When the President threatened to act without Congress at the State of the Union in January, ALL of the Democrats instantly stood and applauded. Think about that for a minute. Each and every Congressman pledges to uphold the Constitution. The Constitution clearly defines the roles of the Legislative and Executive branches, yet these elected legislatures wildly applauded an Executive usurpation of their Constitutional power and responsibilities. Even the Democratic Senate revolted against FDR’s attempts to grab power. Today we do not have as honorable a federal Legislature.

One of the legislators who enthusiastically applauded monarchy over separation of powers was Mark Udall. Maybe he is “pro choice,” but he’s masking the fact that he wants to take away your “power of choice” overall because he doesn’t think you’re intelligent enough to run your own life. Consider his issues list on his website. He has a lot about preserving Colorado’s resources and beauty. Would you rather have our resources under state or federal control? Before you answer, you might want to read Francis Fukuyama’s paper on the forestry service at www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/141729/francis-fukuyama/america-in-decay. Udall is pushing for more federal control, not less.
– Dennis Haugh, Colorado Springs

Training trumps ‘trust’

To the editor,
Training and experience trumps “trust” when it comes to campaign slogans. I have no doubt Bobby Lieb is a very nice man judging from the endorsement letters from his brother, and sister and a few colleagues. But, does this qualify him to be county treasurer at a time of decreasing revenues and rising labor and materials costs? It is time for the many business and accounting procedures of La Plata County to be examined by a professionally trained treasurer.

Allison Morrissey, with a BA in accounting and an MBA, as well as 25 years of experience in Fortune 100 companies making business systems more efficient, has the right qualifications for the job. Elect Allison Morrissey for La Plata County Treasurer.
– Sanford Max, Hesperus

Morrissey has skills to lead

To the editor,
Others have highlighted Allison Morrissey’s excellent financial qualifications for the job of county treasurer: she has an MBA, a BA in accounting, and IRS Tax certifications. There is another side of her experience that people should know about too: her leadership skills.

Allison has been an executive coach to CEOs, CFOs and executive teams of Fortune 100 companies, as well as to the directors and supervisors of these teams. Her experience assisting leaders in setting high goals (financial, operational, customer and leadership goals), and accomplishing these goals through teamwork, are valuable assets that we need in our county treasurer.

We live in a complicated financial environment, and our special districts, city of Durango, the towns, the schools, and the county as a whole, will benefit from her focus on results. Allison Morrissey is the best choice for our next La Plata County Treasurer.
– Leigh Meigs, Durango

Don’t tame the Wilderness Act

To the editor,
Glad to see the Telegraph running a piece in the Mountain Exchange on wilderness (considering the recent 50th anniversary). Never would have guessed Dick Cheney was pro wilderness (in WY). What I found interesting was the final few sentences of the article mentioning Sen. Mark Udall’s senior natural resources advisor commenting on the strict rules of the 1964 Wilderness Act. In particular, how people now want to let their dogs run off-leash, or they may be threatened by adjacent wilderness lands burning close to their home, or they may get hit by a falling tree. And how this forms a “new coalition who want fewer restrictions.”

As FLC Professor Andy Gulliford explains in his book Outdoors in the Southwest, while discussing why we need wilderness with a capital “W,” it is the very restrictions of the 1964 Wilderness Act that help maintain more wilderness vs. something much less, and more impacted. In my view, it’s NOT about me and my dog, and my house and my safety. It’s about having and knowing there are areas (only 4 percent of the United States), that are “... untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor and does not remain” as defined by the Wilderness Act.

This means wildlife is protected for wildlife’s sake, as with the natural landscape and ecosystem.  That in this wilderness, there is risk of trees falling, of bears and wolves, and fires. We impact the whole earth, even wilderness areas without going into them, so if the 1964 Wilderness Act seems strict, let’s keep it that way! This is wilderness for wilderness’ sake, not ours. And if it were up to me, I’d add something about the third dimension, airspace and natural quiet. Oh, and then there’s global climate change and... .
– Tim Thomas, Durango

Morrissey a better value

To the editor,
Recently, a letter to the editor in the Durango Herald was published that referenced me. This letter was in support of a candidate whom I do not support. I would like people to know that I support Allison Morrissey as our next county treasurer. Neither candidate has worked in the office of the La Plata County Treasurer, but I believe Allison Morrissey will pick up the job faster and provide more value for our money. She is highly ethical and very smart. I strongly endorse Allison Morrissey for the job of La Plata County Treasurer. 

– Leta Sauer, Durango

Morrissey the qualified candidate

To the editor,
I noticed that in the Durango Herald’s want-ad section Bobby Lieb is advertising that he is the ONLY qualified candidate for La Plata County Treasurer. But I do not know what his qualifications are for this job. He does NOT have an accounting degree or experience. He does NOT have the technology or accounting systems experience I expect a treasurer to have. So how can I trust him when he makes this claim? 

The county treasurer’s job is an accounting and financial investment job. As I am paying for this office through my tax dollars, I expect to hire the most financially qualified candidate. Allison Morrissey has an accounting degree and an MBA. She received the Colorado Certified Public Accountants’ highest award for her performance. She is certified by the IRS to process individual tax returns. She has years of experience as a bank auditor. She has worked with CEOs and CFOs of multi-billion dollar companies (i.e. Microsoft, Lyondellbasell, Pacific Gas and Electric, US Banks and many others) improving financial systems for Fortune 100 companies, helping to raise their stock prices for shareholders.

In short, Allison Morrissey is an experienced businesswoman in the major functions of the treasurer’s office. I will be voting for the most qualified candidate: Allison Morrissey.
– Barbara Denk, Durango