Editor’s note: The opinions, including political endorsements, of columnists do not reflect those of The Sopris Sun. 

As a career healthcare provider, I believe in science; that is, in ideas and beliefs that have been subjected to persistent, unsuccessful attempts to disprove them. As a scientist, my mind is open to questions and new information. I research facts about issues before making important decisions, make my decisions on the best set of facts I have at the time and change my mind when new, more persuasive facts arise.

I’m a lifelong Democrat because Democrats have most consistently represented facts as I see them and supported policies consistent with my personal values. I’m proud of my affiliation. In 2010, I moved from the “safe” political environment of a military community, where no one talked about politics, to Arizona which was heavily Republican at the time. Coming from a military mindset of leading by example and trying not to be a complainer, but rather one who tries to make things better (be part of the solution, not the problem), I decided it was time to actively help those seeking political office. They actually have the potential to shape our social context, about which so much complaining is done. So I became a political activist — making phone calls, writing postcards and knocking on doors.

In the United States, most political decisions are made by people we elect to determine what’s best for our communities. Therefore, it’s important to know the facts about issues and where various candidates stand, before completing our ballots. But my volunteer door knocking this election season has led me to conclude that one major contributing factor to the current political disarray is that many voters, while reasonably sophisticated about national issues and candidates, are unaware of many facts as far as local issues or where local candidates stand on them — if they even know these issues exist. So I don’t knock on doors to get people to vote a certain way, which would be hopeless anyway. I knock with the intention that people who talk with me will be better informed about relevant facts by the time I leave.

Most of the people I’ve talked with pride themselves on being well-informed, independent thinkers who don’t need more information. But when I respond with something like, “That’s great. Does that include our county commissioner candidates?” Most say, “No, I don’t know much about them.” 

When they say they are well-informed, the people I’ve talked with are referring to national issues and candidates, less so to statewide issues and candidates and hardly at all to issues and candidates closest to home. It’s ironic, because these local choices often affect voters the most and, coincidently, are the very issues and candidates they can most easily influence.

During the past three months, there have indeed been numerous editorial comments in Roaring Fork Valley newspapers by writers who at least seem to be paying attention to these candidates and issues. Some, for example, have pointed out that our current Garfield County commissioners are excellent administrators because of their ability to maintain over $86 million in unspent county assets. But others ask, how important is maintaining a reserve amounting to 66% of the county’s total annual budget compared to meeting emergent needs?

Although saying that he wanted no one to freeze or starve, Commissioner Mike Samson voted against granting Carbondale’s request for $50,000 to help meet emergency immigrant needs last winter. It’s safe to say that commissioner candidates Caitlin Carey and Steven Arauza would have been more likely to have granted that request.

Commissioner Samson drafted and voted for a pro forma resolution declaring Garfield a “non-sanctuary” county. Carey and Arauza oppose such resolutions. Samson supported limiting the library’s traditionally independent functioning. Commissioner candidate Perry Will said he didn’t think the current commissioners went about it all that well, but he supported their action. Candidates Arauza and Carey have said this decision was counter to public interests.

Samson believes that gas and oil extraction will and should remain a centerpiece of Garfield County’s economic future. Will’s voting record in the state legislature indicates agreement with that. Carey and Arauza favor stricter limits on extraction and increased efforts to move Garfield County towards alternative industries as quickly as possible, sans undue hardship.

How familiar are you with these important local issues and others? Where do you stand on them? Do you know where each candidate stands on them? In our democracy, we have the right to elect whomever we want, but with that right comes a responsibility to be an informed voter. A president can’t make things happen because he/she says so; that’s a dictator. Presidents need down-ballot supporters at every level of government. County commissioners are our local regulators.

My plea is for you to know who you’re voting for and what they stand for when you decide to give them control of issues that matter to you. Take the time to do your homework. Remember, a blank box on the ballot is a vote for the other guy.

Mature Content is a monthly feature from Age-Friendly Carbondale.