Yesterday was a busy day for me. First I blogged; then I went to Rimrock Elementary School to see Lt. Governor Joe Garcia talk about childhood literacy; then I rushed home to finish my Free Press article to be published Friday; then I went to a BLM meeting about the Dominguez Escalante Canyon management plan; then I came home and fell into bed, exhausted. Today I’m having trouble deciding which topic to pick for my blog!

At Rimrock Elemtary School, community leaders gathered to talk about what is happening locally to encourage kids to read. An initiative started by Michelle Obama resulted in the school receiving 100 new books, suitable for kids of varying ages. There were as many people in the room traveling with Garcia on his bus as there were locals. Some of the people on the bus included representatives from foundations that fund literacy efforts. I was proud of HATCH?’s Chairman when she was the first to stand up and talk about our efforts.  Local leaders included: Ken Henry, who announced later in the day that he is running for County Commissioner; most of Fruita’s city council; Senator Steve King; school and public librarians; Superintendent of School District 51; the President of the teachers association.

A story about school board candidate Ann Tisue spamming teachers was in the Sentinel yesterday. Her opponent, Cindy Enos-Martinez, already had the endorsement of the Sentinel, and today it was reported that she received the endorsement of the teacher’s association.  That’s hard to get! I tried to get their endorsement when I ran for state Senate. Because I supported the legislative action that allowed Colorado to apply for Race to the Top Funds from the federal government, I landed on their bad guy list. For the record, they didn’t endorse my opponent, either. I don’t know Cindy Enos-Martinez personally, but she has my vote. Reasons: Sentinel endorsement, teachers association endorsement, support of 3B.

The BLM meeting was a hearing to discuss issues the community wants considered as the BLM develops a plan for managing the Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area. According to the BLM, “The Bureau of Land Management's National Landscape Conservation System includes 16 NCAs and five similarly designated lands in ten states. These lands feature exceptional scientific, cultural, ecological, historical, and recreational values.” The only approved uses for NCAs are recreation and livestock grazing. Colorado has three NCAs, all on the Western Slope: Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (approved in 2009); Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (approved in 1999); and McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (approved in 2000.)

Homework

Lt. Governor Joe Garcia

Literacy Matters

Teacher's Union Endorses Enos Martinez

Tisue the Spammer

Dominguez Escalante

What Is a National Conservation Area?

November 1 is Election Day in Mesa County.  Almost everything on the ballot has something to do with the future of our kids. We are electing members to the school board, deciding on an increase in state sales and income taxes to fund education state-wide and deciding on a local Mill Levy override to fund School District 51.

In an amusing bit of hypocrisy, the Chamber of Commerce endorsed two candidates for the School Board who are against the Mill Levy Override. Then they endorsed the Mill Levy override.  Reasonable Republicans are coming out in favor of school funding. (Yes, I just called Steve King a “Reasonable Republican.”)

The Sentinel endorsed incumbent Cindy Enos-Martinez because she is in favor of the Mill Levy override, which will be listed on the ballot as 3B. The only person I will be voting for in this race is Cindy Enos-Martinez.  I am appalled that there is one position that only has one candidate, and that candidate is a rabid member of the Tea Party. We are actually going to put a man who is against school funding on the school board. I don’t know his positions on climate change or evolution, but I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that he thinks both are bunk.  So is the concept of a “World Class Education” in Mesa County if the Bible is the deciding factor on studies in science.

The Mesa County Democrats have a position paper at their website about 3B. It was written by current and former teachers and strongly supports passage of the measure. I agree.

The Mesa County Democrats have not expressed any opinion on 103, preferring to support the local School Board efforts. Many of us will be voting in favor of both 3B and 103, but the decision was made to spend time and energy on local, rather than state-wide issues. In all probability, 103 will fail in Mesa County. It has a chance of passing, however, because other portions of the state have more votes than we do.

Finally, ballots were mailed to “active” voters, and active duty military voters. If you did not vote in 2010, you will not receive a ballot in the mail. There is an article in the Sentinel today (linked below: Mesa County Ballots mailed) explaining what you have to do in order to be able to vote if you did not vote in 2010. Read it. Do whatever it takes to have your voice heard in this important election.

One last point: Scott Gessler is an embarrassment to Colorado. He is doing everything he can think of to disenfranchise the poor, minorities, and Democrats. Even judges think he is out to lunch.

Homework

Reasonable Republicans in Favor of Funding Schools

Mesa County Ballots mailed

Sentinel Endorses Enos Martinez

Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce Voter Guide 2011