Ensuring that your tax dollars are spent wisely will be of great importance to me. Tax dollars are collected to provide for the public good. They provide resources for the necessary services a safe and healthy community needs to grow and thrive. The county budget must align resources to the activities which provide those public services. That is my priority.

• Pueblo County Jail – the construction of the jail is one component of public safety improvements that have been needed for many years. This project, when completed, will provide a safe place for our officers and those in public custody. In addition, there are opportunities for growth and access for Pueblo West when the construction is completed. I will safeguard the resources necessary to complete this project and for the needs beyond that point.
• Adequate budgets for the sheriff’s department and other departments which serve the public good are also a priority for me.

• The unhoused or homelessness – We must be able to make Pueblo a safe place. Those struggling with addiction and mental illness struggle with homelessness. They wander our roadways and live by the river or on the streets. We need to find a way to help improve their lives, not just maintain the status quo. I don’t believe Pueblo’s strategy should be co-dependency. We need a plan and a vision for how to help and heal. We have plenty of resources to assist those who struggle. We can offer help, but living on the streets forever cannot be part of that strategy. We need a plan and one voice on this issue from our community.

  We also need to preserve our way of life. We should be able to shop without worry and drive our roadways without fear. Our downtown should reflect a vibrant Pueblo. We have many nonprofit organizations, churches, and government programs that can and do help. I don’t have the answers to this problem; I’m listening for real solutions. Government alone cannot fix this. We must have a government that supports community standards and public safety as a priority. Enforcement of our existing laws is critical.

My pledge is to work with our other county commissioners and city officials as well as our various nonprofits, churches, law enforcement, and government agencies to develop one voice and one response. We can’t solve this problem without working together. As your commissioner, I’m committed to finding answers that reinforce the priorities of public health and safety. We can make a difference.

Roads and other infrastructure are another basic provision paid for by your tax dollars. These needs are first line for me. Maintaining and improving infrastructure will be a priority in budgeting decisions. Working with Pueblo County staff, we will continue to plan for these needs now and in the future.