July 26, 2013 12:47 AM UTC

A Wild Week on the Wild and Wooly Western Slope

• 3 Comments
• by: Konola

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

What a wild week this has been.

First there was the Charles Ashby story in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel exposing the Chamber of Commerce for the political hacks that they are. Then there was the resignation of Rick Brainard, including his announcement that he and his victim are an item again. Brainard pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges shortly after being elected, and has been the subject of countless protests. Then there was the City Council thumbing their collective nose at the idea that anybody other than the Chamber has any right to any say in who runs this city. And then there was the announcement that the future leaders have been chosen by the elite.

Some time ago I heard a rumor that Sheriff Stan Hilkey would be resigning before his term is up to go to work in Colorado Springs in some job somehow related to the FBI. Steve King would be appointed to fill out Hilkey’s term; Ray Scott would be appointed to fill out King’s term, and Barbara Brewer would be appointed to fill out Scott’s term. But Barbara Brewer would prefer to be appointed to Steve Aquafresca’s seat. This week King announced he’s running for Sheriff, and Scott announced he’s running for the Senate seat. Things are falling into place.

For those who have not been down in the political weeds, anytime there is a vacancy in an elected position, the party of the recently departed incumbent uses a “vacancy committee” to fill the vacated seat. Both Democrats and Republicans have vacancy committees—in fact, I sit on the Democrats’ committee. Usually, however, the vacancies are not planned.

Another factoid for those who stay above the fray, it is easier to win an election if you are an incumbent. If the rest of the rumor comes true and Hilkey actually resigns to move to Colorado Springs, then the dominos will fall into place and there will be musical chairs in Denver as the anointed ones move into positions that they want without ever having to prove to an electorate that they are worthy. The wishes of the people have no role to play. The next election is won by incumbents. The local political machine then turns to making sure that there are good yes-men waiting in the wings.

One of the telling things about Brainard’s resignation was his parting shots at Marty Chazen, who Brainard claims tried to tell him how to vote. Chazen also hosts a brunch meeting monthly which was organized by the previous head of the local GOP, Ruth Ehlers. Clearly the party establishment is determined to control all of the levers of power in this county. They plan to do it by dictating who is electable and how they should vote.

So long as the voters are uninformed, and continue to simply vote for any name with an “R” attached, the machine will continue to churn out candidates who will be happy with the few crumbs that fall their way as rewards for lining the pockets of the local developers.

Yes, that sounds cynical. But don’t you wonder why the Avalon became a political pawn? Could it be that some developers had other plans for that prime location? Are we going to see another attempt to build a race track with electronic betting at the old Uranium Downs? How about bailing out a friend and buying an ice skating rink that has never made money? Or how about building a new shooting range at the former Cameo power plant? Is that what Fred Eggleston of Xcel Energy was discussing with Mayor Sam Susuras last Thursday at Main Street Bagels? The amazing thing about the potential shooting range is that they managed to get Governor Frackenlooper on board. I’m telling you, he’s a DINO.

I’m sure that it is convenient that Diane Schwenke, Chamber President, and Lois Dunn, real estate maven and Chairman of the Mesa County Republicans. are friends. Pretty convenient, also, that Mayor Sam Susuras is married to Lois Dunn. That takes care of running the city. Now who is managing the county and state-wide initiatives? You can bet that Diane and Lois are involved. If I didn’t believe in democracy, I’d be applauding the power being wielded by two women. Rumor has it that Scott McInnis is playing a bit part in this whole travesty also. Evidently he attended the meeting where the line-up was decided. At least that’s the rumor.