To the Editor:

            If you support improving education in Park County School District RE-2 you should vote for Mark Dowaliby in the Republican Primary August 12. When the School District asked the two towns within the District (Alma and Fairplay) to start requiring large land developers to contribute to building and improving school facilities, Mayor Dowaliby of Alma immediately agreed. Alma entered into an agreement with the School District to impose a per lot fee on new residential development in Alma and to give all the money generated by that fee to the School District for new and improved facilities needed to serve the kids living in those new developments. Mayor Dowaliby created a large amount of money for the schools all with no increase in taxes. He made sure the agreement exempted people just building one house though, so that individual people trying to build a home on their property wouldn’t be affected.

            Park County cannot prosper unless it offers people who live here and also move here, good educational opportunities and facilities for their kids. Mark Dowaliby has proven that he’s committed to that idea and those of us who are concerned about education and the Park County School District RE-2 should vote for him for County Commissioner.

            I am so sure that Mark Dowaliby is the best candidate for County Commissioner that I have changed my voter registration from a life-long Democrat to the Republican Party just to be able to extend my vote for him in the Republican Primary August 12. I urge other Democrats to do the same, even if only temporary, because this seat is so crucial and Mayor Dowaliby has proven he is dedicated to children, education and improving Park County. Vote for Mark for Park Dowaliby for County Commissioner District 3 in the August 12 Republican Primary.  

Gary Goettelman Alma, Co

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 Jim Sapp letter:

Hi everyone,

First, my apologies for using the MyWoodside.com update list for this request.  I hope I have not violated your trust too much by using the notification list for a political endeavor.  However, the upcoming elections for Park County Commissioner are too important not to solicit your assistance.

As many of you know, Dick Hodges is a candidate for Park County Commissioner, District 2.  I strongly believe Dick will make a fine Commissioner and would like you to consider supporting him in the upcoming elections.  His campaign is well underway but, that is not why I am asking for your support. 

I am soliciting your support on behalf of Mark Dowaliby, Mayor of Alma.  Mark is planning to run for Park County Commissioner, District 3.  To do so, he must submit a petition to the Park County Clerk by May 29^th in order to get on the Park County Primary ballot.  I feel that Mark and other potential candidates for District 3 Commissioner are at a disadvantage due to the short period they have to gather the required signatures to get on the Primary ballot.  With that in mind, I am doing what I can to help Mark get the signatures he needs.  Once on the ballot, of course, Park County residents will decide who they want as a Commissioner candidate and, ultimately, Park County Commissioner.  The first order of business, however, is to get on the Primary ballot.

You might wonder why you should be concerned about a Commissioner candidate for District 3.  Well, it is pretty simple.  Park County Commissioners, while "assigned to a District," truly represent all the residents of Park County regardless of the district they live in.  They are, in fact, representatives of the entire County and each works toward the betterment of the entire county as a whole. 

I am gathering signatures for Mark's petition.  To sign the petition, you must be a registered Park County voter and a registered member of the Republican Party. If you are qualified and wish to sign Mark's petition, I would be happy to bring the petition to you or meet you somewhere at your convenience.  And, of course, you are always welcome at my home.

If simply signing the petition is not enough and you wish to do more, I certainly could use some to help gathering additional signatures.  If you would like to help, I have put Mark's petition on-line for you to print and use to collect signatures.  But, please remember that everyone who signs must qualify.  Those who sign but are not qualified will not be counted.  The petition is on-line at:

http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Woodside/Dowaliby_Petition_Form.pdf

It is a bit unusual for me to get involved with a political endeavor.  But, I feel strongly that local elections for public officials are perhaps the most important and the choices we make will affect us all directly.  Not to diminish the importance of National and State elections, but they are of no more importance than the elections of our own local officials. 

Jim.