Editor’s note on the following article for District 15: In the Falcon area, District 15 includes areas west of Curtis Road, south of Judge Orr Road, south of Woodmen Road and south of Highway 24, which includes streets like Blue Gill Drive, Meridian Road (south of 24), Blaney Road, Garrett Road, Falcon Highway, as well as the Meadow Lake Airport area. For a district map, visit car2.elpasoco.com/DistMaps/webrepdist15.pdf.Hunter’s opponent and the incumbent, Bill Cadman, did not return numerous phone calls requesting an interview.Allison Hunter is a single parent working full time as an insurance claims adjuster. However, she is willing to give up more of her time to represent the working class and the children. Hunter, a Colorado Springs resident for 26 years, graduated with a degree in communications from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.NFH: Why did you decide to run for political office?Hunter: Because in this district, working class people and people with children are not being represented in Denver. I had to ask myself, ‘If I don’t run, who will?’ Campaigning has been a huge sacrifice, but it’s worth it to have our voices heard.NFH: What do you think are the most important issues for the people of District 15?Hunter: Education and health care. There is too much emphasis on standardized testing. Right now, the focus is on reading and math. “No Child Left Behind” has had a negative impact, and it’s an unfunded mandate, too. Of course, we need some standardized testing, but we also need funding for music and the arts. Music and art help motive kids; they help them understand science and math, so why aren’t we funding them?On health care, if you don’t work for a big corporation, you don’t have health care. If we had a single-payer system, we could cut $250 billion nationwide from administrative costs, and everyone would have health insurance.NFH: Do you think vouchers help or hurt public education?Hunter: I am absolutely against vouchers, especially in poor districts, because they undermine public schools. It’s very hard for working parents to drive their children to a charter school. When I worked next door to a charter school, I was able to send my son to there. But now that he’s going to a D 11 school, I think he’s getting as good an education as he got at the charter school.NFH: How has your experience as a parent shaped your views?Hunter: My experience as a parent has really shaped my views on education and how important it is. Being a parent makes me want to create a community. I would use schools as community centers, getting volunteers and interns from the local colleges involved, getting parents involved in their children’s education, where they can gather, and bond, and learn from each other.NFH: What have you learned about our election process?Hunter: This is the first time I’ve ever campaigned. The current system is very unbalanced. Whoever knows enough people and has enough money, wins. If campaigns were taxpayer funded, so every candidate had an equal amount to spend, we would have campaigns that are more about the issues. With the current system, people have become disinterested in and disengaged from their government.I’m frustrated with the sign situation. So many people take signs, and they should know it’s against the law to do that. What kind of low-life person does that?People have got to get out and support candidates who share their views. We need a new message. The people who are running things now are destroying our country, destroying the middle class and the lower class. At least some women, like myself, (and) Keely Mars, Jan Hejtmanek, Christine Varney and Anna Lord are finally standing up and saying “enough!”
