Three seats for El Paso County Commissioner in Districts 2, 3 and 4 are up for election. Commissioner Amy Lathen currently holds District 2, which contains Falcon, Peyton and eastern El Paso County. Democrat Allison Hunter challenges her.Democrat Allison HunterAllison Hunter is a working class single parent, with two children. “Every crisis we’re in affects me,” she said, “I decided to educate myself on the issues and run for a term as county commissioner.”As a Democrat, I am going to represent a portion of the community that my opponent cannot. I will bring innovation and spark constructive conversations.”If elected, Hunter said she would focus her efforts on the county’s deficit by delving into the budget. Her top priorities would include funding public safety, the health department, the coroner’s office and protecting the county’s land and open space.”We need to make sure any funding we get is from the right place,” Hunter said. She is against the proposed 1 percent sales tax increase because she said it burdens the middle class. “Because of Doug Bruce the county is afraid to put forward a ballot initiative about property tax. We have to educate people that the property tax is deductible on your mortgage payments. Sales tax is not.”Her Web site bills her as a moderate Democrat and Hunter said she would not play partisan games. “I’m going to do what makes sense and work on bipartisan measures to get things done.”Learn more at www.allisionhunter.orgRepublican Amy Lathen (incumbent)County Commissioner Amy Lathen took office in January to fill the vacancy left by Doug Bruce. She is seeking election for a full term and said she would continue to represent the district full-time without the distraction of additional employment.Lathen said her top priority is public safety, which is threatened by the current budget shortfall. “It is hard to prioritize, but we have to put the needs of the citizens and the people providing the service – the sheriff and his deputies – first.” Although Lathen said she voted against putting the 1 percent sales tax on the ballot, she does not want to tell people how to vote.”We have a legitimate county need,” she said. “We absolutely need the revenue and will have some problems without it.” Over 50 percent of the tax revenue will help Falcon area residents by funding the sheriff’s office, district attorney’s office, county coroner’s office and the Health Department, Lathen said.Once the budget problems are solved, Lathen said she will focus her efforts on water and growth related issues. “We need to be responsible in our density and land code and practice (water) conservation.”She also wants to review the current development code. “There are too many regulations. We need to ask if the current code is working – do we need to either revamp or go back to the drawing board.” Lathen said she is concerned that the current code requires too many permits and is straining small companies. “We’re ‘permitting’ small business out of business.”Road improvement is closely tied to growth, Lathen said. “I am a big advocate of getting funds into District 2 for roads.” Lathen’s Web site is www.amylathenforcountycommissioner.com
