Democrat files to run for District 2
Candidate brings prior county commissioner experienceMike Potter
Staff Writer
James files to run. Bailey-resident Lynda James filed to run for county commissioner on Feb. 26 for District 2. (Flume file photo)Democrat Lynda James has filed to run for Park County commissioner in District 2 after being nominated at the Feb. 23 Democratic County Assembly.
She officially filed to run on Feb. 26 for Leni Walker's seat.
Walker is term-limited, and Dick Hodges has also filed to run for the open seat as a Republican.
James served as a county commissioner for three years, starting in 1998, after a recall election.
During her time as a commissioner, James said she was able to start a number of initiatives that Park County residents truly cared about and wanted to get back to working to make the lives of Park County residents better.
Even during her years away from office, James said she has followed what county employees have done.
"I know and still talk to many of the department heads," she said. "Some of them, I even hired... . I'm proud of the work they are doing for Park County."
James said she would work to have government run smoothly, something she believes requires a consensus with the other two commissioner.
"I'll try to bring consensus so we can provide what is needed. That's what I'll try to do," she said.
One of the biggest challenges that is facing the residents of Park County is the availability of water.
Since 2004, James has been a member of the Statewide Water Supply Initiative, a state-funded committee whose purpose is to identify water needs for municipal use, industrial use, agriculture, environmental needs and recreation.
"Water is very important. Not just to the population," she said.
The committee is looking at the impact of climate change on water levels in the state.
"Water is always going to be extremely limited. We have to be careful and have to plan carefully so we make sure that the residents, commercial development, industry, and wildlife and environment all remain sustainable and viable here in Park County, as well as the state," she said.
James also feels Park County money could be spent more effectively to benefit the residents of the county.
"Special little projects need to be stopped and the money put where it's going to best serve the residents," she said.
She gave the example of $100,000 being spent on hiring a company to evaluate the office needs of the county and to recommend building an office building on land the county didn't even own.
"I would have put that money toward the roads," she said.
James also said she would work to build a government that is open and communicates well with the residents of the county.
The new county newsletter received praise from James, but she said there is room for improvement.
"It could become a much better communication tool and at a lower cost," she said.
She couldn't see the point of having the glossy pages filled with "flowery" stories.
The issue of land conservation is also extremely important, she said.
As county commissioner, she led the charge to appeal a decision by the U.S. Forest Service that would allow land to be developed in Lost Park. The land was then placed into a conservation easement.
"Because we challenged the land exchange for the development of a very pristine area, we won the appeal and that gave time for residents of the county to find buyers so that land could be placed into a conservation easement," she said.
"That's a real feather in my cap," she said.
But James did acknowledge one disadvantage was that she is running as a Democrat.
Soren Frederiksen, chair of the Park County Democrats, agreed.
"A lot of people vote for a candidate because they have an R or a D next to their name," he said.
"Because the Republicans outnumber the Democrats by so much, any Democrat candidate is already behind the eight ball," he said.
But one thing James has on her side is that she already knows the ropes when it comes to being a commissioner.
"I wouldn't have the steep learning curve," she said.
Flume - Correction and Amplification
The story in the Feb. 29 Flume about the candidacy of Lynda James for county commissioner should have said that the challenged land exchange involved the Estabrook parcel near the Lost Creek Wilderness area on County Road 68 southeast of Bailey. The appeal that was won regarding that parcel was for not following the National Environmental Protection Act process. In addition, the consensus stressed by James dealt with the diverse groups and interests in the county.
