2008.01.30: January 30, 2008: Headlines: COS - Colombia: Politics: Local Government: Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Colombia RPCV Steve Carter running for Garfield county commissioner in Colorado
Peace Corps Online:
Directory:
Colombia:
Peace Corps Colombia :
Peace Corps Colombia: Newest Stories:
2008.01.30: January 30, 2008: Headlines: COS - Colombia: Politics: Local Government: Glenwood Springs Post-Independent: Colombia RPCV Steve Carter running for Garfield county commissioner in Colorado
Colombia RPCV Steve Carter running for Garfield county commissioner in Colorado
Born in New York City, the 62-year-old Carter has lived in Colorado since he was 13. Carter attended the University of Colorado and graduated with a degree in journalism and then served in the Peace Corps in Colombia. Upon his return, he came back to Colorado and earned his law degree from the University of Colorado, working his first job as a deputy district attorney in Glenwood Springs while living in Carbondale in 1971.
Colombia RPCV Steve Carter running for Garfield county commissioner in Colorado
Retired Rifle judge running for county commissioner
By Heidi Rice
Telegram Staff Writer
January 30, 2008
Comment Print Friendly Print Email Email
RIFLE — Steve Carter’s name is a familiar one to those in the Rifle area.
And it may become more familiar if the former Garfield County judge is successful in his run to become a county commissioner in November’s election.
Carter, a Democrat and partner in the Carter & Sands law firm in Rifle, retired as county judge in 2004 after 32 years on the job.
“I am not the Steve Carter that’s in real estate or the guy that turns his movies in late at City Market,” Carter said with a laugh.
Carter announced his candidacy for the District 3 commissioner seat on Tuesday in Parachute, Rifle and Glenwood Springs.
“I’m running because the people here have been really good to me,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot, and it’s time to give back.”
The District 3 seat is currently held by Republican Larry McCown, who is not seeking re-election. Republican Mike Samson announced his candidacy for the seat in November. Samson is a native of Glenwood Springs and a 1972 graduate of Rifle High School, where he is now dean of students.
Carter said he feels that county government needs someone who will listen — not only to constituents from their party but to everyone.
“There are a lot of people who are being ignored by two of the three county commissioners,” Carter said, referring to McCown and fellow Republican Commissioner John Martin. “I am running so we can take Garfield County back. The goal of the commissioners should be to make the best choices for all, without regard to party affiliation.”
Carter said his many years of experience as a county judge would be an asset if he is elected. He said his the ability to listen to everyone from sportsmen and outdoors enthusiasts to motorcycle enthusiasts — whose ranks he recently joined — as well as ranchers and local government officials up and down the valley would be a strong point.
“I have the background to listen and make a decision and be fair,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been doing for 32 years.”
Born in New York City, the 62-year-old Carter has lived in Colorado since he was 13. Carter attended the University of Colorado and graduated with a degree in journalism and then served in the Peace Corps in Colombia. Upon his return, he came back to Colorado and earned his law degree from the University of Colorado, working his first job as a deputy district attorney in Glenwood Springs while living in Carbondale in 1971.
In 1972, he moved to Rifle, where he continues to live today, and was appointed as Garfield County judge in Rifle. Still in his 20s, he was the youngest judge in the state of Colorado. He also served as the juvenile court judge in Glenwood Springs for several years and has been a soccer referee for more than 13 years.
“My whole professional career, both as a judge and on the soccer field, has required that I listen to all sides and make the fair and right decision regardless of whether or not it’s popular,” Carter said. “The voters must have agreed, because every four years I was successfully retained in office.”
Of course, in true Carter humor, he also smiles and points out that he was never opposed. In Colorado, voters decide whether to retain judges, but don’t elect them in contested races.
“My record of being re-elected is unmatched,” Carter says with a laugh.
But his goal of serving as the District 3 Garfield County commissioner is serious. Carter would like to see the commissioners make better long-range plans and tackle issues such as road and bridge improvements, the need for a county animal shelter, oil and gas issues facing the county, affordable housing and regular communication with local municipal governments.
“There are so many opportunities (the commissioners) have missed either deliberately or by design,” he said. “I’d like to change that. I’d like to listen to people that actually live here. The biggest issue is obviously gas exploration, which needs to balance the interests of everyone — including citizens, workers, visitors, industry and employers.”
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: January, 2008; Peace Corps Colombia; Directory of Colombia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Colombia RPCVs; Politics
When this story was posted in February 2008, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Dodd vows to filibuster Surveillance Act Senator Chris Dodd vowed to filibuster the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that helped this administration violate the civil liberties of Americans. "It is time to say: No more. No more trampling on our Constitution. No more excusing those who violate the rule of law. These are fundamental, basic, eternal principles. They have been around, some of them, for as long as the Magna Carta. They are enduring. What they are not is temporary. And what we do not do in a time where our country is at risk is abandon them." |
| What is the greatest threat facing us now? "People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing? I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there - ones that we can take advantage of?" Read more. |
Read the stories and leave your comments.
Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.
Story Source: Glenwood Springs Post-Independent
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Colombia; Politics; Local Government
PCOL40424
01