We thank Adams County commissioner candidates for participating in many forums this year because residents have an important decision that will mark the beginning of a new era for the county.
The winners in Districts 1 and 2 will fill seats held by longtime outgoing commissioners Skip Fischer and Alice Nichol. The newly electeds will team with commissioner Erik Hansen, a former mayor of Thornton who becomes the veteran commissioner after only two years in office. It will be a time for new vision tempered with Hansen’s skilled work learning the lay of the land during the first half of his term.
As we approach the General Election we typically ask ourselves what we are looking for in candidates. What does the entity they will be serving need?
For Adams County, we — like many county residents — know we want tough stock with a sharp eye to ethics in light of the paving scandal involving Quality Paving, which constituted misuse of about $1.8 million of taxpayers’ money for paving projects that in many cases were not completed. And we want officials who don’t have one or two pet issues, are ready to work hard, know how to connect with residents and have skills aplenty for complex county issues.
We selected Eva Henry for District 1 and Donnia Howell for District 2 as the best candidates for the challenges and to lead the county forward.
Democrat Henry is a former mayor pro tem of Thornton. We know her to be straight-forward, upbeat and possessing a good understanding of how the private and public sectors should work together. She expressly wants to see the county operate on a higher level following the paving scandal, and she agreed the hiring of an ethics officer is one way to help the county adopt better practices — which aligns with a habit of seeking best practices she participated in at Thornton.
Henry is skilled at listening and then deciding. She is prepped and has the right perspectives for business and services. There will be a significant learning curve for all candidates elected, but Henry has a particularly good jump on it.
In District 2, we give the nod to Republican Donnia Howell.
We are impressed with her experience in business and law. Her background as an elder law attorney preps her for overseeing the county’s role in social services and the fact that the county faces an underrecognized sea-change involving retiring aging baby boomers.
Howell is focused on improving the county’s image and helping businesses grow. She touts a desire to reduce red tape when permit processes and high fees go beyond the intents of fairness, accountability and safety. We see her understanding her role to help business hand in hand with charge of the Adams County Economic Development organization.
We forecast Howell will be a quick learner after putting on the hat of a public official. She has the background and experience to attend to the intricacies of county government but seems to have a vision for its future at the same time. And quite simply, she shares Henry’s concern to make sure things are done right.
Give your votes to Eva Henry and Donnia Howell.
