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August 07, 2005 08:00 AM UTC

More Trouble Brewing in El Paso

  • 93 Comments
  • by: Red Hawk

Holly Williams for GOP Vice-Chair?!?

That seems to be the mantra being spoken down in El Paso County, because Chairman Terry Kunkel seems intent on replacing George Culpepper with the Owens backed Trustee and wife of County Commissioner Wayne Williams.

The heavy hand of Kunkel is already being felt; most recently  Terry refused to allow the GOP Executive Committee to vote on a Resolution of opposition to Ref. C & D (most county GOP groups are passing similar statements). 

And if Terry is successful in appointing Holly as well, Republican activists seem to be prepared to censure her. But why all the fuss?

Because with Holly sitting on the Exec., it almost certainly gives a head start to Wayne (or the guy he decides to back) in the Primary between Crank, Lamborn, and Haggard. 

For a county already sitting on pins and needles (all waiting for the Joel Hefley announcement), this is just one more indicator of either a bitter primary season in 06 or (more realistically) a knuckle fight in the CD-5 Vacancy Committee.

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93 thoughts on “More Trouble Brewing in El Paso”

  1. I am not surprised by Terry’s actions. Just for all to see, this is what I wrote to the Executive Committee members upon my departure. I will also attach my letter of resignation to Terry for a better understanding. If it is true, then I hope they do censure her. People follow good leaders not poor leaders and Terry needs to remember just how she got there. By the endorsements and support of those very individuals that she is trying to silence. Something she has completely forgotten!

    The e-mail to the Executive Committee stated:

    Executive Committee Members,

    Just a short while ago, I submitted my resignation as your Vice-Chairman to your Chair, Terry Kunkel. I have attached the letter for your convenience.

    One important factor is that I have asked Terry to consult with each of you regarding her choice for my replacement. I also asked that she consider Bob Shirilla as your next Vice-Chair and in the event she does not choose him; that she chooses someone else on the Executive Committee. According to the Bylaws, she can choose anyone she’d like. All I asked from her is that she takes my opinion into consideration and that she consults with each of you before she makes her final decision. I want what is best for El Paso County and I believe we have great people to choose from. I hope the next Vice-Chair will continue what I have tried to do…bring forth the message of what the Democrats aren’t doing. We can not sit on the sidelines and allow them to continue to destroy Colorado. I ask each of you to urge the Officers of El Paso County to begin this message and begin it now. With that, I appreciate all of the support I have been given and please know I will only be a phone call or e-mail away.

    Thank you again.

    Sincerely,

    George G. Culpepper, Jr.

  2. This was my letter of resignation to Terry Kunkel. (side note: Holly Williams is not on the Executive Committee and I resigned due to being closer to my family and more importantly, my father.)

    July 15, 2005

    Terry Kunkel
    Chair, El Paso County Republican Party
    C/O Executive Committee
    El Paso County Republican Party
    710 South Tejon Street
    Colorado Springs, CO 80403

    Dear Chair Kunkel, Executive Committee Members and Fellow Republicans:

    It is with my deepest regret that I resign as your Vice-Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party effective July 19, 2005. I have worked hard for your needs and concerns and I assure you, I will continue working hard for the Republican Party. My trail has ended in Colorado, for now, and I must return to where my political roots began in Anchorage, Alaska.

    While this is a small good-bye, it is not good-bye forever. I have given these past two years in Colorado my best to the Republican Party and have met many new friends along the way.  I am confident the Republican Party will gain control of both Chambers in the State Capitol and retain the Governor?s mansion as well as the Executive Branch in 2006.

    We must start now by addressing the actions of Senator Salazar, Speaker Romanoff and Senate President Fitzgerald and I sincerely hope your next Vice-Chairman will continue this message. After all, they are not our constituents, but our enemies. We also must bring the message forward on the effects of Referendums C and D and the ?raising taxes? message. These referendums must be defeated. It has been an honor to know and work with so many of you and I hope the Chairman will appoint someone within the ranks of the Executive Committee and whoever takes the Second watch; I wish you all the best in this endeavor. It is not an easy task, but it will be a rewarding experience when the Republicans claim victory again in 2006.

    In closing, I thank all of you for your willingness to serve your Colorado Republican Party and I appreciate your commitment to helping elect Republicans along the way. Someday I will return, but until then I ask all of you to stay the course and remember we are and will always be the Party of the People.

    With God?s Speed and Victories in 2006,

    George G. Culpepper, Jr.

  5. That’s because the idiot has reached the zenith of his abortion of a political career, and it all goes downhill from here.

    In a year or two he’ll be talking to himself on a park bench.

  6. No, they decided not to charge the different price for the cookies based on race, remember? It was like racist-lite.

    And he’s related to Oneida Meranto now I hear…

  9. El Paso County Politics are getting out of hand.  I’ve seen Terry’s handy work and it’s not pretty.  She’s power hungry and her communication skills are awful.  She doesn’t have the heart for the position she is in, she’s definitely should not be in a leader role espically for the Republican Party, maybe the Democrats though.  Why all the harsh words about George?  When I went to events he was the only one I saw there.  Terry was never around or Lois. He worked hard for the Republican party so my guess is that those bashing him are Democrats or Hypocrits of the Republican party because as Regan said, thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican.  But we know how good politicians are at following rules, laws, guidelines, morals etc. Until you have seen Terry butcher her role as “leader” maybe you shouldn’t comment.

  11. Of course GC would stay involved in politics. He said so in his letter, “not gone for good…” and he’s also a political analyist on the Ted Robertson show. But the issue isn’t about him, it is about El Paso County and what will happen in the future. I am glad to see that even in his resignation letter and e-mail he offered the best for Republicans and if any Republican can’t see that, then you need to step over to the other side of the aisle and support the Democrats. It is interesting some bash this guy simply because you are/were jealous that he came into this state and took charge and moved up the ladder. SO, for those of you who are griping don’t be the first one to cast a stone when you also live in a glass house. Catch my drift?

    Now, all of you may gripe about one person or another, but the fact is if El Paso doesn’t have their s**t together, this could be very dangerous for the Republicans. Let’s not forget that El Paso has been the deciding point in Colorado REPUBLICAN politics for a long time. IF the Democrats see a weakness, they will go after it. If Terry is the problem, which sounds like she is, then the weed (Terry) needs to be pulled and someone better step up to the plate and take charge. If not, the starting of “Rome” is beginning to fall.

  12. Actually ‘reason’ you are the “idiot” if anything the guy is scheduled to work in one of the most Conservative Lt. Governor’s in the Country. So, I doubt “his abortion of a political career” is going down hill. So, know the “reason” before you open your idiotic mouth. But, he is not the issue!

    If Kunkel doesn’t get her act together, she will face the wrath of the Christian Coalition and the other conservatives who helped her into office. IN fact, I would gladly be ready to assist holding the door when she gets the boot!

  13. I have to agree with GOP Power. The Democrats are going to find the Republican weak spot and take it for all they can. If the Dems start moving their way into El Paso County then who knows what’ll be next. Terry doesn’t want to talk badly about other candidates, Democrat or Republican.  Hello?? This is politics without a little elbowing and pushing your way in there you’ll never survive.  By the end of these races she’s going to be battered and bruised if she doesn’t get tougher and at least listen to what El Paso County Executive Board has to say.  They’ll oust her in a minute.

    I for one find some of your comments about George disgusting.  Culpepper moved out of Colorado politics because he wants to be closer to his ailing father and you criticize him for such a choice.  Shows what politics has done to most of you.  This guy gave his time and energy to Colorado and now he’s moved on to better things, obviously a better job, he’s getting married, and he’s with his family. Republican or Democrat you shouldn’t be mad at him because he’s doing well.  This is politics your going to get burned and if Culpepper did that to you then get over it, but don’t criticize his personal choices. He’s lucky to be out of Colorado Politics and all of you whining sissy’s.

  14. I suppose he told you he “graduated” from Metro State College, too. Why don’t you give them a call and ask? You might be surprised at the answer you get. You might be surprised at *alot* of the things you could find checking out his innumerable BS stories.

    One thing’s for sure, “Rome” may indeed be falling for the El Paso County GOP — thanks to George “Commodus” Culpepper.

  15. It is my understanding that GC has graduated, (I checked) he fulfilled everything for his degree, but like most college students is busy paying off the rest of his bill so he can have his diploma in hand, instead of just saying yes I graduated.

    Oh please, I’m curious with what that has to do with GC’s career?  He has a good job up in Alaska. And it’s not his fault that the El Paso County GOP is having problems they had them before GC was there and they will continue after.  This isn’t even about him, it’s about Terry and the terrible job that she is doing and trust me she’s not doing a good job.

  16. I graduated from college and still paying off my bill. Haven’t received the diploma until I do. So, What is your point? Many working class Americans and students are doing the same thing. Oh please? Give us your real name so we can research your college degree. GC isn’t the issue, Terry Kunkel is. If you are talking trash about GC it means you are envious of him. Get over it!

  17. Oh, please if you have a problem with me, why don’t you contact me and discuss it. You have been trashing me since day one and funny thing is I must have really impacted your life. You should thank me for it. If you want to discuss your problem with me, let me know. I would be happy to arrange the meeting.

  18. I think GC just called Oh Please out! Something tells me that Oh please won’t respond because he/she is a wuss and lives in the Denver Recycle bins. Here is a ***WHOOP*** all over Oh Please’s face!

    Side bar [I did the same thing. I graduated but didn’t receive my diploma for over two years because of a bill with the University of Iowa. So, what is the point oh please? Just because your candya$$ got daddy warbucks to pay, doesn’t mean you can criticize thouse of us who actually work for a living. Hopefully, GC will let us know where this meeting is so I can join him to B**chA$$ you A$$]

  19. Not being from El Paso Cnty, I can’t say I have any insight into the power struggle going on there.  But, I must say I find it distressing that Mr. Culpepper uses such hateful language, describing certain Democrats as “enemies” and accusing the same of trying to “destroy the state”.

    Perhaps, this is what is going wrong in that part of the state.  I find it appalling that fellow Americans, fellow Coloradans, are described this way.  For heaven’s sake, we are raising our children here, caring for our elderly here and managing, as best we can, our various lives here.  We all want what is best for our families and our state.  The R’s and the D’s just have competing ideas about that means individually and collectively.

    In my neighborhood, there are R’s, D’s and U’s.  I thank god that we don’t have such a hate-filled attitude that seems to be causing the El Paso Cnty implosion.  Competing ideas are good.  Compromise and Consensus is even better.

    Until El Paso Cnty extremists stop defining Compromise as Capitulation, and until El Paso Cnty stops describing fellow citizens as enemies in such a revolting manner, the GOP delegation will continue its steady march toward repeating themselves into irrelevant oblivion.

  20. TMGT,

    A little touchy?  This is politics of course other people are the enemies, how would we get stuff done otherwise?  Heck I live in a neighborhood with Dems, Republicans, Libertarians, etc. Yes they’re my neighbors and we’re neighborly but when it comes to issues and elections I always hope I beat them out in the end because in a sense they are the enemy. 

    When I read Culpepper’s letter I didn’t get a hateful feeling.  This was his job, he is very Republican so of course he uses powerful language, but he has always been friendly to everyone even Democrats.  It’s just the nature of politics, no need to take it personally.

  21. Mesa County Republican Chair, Lois Dunn Susuras has asked for the resignation of the Republican Committee Secretary, Carl Boydstun because of all things, he opposed Vote Centers.  Talk about a mainstay of core Republican values…The board didn’t even vote to take a position on this issue…Dunn Susuras is an ambarassment to our party as she does not understand issues pertaining to our party and has been a very divisive element during a time when Republicans should be concerned about the growing Democrat influence in Mesa County

  22. Heavenly,
    Sure we need to take it personally.  That is what personal responsibility and accountability is all about.  The vulgarization of our society and the diminishment of civil discourse is something we are accountable for as individuals, and as members of larger groups.  It is not merely the “nature” of politics.  Politics is a human created institution that is not a force of nature, like a hurricane.  If civility is hurtling toward the coarseness of the lowest common denominator, we have the power to trim the sails.  Political expression can, and should be, communicative of our highest ideals and passions.  It doesn’t have to be about adhominen attacks which have nothing whatsoever to do with the debatable validity of concepts and ideas.  It is only when the supportable arguments fail to maintain traction, that the name-calling begins.  It is a failure of intellect, imagination and statesmanship when that happens.  I might spend hours conversing about what is good public policy and what is not.  But, I will not call my fellow citizens,with whom I vehemently disagree, my enemies.  My enemies are criminals, anarchists and terrorists.  We must hold ourselves and each other responsible for the “nature” of politics and the “nature” of the society we choose to live in now, and leave to posterity.

  24. TMGT,
      I can see there is no persuading you.  You take things a little to seriously for my taste.  Politics is politics.  We as a country have made it what it is and we have to learn to deal with it.  I have friends who are Democrats and Republicans, we get a long great and I value the fact that they believe in something so much that they are willing to fight everyday for it.  But they are still the people I am fighting against to get my point across.  If that’s not an enemy then I don’t know what is.  Maybe you are looking for a term that is more PC, they are my peers, colleagues, advesarys, foes (all of which are watered down ways to say enemy)or whatever you’d like to call them. Nonetheless, they are the ones I will continue to work against, in a sense, an enemy.

    Republicans and Democrats are never going to be on the same side, they are growing more apart each day. Do I wish there was less attacks? Sure I do, but let’s be realistic, the attacks will continue and so will politics. Political communication will cease to be so rude, akward, war like when people realize that we’re all fighting for the same thing, our rights, freedoms etc. If I were you and working so hard to make politics a better place I would start by getting your message out there and seeing what people think of your thoughts 🙂  I’m sure the response would be huge.

    There is no way that is Scott Russell, talk about hypocrtical.

  28. Heavenly,
    Absolutely.  I do take my Responsibilites seriously.  Politics has gotten so rude and offensive that only the fringe on the left and the right are still willing to participate.  Been out door-knocking lately?  People are fed up.  The ugly rhetoric has alienated the eligible electorate.  My walk-lists include all the D’s, R’s and U’s.  The face to face talks are illuminating.  Regardless of affilliation, or lack thereof, people are exausted and disgusted with it.  They all want a good job, good schools, a healthy environment, time to spend with their families and a modicum of personal security about their health and finances.  They all want stability.  They all want the name calling to stop.  They want the finger-pointing to end, and they want to hear good ideas about how to end the giant sucking sound of job outsourcing and ever increasing healthcare costs.  When they don’t hear solutions to the problems they encounter in their daily lives, they simply give up and give in to apathy.  It is very,very sad.  The politicos on both sides of the aisle have a responsibility well beyond warring with each other.  Somehow concern for the work-a-day joes has been lost, and that is not right.

  29. TMGT,
      In some instances I’ll agree with you.  Yes I have been door knocking and the people I talked to were friendly 95% of the time.  They were grateful that I was out there walking for a cause. 

    But I have to agree that all the petty fighting has gotten to Americans.  No one wants to see polticians fighting over petty little things that could be solved one way or another.  Then there are the extreme right and left.  Why must they push their issues so far?  Either way half of America doesn’t agree with them, so why push their beleifs on us, those who don’t agree? There will be an ongoing fight about why one group can’t have their way and the other can’t. 

    Politicians are babies.  When they don’t get their way they get mean, they get whiney, and they cry.  It’s that simple.  If we want politics to be something that actually works for the people (because in most cases it doesn’t) then we need to start with the people we elect to positions like the state, the house, and congress. This carriers over to the states and then the counties. It’s like a disease.

    This website is a good example.  It works hard for people who want to get on here and talk about politics, it’s gets us the information we want and need.  But there are those who take advantage of the website and start bashing people, and talking about their personal lives, getting dirty.  Those people are the people we’re all tired of, on this website and in our elected positions.

  30. Just a question didn’t we all deal with the George Culpepper bashing a few months back. It is done and over with. We all have moved on (well I know I have) with our lives. Yes, some of us do not care for GC but he is going through difficult times, with his father and is not even in the State. Get over it!

    And by the way heavenly is not Laura Teal but if she is who I think she is-she worked for one of the Republican reps.

  31. Completelyoverit-
      Thank you!!  This issue isn’t about GC it’s about El Paso County and Terry.  Let GC move on.

    As for me, not Laura Teal, never worked for a Republican Rep. either, but it’s flattering that you all have an interest in who I am.  My guess however, is that you’ll never guess. That’s the fun in it though, right?

  32. Thought you worked for Welker-or that is what a little bird told me. Not really interested in who you are-just heard it was you. And on top of it I thought you told me that heavenly was you.

  33. Never worked for Welker, don’t know who told you that. No one on this website has a clue who I am, I can guarantee it. I’ve never even spoken directly to anyone through this website so I don’t know when I told you that.  But oh well.

  35. heavenly, no, not accusing you of being Teal, pointing that at ‘R U There Scott’… I wouldn’t hurl an accusation like that around without reason. 😉

  36. Oh, that person must have lied then.  Because I’ve never interned with anybody, the only reason I’ve been to the Capitol is to pick up some papers, that’s it.  Maybe they were using my name, but that’s definitely not me. Sorry.

  38. To All –

    First, I am not entirely familar with the El Paso Power Struggle, so I don’t feel completely qualified to speak on the issue. I think the GOP down there has always done a good job keeping its house in order, and I’m sure it will continue to do so, even if the boat has been rocked a little (sorry for mixing metaphors…).

    My primary reason for posting, though, is to put in a plug for George Culpepper. Anyone who knows my political background understands that I may have as much reason to dislike George as anyone else in this state. Certainly we have been bitter “enemies” in the past.

    However, I believe George has proven to be a loyal and devoted worker to the causes he believes in. Everyone on all sides should recognize and appreciate that. Even those who have had cause to oppose him. We would all be better, on all sides, for more people with those characteristics.

    The dog-piling on this site is shameful, especially for someone who is obviously choosing family over a political future.

    George, my best to you and your family.

  39. As for name calling…

    It is a part of politics, especially in a letter originally intended for the GOP Exec Committee in El Paso County.

    Sorry to say that all people in neither party are above it. I’ve actually been called a “Nazi” on several occasions, IN CLASS at CU, BY THE PROFESSOR. Last I checked, I’m still a registered republican.

  40. Heavenly-sorry must have confused you with someone else.

    To the rest-Yes, many of us have had run-ins with George. But out of respect for his family we should not resort to bashing him. On top of it GC is probably sitting back and enjoying the fact that he is still being talked about even though he is in Alaska. Let’s not boost his ego anymore. What is done is done-let’s get over it.

    George-We have never been the best of friends but good luck.

  41. I agree with Mario well said! I also commend GC for being with his family. It takes a real man to give up the things they love to do in order to sacrifice for the family. I also heard it was a matter of time before GC resigned his post anyway. Rumor had it, he was gearing up to run for House District 19. What a shame! It would have been great fun in the House for 2006 if Culpepper was there! Bet he would have asked to be on the Education Committee!

  42. Katy,

    Your information about Mesa County GOP Chairwoman Lois Dunn?s rationale for asking Carl Boydstun to resign from the MCGOP Board is wrong. First, IF Lois did ask for Carl Boydstun?s resignation from the Board (that hasn?t been publicized), it wasn?t because he opposed Vote Centers.  It was because he is a party officer and in another political blog signed a letter blasting the three Republican Commissioners who voted for Vote Centers.  Although he didn?t use his title there, he did testify before the Commissioners with a document that referenced his position as a Mesa County party official.  That tells me he is willing to use his position to leverage his opposition of Vote Centers. 

    I?ve been a party officer before and one of the things you do as a party officer is support your GOP officials, at least publicly.  You may despise them all you want in private, but as an elected representative of your party, you should be prepared to play the game. 

    If Carl wants to exercise his free speech, more power to him. But he should also be called on the carpet for using his position to publicly excoriate Republican elected officials (again, on a blog letter that he signed after the MC BoCC voted to support Vote Centers). 

    Here’s a link to the blog:
    http://coloradovoter.blogspot.com/2005/07/strike-up-another-one-for-local.html

    Here are the relevant snippets from Carl’s letter, titled “Strike Another One for Local Politics” (wah):

    “The fix was in and the Citizens were denied any recourse.”  (Conspiracy!)

    – and –

    “In the face of all logic and stewardship they voted to proceed. All three commissioners had the mantra: “Vote centers will eliminate provisional ballots”, “Paperless voting is the future and Mesa County needs to be in front”, “Vote centers are a part of evolution of a new voting culture.” How much rehearsal they must have had!”  (The sky is falling, the sky is falling.)

  43. Katy, Katy, Katy.  There you go again.

    You said: “Talk about a mainstay of core Republican values…The board didn’t even vote to take a position on this issue…,” referring to the Mesa County GOP’s lack of involvement in the Vote Centers issue.

    Do you mean to say that opposing Vote Centers is a “mainstay of core Republican values”?  If that is what you meant,you are really stretching your credibility by making this kind of assertion.

    Furthermore, you can bet that if Lois Dunn Susuras did ask Carl Boydstun to resign – which is nothing we can verify at this point – she didn’t do it in a vacuum.  There are quite a few people who think Carl should step down from the Mesa County GOP for openly criticizing not our elected Republican leaders, as noted by perspective earlier in this string. 

    At the very least, Carl showed how foolish he is by not having someone else sign the letter.

  44. Oh McCall….I was being facetious (you can look that up in your Webster’s).  Lois’ request for Boydstun to step down over such a stupid issue should not be used to further divide our party.  It’s just one example (of many) that can be attributed to her divisive attitude toward certain people within the Mesa County Republican party and speaks, no screams of her ineptitude as party chair. She has succeeded in alienating whole groups of people.  By the way, there are quite a few people that want to see Lois step down as party Chair…say, that might make for an interesting show down…Last time I checked McCall, Mesa County was not part of the Communist Bloc.  I think freedom of speech (as enumerated in the Constitution), allows a citizen to speak openly about his concerns.  Stop being so defensive, you sound guilty.

  45. Well, you need to work on your technique there, Katy.  Being facetious is not the same as being fatuous.

    What does fatuous mean? Here, let me use it in the following example:

    Far be it from me to suggest someone give up his right to free speech. I’m suggesting that Carl should be challenged for not upholding the oath to the party that he took when he was elected. If you can’t see the difference, then you are being fatuous (smugly or unconsciously foolish).

  49. Seems like there is a lot of trouble in teh Republican Party. Maybe Martinez should step in and try to gain control of his Party! But, regardless, Terry Kunkel in El Paso County really should go. I have never seen a worse leader in a person until I heard and met Terry Kunkel! Holly Williams shouldn’t be Vice Chair either, especially since she has/had huge financial troubles!

  50. Interesting stuff there McCall and Katy.  If your party chair knows anything at all She should know that she can’t remove a Board member or central committee member etc.  Also, the funny thing I heard is that the one pushing for his resignation is Linda Bowman.  You see, LB ran a campaign for an “independent” unafilliated voter against a sitting Republican Incumbent County Commissioner.

    Interesting that they suddenly find party loyalty when they are being paid to re-elect an R. 

    As for your Chair…  She would be wise to drop the issue and try to rise above it all.  If she doesn’t she will end up toasted and her legacy will be losing MORE seats to the Democrats.  After all she was given a gift by being elected in the first place and she didn’t win by much.

  51. Actually, Dark Horse, at least one of the Mesa County Commissioners also went to Lois to demand Carl’s resignation from the GOP board.

    Not sure how large the groundswell is, but it doesn’t matter. Carl isn’t going anywhere, more than likely.  Lois has more important things to worry about than that “martyr” in the cause of destructive intra-party politics.

  54. I didn’t realize they were facing off again.  The last time they did Lois got defeated in a land slide.  Is there some kind of new competition going on?

  55. Dark Horse,
    No, there is no election coming up. We just had one this year. What made you jump to that question/conclusion?

    I don’t think Lois’ predecessor, Barb Brewer, is looking to another run for party chair. Barb is actually considering a run for MC Assessor.  I’m glad to hear it; I think Barb is very capable and has been doing a commendable job of repairing some of our county GOP’s fissures, even going so far as to visit with former opponent Monika Todd. 

    If so – good for you Barb!  Way to be a team player who rises above the fray. 

    The Mesa County GOP (and El Paso too) should remember: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.  And last time I checked, the Democrats were still the biggest foe we have.

  56. McCall,

    Again, it is imperative that you do not confuse the the issue of supporting the GOP with a position one may take on a non-essential issue like voting centers.

    Dunn Susuras in her manipulative way, is using Boydstun’s positon on Voting Centers to justify why she should have him removed.  Clearly, she does not like Boydstun because he is a conservative and is looking for a reason to get him kicked off the board. (I know McCall, you will recoil and scoff at this thought, but it is how many, many people on the central committee feel) This is how she has treated the Conservatives in the party and she has created not only an atmosphere of divisiveness but a hostile one as well, in which Conservatives find themselves persona non grata.

    Good word fatuous.  I’ll use it in a sentence for you now.  It is a fatuous debacle that Dunn-Susuras finds herself in when she even bothers to ask for the resignation of Boydstun (which is by the way verifiable).  But then, our chair has made a fool of herself on serveral occassions, and if she finds herself continuing down the fatuous (Do I get extra points for using the word 2x?) path she has been treading,she may find that her pride and condescending attitude towards others will be her downfall.

  57. McCall,
    “Lois has more important things to worry about than that “martyr” in the cause of destructive intra-party politics.”

    One more thing:  Lois has played a very active  part in the cause of destructive intra-party politics as evidenced by the letter she sent out to the central committee earlier this year.  She is vindictive and a very bitter old woman.  Which is in itself, a very fitting way to end up.  I guess in the end people do get what they deserve!

  58. Katy,

    Are we talking about the same Lois Dunn Susuras? In the 10+ years I’ve known her, she’s never been arrogant, manipulative or condescending. Lois is one of the warmest, most intelligent and community-minded people I know.  I would say, anecdotally, that she is very popular with our party. Further, if you want a measure of her commitment, here you go: She facilitated a new party website http://www.mesacountyrepublicans.com and sends e-mail newsletters out to anyone who signs up for one online, with the help of several enthusiastic volunteers.  There is little excuse now for Republicans who wants to get involved.  Perhaps you’re upset because Lois is being very inclusive, thereby further marginalizing those naysayers who had their power stripped in the last MC Central Committee meeting.

    Brownie points on your comeback with “fatuous.” Here’s another one: Hyperbole.

    You’re very good, Katy, at labeling people in a sensational way, using hyperbole that elevates the discussion to an almost hysterical level without substance. The reason our discussion has degenerated to this level is because you offer no tangible reasons to oppose Lois’ chairmanship. Sounds like a personal problem.

    Finally, Katy, you should be ashamed of yourself by referring only to Carl as a Conservative. This kind of narrow thinking is what perpetuates the problem we have here in Mesa County.  Would you rather lose seats on principal to the Democrats, if it meant keeping someone you dislike from leading our party?  I offer that as a rhetorical question, since I suspect you are one of those for whom it is more important to be an idealogue than a pragmatist.

  59. Katy:
    I remember that incident well. Lois and Shari Bjorklund got up and, like classy women, jointly decried the underhanded, anonymous individuals who tried to smear Lois by sending a copy of Lois’ letter to the Central Committee.  The interesting thing about that incident, which you conveniently glossed over, is that Lois actually wrote the letter as a private citizen last year before she was elected party chair.  You probably think of this as splitting hairs, but I see it as a significant point of fact.  If Lois had done that while serving as chair, I would have a problem with her, for the same reason I have a problem with Carl.  However, at this point, I think her record is unimpeachable, unlike Carl’s.  He has tarnished his own reputation, and will not be easily trusted again by Mesa County’s GOP leaders – especially the County Commissioners.  That’s really his loss, ultimately.

  61. Katy:
    Are you saying that Carl did all that foolishness for the sake of self-aggrandizement?  I knew it!  Small man with a big ego.

    Oh, wait… are you referring to ME?! Well, I’d actually have to use my name here to be self-aggrandizing. 

    ha,ha,ha,ha.  You crack me up, little lady.

  62. Dark Horse you are a genius! You are so up on Mesa County Politics but yet you did not know that Lois has already been elected.

    I am not going to trash Barb but honestly she did more to cause rifts in the party than anyone. Lois is an honest, hardworking woman who would do anything for anyone.

    And how the hell did we go from GC to Lois? We could at least start bashing Laura Teal.

  63. Dark Horse you are a genius! You are so up on Mesa County Politics but yet you did not know that Lois has already been elected.

    I am not going to trash Barb but honestly she did more to cause rifts in the party than anyone. Lois is an honest, hardworking woman who would do anything for anyone.

    And how the hell did we go from GC to Lois? We could at least start bashing Laura Teal.

  65. MesaGOPer apparently thinks they are competing against each other again…  If he/she wants to compare them – at least look at the time they actually faced off against each other.  Lois got beat badly (2 to 1).
    Mesagoper – get over it!

  66. I never said they were competing against each other I said that Lois is better than Barb. Wow you completely misinterpreted what I said, just wondering how you got that they were running against each other?

  67. mesagoper:

    I think BB was just as bad as LD.  The only difference that I can see is that BB made some gestures toward the Country Club Republicans, the only gesture LD has made to conservatives, is to show them her extended middle finger.  I just heard today that Greg Mershel was looking at running for assessor.

  73. Even though you and I appear to be on the same side, mesagoper, I would disagree about Lois’ intimidation factor. 

    She’s simply too classy to try and rule by intimidation. Nor would she fling any poo at someone, give them the one finger salute or any other such childish action attributed to her here.

    We must recognize this devolving string for what it is – a blog by partisans whose minds we aren’t going to change.  So, let’s laugh, respectfully disagree and try to nail our opponents to the wall with subtlety and finesse.

  74. “McCall”

    If Lois is so classy and doesn’t fling poo, what was that letter about that weird letter that I received from her earlier this year attacking Marilyn Musgrave?

  75. Katy:
    I understood that Lois sent a private letter, as a private citizen last year (important point!), to Musgrave chastizing Musgrave about supporting Shari Bjorklund .  Unfortunately, that letter was pilfered (much better to assume it was stolen than that Musgrave or her staffers actually gave it to Shari’s supporters for their political uses). That resulted in an anonymous person or persons sending it to the entire Central Committee this year, presumably to give our newly-elected party chair a black eye.

    Again, I think we’re talking about two different things, Katy.  What Lois did as a private citizen (write a strongly worded letter to one individual) and how she conducts herself as party chair should be considered carefully. A fair-minded person would gleen the difference, but I gather that you want to expect the worst from Lois.  Your prerogative, of course.  It’s just disappointing that you apparently prefer smear tactics to truth. Very Shari Bjorklund-esque.

    Can we quit this now? I’m very tired of pandering to your anger and spite.

  78. As a member of the central committee, I received that nasty letter.  I just assumed someone else wrote it – I am surprised to see Lois actually taking credit for such a rediculous letter.  She has every right to be embarassed then.

    Private – in public – it makes no difference.  That letter was mean spirited and gives us a true glimpse of the kind of woman Lois is.

    I am truly dissapointed in her.  A letter like that – even if she did send it to MM only – makes Mesa County look terrible.  I hope she will learn from this experience and focus on beating the Democrats.

  79. Bob,
    Certainly, I can see why you’d think that. It wasn’t pleasant.  But, she didn’t try to shove it under the rug, either.  She publicly addressed it, in conjunction with Shari Bjorklund.

    I think we’ve all said and done unpleasant things as private citizens. This blog brings out the most unpleasant aspects of partisan personalities, for example.

    I disagree that this letter defines who Lois is; I encourage you to have coffee with her and get to know her, instead of judging her from afar and with only this piece of information to go on.
    I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what a good lady she is.

  80. McCall,
    I have met Lois and she seemed like a nice lady.  That is why I was so surprised that she wrote it.  I have also met Ms. Bjorkland and she is equally nice.  I have heard many bad things said about her – even by what you imply – but my experience is that she is a pleasant lady that ran a difficult campaign against people who are experts at making people look bad.  Mesa County politics has had a long history of trying to destroy individual people.  And if you have been here as long as I have – you would know that too.

  81. I am sure that if Lois is as nice as you say she is then she apologized to Shari, and Marilyn Musgrave – for telling her who she should and should not endorse – and finally to Sen. Bill Armstrong who she wrongfully accused of running a campaign he in fact had no involvement in.

    If she did not apologize to all of the three then she is just a self centered ego centric person. 

    But I am sure she DID apologize – right McCall?

    Just curious, who sent it out all over town anyway?  Bjorklund?  Marilyn Musgrave?  Lois? or someone else?

    Why do you think they sent it out?

    All I know, is it was written in poor taste and the people who circulated it were just as bad as the one who wrote it. 

    Perhaps it was McCall that circulated it.

  83. Bob,
    You’re observation is astute about how our county has a long history of destroying individual people. I have been here a long time and have seen it too.  But our county is not unique – as evidenced that this string started about El Paso County, before it was hijacked by us!

    One thing about Shari’s campaigns over the past few years. She is a pleasant lady when you talk to her outside of politics. I have had several occasions to do so and think she has a lot to personally recommend her. Unfortunately, she and her campaign team bear some responsibility for degrading the campaign process last year and in 2002. I think Shari has been advised by unpleasant people, who continue to promote bad in our party. 

    I’ll leave it at that, Bob.  Thanks for the good, rancor-free feedback.

  84. Bob:
    What McCall means to say is that you should never challenge the people she backs.  If you do, it degrades the process.  As many of you know Gayle had a habit of slamming or Governor and voting consistently with the Democrats.  Leadership could never count on her.  Party leadership meant nothing to her – maybe she did that as private citizen Gayle.  But I seem to recall reading it in public places like the Post and others. 

    Ultimately she ran a dirty campaign where she played the poor victim.  Gayle outspent Shari 3 to 1 in a primary.  Shari’s mistake was not spending more on the race against Gayle. 

    Gayle was very vulnerable and would have lost.  The rest is history.  Now, thank God we are all rid of her.  She is a lobbyist – a role in which she is well suited.  Way to go Gayle.  Make us all proud.

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