Candidate Forum October 2, 2014 at 6:30pm

Legislative candidates tackle education, health care, gun control at forum
By Sandy Barnes
Sunday, October 5, 2014


Candidates Forum 10.2.14
124+ in attendance

@0:00
Lin Browning, President, Evergreen Chamber of Commerce

@1:11
Doug Bell, Editor, Evergreen Newspapers

Candidates: 3 minute introduction
@3:18
Janet Doyle, State House District 25

@7:12
Jon Keyser, State House District 25

@9:58
Jack Woehr, State House District 25

@13:22
Tim Neville, State Senate District 16

@16:40
John Flerlage, Jefferson County Commissioner

@20:02
Don Rosier, Jefferson County Commissioner

@23:21
Greg Standley, Jefferson County Commissioner

@26:43
Jeanne Nicholson, State Senate District 16

@30:07
Doug Bell

Describing format for remainder of meeting. Questions will be posed to each group of candidates, 3 minute response from initial candidate posed the question, 2 minute responses from following candidates, initial candidate will rotate for each question so each candidate has the opportunity for first response.

@32:18
Given the improving economy, and influx of marijuana sales tax funds in the state coffers, how best should any additional revenue be spent?
@32:05 Janet Doyle responds
@34:47 Jon Keyser responds
@36:14 Jack Woehr responds

@38:14
Given that state lawmakers have limited influence over federal healthcare, how should the state best manage its healthcare exchange?
@38:33 Tim Neville responds
@40:49 Jeanne Nicholson responds

@42:50
How do you balance the rights of developers and private property owners to improve their properties with the rights of neighbors to enjoy their quality of life?
@43:08 John Flerlage responds
@45:17 Don Rosier responds
@47:07 Greg Standley responds

@49:18
State support for higher education has waned in recent years. How should the legislature address this issue given the enormous debt college graduates are burdened with?
@49:38 Jon Keyser responds
@52:14 Jack Woehr responds
@54:02 Janet Doyle responds

@56:46
To what extent should state laws regulate gun use? If your preference is for minimal regulation, how do we reduce gun violence in Colorado? If your preference is for more regulation, how do we protect our Second Amendment rights?
@57:19 Jeanne Nicholson responds
@1:00:42 Tim Neville responds

@1:02:54
Recent years have seen funding cuts in social services nonprofits in the county as well as the library. Given these needs, what financial role should the county be playing in economic development. Specifically, what exactly does the county see as its return for dollar sent to the Jeffco Economic Development Corporation?
@1:03:25 Don Rosier responds
@1:05:36 Greg Standley responds
@1:07:16 John Flerlage responds

@1:09:06
To what extent should the state regulate fracking and other oil and gas operations? Should local controls take precedence?
@1:09:17 Jack Woehr responds
@1:12:08 Janet Doyle responds
@1:14:23 Jon Keyser responds

@1:16:37
What should the county decide regarding recreational marijuana sales? Should they be permitted in unincorporated areas given the potential for sales tax?
@1:16:58 Greg Standley responds
@1:19:47 John Flerlage responds
@1:20:58 Don Rosier responds

@1:23:08
Regular Debate Concludes, Audience Questions Commence

@1:24:08
Keep hearing about funding for college education, improving high school education so kids can do better in college. Candidates please comment on vocational education, it seems to be overlooked.
@1:25:16 Tim Neville responds
@1:26:58 Jeanne Nicholson responds
@1:29:12 Don Rosier responds
@1:31:06 John Flerlage responds
@1:31:46 Janet Doyle responds
@1:33:30 Jack Woehr responds
@1:35:08 Greg Standley responds

@1:36:56
Character, integrity, and duty:
If you are called to vote upon an issue, where would your allegiance lie in that vote? Would it be with your constituents, even if your constituents vehemently propose one side and you internally believe another side? Or would it be with your donors and your contributors, or your party? Is your job to really represent your constituents even if it is violently opposed to what you believe? Do we elect you to vote because we believe in you?
@1:38:01 Greg Standley responds
@1:40:25 Jon Keyser responds
@1:40:46 Jack Woehr responds
@1:41:25 Tim Neville responds
@1:43:33 John Flerlage responds
@1:44:27 Janet Doyle responds
@1:45:53 Jeanne Nicholson responds
@1:47:10 Don Rosier responds

@1:48:38
Concern has to do with Illegals coming into Colorado. How it affects voting, jobs, them getting benefits. State House & Senate District candidates, would you please address that?
@1:49:46 Jack Woehr responds
@1:50:55 Jon Keyser responds
@1:52:10 Janet Doyle responds
@1:53:51 Tim Neville responds
@1:55:51 Jeanne Nicholson responds

@1:57:37
Given the complexity of the issues that we face even at the local levels, how do I know that you are listening to me?
@1:58:37 Jack Woehr responds
@2:00:16 Janet Doyle responds
@2:01:09 Jon Keyser responds
@2:01:45 Jeanne Nicholson responds
@2:03:29 John Flerlage responds
@2:03:55 Tim Neville responds
@2:05:47 Don Rosier responds
@2:06:58 Greg Standley responds

@2:08:52
While Jeffco has largely avoided negative experience of police in communities in Colorado and across the nation, these events undermine trust in law enforcement everywhere. What do you see as your role in mitigating those negative effects and preventing them from coming here to Jeffco?
@2:09:26 John Flerlage responds
@2:09:40 Don Rosier responds
@2:10:30 Jack Woehr responds
@2:11:03 Greg Standley responds
@2:11:51 Tim Neville responds
@2:12:41 Jeanne Nicholson responds

@2:13:36
Abortion and access to birth control, important because we have a new version of the personhood amendment on the ballot in Colorado and also because across state legislatures we're seeing lots of initiatives to restrict access to abortion. For the State candidates: What reasonable restrictions should be placed upon access to certain forms of birth control and abortion?
@2:14:36 Jack Woehr responds
@2:14:57 Jeanne Nicholson responds
@2:15:23 Tim Neville responds
@2:16:12 Janet Doyle responds
@2:17:01 Jon Keyser responds

@2:17:28
What are your positions on gay marriage?
@2:17:44 Jeanne Nicholson responds
@2:17:59 Jon Keyser responds
@2:18:45 Janet Doyle responds
@2:19:13 Jack Woehr responds

@2:19:30
Lin Browning

@2:19:58
Doug Bell

Video recorded by, and property of, My Mountain Town.
All Rights Reserved.

Pictures from JustAroundHere.com of the Candidates Forum:

Candidates for elected office present their positions to voters
Written by Staff Editor on Tuesday, October 07 2014.

Just about every seat of the auditorium at the Fire Administration Building was filled on October 2nd when candidates for elected office presented themselves – and their positions – to voters.