Elbert County is a special place that deserves thoughtful consideration and strategic implementation of an updated comprehensive plan. In addition, our current rules and zoning regulations are flawed and written with vague terminology that work against the county in negotiations with developers. Mike’s 1st order of business will be to work with the other commissioners and staff to revise our current rules and regulations so they work for the citizens, not against them.

Are we in a race to urbanize this place we call home? Is Aurora really the model we want to use for our future? We must refocus our development style to accommodate the citizens desire to maintain a simpler lifestyle away from the encroaching crime and traffic of the metro areas. Our current citizens deserve better and shouldn’t have to plan an exit strategy as the county develops.

Our water supply from the Denver Basin aquifer is a finite resource and it must be preserved for future generations. It shouldn’t be about how many homes you can build on a given piece of land. It should be about long term sustainability and conservation. Any attempts to eliminate or modify Elbert County’s 300 year water plan will be rejected and all new development will be challenged to incorporate more efficient methods to conserve our water supply. Mike also believes developers should pay their own way when it comes to water. That’s why he will introduce a plan to create a well renewal fund. An impact fee paid by developers to offset the cost of the drilling of a new well for qualifying property owners impacted by their development.

Elbert County has 1,380 miles of roadway and it is expensive to pave and maintain that many miles. But not all roads need to be paved. We need to identify the highest priority roads and add road base material and ensure that the roads are being graded properly. As one of the commissioners, Mike will require all new developments to maintain their own roadways and fight to make sure developers pay their own way and improve roadway systems before being issued permit #1.

Mike is proud and honored to receive the endorsement from the Elbert County Fraternal Order of Police. This honor was presented to him for his unwavering support of our local men and women who protect and serve Elbert County. It’s a fact, that as the population of the county grows so will the crime rate. So we must continue to give our full support to all our 1st responders. We need to know our 1st responders are fully staffed and fully funded and we as commissioners have done everything possible to ensure the safety of our citizens……period. In addition, we are all aware an Urgent Care facility is desperately needed for the community. Population density dictates the feasibility of this type of facility. We need to plan for the future to provide health care services in the case of emergency.

Mike believes in the Constitution and supports the Sanctity of Life, the 2nd Amendment, Parental Rights, Tabor, and Term Limits. He also believes imminent domain laws should only be used when absolutely necessary for the safety of our citizens. We must stop allowing the government to overreach its constitutional authority and intrude into our lives and businesses. Every year new rules and regulations strangle our strong entrepreneurial spirit.