Summers, Kerr to Host Joint Town Hall on Saturday

by: Jeffco Pols

Fri Feb 03, 2012 at 12:00:00 PM MST

Lakewood representatives (and SD-22 opponents) Ken Summers and Andy Kerr will be sharing a stage along with other Jeffco legislators at a town hall on Saturday.

Saturday, Feb. 4; 9:30 a.m.
Town Hall Meeting with Reps. Max Tyler, Andy Kerr & Ken Summers and Sens. Betty Boyd & Cheri Jahn

WHAT: Join the Lakewood legislative delegation for a town hall meeting this Saturday. The discussion will be focused on Colorado's unemployment system and its workers' compensation systems.

WHO: Rep. Max Tyler (D-Lakewood)
Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood)
Rep. Ken Summers (R-Lakewood)
Sen. Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood)
Sen. Cheri Jahn (D-Wheat Ridge)

Panelists:              
Michael McArdle, Director, The Division of Labor
Paul Tauriello, Director, The Division of Workers' Compensation

WHERE:Lakewood Cultural Center (map)
470 S. Allison Parkway
Lakewood, CO 80226

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

We've previously written that the race between Summers and Kerr for SD-22 will likely be Jeffco's most engaging campaign this cycle - it pits two three term incumbents against each other in a newly competitive district.

Part of the story behind the SD-22 race is that Kerr and Summers currently represent similar constituencies in close geographical proximity to one another. That they're sharing a stage at a town hall is testament to the fact that wherever Kerr goes, Summer is close behind - and vice versa.  

Joe Coors Announcing CD-7 Run Today

by: Jeffco Pols

Tue Jan 31, 2012 at 10:56:16 AM MST

Former CoorsTek CEO Joe Coors, brother of former US Senate candidate Pete Coors, is today making official what he started "exploring" two months ago: Coors is staging a run in CD-7 against Ed Perlmutter.

From 9News:

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Joe Coors Jr. is announcing a congressional run against Democratic incumbent Rep. Ed Perlmutter in Colorado's 7th District.

Coors, the great-grandson of brewery founder Adolph Coors, will make the announcement Tuesday morning in Lakewood.

Perlmutter was elected in 2006.

He easily defeated Republican challenger Ryan Frazier in 2010 in what is considered one of the state's three competitive districts.

Despite how "competitive" CD-7 is considered to be, we just don't see Coors as a major threat to Ed Perlmutter. Sure, the district got a little bit more competitive as part of redistricting, but Perlmutter trounced 2010 GOP nominee Ryan Frazier by over 10 points in what was otherwise a blowout year for Republicans.

Coors is a much more formidable candidate than Frazier, obviously (not to mention 2008 challenger John Lerew), but we don't think the beer baron will be able to dispatch with the immensely popular Perlmutter.

Coors' support of 2010's Personhood Amendment, which failed with 73% of Jeffco voters coming out against the measure, might effectively end the Coors campaign before it can even start.

We don't think Coors really thinks he can change Washington much as a 70 year old freshman congressman. Instead, we suspect Coors is running for Congress as a capstone to a long and distinguished career in business. In that sense, Coors probably would like to get elected, but we don't know how much he's going to like campaigning.

Roybal Fined for Wiechman Loan

by: Jeffco Pols

Tue Jan 31, 2012 at 09:19:00 AM MST

Also included among Wiechman's contributions to Roybal's campaign was a $2,000 loan in direct violation of Section 3(8) of Article 28 of the Colorado Constitution - Wiechman couldn't legally loan Roybal any money because only financial institutions are empowered to loan money to candidates.

A complaint regarding the loan was filed with the Office of Administrative Courts which made its final decision on the matter late last month.

Roybal and Wiechman maintained that Wiechman's "loan" was actually intended as a $2,000 contribution and that Roybal had merely filed an "incorrect committee report." The complaint against Wiechman - who was represented by Republican Attorney John Zakhem - was dismissed and Wiechman was cleared of any wrongdoing. If nothing else, Wiechman proved that he can afford good legal counsel, although the court did deny his request for attorney's fees.

Conversely, Roybal was found to have filed an inaccurate committee report and was fined $1,575 - half of the $3,150 amount the administrative court could've charged him.  

This was the best possible scenario for Wiechman: he didn't violate the Colorado Constitution after all, and he still got his buddy Roybal's vote on City Council.

But Wiechman shouldn't be so quick to celebrate his victory in the Administrative Law Courts. The Ward 4 councilman has made it no secret that his ambitions stretch to the mayor's office and beyond, and while a constitutional violation would've looked incredibly bad, Wiechman's still going to have to grapple with the perception of corruption.

As it turns out, Wiechman's total contributions to Roybal's campaign ended up being over $20,000. When Wiechman does mount a campaign for higher office, it won't be hard for his opponents to reference the fact that Wiechman gave 20 grand of his personal wealth to effectively buy an extra vote on city council.

In an era where voters are increasingly upset by the influence of money in politics, it looks really, really bad for a sitting elected official to give $20,000 in order to influence the election of a potential colleague. If Wiechman didn't realize how bad it looks - or if he did and just didn't care - that's evidence enough that city council is about as high as he can ever aspire.  

Tancredo and Sirota Set to Debate Tonight at CCU

by: Jeffco Pols

Mon Jan 30, 2012 at 14:43:21 PM MST

From CCU:

Occupy Movement vs. the Tea Party

Location : CCU Beckman Center
Start Date : 1/30/2012  7:00 PM
End Date : 1/30/2012  9:00 PM

Election year 2012 pits not only the traditional party antagonists of Republicans vs. Democrats, but also two new and potent groups of political outsiders, the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street movement. Which of the latter groups represents America at its best? Invited to debate are Tom Tancredo, the conservative former congressman and gubernatorial candidate, versus David Sirota, the progressive author, columnist, and radio host. Join us on Monday, January 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the CCU Beckman Center.
Admission is free but reservations are required. RSVP your name and number of attendees to Centennial@ccu.edu or call 303-963-3424. The Beckman Center is located near the Garrison Street entrance to the Colorado Christian University main campus in Lakewood.

We're not exactly sure that David Sirota is the best mouthpiece for the Occupy Movement (or that Tancredo accurately represents the Tea Party) but it should be a spirited debate tonight nonetheless.  

Lang Sias Still Owes $75,000 in Congressional Campaign Debt

by: Jeffco Pols

Mon Jan 30, 2012 at 09:34:00 AM MST

Sias is a formidable candidate, particularly at the state level. His service as a naval aviator will likely resonate in the Republican leaning SD-19, and Sias should be able to raise money from national donors with ease: he was a top advisor on Veterans issues during John McCain's 2008 campaign for president. McCain stumped for Sias during the latter's congressional campaign, and although eventual nominee Ryan Frazier trounced the pilot in last cycle's Republican primary, the fact that Ramirez stepped aside for Sias' Senate bid is evidence that many Republicans think that Sias is the candidate to beat Hudak.

Sias should run into little difficulty fundraising for his State Senate campaign. His defunct Congressional campaign, however, is a different matter entirely.

According to the most recent reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Sias's committee still owes a whopping $75,685 in campaign debts and has owed that amount since September 2010.

There's no legal roadblock preventing Sias from running for the State Senate before first retiring his Congressional campaign debt. But why hasn't he repaid any of that $75,000 sum for nearly a year and a half?

Sias is going to have a tough time convincing donors to give both to his State Senate campaign and to put his former campaign committee back in the black. It's clear that the candidate isn't making any effort to reconcile what his committee owes. The bigger question is, should he?

Hudak has been lambasted by conservative critics for her support of "tax hikes" and "liberal bureaucracy." Sias, then, will likely attack Hudak on those same points, tearing her down for fiscally irresponsible legislating. But Hudak - and the scores of independent groups who will likely send mail promoting her re-election - will be able to point out that her opponent hasn't kept his own fiscal house in order: how's he supposed to craft responsible budgets when his campaign is in the red?

Perhaps Sias thinks that being a State Senator will help him pay off the 75 grand he owes. Unfortunately, he won't be able to earn that title until he gets elected, and he won't get elected in this economy if he can't make the point that he's willing to trim the budget where his opponent wouldn't. With so much money owed for so much time, Sias might have lost his ability to play that card.  

Libby Szabo to Chair House Local Government Committee

by: Jeffco Pols

Sun Jan 29, 2012 at 10:32:00 AM MST

Despite the fact that chairmanship of the Local Government Committee isn't glamorous, it's an important distinction that Szabo will be able to make on mail pieces as she campaigns for re-election this year. Chairmanship of any committee, particularly as a freshman, is an important mark of "leadership" that a candidate is able to point to. "Local Government" is also a term that most voters can understand, and we wouldn't be surprised if Szabo tries to make the point that she's streamlining government as a whole from her perch as chair.

Framing aside, Szabo's new role in the House is also going to make Tim Allport's already-uphill battle that much steeper. Although Szabo will lose the chairmanship if Republicans lose the House, lobbyists, particularly the vast number concerned with local government - think mass transit, land use, and city planning - have an incentive to keep Szabo in the House. Allport's ability to raise money from lobbyists, then, has been crippled: nobody's going to donate to Tim's campaign knowing full well how much it will upset Szabo, and more importantly, Szabo's gavel.

Unless Allport can decisively prove he's got the chops to beat Szabo, he's going to have a difficult time pulling in donors. Without donors, he's going to have a tough time proving he can take down an incumbent Republican in a district where Republicans have an 8% registration advantage.

Brian Carroll to Kick Off Campaign...Again

by: Jeffco Pols

Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 11:36:53 AM MST

Carroll ultimately withdrew before his campaign kickoff, but he's apparently getting a second chance tonight.

***Colorado for Carroll Campaign Kickoff Event to be held Thursday January 26th in Lakewood***

Democratic Candidate Brian Carroll to kickoff campaign for open seat in new House District 28

Lakewood, CO - Army Veteran and Colorado National Guardsman Brian Carroll will officially kickoff his campaign for the open seat in the new House District 28 this Thursday, January 26th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Elephant Bar in Bel Mar (7111 W Alaska Dr, Lakewood CO 80226).

WHAT: Campaign Kickoff - Brian Carroll for State House District 28

WHEN: Thursday January 26th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

WHERE:  Elephant Bar, 7111 West Alaska Drive Lakewood, CO 80226

Light fare and refreshments will be provided. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

This kickoff will be an important event for the veteran. Carroll needs to show he actually enjoys broad support within the community and that he's made amends with the Democratic establishment that had previously rallied against his candidacy. That's no easy task: Carroll only recently moved to Lakewood and because HD-28 is such a competitive seat, Democrats will want to draft the best possible candidate. Carroll needs to make the case that he is that candidate.

If he doesn't, however - and there are few indicators that activists have warmed to him after his previous challenge to Rep. Andy Kerr - Carroll should expect a heated primary of his own.  

Poll: Who Will Win Jeffco's Republican Presidential Caucus?

by: Jeffco Pols

Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 10:38:33 AM MST

From Fox 31's Eli Stokols:

Until Saturday, it looked like Mitt Romney was barely going to break a sweat -- never mind be forced to go after any of his primary opponents -- on his pleasure cruise to the GOP's presidential nomination.

But after Newt Gingrich's ground-shaking, double-digit beat-down in the Palmetto State, the Republican race is suddenly competitve -- and set to engage well beyond the handful of early-voting states.

It's exactly what Colorado Republicans were hoping for when they voted to move up the party's presidential caucues from March to Feburary.

"When we voted to move up, no one could have predicted the race would be as fluid and dynamic as it's turned out to be," Colorado GOP Chairman Ryan Call told FOX31 Denver Monday. "Not only will Colorado's voice be heard -- it could actually be decisive."

Call understands that Colorado, with its caucuses wedged in, along with a few other states, between the Florida primary and Super Tuesday, is but one of a handful of states that are becoming increasingly important to the four remaining GOP candidates.

As Stokols goes on to observe, Mitt Romney trounced eventual nominee John McCain in 2008: Romney scored a whopping 60% of the vote in Colorado's caucuses that year.

In Jefferson County, it was even more of a one-man race, with Romney garnering nearly 70% of the vote compared to about 15% each for McCain and Mike Huckabee.

But 2012 isn't 2008: Romney now faces the curse of the "moderate" label among Republican primary voters and the well-oiled machine that is the Ron Paul ground game. That's not to mention the continued threats of both Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum if either (or both) keep gaining momentum from other nominating contests.

With about two weeks until Jeffco Republicans head to public school gymnasiums and church basements to help select their party's nominee, we want to know: who do you think will win the Republican caucuses in Jefferson County?

Remember, we want to know what you think will actually happen, not your preference. In other words, if you had to bet the deed to your house on Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, or Rick Santorum, who would you choose? And while we doubt the results in Jefferson County will be radically different than the state as a whole, we only want to know who you think will win Jeffco.

A poll follows.

Lakewood Police Escort All-America Quilt

by: Jeffco Pols

Tue Jan 17, 2012 at 10:24:51 AM MST

From 9News and and the National Civic League:

Lakewood, Colorado rolled out the red carpet for the arrival of the All-America City Quilt this week. In fact, the quilt was given a police escort.

NCL President Gloria Rubio-Cortés was on hand to congratulate Mayor Bob Murphy and a group of community leaders.

The quilt has been making rounds of cities that were finalists in the 2011 All-America City Awards. Lakewood was named a 2011 All-America City last June at an award ceremony and celebration in Kansas City, Missouri.

The fact that Lakewood won the 2011 All-America City Award - as well as the first ever "diversity" award - from the National Civic League is testament to the work Bob Murphy and his allies on City Council have done in making Lakewood an "inclusive community" as well as revitalizing West Colfax and the city as a whole. Still, there's something delightfully campy about the whole process that just screams "small town America."

A police escort? For a quilt? Well, the All-America quilt is incredibly valuable. Perhaps Murphy was cold and couldn't wait to cozy up his office. Or perhaps Lakewood was worried about Arvada or Sheridan getting their dirty hands on such a coveted tapestry. Better safe than sorry, right?

Not to mention the presentation Lakewood made to win both the All-America and the right to steward the accompanying quilt. If you haven't seen it - and you really should - Murphy, some members of City Council, and other community leaders march up on stage wearing matching white t-shirts and talk about what makes Lakewood great while a light guitar ballad plays in the background. It's a beautiful "kumbaya" moment, with little kids talking about playground inclusiveness and other speakers extolling Lakewood's values in Spanish.

It's almost a cliche - when someone says "presentation to the National Civic League," we can't imagine them meaning anything other than a song and dance number about some town in Colorado.

Still, in the NCL presentation, you can tell that Murphy and his companions really believe everything that they're singing (or chanting). They believe that Lakewood really is a thriving economic destination notable for its diversity, inclusiveness, and responsive government. Perhaps that's exactly why Lakewood deserved the award, and why Murphy has been such a successful mayor. With Lakewood, what you see is what you get. The city's elected officials really do believe in making their home a great place to live. There are no ulterior motives.

So yes, it's ridiculous. A quilt probably shouldn't have a police escort. But Murphy and the rest can be proud of winning the All-America City award. Even if its cliche or campy, they deserve their moment: superfluous police sirens and all.  

Hudak Gets Senate Bill 1

by: Jeffco Pols

Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 15:16:07 PM MST

From the Colorado Senate Majority:

DENVER-Today, Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminter) introduced Senate Bill 1, the "HIRE Colrorado Act" during the opening day of the Colorado General Assembly's 2012 legislative session. The HIRE Colorado Act is designed to create jobs for Coloradans by giving preference to companies seeking state contracts when those companies agree to employ mostly Colorado workers. This bill is a key component in the Senate Majority's "Colorado Works" Jobs package, a series of bills that will be introduced throughout the session that are focused on continued job creation and economic growth.

Senator Hudak offered the following comment on the HIRE Colorado Act today:

"It's imperative that our first priority be to ensure that our taxpayers' dollars are staying in Colorado, that our resources are benefiting our citizens, and that we are putting Coloradans back to work first.  I'm proud to be carrying this legislation on behalf of my constituents, and people all across the state."

This is the kind of bill that's going to look great on mail pieces for Hudak: it focuses on Colorado's economy, and more specifically, the creation of Colorado jobs. This is exactly the kind of ammunition that Hudak is going to need in her re-election campaign against whichever Republican jumps into her race.

The fact that Hudak was given prime sponsorship of such a prime bill is also testimony to the fact that the Westminster Senator is going to have a tough fight this year. Advisors within the Senate Majority and the Democratic Senate Campaign Fund are clearly positioning Hudak to take advantage of this year's legislative session. Indeed, Democrats are probably aware of how challenging Hudak's re-election bid will be and are bolstering her portfolio to help maintain their majority come next legislative session.  

Poll: Who Will Win in SD-22?

by: Jeffco Pols

Wed Jan 11, 2012 at 14:20:31 PM MST

That said, today's meeting of the legislature marks the first of many critical dates that both impact and lead directly to November 6, 2012. To that end, we want to see who you think will be the next Senator from District 22.

As always, we want to know what you think will happen, not your preference. If you had to bet the deed to your house or the keys to your car, who would you pick to win between Ken Summers and Andy Kerr?

A poll follows.

Did Newly Minted Candidate Rick Enstrom Lie to the Legislature?

by: JeffcoWgirl

Mon Jan 09, 2012 at 20:30:37 PM MST

When Rick Enstrom testified in 2010 against Bill Ritter's "candy tax" proposal (not a tax, in actuality, but the suspension of a tax exemption), a revenue-generating measure proposed to shore up Colorado's fragile budget while encouraging healthier choices, here's what he had to say:

The last thing we need or can afford in these difficult times is to negatively impact the price of our product to the consumer resulting in fewer sales and further reductions in earnings.

We paid over $3,300,000 to 340 different Colorado vendors last year that will be indirectly affected by this tax, and spent over $1,660,000 with FedEx, a huge Colorado employer that delivers our products and moves product between our stores.

(Enstrom's full remarks may be found at the Westword)

But as you'll see after the jump, the real impact on Enstrom Candies wasn't quite so sour...

Rick Enstrom to Challenge Max Tyler

by: Jeffco Pols

Mon Jan 09, 2012 at 19:35:54 PM MST

Today, candy consigliere Rick Enstrom revealed his plans to take on Tyler. From KDVR:

On Monday, local businessman Rick Enstrom (R-Lakewood) announced his candidacy for Colorado's state House of Representatives, District 23.

"We've seen what happens when there is no check on the radical tax-and-spend agenda pushed by Democratic legislators. People lose their jobs and working families suffer," said Rick Enstrom, candymaker and newly announced candidate for HD 23.  "We must strike a new direction that clears the way for employers to create jobs. We must pursue legislative priorities that fund our schools and foster economic security for families fighting so hard to make ends meet."

Enstrom is an executive with Enstrom Candies and has previously served as a volunteer member of Colorado's Wildlife Commission and Great Outdoors Colorado as well as an EMT and member of the Highland Rescue Team.  He also served one term on the Mesa County Commission from 1978-1982.

"Rick is the right guy to serve in the state legislature," said Shelly Liley, district resident and mother of three children who grew up in Lakewood.  "He's always the first to offer his help and to lend a hand in the neighborhood, whether it's shoveling snow or grilling the burgers at our bbq's, Rick's there doing the work with us."

Enstrom is challenging Democratic incumbent Max Tyler (D-Lakewood).

Enstrom will likely enjoy a better-than-average name ID resulting from the boxes of toffee bearing his name. Still, there's just no way to sugar coat the numbers: Democrats retain a 4% registration advantage and former State Treasurer Cary Kennedy won the district with 54% of the vote in 2010.

In short, no matter how much voters like his company's gourmet chocolate, Enstrom's not going to win the numbers game.

That said, Tyler's never had a real opponent before, and the reapportionment process has given him plenty of new doors to knock - only about 25% of the old HD-23 is included within the district's 2012 lines. For all intents and purposes, then, Enstrom and Tyler will be facing off for what is a left-leaning and functionally open seat.

No word on which candidate will earn the coveted endorsement of Willy Wonka.  

A Candidate Once More: Brian Carroll Files for HD-28

by: Jeffco Pols

Mon Jan 02, 2012 at 10:15:00 AM MST

The Lakewood Democrat staged a primary campaign against Representative Andy Kerr in a bid for HD-28, although Carroll made a rather spurious claim that he originally intended to run against Ken Summers and wasn't aware he was drawn into the same seat as Kerr.

Carroll dropped out of that race in early November, following pressure from high-profile Democratic players and LGBT activists. With no primary for Kerr, the stage was set for a general election skirmish with Ken Summers in HD-28.

The Colorado Reapportionment Commission, however, had another thought in the matter altogether: Kerr, Summers, and Rep. Max Tyler were all drawn into House District 23, paving the way for an eventual campaign between Summers and Kerr for Senate District 22. SD-22 was ultimately left vacant by the Colorado Reapportionment Commission because appointed incumbent Senator Tim Neville was completely drawn out of the seat.

Meanwhile, Brian Carroll's residence remained in HD-28, where the vet no longer had Kerr (or any other incumbent) to contend with. It stands to reason, then, that Carroll would jump back into a race for the State House: his campaign committee was reactivated on December 29th.

Carroll might be the most high profile Democrat living within HD-28, although attorney Chris Radeff and educator Camille Ryckman - who ran against Summers in 2010 and 2008, respectively - both reside within the district. Given that the South Lakewood seat leans slightly to the left - Democrats maintain a 3% registration advantage there and former State Treasurer Cary Kennedy won the district by 8% in 2010 - Carroll should prepare for a primary in the Democratic nominating process. That's not to say that Carroll doesn't make a compelling case for his candidacy: the Colorado native served two tours of duty in Afghanistan with the United States Army, after all. He only moved into Lakewood recently, however, so it's hard not to question if his roots are deep enough to represent the area at the Capitol.

Carroll (or the eventual Democratic nominee) will ostensibly have to face Republican Amy Attwood in November. Attwood previously served as an aide to Rep. Summers and made an unsuccessful bid for the Lakewood city council in 2009. The fact that Attwood lost her first campaign for a smaller seat might be indicative of a lack of political prowess, but we wouldn't count her out this early on. Attwood has to win this campaign to maintain any semblance of a political career; she just couldn't sustain a second loss. With that in mind, we suspect Attwood will stage the fight of her life in HD-28 and majority-minded Republicans will be all-too-happy to funnel money into the race if it looks like the former legislative staffer can win.

A race between Attwood and Carroll should make for great political theatre. Attwood is the picture perfect image of a country club conservative: she has two young kids and manages a small business. What better foil for one of the nation's first post Don't Ask Don't Tell servicemen running for public office?

Jeffco's Own "Top Ethical Failure" of 2011

by: Jeffco Pols

Wed Dec 28, 2011 at 14:23:20 PM MST

Colorado Ethics Watch filed a complaint with the Ethics Commission alleging that McCasky lobbied for an increase in county funding to the Jefferson Economic Council while at the same time applying for his current position as president there.

As it turns out, that was (or at least looks like) an incredibly corrupt - not to mention asinine - thing to do. While it may have earned McCasky the job and a pretty pay check, he's now facing the kind of scorn that will almost certainly smother any future political aspirations. In fact, his actions have earned the rare qualification of "top ethical failure."

From Colorado Ethics Watch:

Ethics Watch, a nonpartisan, nonprofit legal watchdog group, today released Ethics Roundup: Top Ethical Failures of 2011, the organization's fourth annual report highlighting Colorado's public officials, agencies and municipalities who have either committed ethics violations or shown significant lack of judgment that places their behavior in the top tier of ethical failures in the state in the past year.

"Only by paying attention to the actions of our government agencies and officials, identifying ethical lapses, and shining a light on them will we be assured to have what Colorado voters have demanded - transparent and accountable public leaders," said Luis Toro, director of Colorado Ethics Watch.

...

Golden Parachute:  After submitting his resume for a highly paid position at the Jefferson Economic Council, Jefferson County Commissioner Kevin McCasky voted to approve a $400,000 grant, an increase of $20,000 over the previous year, from Jefferson County to that organization.

Pior to his tenure at the Jefferson Economics Council, McCasky's name was often brought up as a potential Republican candidate for CD-7. The commissioner was twice elected countywide despite being by and large perceived as culpable in most of Jeffco's famed ethical troubles. With this recent investigation, however, McCasky's name is forever tarnished - he'll never be able to live down the potential mailers or television ads labeling him as corrupt and making mention of his "golden parachute."

Unless, of course, he figures out a way to buy a seat in Congress using public funds. It sounds impossible, but it's par for the course in Jefferson County, where elected officials are the most innovative when determining ways to waste taxpayer dollars.