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Passing the Gavel

January 5th, 2010, 12:07 pm by
Dennis Hisey assumes chairmanship from Jim Bensberg

Dennis Hisey assumes chairmanship from Jim Bensberg

The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners this morning unanimously elected Commissioner Dennis Hisey to replace Jim Bensberg as the chairman of the board. Hisey, who has five children and 10 grandchildren, represents District 4, which encompasses  the southern part of the county and includes Widefield, Security, Fort Carson and Fountain.

This will be Hisey’s third stint as chairman. After taking office in 2005, he served as vice chair in 2006 and chairman in 2007 and 2008. Hisey’s the epitomy of a gentleman, quiet and courteous, but not afraid to give his opinion when asked

Amy Lathen, who has served two years on the commission and represents the eastern part of the county, was elected as vice chair. Lathen is much more outspoken than Hisey and often takes the time to comment on controversial topics, such as global warming.  ”I can’t believe how quickly time has passed,” she said.

Bensberg, who is term limited, seemed more than happy to pass the gavel. He  had planned to run for the county treasurer’s job, but pulled out of the race last week. Bensberg said he plans to run for a seat in the state Legislature in 2012.

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Bye, bye, Bensberg

December 22nd, 2009, 5:29 pm by

Invoking LBJ, Jim Bensberg announced today that he would not seek — nor would he accept — the chairmanship of the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners in 2010.

The term-limited Bensberg no doubt will be focusing his attention on his efforts to become the county’s new treasurer. He’ll be competing against county clerk  Bob Balink, a tough political campaigner who is also term-limited.  

Both Bensberg and Balink have prickly dispositions and don’t seem to care much for the media. So this should be a fun race to watch as Election Day approaches.

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Elected officials need detox centers, too

December 8th, 2009, 6:25 pm by

In a discussion about El Paso County’s new  detox center, Jim Bensberg, chairman of the county commission, joked today that there needs to be a special section in the new holding facility for “elected officials addicted to campaign cash.” 

Referring to the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, he said, “The first step is admitting you have a problem.” 

 Bensberg, who is concluding his eight-year term on the commission, is running for the Treasurer’s office. He’s vying for the seat against county clerk Bob Balink, who is also term-limited.

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A Crowded Race

December 2nd, 2009, 2:16 pm by

Five candidates are vying for the District 5 county commission seat that is currently being held by term-limited Jim Bensberg. And a sixth may be on the way “making it an even half dozen,” said Kay Rendleman, chairwoman of the El Paso County Republican Party.

The candidates include Peggy Littleton, state Board of Education member for the 5th Congressional District and a regular at commission meetings; Ed Jones, former state senator and former commissioner from 1994 to 2002; Bill Guevara, a former official from California; Patrick Carter, former precinct leader and Republican chairman for House District 16, and David Williams, UCCS student body president and possibly the youngest-ever candidate to run for the county commission.

By contrast, Darryl Glenn, a city councilor and Republican party favorite, has the field to himself in District 1, which is the seat being vacated by term-limited Wayne Williams.

To recap the other races: Three candidates are vying for the El Paso Clerk and Recorder’s Office, including Wayne Williams, Charles E. Corry, a research scientist and computer expert, and Treasurer Sandra Damron, who is also term-limited.

And three candidates running for the Treasurer’s Office: They include Jim Bensberg and term-limited Bob Balink, as well as Tom Mowle , a Democrat who in February 2008 was appointed as public trustee for El Paso County.

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The Unscripted Stuff

November 11th, 2009, 6:04 pm by

The most interesting part of an El Paso County Board of Commissioners meeting is often not on the agenda.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and before the Consent Calendar is called up, chairman Jim Bensberg will ask his fellow commissioners — and any other elected official present — if they want to comment on anything.

Sometimes the commissioners will stick with small talk, chatting about this or that sporting event. More often, they’ll take to the mike and give little free-wheeling speeches.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Bensberg, who had just toured the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility, said the county building ought to have a receptacle on each floor for used batteries. “We pride ourselves in recycling all things recyclable.”

And commissioner Dennis Hisey, back after a two-week absence, observed that when minimum wages were up, there was a corresponding drop in unemployment among youths.

For a moment, it was almost as if body snatchers from the Other Party had invaded the room. Then reality returned and we settled back in our seats to admire slides of  a galactic-sized Powers Boulevard being planned by the transportation guys.

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County officials applaud Obama

November 10th, 2009, 1:27 pm by

The El Paso County commissioners usually don’t have  positive things to say when it comes to the state or federal government.

But at its Tuesday’s meeting, commissioner Amy Lathen took the time to praise President Obama for promising to veto the massive healthcare bill moving through Congress if it added one more dime to the  federal deficit.

“Stop the presses! Breaking news!” joked chairman Jim Bensberg.

Like other local governments, the county is seeing declining revenues. But Lathen is steadfastly opposed to the county accepting stimulus money from the federal government.

She argues that the billions of dollars being passed out will saddle  future generations with an unconscionable amount of debt. And when those funds are depleted, she warns, local governments will be left holding the bag.

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Let the Music Begin

November 2nd, 2009, 12:01 pm by

El Paso county officials like to bash the government, particularly the state and feds, but when it comes to parting with their $87,300 government jobs, they’re loathe to leave them. Several officials, whose 8-year terms will conclude at the end of 2010, have already made it clear that they’ll be running other offices.

Jim Bensberg, chairman of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, told the Cheyenne Mountain Republican Club recently that he’s going to run for county treasurer.

Bensberg said it would be “premature” to discuss his candidacy. “I haven’t completed the paperwork and it doesn’t seem ripe for public comment.”

Sandra Damron, the current county treasurer, is running for county clerk. “I’ve been doing this job for the past seven years. I know how to be the executive of a county office and I want to take that knowledge and transfer it to the clerk’s office.”

As for Bob Balink, who is the current clerk, it’s not clear if, or what, he’ll be be running for. In an email, he said he’s still considering his option. “I have been considering how I might be able to continue to serve in some capacity within our community when my term expires in January 2011. But to date I have not made any final decisions nor have I elicited support for any particular office, should I consider that as an option.”

It’s also rumored that Mayor Lionel Rivera is considering a run for one of the county commission seats.  ”I haven’t ruled it out,” he said.

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