Golden – Top billing on the Jefferson County slate of candidates Nov. 7 belongs to the commissioner contenders, Republican Dave Auburn and Democrat Kathy Hartman.
Auburn, a business consultant, was appointed District 3 commissioner in March 2005.
Hartman is a former stockbroker and executive director of STRIDE, a program that helps families move from welfare to self-sufficiency.
Jefferson County has 360,014 active registered voters, of whom 105,478 are Democrats, 132,727 are Republicans, 118,444 are unaffiliated and the remainder belong to minor parties.
Republican Faye Griffin, who is term-limited as county clerk, is seeking the treasurer’s office. The Democratic candidate is Bob Moser, who has 30 years’ experience as an auditor, accountant and businessman.
County clerk candidates are Republican Pam Anderson, who is the Wheat Ridge city clerk, and Democrat Linda Rockwell, a former medical business manager.
Republican Jim Everson seeks to keep the assessor’s position that he was appointed to in 2005 by county commissioners. The Democratic candidate is Rocky Germano, who owns a real estate company.
Democrat J.B. Robert Espinoza, who served 23 years with the FBI, is challenging Sheriff Ted Mink, a Republican who was appointed in July 2003 and won election in 2004.
Republican Richard Dial, a dentist, is seeking election to the coroner’s office after being appointed in 2005.
Katherin Loughrey-Stemp, who has nursing experience, is the Democratic candidate.
Uncontested for county surveyor is Diana Askew, a Republican.
Ballot issues include:
Lakewood – 2A: Would exempt the city from Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights limits on open- space revenues and nonfederal grants for parks, recreation, cultural activities, public safety and streets.
Wheat Ridge – 2A: Would allow the city to keep $54,409 in revenues above TABOR limits to spend on parks and recreation. 2B: Would permit the city to keep sales-tax revenues above TABOR limits.
Foothills Park and Recreation District – 5A: Would increase the levy by 1.5 mills, with revenues spent on maintenance and capital improvements.
North Jeffco Park and Recreation District – 5A: Would increase the levy by 1 mill for capital-improvement projects and operation of facilities. 5B: Would increase district debt by $6.95 million to replace the Fisher Pool.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
