COLORADO SPRINGS — Bill Elder became El Paso County’s new sheriff at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, and mere hours later, he was making changes.
In an office that had largely been demoralized by problems tied to his predecessor, Terry Maketa, Elder asked for his computer to be moved so he can face the door and see people walking through the halls by his office. He said he intends to personally congratulate staff members who recently won awards.
And about 8:30 a.m., before most people would even consider slinking out of bed on a holiday morning, he was scheming with his chief of staff, Janet Huffor, about ways to make employees feel more appreciated.
Huffor told him her idea about a “character counts” campaign, similar to what her kids might encounter at school. Maybe, when someone does something good, supervisors can recognize that immediately with a token of appreciation.
“I love it,” Elder said. “I love it.”
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