BOCC: Canda Wants to Be BOCC Chair, Libs Scream Like Shot Rabbits
by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The January 15, 2025 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting took place at the All Aboard Westcliffe meeting room in downtown Westcliffe. It started around 9 a.m. and all three Commissioners were present: Bill Canda, Lucas Epp and newbie Paul Vogelsong. As the prior BOCC Chair was gone,
Canda, as senior Commissioner, was sitting in the Chair’s position.
In Commissioner Items, Epp said he attended some state road meeting and noted that there are “safety improvements on the docket for 2028” for Highway 69 North. He also said the Fair Board needs another member. Canda noted that the Upper Arkansas Water Conservation crew wants to come down from Salida and give us Happy Valley peasants a talk on what they are working on, espe-cially possibly raising the level of Lake DeWeese. Canda also said that the Commissioners were looking to rent office space for themselves so they can meet people in private and have a spot for conferences.
In New Business, the appointment of a new BOCC Chair and Vice Chair was the first order of business. Canda piped up and said he wanted to be Chair with Epp being Vice Chair. Epp seconded the motion. No discussion amongst the Commissioners so Public Discussion was opened up.
What happened next was to be expected as the lefties in the county hate Canda as he represents all that they despise: conservative, Christian, career military, lifelong resident, not afraid to stand up for what he thinks is right, etc., so the first local lib to open fire on Canda regarding his bid to become BOCC Chair was none other than the local democrat party’s “heavy”, James Gilbert. (Honestly, what unfolded over the next 15 minutes was like a Babylon Bee caricature of a liberal tear fountain. But you have to give Gilbert credit, he attends almost all the BOCC meetings and reliably tenders the lib talking points.)
Gilbert opens with he wants to discuss the “unfitness of Bill Canda for Chair”. Gilbert says Canda, “Doesn’t have the interest of all citizens of Custer County in his actions.” (Well, duh. There are usually two sides, or more, on a lot of local issues and you gotta make a call one way or the other which will upset the losing side. That’s how it works, James.) Gilbert then commented, that Canda “brought a private resolution” which accused the President of treason-like conduct. That is, Canda as a “private citizen” proposed a BOCC resolution to that effect, which he has every right to do. Gilbert then says it was a “conflict of interest” for Canda, as a Commissioner, to vote that same resolution. (I don’t think so. He had “two hats” here. Plus the resolution passed.) Gilbert then whined that Canda, “foments the election fraud conspiracy, the big lie” and he held a meeting “to support that”. (Anybody, and I mean anybody, who denies that there is election fraud in this country, sometimes on a fairly large scale in some locales, is a MORON.) Dribbling along, Gilbert continued his riff stating that even in “regular” BOCC meetings Canda talks about election fraud, and also Canda is a bad boy because he voted for the Sentinel to have the County’s legal notices. (Oh, the horror.) Climaxing, Gilbert, who is some kind of virus/disease “expert”, cried that Canda was against the experimental COVID “vaccines”, supported the idea that ivermectin might be helpful, and “supported opening county businesses exposing the senior citizens to COVID.” (Gilbert has been proven wrong on virtually everything he wanted to do during the COVID debacle. And note folks, nobody was forcing senior citizens to visit a business during that time. Maybe they needed FOOD, gas for their cars, etc. N95 masked and fittings were made available as well as vaccines and citizens were told to do what is best for their situation. It is called being a CITIZEN rather that a mindless peasant.) And that was it for Gilbert.
Jimmy “The Plumber” McMahon, one of our more vocal local conservative Christian players, then rose to defend Canda stating, “Thank you for standing up” to the local libs… I believe you would be a good Chairman. You have six years into this.”
A citizen then asked the Commissioners what the duties and the powers of the Chairman are and our County Attorney gave a brief answer.
Next up on the lib dance card was, of course, our very own Deb Adams (our county’s Tourism Director). In her usual very aggressive tone, Adams demanded to know from Canda, “When did you attend Commissioner training?” (Remember, Canda has been a commissioner for six years and was Chair for a couple. He might know how to do the job.) Canda responded that he confers with the CTSI guy, Dennis Hunt, all the time on various BOCC issues. Adams then very loudly attacks Canda (quite rudely), “When did you attend the training!!! WHEN!!!” (Right on the edge of being histrionic.) Canda responded with various facts and then Adams interrupts with, “You can’t give me a year or date?” Canda replied, “2016.” Adams then attempted to open a second line of criticism with, “Are you a team player?” Canda, trying to be polite to this nastiness, answered, “Yes.” Adams, now at a hissy fit level, retorted, “According to you.” And she was done. (A totally uncalled for, divisive, rude attack. It didn’t add anything to the discussion except to show the typical lib emotional orientation. How does this move the county as a team forward, Adams? It doesn’t. Being polite, especially in public, is how country people roll.)
After that bit of lib hate theatre, Vogelsong stated, “Lucas and I will make sure it is a team effort.”
All three Commissioners then voted to make Canda Chair and Epp Vice Chair.
Accounts Payable was the next Agenda Item. The amount was $132 and it was ok’d.
Your U.S. Congresswoman, Brittany Pettersen’s local representative, based in Cañon City, was next with an overview of all the good things Pettersen has done lately (like vote against deporting criminal illegal aliens). Blah, blah, blah. The guy says Petterson is pregnant and at home now and can’t vote on U.S. House votes. And she wants to be special so she is sponsoring a bill that would allow pregnant reps and the husbands of pregnant reps to be allowed to vote from home during the pregnancy and for a long time afterward. (The people voted her in to do the job in D.C. Allowing reps to vote from home, for any reason, is a bad, bad move. But of course, libs are special, and normal rules don’t apply to them. We will keep you posted on this issue.)
And thankfully, that was it. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Happy Valley.
Beloved Longtime Custer County
In Custer County we have a very special place where the joyful celebration of Valentine’s Day can begin for everyone. Salty Pine at 411 Main Street in Westcliffe is a most unique boutique that offers beautiful flower arrangements including fresh and beautiful, imported Ecuadorian Roses, hip clothing, dazzling jewelry and many other gifts. This is their 13th Valentine Day offering since the shop first opened on December 12, 2012. The owner, Pepper Stafford, highly recommends placing your orders ahead of time to ensure availability of products especially the imported Ecuadorian Roses will be available at last year’s prices. That is really good news since the price of roses everywhere is skyrocketing.
Also available are delicious gourmet chocolate covered strawberries, delightful assorted candy bouquets, live blooming and non-blooming plants, and what is called a dish gardencomposed of assorted plants.