Love announces bid for commissioner

RBC I I’d like to take this time to thank all that signed my petition to be RBC Commissioner for District 1 and for the delegates who voted for me at the local assembly. I am on the ballot! I’m honored and excited to continue listening and meeting with the people of RBC to start a new powerful, yet positive approach to serving our county. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to call me at 970-314-5023, email me at: [email protected], or instant message me on Facebook. I’m ready to start working for all of you!

Here is my speech I gave at the RBC Republican Assembly on Saturday, March 19. I’m sharing so you know where I am coming from and what I hope to accomplish as your next county commissioner.  

“Thank you all for being here today and participating in a democratic process that our country has committed to for 233 years and counting. My name is Virginia Love, but most of you know me as Ginny. I am asking for your vote to be placed on the ballot for District 1 Commissioner.  

My family homesteaded in Rio Blanco County in 1917, and I am proud to be a third-generation resident. Thirty-two years ago I married my husband Sam and we worked side by side ranching for 22 years. During this time we had 10 years of bred heifer sales that spanned three states. We built out two rural subdivisions that have contributed to a higher tax base and brought  wonderful people to the county. 

We have four sons, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. We raised our sons and taught them the importance of hard work, ethics, and dedication to the job before them. At meals, we discussed local, state, national, world politics, and news.

I was active in my children’s school-related activities, coordinating PeeWee Wrestling for 18 years, and I helped form the school Accountability Committees, where I served as president at each school. Working with both educators and children was enlightening, and I have some ideas about how to encourage our schools to become more involved with local government. I was also a Safehouse responder and would like to help revamp its presence in RBC. I was involved in a Tri-County Economic Development group with Moffatt and Garfield Counties. I have served on the County’s Planning Commission since 2014 and helped update our current land-use regulations. The planning commission is vital in ensuring that we adhere to state and federal statutes, and the rules/regulations set forth in our own county. In 2020, I was appointed to the 9th District Judicial Commission where we judge the judges to ensure that citizens are given fair trials, and treated with respect. Through these various boards and involvement, I have learned to listen, work together with all involved, and be a leader. 

As your County Commissioner, I pledge to make decisions in the best interest of the county and with the input of our citizens.

I will be a full-time Commissioner, with regular weekly business hours in Rangely and Meeker. On the days I am not attending meetings, I will work from 8 a.m. to whenever is necessary to get the job done. I will be there for all of you. My hours will be posted along with how I can be reached directly. I will have an open-door policy and welcome questions, suggestions and complaints with the same respect for all. If I don’t know an answer, I will seek it and follow up. I have been asked to explore the idea of having some evening commissioner meetings to accommodate citizens who work during the day. We need the Commissioner Corner brought back in the local paper to keep citizens up to date. 

I will work with the other commissioners, as a team, to foster an environment of unity by empowering and respecting all citizens, elected officials, and Rio Blanco County employees, who are some of the greatest assets we have. I will not micro-manage the department heads, believing if the best candidate was chosen for that position, the commissioners need to support them, be available if a change is needed, and ensure through discussions and reporting that taxpayers are being represented and taken care of in the best way possible.  It is imperative for our county employees to feel important, needed and most of all supported and respected. By all departments working together, the commissioners are free to commit our time to help RBC be successful in other areas. Having budget shortfalls does not necessarily mean we always must cut funding, but by putting our heads together we can share resources, look for ways to increase revenues, and not carve away at personnel or our important local services.  Positivity helps minds be more creative. 

I will collaborate with all taxing districts in the county with the goal of uniting efforts on winning grants and maximizing the impact of capital projects because we all serve the same citizen base—working together we can accomplish more. It’s important to be available and listen to their ideas and get a feel for what they feel is important in our county, to be responsible, resourceful and accountable. 

I will cooperate to expand citizen advisory groups such as, but not limited to: health and human services, agriculture, energy coalitions, economic development, lodging/taxing boards, historic preservation and weed management. It is vital we have continued, positive, working relationships with all our boards and groups, to promote rewarding results. 

I will stand with other rural counties, to keep a watchful eye on our state and national politicians, to stay knowledgeable on the issues that can affect our County, and work with groups of all types to see that our water, oil, gas, coal, our livelihoods, and other assets are protected for future generations. Living in a rural county does not mean we should give up representation and respect. 

I want to be a strong, positive, calming voice for RBC. I believe you can be all three. I also believe that our county would benefit by listening, having open and honest discussions, and coming together for the betterment of all citizens.  I will never forget that respect and honesty should be adhered to at all times, also understanding that integrity is what you do when no one else is watching. 

I would greatly appreciate your vote and support today, and I welcome you to be part of a powerful, yet positive team going forward. Thank you.”

Thanks again—it’s a blessing to live in Rio Blanco County. I look forward to talking to you.