Small Town Politics

I'm not one to get too involved in politics.  I try to keep informed enough to make an educated vote, but I'm not generally too interested in what politicians have to say.  Of course, politicians don't typically say much of anything.

Living in a small town, however, makes me realize just how much my vote counts and just how much elections have an effect on my life.  For those of you who live in the "big" city, allow me to give you a picture of small town politics:

Close your eyes and imagine you are back in high school.  You are surrounded by different groups of kids; popular kids, band geeks, athletes, choir nerds, unpopular kids,  etc.  Everyone is different, noone really likes each other, lots of gossip, lots of drama, lots of rumors; you get the idea.  Well, that's kind of what it's like in a small town in general....and then you get into politics.

Tonight I attended a forum (aka: debate) for the candidates running for various county positions to be elected this November.  Up for election are County Commissioners, County Assessor, and County Sheriff (other positions are in the election as well, but have only one candidate).  Lets just say it was interesting....and served no purpose what-so-ever except to give people the opportunity to start fights and start more gossip circulating.

I attended this forum for 2 reasons.  First, my mother-in-law is running for County Commissioner.  She is one of two republican candidates which will be voted upon in the primary election on August 10.  Andy & I support her in her campaign and wanted to offer up a bit of moral support.  Secondly, I attended because a very good friend of ours, Ron, is running for his 2nd term as County Sheriff.  Though he is the only name on the ballot he does have some competition from a write-in candidate.

It was pretty ridiculous.  Listening to several candidates dance around questions was interesting.  Why not just answer the question?  Why is that so difficult?  Listening to candidates simply avoid the question and instead enter into why NOT to vote for their opponent was even more ridiculous.  All in all, I feel my MIL was well spoken and honest with her responses.  Ron did very well also in spite of the heat placed on him by his competition.....that's a whole other story which I am not getting into.

Not sure I learned a darn thing.  I went in knowing which way I would vote and left with my decision even more solidified.  I also feel as though I rolled my eyes a lot this evening.  :)  Drama, drama, drama.  Why can't we all just be adults?!

In Loving Memory.....

Many readers may already have heard, many of you may have not.  This past Monday, July 19, tragedy struck Camp Redcloud.  A terrible tragedy no camp counselor, camp nurse, camp director, parent, fellow camper, EMS personnel or law enforcement officer should ever have to face.  An early-afternoon mountain biking activity turned into a memory that will live on in the minds of all these.

A beautiful, 12 year old young lady named Venus lost her life.

Venus suffered life threatening injuries from a mountain bike wreck Monday afternoon.  Though no one witnessed the accident except her Maker, it is assumed that she fell from her bike and landed on the side of her head on a rock.  She suffered head injuries and EMS personnel suspect that, though her body continued to struggle to breathe, she died nearly instantly and suffered very little.

Her counselor and camp medical staff were first on scene followed quickly by EMS and, though it turned out to be unnecessary, a Careflight helicopter from a hospital in Montrose.

A funeral for Venus was held yesterday afternoon in Delta, CO.  This event was attended by several camp staff.  I hope and pray that this gesture of love and grief was not lost on Venus' family.  Though we only knew Venus for a short 24 hours, she was greatly loved by those around her; her counselor, cabin-mates, and other staff.

My own perspective on this is shock, grief, love.  I met Venus, though only for a moment.  She was beautiful.  It was strange continuing on with the week and not seeing her face again.  It was a blessing to spend some time with her cabin group shortly after the news was passed along to them.  Watching them grieve together and even laugh together as they remembered Venus was something special.

Though I didn't really know her, I admire her.  She took a life of hardship and found hope and love and joy.  She loved her Jesus.  And He loves her and has welcomed her home.

In loving memory of Venus Stratton.  A beautiful child of God.

Summer Vacation...What's That?

As usual, our summer has been BUSY!  Although, I'm pretty sure this summer is ranking right up there as one of the busiest....so far.  With Andy & I each working two jobs we haven't had much down time, or much time together.

Andy is keeping busy wrapping up some smaller projects before jumping full-swing into the new house he & the guys will be building.  He's also had a few days on duty as a deputy which has been pretty fun.  Andy got to patrol town all day on the 4th of July, starting with blocking traffic for the parade then just being present around the town park throughout the festivities and patrolling during and after fireworks.

Just last Friday Andy was scheduled to be on patrol all day....that didn't exactly turn out as planned.  Instead he and the undersheriff (also brother-in-law) ended up heading to the top of Cinnamon Pass to recover the body of a missing Gunnison man.  This was not a surprise at all since the missing mans' vehicle was discovered earlier this summer...it was just a matter of waiting for the snow to melt off enough before he was found.

I have been working mornings at the Matterhorn Motel cleaning rooms.  This has been a nice change from serving campers and staff in Hebrews, the camp store at Redcloud....which I am also still doing in the afternoons and evenings.  It's definitely been a whirlwind.  My days look a little like this:  Get up, clean 8:30 until 11:30, home to work out, eat lunch, shower, head to camp around 1 or 1:30, make milkshakes, sell candy, make coffee, sell T-shirts, eat dinner, sell more candy, home around 7:30....crash!  Do it all over again tomorrow!

Good thing our summers are short.

Speaking of short summers; we've actually had SUMMER this year.  Last summer is was cold and rainy throughout June, July and August.  We've had some great weather which is a welcome relief from our cold, long winters.

These next few weeks are looking extra busy from our perspective.  Next weekend we have 2 very good friends getting married in Gunnison.  So throughout next week we'll be getting some time with the bride and groom, as well as many other friends from years past who will be rolling into town.  Dinner Wednesday night with friends, I'm joining the girls at the spa on Friday morning, rehearsal Friday evening, and wedding Saturday!  Andy and I are also priviledged and honored to get to do a scripture reading during the ceremony.  What a blessing for us...and hopefully for the couple!

Then the Hell's Angels roll into the Gunnison, Crested Butte, Lake City area.  Hinsdale County Sheriffs Office will have all hands on deck during the time they're here; July 24-31.  Andy will be on-duty or on-call during that whole week.  To learn more about the Hell's Angels you can do a simple internet search....but crime and drugs tend to follow them wherever they go.  Prayer for the safety of our officers would be much appreciated!

That's our summer so far.  August will bring new adventures, I'm sure.  Thanks for reading!