{"id":23099,"date":"2018-07-02T07:15:10","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T07:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vailvalleypartnership.com\/?p=23099"},"modified":"2018-06-29T13:18:39","modified_gmt":"2018-06-29T13:18:39","slug":"an-open-letter-to-candidates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vailvalleypartnership.com\/2018\/07\/an-open-letter-to-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"An open letter to candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Candidate(s),<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know each of you, but the first thing you need to know is that you are extremely well liked by almost everyone I meet.<\/p>\n

People on both sides of the aisle say you’re bright, grounded, decent and a leader. They believe you will be a good public servant.<\/p>\n

These folks know and respect you. By all accounts, you are polite and knowledgeable. There are a lot of people rooting for you.<\/p>\n

Personally, I\u2019m glad that we have folks like you on both sides of the aisle who are willing and able to serve and represent Eagle County.<\/p>\n

I will note, however, I think you are making a terrible mistake if you fall into the polarizing partisan trap currently enveloping the nation.<\/p>\n

The election process is underway; primary elections are over -and most all of you ran unopposed. The general election \u2013 over the next four months – is when a pragmatic, common sense, problem-solving approach would serve you best.<\/p>\n

Candidates, right now is the time to become a common sense problem solver.<\/p>\n

We can likely agree that there are issues dividing us at a national, state, regional and local level ranging from immigration, transportation, health care and housing. Please avoid the partisan talking points and instead focus on finding meaningful solutions to these issues.<\/p>\n

For as great as these topics might be to your partisan base, it will be near impossible to win an election in Eagle County by focusing on the murky shark-infested waters of partisan politics. Registration numbers from the Colorado\u2019s secretary of state show \u00a0unaffiliated voters (12,643) greatly outnumber registered Democrats (8,761) and registered Republicans (7,453).<\/p>\n

So return calls, engage with voters at public forums and elsewhere and make a point to connect. Running to your base \u2013 on either side \u2013 can lead to alienating two-thirds of the voting public. And for what? Talking to the echo chamber? We have enough of the echo chamber in our national media and television outlets.<\/p>\n

Is this a big deal? Not, perhaps, in the grand scheme of your career. But in the here and now, a pragmatic, solution-driven approach to Eagle County\u2019s challenges would be helpful and refreshing. Running a clean, issue focused campaign will help counter any false narratives or negative storylines that arise. We can be an example for the country.<\/p>\n

I am confident a solutions-oriented approach will resonate with voters. I think we\u2019re tired of talking, tired of meeting, tired of waiting for Washington D.C. to solve our problems.<\/p>\n

Thoughtful, localized, bi-partisan approaches to housing policy; health care solutions, rural broadband, air service development and economic development might not be a true test of intelligence or political acumen. It is, however, a measure of how well you prepare and engage.<\/p>\n

Above all, a pragmatic, solution oriented policy plan \u2014at least a good one\u2014would empower you , and at no time is that more important than now, amid the gossip and information warfare that dominates the national political conversation.<\/p>\n

I look forward to listening to and discussing your thoughts and plans, and, let me tell you, there are a lot of invested citizens across the political spectrum looking to aggressively and relentlessly help address our challenges. It is incumbent we work together to make Eagle County a better place to live and work.<\/p>\n

Think of it this way, Candidates: what is the risk of focusing on solutions and avoiding mudslinging? In the end, there’s no substitute for a thoughtful, solution oriented campaign platform.<\/p>\n

Good luck, all. Thank you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dear Candidate(s), I don\u2019t know each of you, but the first thing you need to know is that you are…
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