Commissioner Jeff Baker Deserves Your Vote
For six years, I had the opportunity and privilege to work alongside Commissioner Jeff Baker. He knows the concerns of the residents in District 3, as well as the rest of Arapahoe County. Because of that, he has voted for and worked for the needs in both areas.
Now is not the time to change commissioners. Our county needs a proven leader and Jeff is that leader. Here are a few examples. For almost eight years, Jeff has represented Arapahoe County on the Denver Regional Council of Governments then was honored to be voted chair of that 58 member group. Since inception of the Arapahoe, Douglas and Aurora Crime Lab, Jeff has represented Arapahoe County on that board that solves crimes bringing justice for victims. Jeff also protects children across Colorado on the Colorado Sex Offender Board. Finally, he represents residents on the Centennial Airport Authority Board. These are positions that require hard work and considerable time but provide valuable services to residents of District 3 and the County.
Contrast, this with Jeff’s opponent, who will have a significant learning curve because he knows nothing about the many, complex County finances and service issues. In addition, Jeff’s opponent is the father of the current Arapahoe County Sheriff.
The financial health of Arapahoe County is the primary responsibility of a county commissioner. Every vote is very important especially on financial matters.
The Sheriff has Arapahoe County’s largest budget of $130 million.
Would Jeff’s opponent’s vote be compromised by family self-interest rather than what voters want?
By removing himself from voting, would it be okay to lose your representation on critical and controversial financial issues because of these ethical concerns?
Right now, two current financial issues are facing Sheriff Brown’s office.
The first is that Sheriff’s Office overspent their approved budget by $1 million dollars in 2023.
The second is that Sheriff Brown’s office set up a fund that accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from Cherry Creek School District. That fund was not authorized and violated Arapahoe County financial policy.
Our Commissioners must be able to vote on ALL issues. That is the financial oversight voters expect and deserve.
Retaining Commissioner Jeff Baker as your District 3 County Commissioner will keep a good and ethical person with significant experience representing you on financial matters that are critical to Arapahoe County!
Nancy Sharpe Kennedy
Former Arapahoe County Commissioner, District 2