Monday, May 16, 2011

Decoding Skorman: The Lone Liberal




(4/29/11)


You -- who exempt Richard Skorman from his blame in aiding sprawl, and allow him to invent links between Bach and the Pikeview Quarry scar (an event that predates most of us) -- are the very same who become "disgusted" with the "negative rancor" and *gasp* at the mere hinting that Skorman is a liberal.

Like the length of his tooth, the sun casts on him a long, left-leaning, tall and dark shadow; but though 'tis not Groundhog Day, nor our would-be leader a woodchuck, evenso Skorman anxiously shies and runs from it -- why, unless somehow it shames him?http://spydrasweb.blogspot.com/2011/04/dec…

Despite claiming to be a fiscal conservative, Skorman's 10-point plan spells out an expensive, experimental liberal agenda that would work primarily to the advantage of a subset leftist elite. Colorado Springs is guaranteed a lighter-skinned, less loquacious, down-town Obama with Skorman as mayor -- and unless you wish that our city endure four more bleak years of fiscal winter... 

* * * * * * * * VOTE*4*BACH* * * * * * * *




Council makes shift to the right


Incumbent Skorman likely the lone liberal voice

Same-sex benefits for city workers might end soon 


Date: April 2, 2003 Publication: The Gazette Author: PERRY SWANSON
The four at-large seats on the Colorado Springs City Council shifted markedly to the right in Tuesday's election although the winning candidates differed on how conservative the new council will be.

Tom Gallagher, who was leading the pack of 11 candidates, said he sees a change toward "a common-sense view."

"Common sense crosses liberal and conservative," he said.

Still, Gallagher said he expects the council to focus on basics such as water supply and management of the city-run Colorado Springs Utilities.

Gallagher said he expected to come in fourth and thought incumbent Councilman Richard Skorman would get the most votes. Skorman was running in second place with 90 percent of the vote counted. Third place was held by Randy Purvis and fourth by Larry Small.

"I'm stunned," Gallagher told a crowd of about 125 at the Red Lion Hotel. "I promise the promises I made during this campaign weren't empty promises."

Two often-contrary voices on the council will be gone: Ted Eastburn and Judy Noyes. Eastburn, a physician, is known as an independent and supported some liberal actions such as offering benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. His attempt at the mayor's office failed Tuesday.

Noyes, who did not seek re-election, also supported moves the council's more conservative members opposed. She introduced a failed resolution to condemn war against Iraq, for example.

Purvis spent 12 years on the council, from 1987-99. That experience will be valuable to the new council, which includes several political novices, he said.

"I think it will be a more conservative council than the last one," Purvis said.

The shift will be an advantage for the new mayor, Lionel Rivera, who also is politically conservative and was winning by a wide margin.

"It makes it easier for Lionel because there's such a separation between him and the next candidate," Purvis said.

Purvis said one of the first things he wants for the council is a review of the budget and to ensure the city government is operating efficiently.

"There's not a lot of fat in the city budget," he said. "If we cut things, we have to cut programs."

Another candidate who has previous experience on the council is Small, who was running in fourth place. Small was appointed to the council for two years starting in 1991.

Small said he also wants to review the city budget.

"I think we want to get a good handle on what we're going to have to work with in 2004," he said.

Skorman, a registered independent winning his second term, will be one of the few liberal voices, if not the only one, on the council.

"I'm going to try to be a balance," he said. "I may be a lone voice, but I feel there's a good group of fair-minded people. I'm not worried about it as long as they're not going into it with a social agenda."

That's exactly what might happen, however. Skorman may be in the minority of those favoring health benefits for same-sex partners of city employees, enacted last year.

"I hope some of the new council members listen to reason," Skorman said.

"I will be fighting to keep it."

Councilman Charles Wingate, who represents the northeast district and wasn't in a race this election, predicted the council may immediately adopt a resolution calling for the end of such benefits with the next budget cycle.

Skorman said his priorities will be planning for growth; water conservation, which likely will include more water restrictions; and programs to reduce domestic violence.

Copyright 2009 The Gazette 




No comments:

Post a Comment