Candidates for Emery County Commission: Laurie Pitchforth

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I have been a resident of Emery County for 23 years. I have been married to my husband Shane for 31 years. We have four children Dillon, Clint, Cole, and Shala. We have four grandchildren.
My commitment to family, hard work and community reflects the values that characterize the people of Emery County. I believe the value of the American family cannot be over stated. It is the responsibility of every citizen to support families and help instill in our youth the basic values of honesty, common courtesy, service, and patriotism.
I feel every person should have a right to a decent, life sustaining wage for their labors, as well as a safe and healthy workplace. Everyone has a duty to support themselves and their families through honest labor.
I feel that senior citizens whose labor made our country a great and decent place to live and Veterans who have risked their lives to protect our Republic should continue to receive special considerations. I believe in the multiple use management of public lands. Access to these lands is essential to our economy and lifestyle and is a large part of the heritage we have received from the settlers of this area. I feel that public lands should remain open to the public to which they belong whether the public uses the land for recreation, grazing, responsible timber harvest or the development of mineral rights. I also oppose the closing of existing roads or the withdrawal or preemption of existing grazing, water or mineral rights on these lands.
With my past experience in city government, I will bring a calm, reasoned voice and progressive viewpoint to the office of commissioner. As Coordinator for Volunteers of America, RSVP and Foster Grandparent program I have had the opportunity to work with some of Emery County’s finest citizens. They have taught me what a group of people working together for the common good can achieve as well as how each one of us can make a difference in the lives of others. I have worked with federal grants, and have worked with many nonprofit organizations. I understand how to work with a budget.
My opponent has stated that if not re-elected we will lose a seat on the CIB (Community Impact Board) board and it is going to Grand County. This is not necessarily so. Because so much of the mineral lease money is generated from Emery County there is a strong possibility that we will retain that seat. My opponent is not the only one who sits on the CIB board from Emery County. Bevan Wilson also sits on that board. He does an excellent job and will continue to look out for our interests. Emery County was a close third behind Carbon and Uintah counties for generating mineral lease funds. The two counties that generated the most mineral lease money also retain a seat on this board. With the opening of the new coal mine and other gas wells we have a strong possibility of having another seat on this board.
I am open minded, approachable, and willing to listen to other’s concerns. I feel that a “public servant” is just that, they are here to serve; they must be accountable. A public servant must maintain a high degree of integrity emphasizing: true statements, honest motivations, and the understanding that you should always represent the best interests of all our citizens. I feel that I have the qualifications to make a difference.