Many of us who live in Denver Public Schools (DPS) School Board District 4 that is now represented by DPS  school board member Landri Taylor do not have to think too far back to reflect on a time when we were thoroughly disappointed by someone that we elected to represent us.  That person wasn’t elected to represent us as a Denver City Council member; but do you remember Nate Easley?

Mr. Easley was elected to the Denver Public Schools school board to represent constituents in District 4 prior to being replaced by current board member Landri Taylor.  According to a blog posted by Jim Horn in Schools Matter in February of 2011 Horn said; “When Easley was campaigning to become the swing vote on the Denver Board of Education, he promised to sit down with parents to discuss the continuing corporate efforts to shut down and privatize Denver schools.  He lied.  Now a recall effort is underway.”

The effort to recall Nate Easley failed but I remember it well.  I live in the district that Mr. Easley represented and I recall how disappointed I felt when he voted in favor of Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg’s plan that would decimate many of the schools in our neighborhood.  Shortly after that time, Mr. Easley resigned and slithered away to the job that he likely coveted all along.  But I digress.  The point is that there is an election to the Denver City Council that is coming up in May of this year that will impact on Denver School Board District 4.

Denver School Board District 4 is a part of City Council District 11.  There are five candidates that are running for the District 11 seat.  Of those five candidates, as of February 27, 2015, only three have submitted enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.  The three that qualify are Tim Camarillo, Stacie Gilmore, and Tea Schook.  The remaining two candidates, Sean Bradley and Shelli Brown, had not yet submitted enough valid signatures to qualify.

Although Christopher Herndon is the current incumbent holding the District 11 City Council seat, with the new boundaries that will take effect on July 20th this year, he is running unopposed in District 8.  Because the new boundaries will not become effective until July, which obviously is after the May elections, there has been and remains some confusion as to which boundaries voters will be voting under.

Under the circumstances, voters should make sure to check the new boundaries and be sure they understand which boundaries they are voting under before they cast their ballots.  Hopefully the Office Of The Clerk And Recorder Elections Division will clear up any confusion in plenty of time before the May elections.

After I reviewed the available information on the three eligible candidates’ backgrounds and skills, I am satisfied that they are qualified for the position.  I recommend that all voters in City Council District 11 take the time to review the backgrounds and skills of all of these candidates’ and those of anyone else that becomes eligible for the ballot.

In this case, Stacie Gilmore, Tea Schook, and Tim Camarillo – in that order from my perspective, are very viable candidates.  All of them have good experience, which can be applied effectively to get the job done.  It will be interesting to have them together in the same setting while debating and possibly having each give their response to the same questions.

Obviously, Ms. Schook and Mr. Camarillo are politicians; and based on the investment they placed into securing their political tools, are likely ambitious politicians with aspirations to achieve higher heights.  Because they are politicians their behavior is, to a great degree, predictable.

With all due respect to Mr. Herndon and those who wish to replace him, voters must always remember that politicians will be politicians and – more often than not, most of them will be inclined to do the things that are in their own best interest first unless their feet are held to the fire.  While Ms. Gilmore is not a politician, if she wins, she will immediately be exposed to the power that a politician possesses and be subject to pursuit by those who desire to influence how she uses it; therefore, her feet will also need to be held to the fire.

So for those of us in District 11 – despite who we might decide to vote for, hopefully based on their overall qualifications and skills, let’s not waste their qualifications and skills but let’s always remember that, first and foremost, they are politicians.  Right now, we have one candidate who is not yet a politician but she must be held to this same standard should she win.  And knowing this, let’s always hold the feet of whomever is the ultimate victor to the fire whenever necessary and for as long as necessary to assure that they represent our best interest and not that of whatever will better advance their political aspirations.

There will be a number of forums coming up for these candidates to participate in before the upcoming election.  I intend to attend the one in my area on March 31st to see what each candidate has to say before I make my final decision as to who I will vote for.  I suggest and hope that you will attend one that is most convenient for you before you make your final decision as to who you will vote for.

With regard to all of the candidates in the race to fill the District 11 seat I say good luck.  Of course I would like to see the candidate that I will support win but the most important point that I want to emphasize is this: whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent; get registered and always vote.  And always remember, your vote is the most important one of all, unless you don’t use it!

Eulus Dennis