Laydon, Thomas attempt civility

Two commissioners discuss grievances with assistance from mediator

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In a near about-face compared to just six days prior, two of Douglas County’s elected leaders engaged in a conversation to try burying the hatchet after a long climate of animosity. e public doesn’t care whether

Commissioner Abe Laydon is right or Commissioner Lora omas is right, Laydon said.

“ ey just see a board that is duking it out in public meetings,” Laydon said.

His comments came in a March 20 work-session meeting of the commissioners titled “Governing with Civility & Professionalism” on the county’s posted schedule. e conversation between omas and Laydon, partly supported by an outside mediator, saw some progress in moving past a con ict marked by public insults, investigations and changes in power on the board. omas quoted Commissioner George Teal as having said he doesn’t think she has the “capacity” to be a county commissioner. It’s an example of the type of tone she