Monday ❖ March 1, 2010
Craig Daily Press awarded state honors
My Life, My Words
Drew Morris Local ❘ 3
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craig daily press Dinner shakes up election races s e rv i n g c r a i g a n d m o f fat c o u n t y
Vol. 109, No. 42
www.craigdailypress.com
Annual Lincoln Day event elicits candidate announcements, withdrawals By BRIAN SMITH Daily Press Writer
As promised by John Ponik var, Moffat County Republican Central Committee chairman, Saturday’s Lincoln Day Dinner held many surprises. Two candidates for the Moffat County Commission emerged, a county coroner candidate withdrew from the race and 17 other candidates spoke during the event held at the Holiday Inn of Craig. More than 120 residents attended the dinner and raised about $3,200 for federal, state and local Republican candidates.
Tom Mathers
Tami Barnes
Commissioner Tom Mathers announced his candidacy for re-election, Tami Barnes announced her candidacy for the District 2 seat and K.C. Hume withdrew his bid for coroner. Mathers, 60, will be seeking re-election for the District 3 seat
in November. He was a com missioner from 1988 to 1992 and has served on the commis sion since 2006. Mathers said K.C. Hume his 40-year back ground in business and previous experience as commissioner would enable him to continue serving the county well. “A county is like a large business,” he said. “We’ve seen good times financially and now tough times because of the economy. I want to see it through full circle.
On the ’Net To view photos of every speaker at the Lincoln Day Dinner, visit www.craig dailypress.com.
“I take a lot of responsibility that when I leave office that it’ll be in good shape for someone to take over.” Mathers, who was born and raised in Moffat County, has developed a relationship with the area. “I have a life-long love of Moffat County,” he said. “I feel I should be the one in there to carry us through this.” He said he stands for limited
government, “bottom-up” politics and rural values. Mathers plans to file candidate papers early this week. Barnes, 45, a Republican, announced her candidacy for the commission District 2 seat and will be running against incumbent Audrey Danner, 57, who filed candidate papers Thursday. This is Barnes’ first time running for public office. She is the chairwoman of the Moffat County Tea Party, a cattle rancher and longtime Colorado resident. See Dinner on page 10
Dominating districts MCHS Speech and Debate takes team trophy for 3rd year in a row By NICOLE INGLIS Daily Press writer
It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Moffat County Speech and Debate Team. But as seniors Brodie Schulze and Janna Thompson hoisted the district sweepstakes trophy above their heads on the stage in the Moffat County High School auditorium Saturday, it was a debate dynasty that was on their mind. The MCHS Speech and Debate team qualified 13 students for the upcoming state tournament during the district competition in Craig on Friday and Saturday. Coach Eric Hansen said
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he felt nothing but pride as he announced his team of 22 students as the sweepstakes winners. “I could not be prouder of these kids,” Hansen said. “Last year they graduated 14 seniors, and for them to come back with new kids is really an accomplishment. The last two weeks in practice, the kids knew we won the last two years, and they just wanted to win that trophy again.” Eleven schools and more than 200 students from as far away as Ouray and Durango filled the high school’s cafeteria Saturday, prepared with pillows, blankets and endless snacks. shawn mchugh/daily press The day started before 8 a.m. The Moffat County High School Speech and Debate Team celebrates with the district sweepstakes trophy Saturday at See Debate on page 5
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the Moffat County High School auditorium. The trophy is awarded to the team sending the most members to the state tournament. MCHS had 13 students qualify and won the trophy for the third year in a row.
FIRST STEPS: The Craig/Moffat Economic Development Partnership and Craig Chamber of Commerce host First Steps, a class for first-time entrepreneurs, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the main floor conference room of the Moffat County Courthouse, 221 W. Victory Way. Call Darcy Trask at 826-2039.
INSIDE
Annie’s Mailbox . . . . 12 Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Classifieds . . . . . . . 13 Comics . . . . . . . . . . 11 Crossword . . . . . . . 11
Datebook . . . . . . . . . 2 Entertainment . . . . 12 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Weather . . . . . . . . . . 2