2010 Election
Stockley touts local service

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

Karen Stockley well realizes that she has her work cut out for her in getting elected to the Colorado House of Representatives District 49 seat.

It has long been a Republican stronghold. The seat was held by Republican Kevin Lundberg since 2002 until Republicans in 2009 appointed B.J. Nikkel to complete his term.

But the Berthoud Democrat maintains, "It's a different game this time around."

First, she believes that northern Colorado has changed and there are huge numbers of unaffiliated voters who should find a truly moderate candidate such as herself appealing – a different kind of Democrat as a fiscal conservative, businessowner and supporter of gun rights.

Stockley, 48, said she also is open to Colorado opting out of the national health care plan. "If we can do it cheaper," she said, "I would absolutely look at that."

Further, she has been campaigning hard since spring 2009, knocking on doors and talking with voters across the district that includes northern Larimer County.

Finally, Stockley said she's competing against a "career politician" who, although never elected in her own right, was closely tied with conservative former U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave as the manager of her Colorado offices.

Stockley said Nikkel also has demonstrated little involvement in community service. In contrast, she said, "I've had my hands in the community 20 years." Stockley served on the Berthoud Planning and Zoning Commission and now serves on the Thompson School District board. She has been actively involved in Berthoud schools and the museum.

In her campaigning, Stockley said she found voters are suspicious of government and unhappy about not being heard.

"I believe it is a representative's duty to listen to diverse points of view," she said in announcing her candidacy. "You don't just represent those who vote for you; you represent everyone in the district. I want to hear your ideas, and I want to carry those ideas to Denver."

Stockley said she also would bring her business experience to the office. "I know what it takes to make payroll," she said.

As the owner of a Fort Collins antique store, Stockley said she also knows how people are suffering, selling off family heirlooms to stay afloat.

"The answer is getting people back to work," she said.

One way, according to Stockley, is by partnering with business to encourage innovative projects. As an example she cites a developer proposing a first-of its-kind, self-sustaining solar community north of Berthoud.

Stockley said such projects would grow the local economy "without draining precious resources." She said they also offer a great opportunity to create jobs while furthering the region's new energy economy.

"That's how we get jobs, by working with the business people," she said.

Stockley said education also is most critical to job creation, yet it gets the least support. "I don't know how much lower it can go," she said, pointing to the state's ranking among the lowest in terms of funding for public education. "It's a similar situation with higher education where it's now cheaper for students to attend out-of-state schools rather than pay in-state tuition."

Ultimately, Stockley said, it's up to Colorado citizens to decide whether they're willing to pay for services or accept more cuts.

"If the citizens of Colorado are satisfied with that (cuts), I'm OK with that," she said. "We're accustomed to these services and there's a cost."