2010 Election
Ball wants to build consensus

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

His serious concerns about the incumbent and a little friendly persuasion by influential moderates convinced Rich Ball to enter the race for the Colorado Senate District 15, which covers all of Larimer County except Fort Collins.

"The primary reason is Kevin Lundberg," said Ball. "I don't think he is an effective representative."

Ball, 67, of Loveland said he was disturbed by Lundberg's consistently contrary and negative voting record that he believes has isolated him at the Capitol.

Characterizing his opponent as an ideologue preoccupied with passing impotent resolutions, Ball said Lundberg has failed to do meaningful work in the legislature.

"He's so committed to his ideology he has no solutions, just limited government," Ball said.

In contrast, Ball touts himself as a "middle-of-the-road collaborative consensus-builder" with a solid business background and lifelong record of leadership, community service and problem-solving. It's a tradition, he said, that started with his family of pioneer entrepreneurs that moved to Loveland in 1889.

"My name recognition and what I've done sets me apart," said Ball.

A semi-retired attorney and senior vice president of First Western Trust Bank, he also has been a small-business owner, real estate broker and business development officer during his 40-year career. Ball has served on more than a dozen local charities over the years and currently serves on the board of the Pathways Hospice of Larimer County.

While challenged by running as a Democrat in a traditionally Republican district, Ball is undeterred. He said his lack of partisanship has attracted supporters from both parties.

"In fact some people didn't know I was a (Democrat)," Ball said. "I'm not going to be the traditional Democratic legislator."

Unlike Lundberg, Ball said, he is strongly opposed to proposed Constitutional Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101. Amendment 60 would reduce mill levies and require the state to cover the shortfall in school funding. Amendment 61 would prohibit any borrowing by state government and require voter approval for local governments to borrow with the debt to be repaid within 10 years. Proposition 101 would cut state income taxes, reduce vehicle registration fees and eliminate most taxes on phone services.

Ball said he opposes constitutional amendments in general because they take away from elected officials their responsibility to legislate and limit the tools available to legislators.

And, Ball said, he is opposed to the trio in particular because they clearly are aimed at shutting down rather than limiting government.

"Imagine trying to buy a home with a 10-year amortization," he said.

Ball said the measures would eliminate local funding of schools and require the state to "backfill" the shortfall with dramatically reduced revenues that would effectively drain the general fund supporting all other state functions.

"We don't need these draconian knee-jerk measures we'll have to live with forever," he said.

Ball also differs from Lund-berg in his support for the national health care program adopted by Congress. "Health care in America is seriously broke. I think it's a federal issue," said Ball.

"The issue of this race is all about jobs and the economy," Ball said. He said he believes that economic recovery depends on a quality educational system and opposes "radical policies that attack our public education system."

The legislature, he said, can best assist by limiting regulation and encouraging the kind of innovative and creative enterprises already established in northern Colorado.