Gibson launches push for place on ballot

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

Undeterred by his failure to win a place in the Aug. 12 primary election, Larimer County Commissioner Glenn Gibson has started the tough task of petitioning onto the ballot.

Gibson has until May 29 to collect the signatures of at least 3,818 registered Republican voters. That figure represents 20 percent of those voting in the 2004 Republican primary election.

"I'll let the general public decide my political fate," said Gibson.

The eight-year incumbent was shut out by County Surveyor Tom Donnelly, who received 73 percent of the delegate votes cast at the March 1 county assembly. Gibson needed to gather at least 30 percent of those votes to earn a spot on the primary ballot.

"This caught us completely off guard," Gibson said.

Almost two-thirds of the delegates were "brand-spanking new," according to Gibson. He believes they were not aware of what county commissioners do, in addition to being influenced by criticism improperly leveled at him principally by Sheriff Jim Alderden.

"The sheriff did nothing but bad-mouth me," Gibson maintained. "I did not think that was the right place to debate the sheriff. I've never seen it done before."

Alderden disputes that claim. He contends that Gibson got trounced because of long-simmering discontent with his performance - particularly in his lack of support for public safety and roads.

"Glenn's position has always been that public safety is not a priority," said Alderden.

But Gibson insisted he was sabotaged by a sheriff attempting to assert his control over the commissioners. "My read is that the sheriff wants a puppet in there to do what he wants," he said.

Alderden acknowledged that he had been working to recruit someone to run against Gibson. But he said it wasn't Donnelly, who instead approached him.

"He made it clear he wouldn't be my puppet and I made it clear I didn't expect anything," Alderden said.

Gibson said he will use volunteers to solicit signatures and was confident he would make the ballot once Republican voters are better informed about the duties of commissioners.

"I don't think Glenn has a chance of getting on the ballot," Alderden predicted.

The winner of the primary will face long-time Loveland community organizer and volunteer Roger Hoffman. No other Democrats have yet expressed interest in running. Hoffman was defeated four years ago in a run against Gibson for the District 3 seat. Candidates must live within the district including Loveland, Berthoud and Estes Park. Voting is at large, however.