If you elect me, here is what you get:PARKER'S PRIORITIES:
The costs of growth are exceeding the benefits, and government is promoting and subsidizing development too much, hurting schools, roads, and taxpayers. Taxes should not be raised to cover the extra costs of growth. I will offer bills to keep growth from hurting existing residents and existing businesses, and make growth pay its way. Conserve Colorado - Agricultural and natural lands are disappearing at an alarming rate. We need to act quickly to save undeveloped land by purchases and incentives to encourage protection. It is time to cut government promotion of development. My professional expertise is the environment, with graduate degrees in environmental engineering and law. Education is our best long-term investment. Every child needs to attend a high quality school. Let's invest some surplus revenue in schools and reduce class size. Also I will introduce a bill so schools can receive impact fees to help cover the costs of accommodating growth. I favor charter schools and work internships for credit available to high school students. Government can seem disconnected from citizens but we are the bosses. Government is to serve citizens in whatever manner we want and it is our responsibility as citizens to direct it. I will look for opportunities in every bill to increase government efficiency. Government should not interfere in personal decisions regarding abortion; but we can reduce abortions by promoting responsibility, including abstinence and birth control. Taxes - Some of the surplus can be used to lower taxes so that families and individuals could earn a little more before taxes begin to bite. Quality of community life is critical. That includes open space, recreation areas, and community gathering places, as well as private and civic organizations and how we treat each other. I give every person respect no matter how much we disagree. One of my aims is to help restore civility, tolerance, moderation and substance to our politics. We have a lot to be thankful for and hopeful about so we should be very optimistic about the future.PARKER'S PRINCIPLES
Listen to people, keep an open mind, and have an attitude of public service. Support the private sector and workers. Both are basic to a healthy economy. Everybody should enjoy the fruits of his or her labor. Reduce the influence of money in politics. Protect privacy, speech, religious freedom, and the other individual rights, which make our country great; and recognize that with rights come responsibilities. Government is not to rule us but to serve us. Maintain constant vigilance to make government efficient and responsive. Realize government cannot solve all our problems, but can help equip people to help themselves. Do not mislead people or try to please everybody.PARKER'S PAST
25 years experience in small business, large business, government, and as a small business owner, including 15 years in environmental protection emphasizing hazardous waste cleanup, chemical regulation, and water quality First Chairman of Save the Mesas, a citizens group to preserve North and South Table Mountains for Open Space Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee (1994-1997) and Jefferson County Planning Commission (1997-1998) Colorado native - grew up on a ranch and farm near Sedgwick, Colorado Environmental Biology (1975), University of Colorado, Bachelors Degree Environmental Engineering (1981), Johns Hopkins University, Masters Degree Doctor of Law (1987), University of Denver (night school while working full time) Happily married 10 years, amateur botanist, amateur handyman
This is my application to you to serve you at the State Capitol. I could really use your contributions for printing and mailing costs, and your votes in the Primary and General elections. If you want to volunteer or have ideas or suggestions, call me at home. A contribution to People for Parker at my address (below) would help reach more people.
I am a Democrat who is also supported by many Republicans and Independents. Paid for by contributors to People for Parker. Complying with the voluntary campaign spending limits set by the voters in 1996.