Article Contributed on: 9/8/2008 4:30:52 PM
You may already have seen her going door to door--walking stick in hand, a brace on her leg. She balances it all with a handful of brochures and her engaging smile.
Cindy Acree is walking each day through the neighborhoods of House District 40 despite her physical limitations, to ask for votes. Ask her your questions about immigration, education or the legislative process in Colorado.
Healthcare is one of the most resounding issues that she discusses at the door, since she battled adult-onset epilepsy for 15 years before undergoing brain surgery to cure the disease. While the surgery was successful and Acree no longer has seizures, she suffered a stroke that paralyzed her left side in 1991. Refusing to be stopped by the paralysis, she began physical therapy and retained her hopeful, optimistic attitude. Every year the Cindy Acree Hope Awards Celebration is held by the Colorado Neurological Institute to honor those who have overcome otherwise devastating neurological conditions, and come through with great hope for the future.
"Cindy Acree's background and life experiences will make her an excellent representative to serve House District 40 in addressing issues of health care, education, and transportation. Her farming roots will enable her to better understand the rural needs of House District 40 and the challenges facing agriculture, water storage and smart growth," said current representative
Debbie Stafford. Stafford is term-limited in 2008 and she backs Cindy Acree who will follow her lead, continuing to stand up for families and a high quality of living.
One of her future constituents,
Scott Braddy, said this after talking with Acree at his home, "I was impressed that you took the time to come to my house and talk to me and shake my hand. I read your info on your web site and I'm impressed with your accomplishments! I would be happy to vote for you and will encourage my wife and friends and son who is in the Army overseas to do the same. I feel good about voting for you Cindy, go get em! I haven't felt this good about a vote since I voted for
Ronald Reagan."
"I have endorsements from former Governor
Bill Owens and U.S. Congressman
Tom Tancredo, former Aurora Mayor,
Paul Tauer, and his wife and Republican District Captain,
Kate Tauer," added Acree. "We also have the endorsement of Elbert County Commissioner,
Hope Goetz and Elbert County Sheriff,
Bill Frangis, to add our endorsements by Representatives Debbie Stafford and
David Balmer."
Mrs. Acree has been very active in our local community, including: President of the Aurora City Budget Committee; Director, Cherry Creek School District Facility Planning Committee; and an appointment by Governor Bill Owens to the Cardiovascular Health Coalition. She is a small business owner and has served as the acting Program Coordinator of the Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Prevention Program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
State Senator
Nancy Spence has also endorsed Cindy Acree. "We need to elect people like Cindy who will represent the values of our community. She'll work for limited government, personal responsibility, strong public schools and fiscal soundness for Colorado," she said.
Want more information? Check out her web site: www.cindyacree.com