Article Contributed on: 7/11/2008 1:55:55 PM
Rollie Heath, candidate for State Senate District 18
My age: 70
My family: wife of 46 years,
Josie Heath; three children
Stratton Heath,
Kristin Heath Colon, and
Joel Heath; and five grandchildren,
Allyson,
Jennifer,
Rollins,
Heath and
Davis
Education: University of Wisconsin, bachelor of business administration and juris doctorate
What I do: business consultant
My favorite place in town to hang out: Pearl Street mall
What I like most about living here: the beautiful setting and interesting people
My interests and hobbies: gardening, wild asparagus gathering, golfing, skiing, hiking
My favorite thing to cook: asparagus
People who inspire me (and how): my wife Josie, who inspired me to enter politics
How I have contributed to the community:
I have a proven record of reasonable, principled, collaborative leadership. I was the Democratic candidate for governor in 2002. I can build coalitions. I have worked in business and started my own business as well as several non-profits. I have been a volunteer at all levels of our education system: a member of
Mayor Hickenlooper's early childhood task force; co-chair (with the Denver school superintendent) of the Denver school-to-career program; founded and chaired the career coach program at Manual High School; chaired the board for the President's Leadership Class at CU; member of the board of the Public Education and Business Coalition; was named one of 25 "Champions of Education" for the last 25 years by the Public Education and Business Coalition; and served on the Boards of Advisers for both the University of Colorado-Denver and the University of Wisconsin business schools. Using my background, I am confident I will be successful in crafting solutions to address the issues in our state.
The biggest issues facing our district now:
Our Economy - My first priority will be to deal with the fiscal policies that are constraining our state, particularly TABOR. If we are going to properly fund the opportunities we all need, we must find a solution, and I have the experience, the knowledge and the political will to meet this challenge.
Our Environment and Our World - We know global warming is dramatically changing our world. To begin to minimize the negative effects of greenhouse gases, we must develop alternative energy sources such as wind and solar, and we need to support the businesses developing these alternatives and their workers.
Our Health Care - We need universal coverage for every person in this state, and I support a single-payer system to accomplish this. My first priority will be to immediately seek coverage for all of our children. We must also adequately fund mental health coverage, defend and protect a woman's right to choose, and reduce administrative costs.
Our Education - I believe that public education is the cornerstone of our democracy. We must make it a priority by supporting our classroom teachers, who most influence a child's ability to learn. We must help prepare children to learn by providing preschool for every four-year-old and full-day kindergarten. And, we must develop creative approaches to restore the funding levels for higher education by evaluating traditional funding methods and by examining alternatives such as a higher severance tax. We also need to be conscious of the skills required for the 21st century workforce. This includes not only college level training but training in technical areas as well. As a previous owner of a manufacturing business, I recognize the needs for skills found in machinists, welders, etc., and we must be sure that community colleges are prepared to meet these needs. In this regard, training provided by unions is also critical.
Our Transportation - We know that our roads and bridges continue to deteriorate and will pose major safety issues if we don't maintain and repair them. We need new ways to fund highways, such as a vehicle-miles traveled tax. We need to embrace and promote alternative means of transportation to include FasTracks.
It is clear that if we do not solve our fiscal stalemate, we are not going to be able to accomplish any significant part of this agenda. Simply put, we must convince the citizens of this state that it is in their best interests to invest in the state and that the legislature will spend their money wisely. A system of accountability and measurement must be put in place to allow the citizens to determine the success of their investments.
Why I am running:
As stated previously, solving the fiscal problems that are constraining our state, particularly TABOR, is my highest priority. I feel that I have the knowledge and the understanding of the issues to deal with these problems. It will take a collaborative effort to resolve our fiscal constraints. I have the ability to work in a bipartisan manner, which will be required to be successful in finding a solution. This is why I am running.
To read Cindy Carlisle's Q&A, click here.