Article Contributed on: 10/20/2006 12:26:14 PM
My name:
Ted Harvey
Age: 41
My family: My wife,
Janie, and I have been married for 12 years. We are blessed to have two wonderful kids,
Jack and
Brooke.
What I do: I own a mortgage company with offices here in Douglas County and Colorado Springs.
My favorite place in Douglas County to hang out: I live a very hectic life, so when I finally do find time to slow down, I relish the opportunity to stay home and spend time with my family.
What I like most about living here: Though Douglas County has well over 250,000 residents, it still has a wonderful small town feel where we all work together to make our community the best in the state.
My interests and hobbies: I know it may sound sad, but my greatest interests and hobbies are reading, studying and participating in politics and public policy.
What is my favorite thing to cook: Anything on the grill.
People who inspired me: I have always been inspired by people who through their sheer will have changed the world in which they live: Men like
George Washington,
Abraham Lincoln,
Martin Luther King,
Mahatma Gandhi and, of course, President
Ronald Reagan.
At the age of 22, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work in the White House of President Reagan. I saw first hand how the will of one man who boldly confronted evil was able to change the world for the better.The Reagan administration dedicated itself to defeating the Evil Empire, slashing an oppressive tax system and stimulating an economy that had spiraled out of control.In the face of universal criticism, Reagan's passionate and uncompromising vision eventually liberated a billion souls behind the Iron Curtain.He jump-started the greatest economic boom in history, and he placed a shining America upon a hill, illustrating to the world the face of a nation built upon freedom, virtue and character.
How I have contributed to the community: I have proven my commitment to all of Douglas County.I moved to Highlands Ranch nine years ago and quickly became involved in the community. I served as a delegate on the Highlands Ranch Community Association for four years and I became actively involved in the Douglas County Republicans serving as a precinct leader and then a district captain. In December 2001, I had the honor of being chosen by the county GOP to fill a vacancy in the Colorado House of Representatives.I have served in the State House for five years and am currently the assistant minority leader.
What are the biggest issues facing Douglas County now?:As many residents know, Douglas County has significant water storage concerns. I have a master's degree in public administration with a concentration in environmental law and policy and I have worked hard over the last five years to utilize my expertise to become a leader on water policy in the state legislature.I have served as the vice chair and ranking Republican on the Agriculture Committee (this is the committee where all water policy is developed). I have worked closely with the county commissioners and water districts throughout the region in an effort to solve our water needs.I am honored that my efforts on this and many other issues have earned me the endorsement of each of the three Douglas County commissioners.
What are the biggest issues facing the state right now?: As in Douglas County, long term water storage for the entire state is one of our biggest problems. This is a problem that I look forward to continuing to focus on in the State Senate.
Additionally, the burden of illegal immigration on our state's infrastructure and economy has become our state's biggest problem.The education, health care and prison system are being stretched to the limits because of illegal immigrant utilization.Our taxpaying citizens should not be forced to pay the penalty for our federal government's lack of focus on this important issue.I am honored to have earned the endorsement of Congressman
Tom Tancredo due to my leadership efforts on immigration reform.I have sponsored and passed a bill that prohibits illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses, as well as legislation outlawing sanctuary cities throughout Colorado.Yet, we need to do more.We must require verifiable ID to get a job in Colorado and to be able to vote. Anything short of implementing these two policies would be an injustice to every taxpayer in Colorado.
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