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John Andrews Talks About Backbone Colorado USA

Backbone Colorado USA, doesn't appear on any map. It's a place you find within. I call it my hometown of the heart. Try picturing a little settlement in a high mountain valley near the Continental Divide, its main street headed by a courthouse square that is the seat of government for the (also imaginary) Feline County. That's Backbone.

The name? Well, I dreamed it up years ago, after my losing race for governor. It signifies on several levels. Our magnificent Colorado mountains are America's geographic backbone. Our often neglected Declaration of Independence and Constitution are its historic backbone. And the conservatism of my grand old Republican Party is (or ought to be) its political backbone in the new century.

Backbone, finally, as a way of thinking and acting, is a place where more Americans need to locate themselves more often, if we don't want this country to go over the cliff. I myself try to be there as faithfully as I can, day by day. The results aren't always so great, but I sure keep at it. That cliff really concerns me. I hope it concerns you.

So welcome to Backbone Colorado USA. The elevation is 7920, half a mile higher than smoggy Denver, and half again as good a place to call home. Population's about 411, give or take.

Backbone folks believe in loving the land, loving our heritage, loving our Maker, and loving our neighbor. Folks here draw a line between right and wrong. The staple crop hereabouts is gumption.

This is not one of those spineless places where some people seem content to live. It's a town that stands tall for faith, family, and freedom. We're glad you came today, and please come back often, maybe come to stay. There's plenty of room. You're going to like it here.
 

 

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Aug. 30 '03: Recall Tracy Baker
08-30-2003
All seven of us Republicans in the Arapahoe County legislative delegation are supporting the removal of Clerk & Recorder Tracy Baker, preferably by his immediate resignation, but if necessary by the recall process--citizen petitions leading to an election in which Baker is dismissed and Nancy Doty replaces him.

Our message to this sadly discredited official, I said at a recent capitol press conference with other legislators, needs to be: "Your record is shameful. Your name is dishonored. Your usefulness is over. It is time for you to go."

The unrefuted, widening allegations of Baker's malfeasance in office have brought me to this conclusion. There are indications of extensive financial irregularities on the clerk's part, as well as disgraceful personal behavior and harassment of employees-- creating millions of dollars in damage liabilities to county taxpayers.

His defiant refusal to step down in the public interest, leaves county residents no choice but recall him from office by ballot. When one of Colorado's largest counties can no longer be confident of the integrity of its election process and public records, the situation is not merely a personal scandal but a civic crisis. That's how we need to approach it.

I have my petition and will devote time in neighborhoods and at supermarkets, gathering signatures from registered voters toward the goal of almost 35,000 by early October. If you live in Arapahoe County, please think about how you can also do your part in this necessary house-cleaning of a key agency in local government.

As in the highly-publicized California recall election--but without any of the circus atmosphere--assuming that a majority of voters in the recall election vote against the incumbent Baker, there will be a plurality vote to choose his successor at the same time.

I am supporting my good friend Nancy Doty, a CPA and experienced manager who currently holds major responsibilities for Bill Owens as financial administrator in the Governor's office. She will do a great job in restoring trust and honor to the Arapahoe Clerk & Recorder's office.

Pete Smythe, Colorado's beloved cowboy philosopher for much of the past century, spun tales of his imaginary town of East Tincup, which JA says is just over the ridge from Backbone.