SWEETWATER COUNTY — Sweetwater County Commissioner John Kolb has announced his re-election campaign. The full text of the announcement follows.

First, I’d like to thank the voters for giving me the privilege and the honor of serving our county as your county commissioner. I would also like to thank my beautiful wife, Elvira, for supporting our family and me during my time in office.

The reason I first ran for this office was the massive turmoil in this county. A CEO, CFO, and a lack of respect for other elected officials, in both the county and at the state level, were just a few things I opposed. What we had could be summed up as a dysfunctional county government.

Today, the CEO, and CFO are gone! Today, we have earned and given respect to our residents, and to our local and state elected officials. We are now a stronger Sweetwater County today, good management is a daily event.

I have been an effective, true fiscal conservative. Since I’ve been in office, there has been a balanced budget versus annual revenues every year. Financially we are many times stronger than we have ever been, and I understand the money that is spent or saved is your money. This was not how it was done in the past, but with this commission, this is how it’s done now.

My principles are what I live by. I am an honest, true to my word person, and my goal is to make the best informed decisions possible for now and the future.

What is seldom talked about is how a board of county commissioners works. Let me say, one person is only one vote in five. It takes three votes for a majority. Does this sound simple with five type A personalities? I have proven to be an effective, elected member of our board and have gained valuable experience in adding my core values to the decisions we make. I have, and will, work effectively with anyone for the benefit of our county as your representative.

As Chairman of The Community Protecting the Green, I am opposed to transbasin water diversion. Mr. Million, and anyone else who wants to take Sweetwater County’s water: go home to Colorado and deal with your own water problems. Our future depends on protecting our water, for our needs.

I am also liaison to several boards, such as the Sweetwater County/Rock Springs Airport Joint Powers Board, where I work to support the Vital Commercial Air Service Program. I successfully lobbied and testified in Cheyenne, successfully securing three million more dollars for the program, helping keep Sky West flying locally, and Sweetwater County connected to the rest of the world.

As liaison to the Sweetwater County Fair Board, I have supported the National High School Finals Rodeo. This is the world’s largest rodeo event, and it’s in our county for four years! The event is worth millions of dollars in positive economic impact. The complex enhances our quality of life, and I support that benefit.

I am also liaison to the Sweetwater County Planning and Zoning Department. During my time in office, this department underwent a total restructuring, introducing a new department head, who, along with his team, is doing a fantastic job of working with the public to help the residents with their projects and land development. There have been many new, positive changes to zoning regulations. To name just one, the county now allows the use of private roads to access residential housing up to one lot back from a county road. This one change could double the usable lots in our county. As one of your county commissioners, with support from the rest of the commission, I spearheaded these changes and more.

I support adding a new District Court Judge to our County Seat in Green River, and the associated facility expansion that goes with it. I have traveled to Cheyenne to testify in subcommittees, and to lobby our House and Senate Representatives. Through diligent hard work, and support from other elected officials, we were able to secure the funding to make it happen. As a result, we are eligible for our share of six million dollars of direct appropriation for upgrades to Sweetwater County facilities, which will aid us in serving the public’s need for your day in court.

I have enjoyed working hard and solving tough problems. I have a consistent record to stand on, and I have consistently stood by my conservative principles. We are now a strong and solid county where there is under 4% unemployment and a billion dollars of development projects in the works.

I wish to continue to work hard to build a better tomorrow. That is why I am running for re-election as your
Sweetwater County Commissioner.