Three candidates are seeking the office of Custer County Treasurer -- Larry Luikart, Julie Trombley and incumbent Virginia Trujillo. Because all three are Republicans, and with no Democrat challengers, the race will likely be determined in the August GOP Primary election.

The Tribune posed the following questions to each candidate; printed here in their entirety are their unedited responses.

1. Please provide some background information about yourself.

2. Why do you believe you are the most qualified candidate for the job?

3. What do you believe are the three most important issues currently facing the treasurer’s office?

4. What changes, short and long term, would you implement in office?

5. On a scale of one (not very) to ten (extremely) how well-versed do you consider yourself on the operations of the treasurer’s office?

Next week: The candidates for County Sheriff.

 

Larry Luikart ......................................

1. I was born and raised in Oberlin, Ohio. I met my wife, Monica, while attending college in River Forest, Illinois. We have been married thirty-three years. We lived in Missouri where I completed a career as a State Highway Patrol Officer.

We purchased land and built our home in 2006. This is our permanent residence and only home. We are members of All Aboard Westcliffe, Colorado Patriots Club and Hope Lutheran Church where I have been the treasurer since 2008.

2. Four years experience as Business Manager of a college and boarding high school where I was responsible for the creation, management, and execution of the budget, all accounting for the institution, payroll, as well as endowment funds supervisor. This position involved fund (government) accounting rules.

Experience working for a Certified Public Accountant in Canon City as well as owner of my own accounting business in Westcliffe.

I have the education and experience for this position.

3. The treasurer must find ways to reduce operating costs in the office.

The treasurer will need to anticipate and plan for revenue losses. The continued downturn in the economy with a long term (years) in anticipated recovery will require a flat or decrease in spending. This situation translates into no tax increases and loss of revenue.

4. Short-term goals: If elected, my first order of business will be a complete review of the operations of the office in order to find ways to improve efficiencies. In this age of instant data entry and instant communications, these technical advancements have been neglected. I suspect, due to the tendency of human nature to resist change.

Long-term goals: Taking the Treasurer’s Office paperless, which would not affect the taxpayers, improvements in creative thinking to advance productivity while maintaining quality service to the people of Custer County.

5. Eight (8): I have been studying the State Statutes regarding the Treasurer’s office as found on the State Treasurer Association web site. I have experience in accounting for government operations and I will, if elected, meet with other treasurer’s currently serving to assist in the filling of any knowledge gaps as well as attending the training for new treasurer’s offered by the Colorado State Treasurer’s Association.

Larry L. Luikart

 

Virginia Trujillo....................................

My husband Dave and I live on the ranch my grandparents, Claude and Olivia Sewell, and parents, Gorden and Shirley Sewell, bought in 1949. We were blessed with three children, Darlene, Tami, and Cheri and for grandchildren, Desiree, Meagan, Colton and Gabe.

I believe I am the most qualified candidate for the job of County Treasurer because I have the experience of 11 years working as Deputy Treasurer and 3 ½ years as Treasurer.

I believe the three most important issues currently facing the county treasurer’s office are the following:

To keep an open line of communication with our taxpayers in order to keep our records as accurate as possible and to efficiently collect taxes and other monies, while not only looking out for the best interest of the county, but also, for the best interest of the taxpayer.

To continue to keep our department’s budget at a minimum, due to the state of the economy.

To continue investing county monies not only wisely but safely for the taxpayers of our county.

The changes, short and long term, I would implement in this office are the following:

To continue staying up-to-date on changes in the laws affecting the functions of this office.

To continually upgrade our computer system to make information more accessible.

To continue encouraging our taxpayers to understand that our office is here to be of service to them and that all they need to do is contact us with any concerns that they may have.

How well-versed I consider myself on the operations of the treasurer’s office on a scale of one (not very) to ten (extremely) would be a ten, because I have had hands-on experience as Deputy Treasurer and Treasurer for the last 14 ½ years. Not only do I understand how this office functions, I also have an in-depth understanding of the system used to run this office.

I enjoy working for the people of this county and would appreciate your vote on August 10.

 

Julie Trombley ....................................

I have been a resident of Westcilffe for eight years.  My husband Steve a Custer County Deputy Sheriff and I have five children and five grandchildren. We built, owned and operated an exquisite B&B and ran a gift shop for five years.

Having had extensive training and experience in customer service and business, combined with thirty years background as a small business owner. Well versed in all aspects of running successful businesses, including bookkeeping and accounting.

I feel all the residents of Custer County deserve to be treated with kindness, courtesy and respect. The Treasurers job is to help all residents with any and all tax related issues.

Property taxes for many of us in Custer County are a challenge to pay as it is.  Weather short or long term. My goal as county treasurer would be to assist every taxpayer in making their payment to be more of a pleasant task rather than a stressful one.

My experience level relating to the County Treasurers office would obviously be level one. However my performance level as a qualified individual to take on a task of this magnitude would be a ten.

I would very much appreciate your vote on August 10, 2010