Loveland - January 5, 2008
Larimer County residents have grown weary in the past years of county officials disappointing them by bad behavior in
public office. The Assessors sex scandals, County Commissioner Glenn Gibson's emotional tirades and Commissioner
Wagner's early resignation have all contributed to a growing sense among county residents (of all political persuasions)
that once elected the job isn't getting done as promised.
However, one up and coming county official, County Surveyor Tom Donnelly, is getting news for an entirely different
reason he voluntarily cut his own budget. According to a press release by Larimer County's Information Manager, Deni
La Rue, Donnelly reduced spending in the County Surveyor's Office by 30% for 2007. Below is an excerpt from the
Larimer County press release,
Larimer County Surveyor Tom Donnelly announced today that he has decreased the budget of the County Surveyor's
office by 30% for 2007. The original budget for 2007 had been set at $8,122 prior to Donnelly's election in November
2006. At Donnelly's request, that budget figure was lowered to an actual amount of $6,410. Even with a lower
budget, his office actually spent only $5,666.03. The last time the County Surveyor's spending was this low was 2002
when actual spending was $5691.54.
Donnelly is a Loveland resident and member of Loveland's Planning Commission. Two of the three Mayoral
candidates in Loveland's recent election came from the Planning Commission as well. Donnelly is rumored to be a
favorite among Republicans looking for a viable candidate for County Commissioner in District 3. Gibson, now in his
late 60's, is serving his second 4 year term as a Larimer County Commissioner. Donnelly has not confirmed whether or
not he will be running but LovelandPolitics has learned a number of senior party officials and county activists have
encouraged Donnelly to run for the position because they fear Gibson is too controversial to be re-elected.
Donnelly, if he runs for County Commissioner, is seen as a formidable opponent that Commissioner Gibson, plagued
by rumors over his angry outbursts and rumored failing mental acuity, may be unprepared for the challenge. As a
contrast, Donnelly is young, amiable, quick witted and apparently well liked by his staff and colleagues in the county.
He has also demonstrated that being a fiscal conservative can be more than just a campaign promise by voluntarily
spending less money than what was allocated to his office for 2007.
Feel free to comment on the blog
Larimer County residents have grown weary in the past years of county officials disappointing them by bad behavior in
public office. The Assessors sex scandals, County Commissioner Glenn Gibson's emotional tirades and Commissioner
Wagner's early resignation have all contributed to a growing sense among county residents (of all political persuasions)
that once elected the job isn't getting done as promised.
However, one up and coming county official, County Surveyor Tom Donnelly, is getting news for an entirely different
reason he voluntarily cut his own budget. According to a press release by Larimer County's Information Manager, Deni
La Rue, Donnelly reduced spending in the County Surveyor's Office by 30% for 2007. Below is an excerpt from the
Larimer County press release,
Larimer County Surveyor Tom Donnelly announced today that he has decreased the budget of the County Surveyor's
office by 30% for 2007. The original budget for 2007 had been set at $8,122 prior to Donnelly's election in November
2006. At Donnelly's request, that budget figure was lowered to an actual amount of $6,410. Even with a lower
budget, his office actually spent only $5,666.03. The last time the County Surveyor's spending was this low was 2002
when actual spending was $5691.54.
Donnelly is a Loveland resident and member of Loveland's Planning Commission. Two of the three Mayoral
candidates in Loveland's recent election came from the Planning Commission as well. Donnelly is rumored to be a
favorite among Republicans looking for a viable candidate for County Commissioner in District 3. Gibson, now in his
late 60's, is serving his second 4 year term as a Larimer County Commissioner. Donnelly has not confirmed whether or
not he will be running but LovelandPolitics has learned a number of senior party officials and county activists have
encouraged Donnelly to run for the position because they fear Gibson is too controversial to be re-elected.
Donnelly, if he runs for County Commissioner, is seen as a formidable opponent that Commissioner Gibson, plagued
by rumors over his angry outbursts and rumored failing mental acuity, may be unprepared for the challenge. As a
contrast, Donnelly is young, amiable, quick witted and apparently well liked by his staff and colleagues in the county.
He has also demonstrated that being a fiscal conservative can be more than just a campaign promise by voluntarily
spending less money than what was allocated to his office for 2007.
Feel free to comment on the blog
LovelandPolitics.com
| County Commissioner Glenn Gibson Could Face Challenger From Within His Own Party |
| Larimer County's Elected Surveyor, Tom Donnelly |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Larimer County Commission Dist. 3 Race Menu of Stories |