When the clarion call to politicians is “NO NEW TAXES.” it’s imperative that our leaders set funding priorities in concert with the needs and values of their constituents to produce the greatest good for the highest number.  Diane Whitley has listened to the residents of  State Senate District 10—and she’s pledged to address their concerns at the state level.  Her overriding philosophy is “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Whether it’s the $25 spent to fix a loose mud flap on a county highway truck, or a million spent to fix a bridge in imminent danger of collapse— it’s worth infinitely more than any compensation paid to grieving families injured.  

Rights and the Rule of Law

Diane will fight to restore citizens’ rights under the Constitution and the rule of law. As a frequent commenter in the Ranchland News,  she wrote about the peril of unbridled use of eminent domain by the government and private corporations.  She lives in the path of the proposed privately funded toll road— as do many of the residents of Senate District 10.  She has vowed to fight the project as it’s currently proposed.  She’s even more alarmed today— as she sees new laws passed each year restricting private property and business owners’ use of their own property through government regulated smoking bans and other restrictive use laws. Just a year ago, Calhan had a bowling alley with a lounge, and a local tavern.  Today those facilities have been shut down as a result of the smoking ban.  Despite all the rhetoric of anti-smokers who said their right to drink and work in a smoke-free establishment were abridged— these people didn’t show up even after the ban passed!  Tavern owners should not be restricted in an environment of consenting adults. In a capitalist system, consumers and merchants should be given the freedom of choice.  Establishments should post their policies on the door— and consumers can then make informed choices for themselves.  If laws restricting use are passed— existing facilities must be grandfathered in or otherwise compensated for lost revenue caused by the restrictions imposed

My name is Diane Whitley, and I'm the Democratic candidate running for Colorado State Senate in District 10. I'm a former 4-H member and leader: the product of a small rural elementary school, a regional public high school and graduate of a small private nondenominational Christian school. I have two grown sons, Shaun & Tom, and they both attended city schools. I've lived in Colorado for 12 years; and in this Senate District for the last nine.

Thank God we live in America, where diversity is desirable; and tolerance is written into our constitution. I can honestly say that although my parents often disagreed, they would sit down every November and discuss the sample ballot together before they went to the polls—I only remember them arguing once in my life, and that was over the placement of a fence in our backyard! My parents were opposite sides of a coin: Religious, political and otherwise. Growing up in my house, I came to understand that there are two sides to every issue; that there is common ground on which compromise can be reached; and that decisions that are reached without consulting those affected are inherently flawed- if not outright wrong. All of this is to say that I'm not an ideologue. I'll listen to both sides of any argument and I'll make decisions based on the merits of the case, based on sound reason and in the interest of providing the greatest good to the highest number. I share the values of my neighbors in this district. I know this because I've spent the last eight years listening to them and reading their opinions in most of the local papers.

The reason that I decided to run for the Senate District 10 seat: the recent appointment of Bill Cadman to represent this district. Mr. Cadman can't represent me or my neighbors—we live in the path of the proposed Front Range Toll Road. I have a transcript here of a Meeting of the House Committee on Transportation & Energy, dated February of 2005 where they were discussing the merits of this project, affectionately known out here as the Superslab. As a member of that committee, Mr. Cadman asked Ray Wells in this meeting how many private property owners would have to sell their land (or be condemned through eminent domain) to develop this road. Ray Wells told him about two hundred owners—a number we now know was grossly underestimated. Rep. Cadman referenced several recent articles on the subject—then voted with the committee to pass the bill on with a favorable recommendation to the House. That bill was HB05-1030—the bill that more than 600 local residents killed-- by appearing with protest signs on the statehouse steps. Folks, if you have to take a day off from your jobs to go to represent yourselves at the statehouse in order to protect your property rights—its time for new representation.

I'll listen to you. I won't appear for one night at an event and talk at you—I believe that conversations consist of two way dialogue. I'll fight for your rights. I'll fight for fairness and equity in our laws—if a company files bankruptcy and writes off your pension for pennies on the dollar—there shouldn't be a $60 million dollar golden parachute for the CEO who ran your place of employment into the ground. I'll fight to get the healthcare and assistance that our veterans need to return to their jobs, families and productive lives.

I believe that people can disagree without being disagreeable; and I promise that I'll try persuasion before confrontation. I'll work for commonsense solutions to the problems facing our state today. The real crisis that our country faces today is a crisis of leadership. I'll work hard to be a leader that will be a source of pride for this district.

I'd like to take a moment to thank John Morris, the Democratic County Chairperson for his hard work and dedication over the last four years—and each of the precinct chairs in this district who've worked so hard to strengthen and organize our voice here. Without them—my candidacy would not be possible.