craigdailypress.com

As Moffat County voters enter the final week before the Aug. 8 primary election, three Republican commissioner candidates have different campaign tactics in mind to secure those crucial votes from last minute decision makers.

Lay buffalo rancher Dan W. Martin is running what he refers to as a "poor-boy campaign." The last week before the primary will see Martin waving to passing drivers as he stands by the roadside at what he calls Craig's "saturation points."

"My campaign is waving at people and distributing literature," Martin said. "I won't be bothering people door-to-door. This week is about visibility. I'll be trying to catch people throughout the county."

The schedule Martin has set up began early Monday morning. He stationed himself at the border of Moffat and Routt counties to greet people on their morning commutes to Steamboat Springs.

From 6 to 8 a.m. today, Martin was scheduled to wave at passing drivers. He hoped voters would stop and talk about the issues.

"I welcome anyone who has questions," Martin said.

On Wednesday, Martin will be waving to and meeting residents in Maybell and Dinosaur.

Martin, who said he was told it would take $10,000 to $20,000 to run a campaign, said his is a "ground-pounding," limited campaign to get his name out to the public.

"Dan Martin. That's what I'm trying to get across," he said.

"That's the emphasis now. It's down to newspaper ads and waiting."

Martin said residents seem to be well-informed about the issues facing the next commissioners and that people with special interests have been especially eager to talk with candidates.

Candidate Tom Mathers would like to keep a little mystery in his final-week campaign strategy.

The longtime resident and businessman said he would not make his plans public to prevent his competitors from adopting similar ideas.

"I think, by now, 95 percent of the voters have their minds made up," Mathers said. "The trick in the last week is making sure the people that support you get out to the polls."

Because this is an "off year" election, Mathers said he thinks there won't be a large turnout at the Aug. 8 primary.

"I encourage people to get out and vote and exercise your God-given right," Mathers said. "If you don't vote, then you can't complain."

He said the final week would include some newspaper and radio ads, touting his slogan of voting the "bottom line" -- the same position in which his name appears on the ballot.

Mathers said he is grateful the campaigning is coming to an end.

"The slogan says it," Mathers said. "When you add up everything, vote the bottom line, Tom Mathers."

The campaign trail had Vicki Burns in Maybell, Dinosaur, and Lay during the weekend, greeting and talking with voters. The time between now and the election will involve more meeting the public, she said.

"My final-week strategy is in the same manner I've been doing in the last weeks," Burns said. "Promoting myself as the 'clear choice' for county commissioner."

Burns also has newspaper and radio ads running during the final week of campaigning. She said she'll continue campaigning until Aug. 8.

Burns encourages people to exercise their right to vote and also said that those who don't vote have no right to complain.

"It's a right that's been earned by people giving their lives to maintain our freedoms," Burns said. "Get out and vote. It's the patriotic thing to do."