County adopts new political activities policy
July 16, 2008
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At its Tuesday meeting, the Moffat County Commission:
• Entered an executive session with County Attorney Kathleen Taylor to receive legal advice on “pending litigation.” No other information was available. Taylor instructed Lila Herod, chief deputy clerk and recorder, to not record minutes and turn off the meeting minutes tape because the Commission would be receiving legal advice protected under law.
• Approved a motion to donate gravel to the Colorado Visitor’s Center in Dinosaur to cover an empty lot near a picnic tables area. The county will donate as much gravel as the project requires and provide labor and equipment.
Moffat County’s political activities policy has a two-fold purpose, County Attorney Kathleen Taylor said.
It defines how county employees and other parties may use county buildings and property in campaign efforts, and protects county employees from political coercion.
A June 17 situation at the Moffat County Libraries Craig branch forced local officials to reexamine the county’s policy.
The Moffat County Commission signed the revised policy, which it felt stipulates better what candidates can and cannot do with county property, at its meeting Tuesday.
About a month ago, the Democratic candidate for 14th Judicial District Attorney in the November election, Tammy Stewart, 44, organized what she termed “an informal meeting to get input from the public.”
County staff were brought in after it was revealed Stewart also handed out fliers citing her 19 years legal experience.
County Commissioner Saed Tayyara was quoted that he thought Stewart’s meeting at the Craig library did violate existing county policy at the time.
Tayyara’s interpretation differed from that of other county officials, which prompted Taylor to draft a new political activities policy.
Officials did not release an official statement whether Stewart was in violation because they said there could be different interpretations of the old policy’s wording, specifically citing the nature of what constituted “county property.”
The new policy explicitly states county employees may not engage in “partisan political activity” while using county property, which includes county vehicles, office equipment and supplies.
It also states county employees may not advocate for any candidates, ballot issues or political petitions while on duty.
County employees are encouraged to participate in political activities while not at work as long as those activities don’t affect their job or productivity, or create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict, according to the policy.
Campaigning is prohibited on all county-owned or county-operated properties, with the exceptions of the Moffat County Extension Building basement, the Luttrell Barn, the Moffat County Courthouse front steps, areas at the Moffat County Fairgrounds and Loudy-Simpson Park Ice Arena and picnic shelters.
A resolution passed by the Commission states those venues must be reserved in advance with any rental fees paid before an event.
The county Library Board and Housing Authority will have discretion to govern any campaigning at libraries and Sunset Meadows I and II.
Collin Smith can be reached at 875-1794 or cesmith@craigdailypress.com
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