Phone: (970) 625-2616
PO Box 1510
Rifle, CO 81650
"Working Together for a United Garfield County."
"As a lifelong resident of Garfield County, and a 30 year educator in the area of U.S. government, Mike understands Garfield
County's needs and wants."
-Marian Smith, Former Garfield County Commissioner
"Mike will make a great Commissioner!"
-Phil Vaughan
"I endorse Mike because:
-Mike's experience teaching government and civics will guide him to be a successful county commissioner
-Mike will get the facts before he acts
-Mike's word is his honor."
-Laverne "Bubbles" Starbuck
"I’ve known Mike for over 45 years and know that he is well respected by his peers. I think
you can judge a person by his family and Mike has raised six great kids who are hard-working, loyal individuals who know
how to get a job done. I heartily endorse Mike for Garfield County Commissioner."
-Jack Smith, Longtime Rifle Educator and Coach
"Mike's experience on the Rifle City Council during the boom of the 80’s will be invaluable in
guiding us through the current issues facing Garfield County."
-Arnold Mackley, Former Garfield County Commissioner.
SAMSON TO FUND GARFIELD COUNTY TRANSPORTATION NEEDS USING ENERGY FUNDS
Proposes Garfield County Transortation Delegation
8-19-08(GARFIELD COUNTY, CO)- When and if Anvil Points funds are released by Congress, Mike Samson knows what he wants to do with it. County Commissioner candidate Mike Samson pledged to use potential Anvil Points energy dollars to fund the county’s most challenging transportation needs. Senator Allard and Senator Salazar are co- sponsoring legislation that will give Garfield County 40% of an estimated $ 45 million to $ 50 million currently being withheld. "I have contacted both Congressional offices and am still hopeful that our Senate delegation can finalize and pass the legislation." “Glenwood’s South Bridge, the Parachute Interchange, Highway 133 near Carbondale and Highway 82 are a few of the projects I will work to fix if these dollars are released. We can’t look back at the end of this energy cycle and wish we’d have acted. The time to fix these transportation challenges is now,” said Samson.
The plan by Samson will use Garfield County’s share of the Naval Oil Shale Reserve Anvil Points Trust Fund to leverage the revenue, along with money appropriated by the county, to help acquire DOLA money. “Garfield County’s share of the fund will provide a tremendous amount of seed money to get these projects rolling under my tenure as commissioner.”
To help make the case for the dire transportation needs throughout Garfield County, Samson plans to utilize his recently announced Garfield County Forum to assemble a county transportation delegation that will meet immediately with the Colorado Transportation Commission to discuss the severe transportation shortfalls. “Heck, I’ll even invite the commissioners to visit us and sit in traffic for a day at the Parachute interchange or at the Glenwood South Bridge. Maybe an hour in that traffic will help influence their funding priorities. T-REX is not the only transportation project in the state,” concluded Samson.
Samson plans to meet with local elected officials to begin assembling the delegation this fall. “If the Allard/Salazar effort is not successful, we have to continue putting pressure on the state. This will be one of the first goals I propose to the Garfield County Forum.” “No matter the outcome, Sen. Salazar and Allard should be commended for their hard work.”