Letter: It is Greg Poschman’s time to serve

We have a native son in our midst. We have a son of a 10th Mountain Division soldier and a small-lodge operator in the early days.

Greg Poschman has served on boards, all related to critical environmental issues, such as the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Healthy Streams. He understands the importance of protecting the delicate balance between human encroachment and the wild habitat. He is a listener, an observer and one who takes a long-term view on all the issues. He is brave and not adverse to taking controversial stands. He strongly supports voting in favor of continuing the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails tax, so critical to protecting our natural environment, protecting the wild creatures and carefully improving and expanding trails.

Greg is a professional filmmaker who has made award-winning films addressing the dangers of fracking, protecting water and other important ecological concerns. He understands that maybe the greatest challenge we face is the growing negative impact of humans on our earth. Acknowledging climate change and the carrying capacity of our valley is critical for any political decision maker. As a filmmaker, he sees the world through a wide-angle lens, enabling him to evolve over the years as a keen observer and taking in the often missed action on the edges of life, not so apparent to me or you. He will bring this talent to the commissioners’ table, which will give the people a sharp eye and strong voice to see the whole picture.

He and his wife, Maureen, lived first in affordable housing. They were smart to have stretched to buy property early on, and they now live in Brush Creek Village, halfway between Aspen and Snowmass. Like so many of us, they understand the pressures and responsibilities of paying a mortgage and making things work day in and day out. They are raising twin girls, who are already budding environmentalists, winning awards for raising the consciousness of their fellow students and young people around the world about the terrible decimation of the African elephant populations.

By living in Brush Creek, he understands the critical nature of our transportation threads up and down the valley. He has to be driving Highway 82 all the time. He is a strong proponent of seeking Roaring Fork Valley-wide support to work on and solve critical transportation issues. He understands that when two or three folks gather together, such a concert can often have a far stronger positive effect than just one solo voice. The more Pitkin County interacts with the city of Aspen and adjacent counties and municipalities, the more informed and stronger we will be. He is a fierce supporter of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority.

Though he and his family live in free-market housing, he deeply believes in the need to support a strong and vigorous affordable-housing program. He is supportive of making sure that the rules are followed and that the program is not being abused. He realizes how important this program is to attract new young people and inspiring those already here to stay. He is open to analyzing all options and new ideas to advance this program. He is motivated to figure out how Pitkin County might play an expanded role in the Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Board. Balance is his watch word.

We could not be better served by a candidate for Pitkin County commissioner than Greg Poschman. We are enthusiastic to come out in full support of his efforts to win the election on the first Tuesday in November. Please join in the growing chorus, who believe in and whole heartedly are behind Greg. Vote Nov. 8, and pull the lever for Greg.

Bill Stirling, Dede Brinkman, Debbie Ware, Dave Nixa

Harry Teague, John and Laurie McBride, Jack and Ruth Hatfield, Sam and Pete Louras

The Poschman Kitchen Cabinet