Steamboat Pilot & Today

About 25 residents showed up to the Routt County Democratic Party reorganization meeting Wednesday to elect officers and discuss the direction of the party.

"The meeting was well-attended," chairman Ken Brenner said. "There was a very good discussion about the values that Routt County Democrats want to focus on."

Brenner was re-elected as chairman of the party, and Gary Miller and Doug Monger were re-elected as vice chairmen for the South Routt and North/West Routt regions, respectively. Jim Stanko was re-elected as treasurer.

Linda Lewis was elected as the vice chairwoman for Steamboat Springs. Lynn Abbott was elected as secretary.

Also at the meeting, the group discussed its core values, which members decided include: peace, freedom, integrity, social justice, economic justice, separation of church and state, free and independent press, and being active stewards of the future.

"The party wants to get back to their basic message ... the genuine values, the backbone of the party," Brenner said.

One goal is to "reach out to all segments over the county, all segments over the state, all walks of life," he said.

The set of values adopted Wednesday night is a starting point for future discussions and decisions, he said.

Brenner said he was happy with the energy and interest in the meeting.

"We're seeing a lot of new faces at the meetings, and there's enthusiastic support for candidates that aren't afraid to stand up for the values," he said.

The group is planning several special events for the coming months. In March, it will hold its annual dinner, which will be a potluck that requires a minimum donation of $20. In May, it will sponsor a dance in South Routt, with all funds raised benefiting the South Routt Medical Center. Everyone is invited to the dance, which is meant to be a reminder of the area's heritage and the importance of barn dances in the social history of the Yampa Valley, Brenner said.