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Mike Lawrence

Call Mike Lawrence at 871-4203 or e-mail mlawrence@steamboatpilot.com.

It's time to hand out some prizes.

After four debates in one week, and with just 20 days until we all give the political blanket a big shake and see what falls out, things have been getting a little tense.

Hence these awards, the inaugural Forum Decorums. Hopefully they're a reminder that politics are nothing without a little humor.

In the spirit of the League of Women Voters, and contrary to the county sheriff's race, the following awards are positive only. Without further ado :

Best joke told multiple times: Routt County commissioner candidate Paul Strong, a Republican and seven-year member of the Steamboat Springs City Council. Responding to questions about his ability to work as both a certified public accountant and a county commissioner, at three different forums, Strong praised the service of current County Commissioner Doug Monger. To paraphrase, the joke goes something like this: "Doug has done a great job. He's a tax accountant, a commissioner and a rancher. I promise, if elected, I will not be a rancher."

The line drew sincere laughter all three times - not an easy task on the campaign trail, where repeating jokes and speeches is a standard, but difficult, practice.

Best Shakespearean inflection: Diane Mitsch Bush, Democratic candidate for county commissioner and nine-year vice-chairwoman of the Routt County Planning Commission. A petite woman, Mitsch Bush has a powerful voice that rises and falls like no other during her stump speeches. Sometimes, caught in the moment, Mitsch Bush will pace back and forth in front of an audience, looking everyone in the eye and dropping her voice to a near whisper before emphatically driving her points home. It's no surprise that she's a former professor.

Best cooking: Hayden resident Sam Haslem, for his amazing pig roast at the Sept. 29 luncheon for senior citizens sponsored by the Routt County Republican Party. Anytime the chef gets up before dawn to cook lunch, you know the food's going to be good. Honorable mention goes to several local agriculture and ranching groups, for the array of desserts at Saturday's agricultural forum. Sally Claassen, one of two county coordinators for the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter, stood up solely to compliment organizer Marsha Daughenbaugh on the treats.

"Those Routt County Cattlewomen sure know how to bake some pies," Claassen said.

Best word only used in election circumstances: Gubernatorial. I laugh every time I type it.

Best assessor pun: Mark Fischer, moderator of the League of Women Voters forum. Fischer joked that because of the league's required civility during the debate, the three candidates for Routt County assessor - Democrat Mike Kerrigan, Republican Dick Klumker and independent Nancy Terry - were the only people "who could safely talk about values." Property values, get it? Maybe you had to be there.

Most surprising questions: Steamboat Springs resident Jay Fetcher, who on two separate occasions stumped candidates with compelling but out-of-the-blue ideas. At the Sept. 29 North Routt forum, Fetcher asked Strong and Mitsch Bush if they would support consolidating all three Routt County school districts into one district. At another event, Fetcher asked state House candidates Andy Gold, a Democrat, and Al White, a Republican, if they would support changing state statutes to allow Routt County to be governed by five commissioners instead of three. The common response from all candidates to both questions was, essentially: "Um, that's an interesting idea, Jay, but I would have to look at it further before commenting."

That's politician-speak for: "I'm not touching that with a 10-foot pole."

Best public service: Routt County Clerk and Recorder Kay Weinland, a Republican who is running unopposed for re-election but has still attended every forum to talk about voting security and procedures, while lugging the 80-pound electronic voting machines everywhere so people can try them. Early voting starts Monday at the Routt County Courthouse Annex in downtown Steamboat.

Best pre-debate tailgate party: Unfortunately, no one made this happen. Maybe next year.