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I want to personally thank the volunteers who helped with my election.

Katie M. Thank you for all your help with the mailers. Without you I couldn't have reached the many voters in La Plata County. Your work is amazing. Thank you!

Anne M. Your knowledge and expertise gave direction to our campaign. You were always there to help when I needed it. Thank you!

Laura G. You stepped up when I needed help the most. I couldn't have done this without you. Your knowledge in advertising was so helpful in getting my message out. Thank you!

Denise B. You helped me get connected to all the right people. Thank you for getting me on track at just the right time. Thank you!

Becca C. I appreciate all the help with the Breen Community Building event. Thank you!

Beverly E. Thank you, for all your work in getting out the vote. Your efforts were pivotal in connecting to voters. I appreciate all the long hours you put into helping me get elected. Thank you!

To my parents, thank you so much for helping with my videos. During a time where we had to change the style of campaigning. You stepped up and helped get my message out. Keeping me centered when times were tough, and always staying positive. This win couldn't have happened without your help and input. Love you!

Thank you, Donors! None of this would have happened without your help! I appreciate all your support.

To my friends, thank you for your help with the Drive-In Event and being there when I needed you.

To all the voters. I will work hard for you all. I am looking forward to getting to work in January. Thank you all!

What a night! I want to thank my family for being there and helping with the campaign. You kept me on track and focused. My friends who helped at my events. Most importantly the volunteers and donors. This wouldn't have been achieved without your help. I appreciate everyone of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am looking forward to working for everyone in La Plata County.

This campaign has been the experience of a lifetime, and I am so grateful for all the experiences I have had and the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.

A Republican for Salka

To the editor,

I would like to urge everyone to consider voting for Matt Salka for county commissioner. As a registered Republican, this letter may seem a little outside the “lines.” However, I am confident that Matt has all of La Plata County in mind when making decisions. When Matt was the mayor of Bayfield, he truly cared about the community, and not party lines. He was there for the people and did what was best for the town. He will take those same values and bring that to the county level. While others will have to build relationships if elected, Matt can hit the ground running and continue his hard work for everyone in La Plata County. He brings knowledge and experience that will be an asset for us all. Matt has achieved many accomplishments for the Town of Bayfield at no additional cost to the residents. I have no doubt he will do what’s best for La Plata County. Vote Matt Salka for county commissioner.

– Justin Hogue, Bayfield

Dear Editor,

My name is Antuan Whitehead, I am the owner of TDL Recycling. I started my company in 2018. Within that time, I've dedicated myself to bringing single stream recycling to areas of La Plata County where it wasn't offered before. Within my mission to help Bayfield and surrounding areas have better access to recycling options, Matt Salka helped bring that vision to light. While being the Mayor of Bayfield, Matt saw the vision I had for my company and was more than willing to help bring recycling to Bayfield and surrounding areas.

Matt is dedicated to helping young business owners succeed. During his term as mayor, Matt Salka negotiated a contract with the town to allow me to bring my idea of single stream recycling to the doorsteps of the residents. He has a vision that will not only help La Plata County grow, but will also maintain the roots of local business owners within this community. In 2018, Matt Salka was willing to sit down with me as a small business owner and hear out my ideas and-visions. Not only was he on board with my plan to bring recycling to Bayfield residents, he was willing to help me get a contract to make it easily accessible to the community. I feel Matt Salka has the best interest of La Plata County residents in mind. I wanted to make recycling accessible to those in rural areas that otherwise did not and would not have those options. The county roads that others will not access, I will. With Matt Salka also seeing my vision and being concerned about the environment, I have not only brought recycling to the doorsteps of Bayfield, I also have been able to give recycling access to Ignacio and Forest Lakes. Matt sees the need for growth and giving back to the residents of La Plata County.

As a young business owner of this community, I can see La Plata County growing around us. I am proud to be apart of that growth. We, as business owners and residents, should feel confident in who represents our county. Matt has shown, throughout his time as Mayor of Bayfield and a small business owner himself, that when he says he's going to do something for the community he will stand by his word. He has been vocal about his stance on bringing businesses into Bayfield but also committed to helping them stay. He has shown this throughout his actions as mayor. His willingness to listen to my proposal for bringing recycling to the areas of La Plata County, that before had restricted access shows his history of having the entire county of Bayfield and beyond, in mind. I am confident that with Matt Salka as La Plata County Commissioner my company will continue to grow in this community, as well as other small businesses.

Even after supporting my original plan to make recycling more accessible, Matt Salka continues to show support for small business owners by being a customer of TDL Recycling himself. Matt stands on his word of supporting good changes for the community by also supporting the local businesses within. He is dedicated to fixing the infrastructure of this community. Matt's revitalization project for Mill Street and his effort and success to obtain a grant for a waterline replacement project shows that Matt continues to be committed to making La Plata County better for those who live and work within it. He knows how to get it done and he will be a great voice for La Plata county residents as our County Commissioner.

Thank you for your time,

Antuan Whitehead – Owner of TDL Recycling

In the race for La Plata County commissioner in District 3, one candidate stands out for his multiple leadership roles in his community. Matt Salka has been Bayfield’s mayor, and the secretary of the La Plata County Economic Development Alliance, the organization that advocates for economic development for La Plate County.

To the editor,

Matt Salka cares about businesses and their success, as well as our community. As mayor of Bayfield, Matt addressed residents’ concerns head on and he truly cared about the community. If a resident reached out to him, he answered. If he did not know the answer, he got back to you right away. We need those qualities in a county commissioner. Matt has a proven record of accomplishments and has shown he can represent everyone in the county. Matt was a leader of the Mill St. Revitalization Committee. Block parties were born. This brought the community together and helped small businesses highlight their products. He worked closely with businesses and made sure they could get their vision accomplished. Three new restaurants are now on Mill Street. Sales tax revenue is up, and Mill Street is bustling. This is just what we need for La Plata County, fresh ideas and a new perspective on county issues. Vote for Matt. We need someone who is honest, hard working and truly cares about the people of our community.

– Lacey Pratt, Bayfield

To the editor,

Matt Salka is running for La Plata County commissioner! For four years, Matt was mayor of Bayfield, providing the community with a new, up-to-date water purification plant plus new water pipes. These much-needed upgrades were provided at no cost to Bayfield citizens, plus the city budget was always balanced. Matt also worked to bring a small company to town to create a local recycling site. No longer did Bayfield citizens have to haul their recyclables to Durango. This was also a local jobs creator.

Believing in public service and having a strong IT background, Matt plans to work with LPEA to bring broadband technology throughout the county – especially our schools. Matt is also planning a project to install electric-vehicle charging stations all over the county at no cost to taxpayers by applying for a grant from LPEA.

La Plata County needs Matt to represent us as county commissioner. He has already proven how much he cares for our community. He has all the qualifications and public service experience for this elected office, so please support Matt Salka for La Plata County commissioner when you vote.

– Susan Troen, Durango

Times are tough this year. I want to thank all my donors for helping me with our campaign. When we are all struggling this year you all stepped up and pitched in what you could. I will endeavor to earn your good faith donation.

Candidates tout business-friendly guidelines to boost economic development. The race for La Plata County commissioner in District 3 pits a local rancher against the former mayor of Bayfield.

This year, there are two seats up for grabs on the three-person La Plata County Board of Commissioners, with Gwen Lachelt (District 2 - Durango) and Julie Westendorff (District 3 - Bayfield, Ignacio) term limited. Commissioners are elected “at large,” meaning all voters can vote for a candidate in each of the two district races, regardless of which district they live in. Commissioners serve four-year terms and are term limited after two terms.

Make La Plata County more business-friendly – that was the message driven home Tuesday evening by four candidates running for two seats on the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners.

La Plata County Commissioner District 3 questions and answers.

A political guide to the general election for Southwest Colorado.

Meet and greet in Breen. Was great to meet new people and hear about key issues important to residents in the area. Water, high-speed internet, and the new land use code. Thank you volunteers for helping with this event.

Today I watched the process for receiving a COVID-19 test. Thank you to Upper Pine River Fire and SJBPH for offering free tests in Bayfield.

Very exciting to see projects I initiated come to fruition. Bayfields EV charging station has been installed. Thank you LPEA for getting a grant to help get this installed at no additional costs to residents!

Had the pleasure washing car windows for a clear view of the movie. Connected with a lot of great people and enjoyed telling residents my platform. What a great event. Many thanks to Durango Drive-In staff and my volunteers.

Felt great getting out and talking to everyone who attended. Thank you for signing up to volunteer. We cant do this, without your help.

Throwing your hat in the ring to run for LaPlata County Commissioner takes knowledge, long hours, flexibility, honesty and willingness to listen to the residents of the county. I have attended the majority of town meetings in Bayfield while candidate Matt Salka was mayor here. He has all of the qualifications I have mentioned plus more.

He is running on the Democratic ticket but I must say, he serves ALL people, no matter what party they belong to or even if they belong to none. If he doesn't know the answer to the problem, he will work on it until it can be solved. Matt is also a respected businessman and still finds time for serving the public. Good Luck, Matt !!

Phyllis Ludwig - Bayfield Co

As Bayfield mayor, Matt Salka promised to bring in broadband, improve infrastructure for all residents at little to no cost to them, revitalize Mill Street, and build a new water plant. He did. Broadband is on its way!

I support the approval of the new Land Use Code. This will help assist and streamline the planning process. Sketch plan, to lower the front end costs. AgPlus to give ranchers more options to diversify . I applaud the Planning Commission, Staff, and the BOCC. When elected I will listen to ALL residents and businesses to make sure the Land Use Code benefits the people of La Plata County.

In this time of political divisiveness, Matt will be a breath of fresh air, someone who is more interested in getting results for the people he represents than any political agenda. Elect Matt and you will get someone who will work for everyone!

Bayfield Town Board members are taking a step toward better broadband, most likely through a public-private partnership.

Bayfield Mayor Matt Salka is running for county commissioner in District 3, which includes the Bayfield, Ignacio and Vallecito areas, in November 2020.

While the region was blessed with a wet winter and spring, the town of Bayfield is investing in a plan to guide the town in dry times.

The results are in: Bayfield residents see broadband as a necessary utility, and they want the town involved. For the town board, the question remains: in what way?

The Bayfield Town Board earlier this week weighed how exactly to boast about community achievements, wading through the complicated politics of recognition placards on U.S. Highway 160.

The Bayfield business community is at a crossroads: The town is ripe for more business development, but residents also want to maintain the economic viability and community charm that attracted them to the town to begin with.

The Bayfield Board of Trustees this week recommended banning smoking in public parks and raising the legal minimum age for buying tobacco or nicotine products to 21.

Salka, who announced in May his intention to run for county commission, reported spending about $250 on miscellaneous campaign costs. He had $1,090 on hand at the end of the filing period.