Pubdate: Sun, 20 Oct 2002
Source: Daily Sentinel, The (CO)
Copyright: 2002 Cox Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.gjsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2084
Author: Mike Mckibbin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Mike+Plylar

INCUMBENT FACING STIFF CHALLENGE IN DISTRICT 57

The race for Colorado House District 57 features a coal miner, an incumbent 
lawmaker and two third-party candidates.

The district includes western Garfield County, along with Moffat, Rio 
Blanco, Routt, Jackson and Grand counties.

Democrat Terry Carwile is a heavy-equipment operator at the Trapper mine 
outside Craig and said he is running "because working people need a voice 
and a legislator that represents rural residents."

State Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, was elected in the 56th District two 
years ago. Reapportionment after the 2000 Census moved him into the 57th. 
He touts the success of Colorado no-call list as the bill's main sponsor in 
the House.

Libertarian Mike Plylar of Kremmling opposes gun control and favors a 
policy reform on the issue of illegal drugs. Zane Newitt of Rifle is a 
candidate of the American Constitution party. Neither could be reached for 
comment.

According to the Colorado Coalition of Independent Third Parties, the 
American Constitution Party supports the sanctity of human life, the right 
to bear arms, constitutional money system, a strong national defense and 
the preservation of American sovereignty.

The party is opposed to exporting American jobs through globalized trade, 
uncontrolled immigration, and the federal income tax, according to the 
coalition.

Changing the makeup of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Committee to 
reflect less industry presence is something White said needs to be proven.

"I think we have to be shown there is a health and safety factor related to 
the way the commission operates," he said. "Right now I'm not sure there 
are a large number of infractions. If not, I don't think it's unreasonable 
to have some expertise with oil and gas issues on the board."

Carwile supports less industry presence on the commission. Currently, five 
of the seven members have economic ties to the energy industry.

"I think there is a bias on the part of the commission," he said. "I'm big 
on local control, and I think Delta County deserves a pat on the back for 
standing up and reflecting the concerns their residents had about coal-bed 
methane. I think we need to take a careful look at the board."

Plylar's Web site has information on issues such as gun control.

"A Democrat for gun owner's rights is an oxymoron and the Republican Party 
is only a slightly slower path to the same, identical end - confiscatory 
gun laws," he wrote. "Homeland security could very well sound the death 
knell of citizen gun ownership in America, all couched in the illusion of 
relinquishing liberty for safety. Ultimately, we'll have neither."

On drugs, Plylar said a long, hard look was needed at what he felt "just 
may be nothing more than a hysterical witch hunt run amok."

"It's time Americans revisit the whole issue and begin to realize what 
we've done to our fellow citizens, their families, and our legacy in the 
name of the 'War On Drugs,' " he wrote.

Plylar said he supports hemp for Colorado's farmers, medical marijuana and 
an end to the prohibition on marijuana use by adults. He also wants to see 
drug testing ended, which he called "voodoo science."

Substance abuse should be treated as a medical problem, not a criminal 
justice issue, Plylar said.

On the Web: Terry Carwile, www.terrycarwile2k2.com; Al White,  Mike Plylar, www.lpcolorado.org; Zane Newitt, 
www.acpcolora-do.info.
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MAP posted-by: Beth