Marie Mornis
Contact me at: ElectMarieMornis.org
How long, and where have you lived in Gilpin County? My husband and I, along with two toddlers, moved to our home in Aspen Springs during the summer of 1982. We still live in the same house where we raised our three children who all attended the Gilpin RE-1 school.
What schools have you attended? I graduated from a western Michigan high school and from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I also attended Colorado School of Mines and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Applied Mechanics. My thesis was based on research for the U.S. Navy in welding robotics.
What additional training or education have you received relevant to the position of Gilpin County Commissioner? As a project engineer for approximately 15 years with Xcel Energy, I was responsible for managing multimillion dollar maintenance and capital projects including design, procurement, construction and start-up. County Commissioners have an expansive range of responsibilities from community health to road maintenance. Being able to read, understand, question and evaluate detailed policies, proposals, reports, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, memorandums of understanding, etc. is critical to the office of County Commissioner. Having experience in business and managing budgets within a monthly 10% tolerance transfers very well to setting priorities and managing the county budget.
Briefly describe your current career and home life. I am currently the Gilpin County Commissioner from District One. District One includes Black Hawk and the City of Central. I am living the American Dream! As a middle child from a family of ten children raised in Western Michigan, I had little knowledge that we were quite poor. I had loving parents who valued education and siblings as playmates. We worked all summer picking fruit from local farms to pay for our school clothes and supplies, while our father worked as a laborer in a large foundry. Here I am now, living in Gilpin County with my husband of 45 years, we have three adult children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild! I am truly blessed.
List the Gilpin County boards, civic, or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the dates of service. While my children were of school age, I was on the Accountability Committee, participated in the school Booster Club and was also a Daisy Scout leader. I served on the RE-1 School board and worked hard to help pass the mill levy to construct the high school addition.
Have you attended BoCC meetings? Yes, I have attended all of them while a commissioner.
How would you support the County staff? Do you think they are fairly compensated? The Gilpin County full-time employees are compensated well. A large percentage work four days a week, have health, eye and dental insurance. They also can participate in a 401K program.
As an elected official, what would be your top 3 goals for the county in the next year? I would:
1) stop all spending toward the $1.85 million dollar food pantry and refocus on significantly lesser funds on repairing or replacing the modular at its present location,
2) accept the annual $1 million dollar donation from Black Hawk for the Gilpin Recreation Center,
3) and re-evaluate the need for the number of administrative positions.
Next four years? I would:
1) stay focused on redundancy and resiliency of broadband service through mid-county to support our first responders,
2) work toward a 7-day a week operation of the Recreation Center for our citizens,
3) and find funding or methods to maintain quality service for the county transfer station and our county roads.
How do you view coalition or compromise as effective ways to govern? Collaborating with local jurisdictions on issues that are of benefit to each other is essential. Issues such as, broadband, affordable housing and recreation are some topics for collaboration.
What do you see as the greatest issues facing Gilpin County? How would you begin to address them? The greatest issue today is how and where the county government is spending the revenue from gaming and property taxes. A serious assessment of the State required services and citizen desires must be balanced to obtain long-term sustainability. Obtaining and sustaining water rights for county use now and for future growth.
How would you encourage residents to get involved in their government? I would encourage the commissioners to have their work sessions available online so that the citizens can listen to the discussion without the need to attend in person.
Why do you want to hold the office for which you are running? I believe that the citizens of Gilpin County should have someone in office who supports fiscal restraint and minimal government. I have been that person and that voice while in office and will continue that approach for the next four years.
Have you run for / held political office before? Where? When? Yes, former Gilpin County RE-1 School Board member.
Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office? Do you, or will you, have another job as well as that of Commissioner? I am serving as a County Commissioner and I do not and will not have other employment while Commissioner.
How have you, and/or how will you, operate with transparency and honesty in your role as County Commissioner? I take the “Sunshine” laws very seriously and desire that all public discussion by commissioners be open to the public and easily accessible to all by improving ADA and online access.
Please disclose any current personal and/or professional relationships with the City of Black Hawk, City of Central or Gilpin County. As Gilpin County Commissioner from District One I have cordial, professional relationships with the city officers of Black Hawk and the City of Central.
What is your position on the idea of sexually oriented businesses coming to Central City? As a County Commissioner, my position is to accept any decision the citizens of Central City, through their elected officials, make on this matter. As a private citizen of Gilpin County, I do not believe that sexually oriented businesses would benefit the City of Central financially or with its quality of life.
What is your position on Black Hawk’s offer of $1 million for the Rec Center with all its restrictions? The Black Hawk IGA is still an option until March of 2025. I am in favor of the offer and believe the so-called “restrictions” are flexible and manageable to address any future needs of the county.
What experience do you have with budgets? See my comments above on work experience with Xcel Energy.
What kind of growth do you want to see in Gilpin County? Any growth within the county should maintain the rural atmosphere and culture of Gilpin County.
What is affordable housing? Senior housing? What steps will you take to implement them in Gilpin County? Senior housing is being addressed by a nonprofit organization. As Commissioner I would search for programs and grants that help our seniors stay safely in their homes as long as possible. As for “affordable” housing I would encourage every voter to elect statewide candidates that have experience and understanding of how capitalism works.
How would you promote economic diversity in the county? To make a substantial increase in diversified revenue, business like manufacturing and industrial processes should be encouraged to come to Gilpin County. Also, promoting Gilpin County’s natural surroundings for outdoor recreation would be a positive benefit.
