Editor:
As a young Republican excited about voting for the first time, I have tried to educate myself about the local GOP and its candidates. While I remain eager to take part in this election, I want to share my disappointment with the Republican Party and the way prominent members have conducted themselves.
I was present at the county assembly as a volunteer and was shocked to read Ms. Bohns paid advertisement, as it did not represent what actually happened. Ms. Bohn is the vice president of the Republican Womens Club and is a precinct captain. I hope that she does not speak for either group.
As it turns out, this seems to be normal and acceptable behavior within the party. I found out that another precinct captain, Don Etnier, engaged in unacceptable behavior by calling delegates to the assembly and instructing them who not to vote for, an act in clear violation of party bylaws. He was also present at the ag expo with others, literally blocking peoples movement in front of the GOP booth and forcibly trying to get them to sign Russell Wasleys petition while slandering the only DA candidate currently on the ballot.
It seems that Mr. Etnier is no more concerned with following the law than he is with following party rules, and it disappoints me that the party leaders have not taken action against people like Mr. Etnier and Ms. Bohn. While their misdeeds and writings may be the most public examples, I fear the problem is more widespread.
As a young man who has been raised to believe in the principles of the Republican Party, I find this kind of behavior very discouraging. I thought I had escaped bullying and intimidation when I graduated high school, but I have found, by joining the local Republican Party, I may be returning to the same hostile environment. I believe the Republican Party and our community deserve better. As such, I am committed to staying involved and becoming the future of the local Republican Party, promoting harmony and positivity along the way.
Cody T. Reim
Dolores
Via CortezJournal.com