A DOUBLE ENDORSEMENT
I am excited about the mayoral race this year because for the first time in our city’s history, we will be electing our mayor. But this is also a difficult race for me because my friends and colleagues who I have worked with for years are vying for the same position. Throughout my life when I had to make hard decisions, I tried to weigh the good and the bad to find the middle ground. In this year’s election for mayor, I am not sure if I have found a middle ground by endorsing both Mayor Aaron Brockett and Council Member Nicole Speer. Nonetheless, here is why I have endorsed both, respectively.
I am deeply grateful for all the work of Mayor Brockett. We have traversed tough and challenging times together as colleagues. And we have overcome so much, especially during the COVID pandemic. He has been tested throughout his mayoral tenure. Further, Mayor Brockett is someone I can call any time no matter the subject and no matter how hard the conversation.
As for Council Member Nicole Speer, we have an opportunity to elect a woman mayor. After all, the way we start our mayoral election journey matters. I have worked with Council Member Nicole Speer for two years. I know her to be kind and compassionate. She is authentic and strives to lead with empathy. She advocates for our community member’s physical safety, and mental health, regardless of race, or socio-economics. Council Member Speer has not wavered in her support to protect all community members from the day I met her as a work colleague. She is consistent in her values. I believe as your mayor Nicole Speer will deliver on her promises because past behavior is
a predictor of future behavior. She will advocate for us all.
— Junie Joseph, Boulder City Council Member / State Representative for HD-10
Editor’s note: This letter has been edited online to reflect that Boulder has previously elected women mayors.
COLORADO NEEDS RODEO VETERINARIAN LAW
California boasts one of the few comprehensive rodeo laws in the country, Penal Code 596.7, enacted in 2000. It requires either an on-site or on-call veterinarian at all rodeos and charreadas (Mexican-style rodeos). The law also restricts the use of electric prods and requires that injury reports be submitted to the State Veterinary Medical Board.
Colorado, home of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), has no such law, and should be setting an example for others to follow. Note that 13 states have outlawed the charreada’s brutal “horse tripping” event, including Nebraska, which has also banned “steer tailing.” Colorado should do likewise.
The PRCA estimates that some 5,000-10,000 rodeos are held annually in the U.S., the overwhelming majority of which have no vet requirement. The PRCA (which sanctions some 600 rodeos) has required on-site vets only since 1996, after five animals were killed at the 1995 California Rodeo/Salinas. The smaller International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) has no such rule. This needs to change.
Racetracks, horse shows and endurance rides all require on-site veterinarians — so should all rodeos and charreadas. For most of these animals, the rodeo arena is merely
a detour en route to the slaughterhouse. They (and we) deserve better. State legislation is in order. Let your representatives hear from you!
— Eric Mills, coordinator Action for Animals / Oakland, CA
