Dear Editor: According to information from the candidate forum in the Oct. 24, 2024, Plaindealer, Mike Perkovich and Lynn Padgett don’t seem to differ on much. Mr. Perkovich says he only “began paying attention to county governance … after last year’s property tax increase.” Ms. Padgett has been paying attention for at least 15 years, and has not done so simply because her own personal taxes went up. Mr. Perkovich says he “is qualified for the … job as a result of budgeting … for his family’s construction company.” Ms. Padgett has many years of experience with the Ouray County budget process, which does not remotely resemble that of a closely held, family business. Mr. Perkovich vows to control government spending, but offers little explanation for how he will do so, a tactic Republicans have deployed relentlessly for 40 years, with pitifully obvious results. Ms. Padgett says she wants to pay highly qualified employees appropriate salaries to promote efficiency, and that she will continue resisting unfunded state mandates.