A strong military history runs in the family of Adams County Treasurer candidate Brigitte Grimm.
    Her father served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years; her sister is a major in the U.S. Army currently stationed in Iraq, and her son, Zachary, is enlisted in the Air Force.
    Life as a military brat taught Grimm a few things.
    “Growing up in the military meant I was blessed to live in various locations, resulting in many friends across the country,” she said.

    It also taught the political newcomer the value of hard work and she says that’s something she’s carried with her throughout her whole life.
    “Although new to politics, I am not new to hard work,” she said. “I was a single working parent and a working adult student. I have an undeniable work ethic and zero tolerance for unethical behavior.”
    Grimm, director of finance and accounting for a teleconferencing company and co-owner of a small business in Thornton, said she chose to run as the Republican candidate for treasurer this summer because she believes the lack of experience by the current treasurer costs taxpayers money.
    “While ‘on the job training’ is acceptable for a short period of time in some fields, the county treasurer’s position is not one of them,” Grimm said.
    Grimm said the county has spent the last four years training the incumbent treasurer to do the job.
    “This training, paid for with our tax dollars, has resulted in dozens of out of state trips and other excessive travel expenditures,” Grimm added. “I believe the citizens of Adams County deserve more.”
    Grimm, 50, said she brings the relevant education and experience to the job that would result in the immediate savings to taxpayers.
    Specifically, Grimm said that treasurer’s office employees must complete thousands of manual transactions, which she calls “labor intensive” because the current treasurer chose to delay a critical technological upgrade three years ago.
    “That decision resulted in years of limited interface to other county offices that did upgrade,” Grimm said. “As one of the five largest counties in Colorado, we must be one of the leaders in technological policies and procedures.”
    Grimm says she would bring valuable private sector experience to the job. She calls Adams County taxpayers the employer of the county treasurer and defers to their judgment.
    “As the employer, you have two applicants before you,” she said. You will pay the same regardless of education or experience.  I ask that you set aside political affiliations and vote for the most qualified candidate to protect the assets of your county.”