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Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Office of the County Clerk & Recorder
County of Montezuma
The recall election will be conducted as a mail ballot election
To: ALL ELECTORS, MONTEZUMA CORTEZ SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-1, MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF COLORADO REVISED STATUTES, SECTION 1-5-205, NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN THAT A RECALL ELECTION WILL BE HELD FOR RESIDENTS IN THE MONTEZUMA CORTEZ SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-1, IN SAID COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA, STATE OF COLORADO, ON TUESDAY THE 16TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2021.
Official Ballot for the Montezuma Cortez School District RE-1 Recall Election
Montezuma County, Colorado
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
General statement of grounds for recall:
Lance McDaniel serves on the board of the RE-1 School District. During his time on the school board, he has shown a lack of leadership and has proven to be a poor role model for our children. Many of the school children in our community follow him on social media. He posts his personal opinions, likes, and dislikes. We need school board members that understand leadership and the power of mentoring and know not to voice their personal, political, or social opinions that could influence children. Recently, he insulted the veterans of Montezuma County. When City Park was renamed “Veterans Park”, he stated “The Damn veterans won again!” but our community chose to rename City Park to Veterans Park after two of our local men gave their lives in service to our country. Later, during the mob protests and horrific destruction following the tragic death of George Floyd, Mr. McDaniel posted on his Facebook page, “I’m Antifa!” This is inappropriate behavior for a person with influence over our children. He also celebrates local vandalism by posting photos of the downtown chalking and painting. Our children deserve positive leadership. McDaniel’s comments, behavior, and lack of accountability cannot be tolerated.
Board Member McDaniel’s Statement:
On the masthead of correspondence from the Montezuma Cortez School District RE-1 is the statement “Every student. Every Day”. This motto is central to every decision I make on the school board. My personal political views have nothing to do with how I fulfill my duties as the elected representative on the RE-1 School Board.
As a School Board member I have fulfilled every duty in my role: attending every meeting and work session, reading every report, asking thoughtful questions. I use the same information the entire Board receives to inform each vote I cast, and voted with the majority all but three times over the two years I have been in office. In every vote and every issue, I have publicly supported the decision of the board.
The issue in this recall is: Do public officials give up their constitutional right to individual freedom of speech? If you believe in the First Amendment of the US Constitution, the answer is no. Freedom of speech is a right afforded to all, including every elected official. In Montezuma County, and throughout the country, we governmental representatives frequently state and post their individual opinions. They have that right, and that right should be protected, whether you agree with them or not. If one person is silenced, everyone is silenced.
Despite what the Recall Petition Statement says, individual School Board members have no influence over school staff, teachers or students. And as a Board, we only oversee one employee, the School Superintendent. Board Members do not visit classrooms when students are present.
A board’s strength is in its diversity, and its ability to come to a consensus through thoughtful and respectful discussion. It has been my honor to serve on this Board. I have served collaboratively, knowledgeably, and for Every Student, Every Day.