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Bill Wysong, a neighborhood advocate and co-founder of Westside Watch, has announced his candidacy for El Paso County Commissioner District 3. He prioritizes improving wildfire preparedness and public safety, ensuring responsible growth, and refusing developer campaign contributions.
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Wysong’s neighborhood organization has led efforts to enhance wildfire safety, including evacuation modeling and opposition to developments that could hinder evacuations. He also opposes a state bill that would impose attorney fees on residents losing court battles against local governments over land-use decisions.
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Motivated by the support for this bill by another candidate, Wysong decided to run for District 3, which covers western and central portions of the county. He believes that citizens should have the right to petition their government without fear of excessive costs.
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Wysong criticizes Councilman David Leinweber’s decision to run for the County Commission seat less than a year after winning a council position, suggesting that Leinweber should resign if he is dissatisfied with his current role.
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Despite seeing a disconnect between residents and their representatives, Wysong remains optimistic. He proposes comprehensive emergency planning, including evacuation planning, and increased staffing at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
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Wysong emphasizes responsible growth planning, with appropriate infrastructure and adherence to legal processes. He advocates for long-term strategic planning to meet future infrastructure needs and supports targeted tax increases accompanied by strong oversight.
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Wysong also opposes the commercialization of local parks and aims to address the shortage of parkland for residents. He notes his transformation from a passive observer to an active advocate, recognizing the importance of community engagement and the power of collective action.
