Editor’s note: The Elk Valley Times will publish candidate announcements and photos as we receive them and cis space allows before the July 29, 2026, edition. The election is on Aug. 6,2026. Announcements should be no longer than 700 words and emailed to lscripps@elkualleytimes.com. They may be edited for length, grammar, style and content.

Rod Grubbs has announced his candidacy for District 3 County Commission.

Grubbs said in 2023, during the debate over property taxes, he Grubbs said, “I reached out asked his commissioners a sim- through their public email addresses pie question, “What would break and asked a few straightfoiward quesif the tax increase didn’t pass?”

lions. What programs would be affected? What cuts to the budget had been considered? If taxes had to go up, I wanted to understand why.”

Grubbs said he wanted roads maintained, safe neighborhoods, clean parks, professional and well-trained first responders, and good teachers. “None of these things are free,” he said. “We pay taxes for these services, and we expect our elected officials to manage that money responsibly. If I understand the consequences of not raising taxes, I can be persuaded.”

Grubbs said, “Unfortunately, I never received a response.”

Grubbs said he attended public meetings and commission meetings hoping those questions would be addressed. “I never heard what would break or what cuts had been considered. The explanation for the tax increase seemed to be simply “everything is more expensive.’” Grubbs said he reached out again asking commissioners to vote “no” until “some cuts or deferrals to the budget were considered.” He said he received “no response.”

“It takes only a few seconds to hit ’reply’ and say,’ “Thanks for reaching out,” he said. “I never even received that simple courtesy.”

“Two of the three District 3 commissioners ultimately voted for the increase (Kate Guin and Mark Mitchell, Elk Valley Times, Aug. 9, 2023). All three commissioners had run unopposed in 2022. “When the next election came around, I decided District 3 deserved an alternative, and that is why I’m running for county commissioner,” he said.

Grubbs retired from NASA in 2023 after a 35-year career. “At the time of my retirement, I was a program and project manager responsible for integrating imagery systems for the Artemis Program,” he said. “I was also the initial project manager for the astronauts’ handheld crew camera — the camera astronauts will carry with them when they walk on the Moon.

“I’ve managed budgets for complex technical projects and worked with diverse teams to get things done. Those projects required careful budgeting, accountability for taxpayer-funded programs, and making tough decisions about priorities, skills that translate directly to responsible county government.

“I believe a successful leader must believe in the mission and help the team understand how important their role is in achieving it. Listening to people and giving them ownership, and responsibility, for their part of the mission is essential.”

Grubbs said he is a datadriven person. “I try not to react in the emotional heat of the moment,” he said. “What does the data tell us? Then we apply experience and judgment to make sound decisions. Being data-driven also means listening, being curious, and asking questions.”

Grubbs said when it comes to the property tax increase, he doesn’t believe the majority of commissioners listened carefully to their constituents or to what the data might have suggested. “Raising taxes only on property placed a heavy burden on residents living on fixed incomes,” Grubbs said. “We have many property owners who are ‘land rich’ but cash poor. Widows trying to hold on to the family farm, for example.

“Before placing an additional burden on them, what alternatives were considered? Did anyone consider starting fresh? Instead of beginning with last year’s budget (which was based on the year before that) why not build a budget from scratch based on today’s needs?”

“District 3 deserves a commissioner who is curious, asks questions, listens to constituents, and shows the respect of replying when someone reaches out,” Grubbs said. “If I’m fortunate enough to be elected, I will make myself available. I’ll use social media and other channels to share what’s happening and what I’m thinking about it. We may even hold a district Zoom call or meet in person when practical so you can share what’s on your mind.

“Bottom line: District 3 deserves a commissioner who listens.

“If you’d like to reach out, contact me at rod4ccd3@gmail.com, or on Facebook by searching Rod Grubbs for District 3 County Commissioner. For more, visit http:// sites.google.com/view/rodgrubbs.”