The first wide-open election for La Plata County treasurer in nearly three decades pits a well-known county commissioner and businessman against a relative newcomer to the public eye.
Republican Bobby Lieb and Democrat Allison Morrissey are vying to succeed Ed Murray as treasurer. Murray, a Republican, is retiring after 28 years in the job.
Lieb, who is 49, would seem to have the heavy advantage in name recognition. He was elected as a county commissioner in 2010 and has also been in the public eye as a businessman.
For Morrissey, age 56, this is her first foray into public life after a career in corporate roles.
The candidates both acknowledge the gap in voters’ familiarity with them. At a debate Tuesday, Morrissey began her opening statement, “Seeing as most of you don’t know me very well,” before launching into a brief autobiography.
In his opening statement, Lieb countered: “Many of you already know me. You know me as your current commissioner.”
The election could turn on which résumé voters prefer: the well-known establishment candidate in Lieb, or the relative newcomer in Morrissey.
Lieb followed his father, Bob Lieb, into business and later politics. Bobby Lieb worked in his father’s business, Durango Threadworks, and was involved in a now-stalled plan to build a business park near Durango-La Plata County Airport. The elder Lieb. served as a county commissioner from 1999 to 2007.
The Liebs moved to Durango in 1978. After college at Arizona State University and running a retail store in Newport, Rhode Island, Bobby Lieb returned to Durango permanently in 1991.
Morrissey moved here full-time in 2007 after a career in corporate roles with Microsoft, Pacific Gas and Electric and other companies. She and her husband had lived in Durango part-time since 2004, when they completed building a house in Hesperus.
Morrissey touts her corporate experience for PGE, a major utility based in San Francisco, where she served as a consultant to improve processes. She also worked as a sales-process analyst and software designer for Microsoft and as an internal auditor for First Bank System, now part of US Bank.
Morrissey earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Minnesota. She returned to school to get a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fort Lewis College in 2013. Morrissey said she wanted to be up-to-date on the latest accounting rules.
Both candidates are involved in community groups. Morrissey serves as treasurer of Durango Friends of the Arts, a nonprofit organization.
Lieb serves on the boards of the La Plata Electric Association, San Juan Basin Health Department and FastTrack Communications, among others. Before becoming commissioner, he was executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce and La Plata County Economic Development Alliance.
The county treasurer’s job is largely nonpartisan and functionary – collecting, investing and disbursing county tax revenues to various taxing districts. With a budget of only about $500,000, it’s one of the smallest and lowest-profile county departments.
Lieb decided against running for re-election as county commissioner. He candidly called his run for treasurer a “career move.” Commissioners are limited to two terms, but the treasurer has no term limits. The treasurer makes a $72,500 annual salary, plus an additional $12,000 for serving as “public trustee.”
Lieb said his experience working with the county budget and with various county department heads, would be an asset as treasurer.
“I’ve developed the ability to work effectively with all county departments,” he said.
Both candidates agree the treasurer’s office needs to be modernized. Morrissey said her work at Microsoft makes her the best choice to oversee new technology.
“The technology systems need to be looked at, not only in the treasurer’s office but across the county for compatibility,” she said.
Both candidates have taken jabs at the other. Morrissey, in Tuesday’s debate, said Lieb is “someone who wants to run (the treasurer’s office) like it’s been run in the past.”
Lieb, in an interview, expressed skepticism of Morrissey’s qualifications.
“Her corporate background, her years in corporate America, look really good on paper. I question how effective they are in practice,” he said.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
Allison Morrissey
Political affiliation: Democrat
Key issues: Modernize office; cut costs; improve systems
Occupation: Financial, communication and executive development consulting; bookkeeping
Residence: Hesperus
Favorite U.S. president: William Henry Harrison. “Because he died before he could do anything wrong.”
Bobby Lieb
Political affiliation: Republican
Key issues: Modernize office; work with county departments; build trust
Occupation: County commissioner
Residence: Durango
Favorite U.S. President: George H.W. Bush. “I liked his leadership style.”
