I would question self-serving lists from any political website. These are things that candidates write about themselves, and they are more indicative of what that candidate thinks of him/herself than of that what the public may think. It is their way to advertise to the public: Look at how great I think I am. What a voter does not get from these lists is the other side. That is why it is so important to ask questions and find out about what really matters. How fair are they? Have they compromised their office in any way? Does law enforcement get preferential treatment when it comes to carrying out justice? Are the elite of the community treated with a different standard than the lowly? Do they demonstrate a double-standard in their own everyday actions? Do they hold themselves above the law? What about truthfulness? How do they act when they are under public scrutiny? Do they threaten to sue truth-seekers in an attempt to intimidate them to withhold the truth from the public? What tactics do they use to force a plea? Emotional blackmail as in the case of RM, who was forced into a plea so that her family pet would not be euthanized? Or promise that if someone passes a polygraph, they will dismiss the charges only to renege on those promises when they pass and then add additional charges? Or what about the tactic to add so many charges so that when a defendant goes to trial, that a jury could only assume that they must be guilty of something with all those charges against them? These are things people can find out about just by asking questions and reading the blogs. Like we are all told just to take for a grain of salt what the press states about a candidate, we also need to take for a grain of salt what they advertise about themselves. We can believe those claims only after we ask questions and seek out the truth. Again go with your gut. Do you feel any red flags? If so, continue to ask questions and investigate until you have the information you need to quell those red flags.

Here is what I found when looking for qualifications for both Newsome and May: John Newsomes record of setting a NEW standard in prosecution.. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING NOW AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE: Improving Prosecution & Community Safety: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT: One of the first things John Newsome did upon taking office was to create Colorados first true Special Victims Unit. This unit, comprised of highly trained attorneys, gives our most vulnerable victims - children, sexual assault victims and elderly victims of abuse - the attention they deserve. Since John took office, the Special Victims Unit has meted out hundreds of years of prison time for the worst of the worst offenders. PROSECUTED THE FIRST JOHN DOE RAPIST CASE IN EL PASO COUNTY: Using DNA alone, an unknown rape suspect was identified and brought to justice. PROSECUTING SEX OFFENDERS WHO FAIL TO REGISTER: The Special Victims Unit now closely follows these cases and files the appropriate follow-up charges. Keeping track of sex offenders in our community keeps our community safer. ECONOMIC CRIME DIVISION: When John Newsome took office in January 2005, he discovered dozens of investigations just sitting around the office waiting for someone to get to them. Under Johns leadership the Economic Crime Unit cleared out the backlog of investigations from his opponents administration, increasing white collar crime prosecutions by 160 percent in 2005 alone. The unit continues to be a strong focus for Newsome as it expands to meet the needs of the elderly who are not only being ripped off, but abused and neglected by loved ones. PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DRUG ENFORCMENT ADMINISTRATION: In 2005, John Newsome declared methamphetamine wasand remainsPublic Enemy Number OneAnd then he did something about it by creating a nationally award winning partnership with our local Drug Enforcement Administration to help take millions of dollars worth of drugs off the streets of Colorado Springs. MOST WANTED / FUGITIVE PROGRAM: Established in 2007, this new program has had tremendous success since its inception with 50 fugitives apprehended or arrested through the first week of June 2008. Wanted posters can be seen on the District Attorneys Office website @ http://dao.elpasoco.com. TELLER COUNTY DRUG COURT PROGRAM: Modeled after the successful program in El Paso County, this highly effective program is now seeing its first graduates. CLOSED CIRCUIT TECHNOLOGY IN THE FAST TRACK COURTROOM: This technology allows victims of domestic violence to observe the court proceeding of the offender without having to have face-to-face contact, which is incredibly important to those victims. COUNTY COURT DIVERSION PROGRAM: Created by John Newsome in May 2005, this program opens diversion to youth and adults who traditionally had their cases heard at the County Court level. Building A Better Office: ATTORNEY TRAINING: Under John Newsome our deputy district attorneys have never been better trained. Managers coordinate both weekly and quarterly training for all attorneys as well as boot camps on topics such as domestic violence and search and seizure. Experts provide training on complex issues such as the death penalty, homicides, arson investigations, and forensic pathology. EVALUATING PERFORMANCE: Before John Newsome took office performance evaluations of attorneys and staff at the DAs office were few and far between. Now annual performance evaluations are mandatory for all employees. Moreover, managers receive training to effectively provide feedback and increase performance. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: DA Newsome has applied a business model approach to bringing the office into the 21st century with a minimum of resources. By adding six volunteers and an IT director to his staff, the office has developed new databases, an intranet site, and increased efficiency and effectiveness of file management and courtroom presentations. All this while saving the taxpayers over $100,000 in salaries. Making information technology a priority has resulted in an estimated 80% increase in the return on our investment. Not bad in this economy! VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT: In the last year the office has doubled its use of volunteers, saving taxpayers thousands of dollars since 2005. Our volunteers educate children about crime, fix our computers, create web pages and even help hunt down fugitives. PRIVATIZED CHECK FRAUD TO SAVE RESOURCES: This program is working well, saving resources, and generating income for the office. Working With Law Enforcement: LIAISONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT: Police officers and prosecutors must work hand in hand every day to get the bad guys off the street. For the first time, and at John Newsomes direction, every law enforcement agency in the 4th Judicial District and every substation at the CSPD has a dedicated Senior Deputy DA to act as a liaison. This DA is available day and night to answer questions, work cases, and facilitate communication and training. It is no wonder that John is unequivocally supported by the El Paso County Sheriff, the CSPD Police Protective Association, the Teller County Sheriff and many more. LIMIT: This task force was formed in 2005 and partners prosecutors with law enforcement agencies to exchange investigation notes across jurisdictional boundaries. DA INVESTIGATOR ON CALL FOR ALL HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS: This new policy has been very effective in advancing the prosecution of homicide cases. EVIDENCE BAR CODING: This project streamlined the processing and tracking of physical evidence in the evidence storage facility. Working With The Community: CITIZENS COLLEGE: For the first time ever citizens of this community are welcomed into a DA boot camp training designed just for them. Since 2007, nearly 100 members of this community have been treated to a doors-open education about criminal law, sentencing, drugs, homicide prosecutions, death scene investigations and much, much more. COMMUNITIES AGAINST SENIOR EXPLOITATION: This new program educates senior citizens about protecting themselves from identity theft and consumer fraud. Presentations are made to community groups by a District Attorneys Office staff member upon request. SCHOOL TRUANCY PROGRAM: Staffed by volunteers, this collaborative program reduces teen truancy and crime while also saving the taxpayers money. SAFE2TELL PARTNERSHIP: District Attorney Newsome is proud to partner with Safe2tell to take the message to kids that they can safely report dangerous situations before something bad occurs. ********************************************* And for Dan May: (I couldn't find what he will do for the office as opposed to above but here are his values statements: VALUES SECOND AMENDMENT: I have taught my sons the responsibility of owning and using firearms as my father did with me. I own pistols, rifles and shotguns and have hunted since childhood. I have been range qualified at the District Attorneys office. I strongly believe in the right of our citizens to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their homes. I have protected that right throughout my career as a prosecutor. I supported the passage of a statewide law allowing the carrying of concealed weapons. We as responsible citizens have the right to defend ourselves and prevent crime from occurring, and this law helps further those goals. I support the Supreme Courts ruling on the Second Amendment. I will continue to protect our rights under the Second Amendment as your District Attorney. DEATH PENALTY: There are certain crimes that are committed in such a heinous, depraved and cruel manner that the death penalty is the appropriate sanction for that crime. I support and have supported the death penalty in appropriate cases over the course of my career as a prosecutor. I have worked on and been involved in death penalty cases for many years. As Chief Trial Deputy and head of Homicide, I helped design and implement the Death Penalty Team. Over the past few years I have participated in the development of death penalty laws for the state of Colorado. I know first-hand the commitment and dedication that are required of the individual prosecutors trying these cases. This is a decision that must be made in consultation with the family members of the victim as well as law enforcement agencies. My record shows that I have made these decisions in the past and am capable of making them in the future. ETHICS AND INTEGRITY: Public prosecutors should strive to meet the highest moral and ethical standards. I believe in personal integrity and providing leadership by example. I believe in personal responsibility and that a person should be held accountable for their actions and behaviors. The public should not expect less. LIFE ISSUES: I believe that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. I believe there should be exceptions for the life of the mother, rape, and incest. Its also time for a Lacey and Connor Peterson law in Colorado. Scott Peterson killed his 9 months pregnant wife in California and was convicted of two murders. At this time in Colorado, the law allows for murder charges to be filed for only one person. I will work with the Legislature to try to change our present law so that charges could be filed for two murders.

To pistolpackingmama: Just an addendum... I just looked at the endorsees again for both candidates, and there has been an important switcheroo. In the last election, former El Paso Sheriff John Anderson endorsed John Newsome (John Anderson was the Sheriff here before Terry Maketa became Sheriff); in this election, he is endorsing Dan May. This is significant, especially since Newsome claims that he has the overwhelming support of law enforcement. I wonder why Sheriff Anderson has changed his position for this election. What might he know that has caused him to change his endorsement for this election? It's questions like these I would keep asking. Both candidates appear to have some baggage. And there is always the option that you have of not voting for either candidate if you are at all confused about whom you should support. I would ask questions about what impact either has had on our community as a whole? Has our community been torn apart with this? If so, why? What individual actions have hurt either candidate? Have they owned up to their mistakes? Or are they still complaining that it is just political smear? And then listen with your heart... and go with your gut.

To pistolpackingmama re which candidate to vote for. You are to be commended for doing your homework on both candidates. I would look at the endorsees on both sides and question why those persons have endorsed one candidate over another. What bothers me about Newsome, is the Maketa-Newsome stranglehold that they appear to have on our county. Maketa is Newsome's Campaign Chairman. Under Newsome, no law enforcement person who has violated a law has been brought to justice.... whether they were caught for padding their ticket-writing stats or worse. I would question about what the Maketa-Newsome relationship is all about. You stated that you helped to gather signatures for Dan May, and you need to be commended on your courage for helping to give us voters a choice. And since you did gather signatures, you need to know that Maketa's wife went down to the Secretary of State's Office to get copies of all those petitions. I would ask why the Sheriff would want a copy of those petitions and why he is so interested in knowing who the gatherers were. What would be the Sheriff's interest in those names? My gut has told me over and over that this campaign goes deeper than just a race between two persons running for DA. Thank you for asking the public for help in a decision. I am anxiously looking forward to responses to your email, because that is basically where I am at, too.

I am a new resident of Colorado Springs and have looked at both DA's records and I have problems with BOTH candidates NOT holding themselves to the highest standards of ethics!! So I am conflicted about which one to vote for! BOTH have baggage that is worrisome! I passed out a petition Dan May to get on the ballot based on a recommendation of someone whose opinion we value. Then based on another recommendation, we looked at Newsome! I liked what I saw about what he had done and was going to do in the future. The actions look impressive to me. I have seen the information posted on Newsome and was concerned about his drinking and driving. I talked to him personally and he said he had "learned his lesson", and would not do this again. Then the issue came about his taking a detective with him and them staying over for a football game at Newsome's alma mater, and the billing going to the state for travel and for which he reimbursed the state. I once again was conflicted about which candidate had LESS baggage. THen I got a copy of the court case in which Dan May was involved and after reading it, I am concerned about his baggage also! I think he acted unethically to convict someone and put them to death! Apparently a DA named Edwards in the 18th district had represented as a defense lawyer a few years before the man being charged with murder! Then he went to the 18th district as a DA and states he didn't let the office know he had represented the man as a defense attorney! His knowledge of this man's actions gathered as his defending attorney could then be used against him since the man was now a prosecutor! This same attorney produced over 300 hours of work product on which the DA prosecuting the man for the death penalty could rely. The judge stated that there was a conflict of interest and REMOVED THE ENTIRE 18TH DISTRICT FROM THIS MAN'S CASE! INCLUDING DAN! Here are the results of the court case as posted by the court. Please NOTE that the double billing issue had been resolved to the judges satisfaction but the ETHICAL ones weren't! The DA's office is appealing the court's decision and we shall see what comes of that - unfortunately its not in time to vote for the DA! Let me know your thoughts will you please? IF you want to reply privately contact me at hsabin1@yahoo.com BUT pleae post coherent, factual information - no emotional appeal, name calling etc which doesn't advance the discussion and help me make up my mind about which candidate to vote for - thanks. Here's the court's ruling: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS: A. Daniel Edwards is disqualified as a prosecutor in the within action. Daniel Edwards shall not participate directly or indirectly in any future prosecution of the defendant herein and his work product shall not be used in any future prosecution of the defendant in this case. B. The entire office of the district attorney for the 18Th Judicial District and the capital crimes unit of the attorney general's office are disqualified as prosecutors in the within action. (This includes Dan May!) C. No district attorney presently employed by the district attorney's office nor Susan Trout shall participate directly or indirectly in any future prosecution of the defendant herein. No work product generated herein by the office of the district attorney or the capital crimes unit for the attorney general's office (including that generated by Robert Watson) shall be used in the prosecution of the defendant or provided to newly-appointed prosecutors. (Work product does not include discovery which does not contain prosecution notes or from which said notes have been redacted.) D. At such time as this order becomes a final order after interlocutory appeal as authorized by 20-1-107(3), C.R.S., the Court shall appoint a special prosecutor in the within action as is authorized by 20-1-107(4), C.R.S. Said special prosecutor shall be authorized to pursue the action as if he or she was the prosecutor in the first instance and shall have full prosecutorial discretion. E. Inmate witnesses listed in People's P-9 numbered 72 through 147 shall be stricken as prosecution witnesses in the sentencing phase of any death penalty proceeding against the defendant Alejandro Perez. DATED this 7th day of April, 2008. BY THE COURT. Faxing List for 05CR74 Peo v ALEJANDRO PEREZ Dan May , Rich Orman and Paul Wolff Deputy District Attorneys Now, I wonder if he is indeed the man of integrity he claims to be? See what I mean about possible baggage? HELP - send me facts about these men so I can decide which one to vote for - thanks