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Miles unhappy with senators’ performance

Scott N. Miller

Editor’s note: The four men seeking to replace retiring U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell bring a broad diversity of views to the race. All have spoken about a number of issues. But what about Eagle County issues? We asked all four candidates for their views on the same three topics: water, immigration and transportation. Mike Miles thinks he can do better.Miles, the underdog Democrat waging a primary campaign against Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar, won a surprise victory at the party’s state assembly in April, winning the top line on the primary ballot. Since then, he has run a tenacious campaign, relying on the Internet and a grassroots organization. Miles has little good to say about either of Colorado’s current senators, Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Wayne Allard, both Republicans.”We’ve gotten 80 cents back on every dollar we send to Washington,” Miles said. “There’s money available we’re not getting.”Here are Miles’ opinions about:Immigration: “I’m not for a general amnesty,” Miles said, outlining his platform on the subject.Miles believes it should be easier for workers to get “guest worker” status. And, he added, “We need to come down hard on employers who hire undocumented workers.”Miles also said the governments of the United States and Mexico need to work together to ensure that immigrants are accounted for on both sides of the border.Water: “Water is an issue throughout the state, and it begs for local, state and federal solutions,” Miles said. “But the solutions are mostly local and state.”Miles said the federal government’s role should be through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which should be used to buy water rights attached to private land to ensure that water is used for public purposes.”The federal government can help keep water flowing in our streams,” Miles said.Transportation: “We need to look at mass transportation and light rail,” Miles said. “We’re going to have a huge problem if we don’t.” Building more lanes on I-70 between Denver and Vail isn’t the best solution to current congestion problems, Miles said. “We need to be careful about what we do there.”============Mike Miles (D)Family: Married, three children.Birthdate: Sept. 8, 1956Birthplace: Panama Canal Zone, PanamaHome City: Colorado Springs, COEducation: Graduate degree, education, Colorado University, 1998MA, Columbia University, 1989BA, Slavic languages and literature, University of California-Berkeley, 1986BS, engineering, West Point Military Academy, 1978.Professional Experience: Civics teacher, Colorado Springs, 1995-2004Principal, Colorado Springs, 1995-2004Regional superintendent, Colorado Springs, 1995-2004Civics teacher, Colorado Springs, 1995-2004U.S. Embassy, Poland and Russia, 1991-1994United States-Soviet Desk, U.S. State Department, 1990Captain, specialist in counter-terrorism, U.S. Army Rangers, 1978-1983.Organizations: Black Leadership ForumCitizens ProjectPikes Peak Human Relations CoalitionUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs Advisory Board============


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