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STATERomer and Benson trade charges as campaign heatsAssoartcd ProsDKNVBK — Kcpubi can gubernatorial hopeful Brace Benson's vow to forgo the governor’s J70,000-pcr-yeRT salary and foot hb own official state travel expenses '’doesn't make sense, Gov. Roy Romer said Thursday.Roner said political office ought not be available only to those so sufficiently wealthy they don't need to be paid for their time.Meanwhile, Benson accused the Kutitei campaign or planting a story that, claimed Benson contributed money to support Denver International Airport.Roner said he doesn't believe Boi~.bo.Vs idea to take Ihe governor’s salary to fund government satellite offices around the state Is a good idea either ’’because it could turn into a political operation, and I don't think we ought to be paying for a political operation In that way.” At a Capitol news confer-emar, 3lt;*neon rebutted oloimn that a $600 check he wrote to a group backing Denver's new airport indicated his support for the project.A Denver newspaper earlier this week published a story saying Benson had written the Check, just days after Beuaon stressed his ongoing opposition to the airport.Asked if the story originated with the Romer campaign. Benson replied absolutely. ''Tv* had prople call and tall me they were asked to make slanted comments toward me,” Benson said.'We've traced It out enough we know where itcoitus from.komcr’s campaign roimagrr. Mike Stratton, discounted Ben son’s claims, saying no one forced Benson to contribute to the airport or Join the New World Airport Commission board. The newspaper story also reported that Benson, until recently, had been a member or that board, which planned the airport’s gala dedication ceremony.For him to try ar.d spin this off as something the Ilomor campaign made up, I think the evidence is clear the olher way, Stratton aaid. 'Tie made his own bed.On May 12,19S8, Denson wrote a SGOC check to Adamsf!»v inly Partner* in Progrii** fura New Airport, a group campaigning in favor of the project. Benson wouldn't be clear on why he wrote the check, except to say it was written after he backed out on a S2.C00 trip to DallivFort Worth and Atlanta to see other state-of-the-art airport*.Denson told reporters he opposed the airport in Its Initial stages, but now supports ItI've not been a supporter,’' Bcraon auid. adding I’m a supporter now bccauac we're going to make the damn lling work, hut bock in the SOs 1 wasn’t a supporter Stratton accused Benson of once again changing Ids positionon tie airport, delayed indcflnlte.y last week because o? problems with its baggage system The airport opening date has been delayed four times.
Newspaper Details
Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
Colorado Springs, Colorado, US
Fri, May 06, 1994
Page 42
Full Page
Clipped by
Marie M.
USA 03 Feb 2019
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