Update (10/31/14):
The Democrat running for Pitkin County Commission refused to comply with a probation order placed on her by the Colorado Board of Nursing. That’s according to new information uncovered by the Aspen Times.
Patti Clapper is running against incumbent Republican commissioner Rob Ittner. She has touted her record of more than 30 years as a registered nurse. But, she hasn’t actually worked as a nurse since the late 1990’s. The Aspen Times reported on Friday that Clapper was placed on a two-year probation for inadequately treating an elderly patient in the late 90’s. The Times quotes the Board of Nursing sanction against Clapper for not responding to the patient’s pager calls while he was under her care. The man later died in hospice. She was placed on probation in 1999 but Clapper reportedly never completed the probation because she stopped practicing as a nurse. She kept her nursing license current but hasn’t practiced because she refused to comply with the nursing board’s sanction. Her nursing license is current but with conditions. In an interview with the Times, Clapper said she did nothing wrong and that she is a victim of a – quote - malicious complaint. RA, APR News.
Story that aired on October 14th, 2014:
In the race for the lone contested Pitkin County Commissioner seat, candidate Patti Clapper says she’s ready to return to the board. The former nurse and commissioner is running in District One against incumbent Rob Ittner. Aspen Public Radio's Marci Krivonen sat down with her.
Patti Clapper served on the elected board for more than a decade before she was term-limited. This time around, she says her focus is on funding for health and human service organizations and growth management. It's an issue where she says she and her opponent differ.
"I think when it comes to growth and development, I have a 12 year track record of being pretty consistent about managed growth. I believe there’s appropriate growth in appropriate places. I think we need to keep our eye on the rural parcels that are sitting out there and are ripe for development in Pitkin County."
Since she left office, she says she’s worked in a variety of jobs and gained new perspective about what the “common man” wants. She says she’d like to be the “voice of the people of Pitkin County.”
To listen to our interview with Clapper's opponent, Rob Ittner, click here.
