Both Republican candidates in the Montezuma County commissioner’s race said they’d support efforts to permit industrial hemp.
Questioned Monday at a Young Professional candidate forum, candidates Jim Candelaria and James Lambert said they’d would be in favor of diversifying the local agriculture sector with industrial hemp, a cousin to marijuana without the psychoactive ingredients.
“Hemp is a good useable product,” said Candelaria, the first to respond as the result of a coin flip.
“Hemp is a definite possibility in our county,” Lambert said during his two-minute response.
Candelaria said the federal government only outlawed the product after pressure from the chemical industry, which wanted to replace hemp fiber products with synthetic materials.
“I’m open-minded, especially for agricultural uses,” said Candelaria.
With a long history in the agricultural field, Lambert said he was unsure if the area had the climate and available water needed to grow the crop. But he said he has witnessed how beans and wheat have largely been replaced in the area with hay and alfalfa.
Candelaria received the GOP nod from county delegates as the party’s front-runner candidate. Lambert successfully petitioned onto the June 24 primary ballot.
In closing remarks, Lambert joked that he might not be the best-looking candidate, but he had the time, effort and ability required, as well as the experience, education and knowledge to serve as the next county commissioner.
“It’s not just a Monday job,” he said. “It’s a full-time job.”
In his closing remarks, Candelaria said he’d support greater economic development efforts, cautioning that county revenues from oil and gas exploration could dry up. He said he also wanted to give young people the local job opportunities they deserve.
“The county has to diversify our revenue streams,” he said.
Coroner candidates
Both Republican candidates in the Montezuma County coroner’s race were also questioned at the Young Professionals candidate forum Monday. The final question posed asked the candidates to list self-improvements they needed for the position as coroner.
Based on a coin flip, candidate George Deavers was the first to answer. He said the coroner must be able to respond to a call at any time: in the middle of night or even during a child’s recital, for example.
“I hope to improve response times,” Deavers said. “Both in regard to arriving to a scene as well as a faster turnaround for reports.”
Candidate Michael Hall, a former Arizona State Police officer for six years, said although he was qualified to serve as coroner, he would focus on pursuing more training.
“I would continue my education in the medical field,” Hall said.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
