Four additional candidates have announced their intent to run for two open seats on the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners in the Nov. 3 general election.
Republicans Allan Randolph and James Kent Lindsay recently threw their hats into the ring for the District 2 seat in Cortez, which also is being sought by Republican candidate Danny Wilkin.
For the District 3 seat in Mancos, Republicans Monty Guiles and Tim Hunter announced they would run, joining Republican Joel “Joe” Stevenson in the race.
Hunter and Guiles announced during the Feb. 6 Montezuma County Republicans meeting at Shiloh Steakhouse in Cortez.
In a speech, Guiles highlighted his life experience as qualifications to serve as county commissioner.
He served in the Navy from 1986-1990, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado Christian University with an emphasis on project management. Guiles owns Circle Z Construction, employs 18 people and has been in business for 20 years. He also has been a construction consultant on large projects, including for the $9 million Montezuma County Combined Courthouse.
“I have many examples of projects completed on time and on budget,” Guiles said.
He has served on the Mancos School District Re-6 Board of Education for eight years, four of them as board president.
“During that time we built a new preschool and a $25 million construction project,” Guiles said.
As a commissioner, Guiles will govern through the lens of “conservative policies.” He emphasized he’s not running for personal reasons.
“I am not looking for a paycheck, I’m not a government bureaucrat looking for my next government job, I have no relatives looking to permit gravel mines, I have no preconceived agenda, no axes to grind, and no allegiance to any person or faction other than what is best for Montezuma County,” Guiles stated.
He added that he is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, private property rights, smaller and more efficient government and debating the issues.
“I believe dissension and dissenting opinions are vital to the continued greatness of our country,” he said.
Hunter said he has lived in Mancos for the past 26 years and will work for the people of the county.
“I’d like to talk face to face with people about what they think we should be doing in the county,” he said.
Instead of a campaign speech, Hunter handed out a pamphlet outlining his background and goals.
He has served on the Mancos School District Re-6 Board of Education, the Montezuma County Planning and Zoning Commission, Mancos Valley Resources board, the Southwest Basin Roundtable, and as local chairman for Friends of the NRA. He has also been a 4-H Club leader and junior shooting instructor.
On the issues, he said current commissioners have done a good job with county finances, and he will maintain fiscal responsibility. As a Mancos school board member for 12 years, Hunter said he has “learned what it takes to balance a large complicated budget in hard economic times.”
Working six years on planning and zoning issues provides experience for handling tough issues of growth, development and zoning, Hunter said. He plans to “foster collaborative relationships” with state and federal public land agencies.
On land use, Hunter says he has experience serving for six years on the planning and zoning commission handling growth, development and zoning issues.
Hunter wants to maintain the agricultural and rural character of the county while promoting economic growth. He said his experience as a small businessman, rancher, 4-H leader and secretary of a local ditch company will guide him toward those goals.
The race for District 2 in Cortez got more competitive when Randolph, Lindsay and Wilkin entered the race.
In an interview with The Journal, Randolph explained his background and some reasons why he is running for commissioner.
For decades, Randolph’s life has revolved around auctioneering, trucking and agriculture. He has been an auctioneer for more than 30 years and owns Allan Custom Hauling. He also operates a cow-calf operation on his ranch.
He graduated from Mancos High School in 1979 and then earned an auctioneering degree. Randolph worked for Cortez Livestock Association for 30 years.
He has been active with 4-H, conducts auctions that benefit charities and supports the NRA and the Elks Foundation. He lived in Mancos until 1991, then moved to Cortez.
“I want to work to keep our rural agricultural traditions,” he said. “It is a nice community, and I don’t want to see a lot of big changes. We need to protect what we have.”
Working to keep the next generation of farmers and ranchers in the county is a goal.
“It is a problem when we keep seeing our kids leave because there is no work around here,” he said.
As a commissioner, a priority will be to study and promote ways to help attract and motivate younger farmers to put down roots.
“I have business experience and will have a commonsense approach to governing,” he said.
James Kent Lindsay, candidate for District 2, could not be reached in time for this story.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
