Town Board candidates discuss issues

Tuesday, Mar 25, 2014 9:41 PM Updated Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2014 3:19 PM

Most want town to keep character

Rovilla Ellis Occupation: Retired Bio/reason for running: I graduated from Mancos High in 1954, and Mancos has largely been my home since then. Along with my husband, we raised four children, all of whom graduated from Mancos High. I have been on the Mancos Board of Trustees since April 2010 and have gained valuable knowledge and understanding of how the town of Mancos operates and how it could function better. I retired as executive director of the Mesa Verde Museum Association and found that experience to be beneficial as I sat as a trustee on the Mancos Town Board.

Occupation: Retired Bio/reason for running: I am running for a Board of Trustees seat because I want to apply my experience and knowledge to find solutions for problems that may confront the Town of Mancos. I was raised on a starve-to-death, small irrigated farm and cattle ranch in eastern Montana, I have operated water and wastewater treatment systems and spent time managing municipal operations as a Public Works Director, I have prepared municipal and business budgets without benefit of computers, I owned a feed and seed business for 18 years and lifted enough 50 pound bags of feed to build a small pyramid. I kept a small bank profitable during those 18 years, I learned to watch my expenses, to be resourceful, to figure out common sense solutions to solve problems, to work with all types of people and to listen to them and their ideas.

Michele Black Occupation: Work for the Medicine Horse Center Bio/reason for running: I spent 12 years on Mancos Town Board, serving as a trustee and as mayor. I am excited by some of the projects and plans that are coming up in town, new water storage tank, trails master plan, etc. I also found that I miss the people at Town Hall. We are fortunate to have such a terrific staff! I have been away for a couple of years now and have had some time to get re-energized. So I'll throw my hat into the ring and see what happens.

Madeline Williams Occupation: Retired Bio/REason for Running: First, I saw early drafts of Ordinances 678 and 679, restricting the use and storage of RVs and trailers, on and off our properties. That riled me enough to do some research. After chatting with the folks at Town Hall, and schmoozing with folks "on the street," I saw evidence of one reason why we residents do so much grumbling about how our Town Board takes care of business. The reason is too infrequent and unclear communication between Town Hall and the residents. And that happens to be my specialty, my only distinguishable talent in life; it's the foundation of the three careers I've had: high school math teacher, technical writer in software development and communication consultant for nonprofits. Each of them relies on an ability to research complicated topics, then clearly explain them to others. That's my goal as trustee, to help bridge the communication gap between Town Hall and the residents of town, to alleviate the "us against them" attitude that I feel around town.

Regina Roberts Occupation: Book Keeper Bio/reason for running: I grew up as a military dependant moving around the country. I am a wife and mother. I am also a member of Montezuma County VFW POST 5231 Ladies Auxilary. I have been a Girl Scout leader and I have volunteered with Mancos Dans, Mancos Balloon Festival, and Mancos Opera House Architectural Restoration and Preservation Society Mardi Gras.

William Stone Occupation: Construction and wainwright Bio/REason for Running: I have been on the town board before and I was really lucky to be on there with some really unselfish people. It was quite a few years ago things were a lot simpler then, but they didn't have to be. We didn't sit behind a counter, we sat at a table. I would like to return to that. As a trustee you were privileged to work for the town's people, I think sometimes that gets forgotten that you work for the town maintenance all the way through to clerks. Especially the trustees, they work the majority of the people that are in town limits. I think if we don't forget that we're going to returning to that this is a great place. I have seen this place heaven on earth, it is such a fun place. If everybody works together quits squabbling I think we'll get along fine. It's wonderful that nine people care enough to run for four seats that gives Mancos - I mean it may be the lesser of two evils, but it at least it gives them a choice.

Matthew Baskin Occupation: Independent living coordinator Southwest Center for Independence, self- employed carpenter and graduate student majoring in public policy at the University of Colorado Denver Bio/Reason for running: Matthew has served as a state lobbyist and grass-roots political organizer. Having been asked, on numerous occasions, to seek elected office in the Town of Mancos, he finds public service to be a matter of ethical inclination. He has a strong passion for public policy, considers earning the consent of those governed to be of paramount importance, and is a firm proponent of policies that support the sustenance of small communities in changing times, while preserving that which makes them dear - their sense of place - their traditions - their local businesses - and, solvent community relations

Timothy Stubbs Occupation: Mesa Verde Park Ranger Bio/reason for running: I have been a resident of Mancos for 10 years, but I was drawn to the town upon first seeing it a decade earlier. I have worked in outdoor and experiential education for much of my adult life, most recently as a park ranger at Mesa Verde National Park. The diversity of the residents of the Mancos Valley attracted me, and the tolerance of a caring community convinced me to stay. My experience in education has taught me patience, and work serving the public has shown me the need for objectivity when dealing with differing opinions and complex situations. While the Mancos Valley is deeply rooted in history and draws inspiration from the past, I believe we can use these principles to guide us towards sustainable growth to the town and attracting new businesses that are in keeping with the unique,rural and western character.

Anthony "James" Maestas Occupation: Concrete foreman Bio/reason for running: I was born and raised in Cortez. I have lived in Mancos since 2009. Being new to the political scene, I think being a candidate means looking out for the interests of the people of Mancos. Being on the board would help me become a bigger part of my community. I am a people person. I love meeting new people and talking and getting to know them. I am looking forward to working with the Town Board and the people of the community of nice town of Mancos.

The nine candidates running for a seat on the Town Board addressed tough questions concerning town growth, infrastructure needs and opportunities for young people at a Meet the Candidates event Wednesday, March 19.

During the election on April 1, seven challengers will face current Trustees Rovilla Ellis and Alan Rolston.

Find bios of all the candidates here: http://bit.ly/1rA2Uco

At the panel, most of the candidates agreed on a similar vision for the town. While some growth is inevitable, they would prefer the town retain its character.

"Keep it small, keep it western," said candidate Anthony "James" Maestas.

There were several variations on this theme.

Candidate Gina Roberts said she'd like to see the town become more of a destination and less of a drive-through community.

Most agreed economic growth would be positive. Variations of this vision included business growth on Grand Avenue, including the addition of a hardware store and a pharmacy.

"I'd like to see not so many people commuting out of here to make a living," said candidate Will Stone.

Others were concerned about how to balance the highway business corridor against the downtown.

"How will the highway business corridor get developed. How can that be sustainable and grow and attract business, and not leave a big empty hole, right here, downtown," said candidate Tim Stubbs.

The candidates wrestled with development and preserving the town when they discussed the pending construction of Family Dollar.

The company has expressed interest in coming to town, but it was decidedly unpopular among most candidates.

Although some candidates, including Michele Black, expressed the reality that the Planning and Zoning Board is in charge of designing the land-use code, which sets regulations for formula stores similar to Family Dollar. Writing regulations that would prevent Family Dollar from opening a business in town could prevent other formula stores from coming to town.

"Do I necessarily want to see it come here? No. Do I want to say no to any chain store? Probably not." Black said. "There are some potentially good kinds of things that could happen. A CVS Pharmacy could decide that they want to come here."

Roberts' strong personal opinion in favor of the new store set her apart.

"Personally, I don't care if Family Dollar, Ace Hardware come to our community. I researched it. The average store manager of a Family Dollar makes $42,000. That is $42,000 to possibly a resident of our community."

But she said she would listen to town residents on this issue and vote accordingly.

Several candidates also mentioned lack of opportunities for young people in town as a need that should be addressed for the sake of town health.

"One thing well-functioning small communities tend to have in common, is they have multigenerational dialogue happening. They're retaining their people," said candidate Matthew Baskin.

The biggest need identified was infrastructure, particularly public water pipes, pumps and a new storage tank.

There were few concrete ideas presented to solve these issues. Most candidates agreed the sale of recreational marijuana might help fund infrastructure improvements and wasn't dangerous to the community.

"It's more likely just to make people schmooze around town and groove and take their time and not be in such a hurry to leave," said candidate Maddy Williams.

In addition to considering the nine candidates running for the four open seats on Town Board on April 1, residents of Mancos will also consider allowing the board to place a fee of up to $10 on all marijuana transactions.

Currently, the Mancos moratorium on the sale of marijuana is set to expire in June, and fees from marijuana sale could be levied in 2015.

The election will be a mail-in ballot election, although ballots can be dropped off at Town Hall.

mshinn@cortezjournal.com