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Submitted Biography
Retired Fire Captain/Paramedic; Emeritus Professor, Fire Technology; 10 years experience serving on elected and appointed boards
Transparency: Direct the County Manager to present a report on ways to ensure the citizens have access to all information regarding county business and implement them.
Public Safety: As a retired Fire Captain and Professor teaching Wildland firefighting, our county is at risk for Wildland fires. I will put together a task force with all key leaders with responsibilities in this area, including the Sheriff, Fire Chief, Forest Service, and Emergency Manager, along with experienced citizens. A report should be made with suggestions and recommendations to protect our community.
Roads: I am recommending that the Roads and Bridges department put together a plan to begin paving our residential streets on a lottery system. We need to start somewhere and 2025 is the year to start this paving program.
I am a fiscal conservative. I will always act in the best interest of the taxpayer. It's not the County's money or the Commissioner's money. It's the taxpayer's money. As a taxpayer myself, I understand the frustration of seeing taxpayer money being spent in frivolous and wasteful ways. Along with the other Commissioners, we will always have a fiduciary role with the citizens money when working on the budgets and spending their money.
I believe it is imperative that we hold criminals accountable for their crimes involving guns. We need to enforce the laws that are currently on the books and not punish the law-abiding citizens who are exercising their second amendment rights.
First, as far as the air quality goes in Archuleta county, much of the problem is the dust from our unpaved roads. Paving these roads is one solution. As mentioned in a previous question, I am concerned about our wildfire potential. This is not a simple solution and will involve both government and private citizens to get involved. It will be a multi-pronged approach, with the highest priority going to fuel reduction in our forest and around our homes, along with educating each of us on what we can do to reduce our risk from wildfires. While solar and wind energy are important components of our energy, we still need fossil fuels, especially natural gas. It is important that each of us conserve energy wherever possible.
Continue to work with, and support, the "Community Development Corporation", Habitat for Humanity and other amazing organizations who are working tirelessly to address this problem. I actually prefer to address this issue as "workforce housing", which is a better description of the problem in our community.
I support our Sheriff's Office upholding all laws and cooperating with other law enforcement agencies. I fully support legal immigration and welcome all who want to come to our Great Republic through legal means. I do not support those who come here and violate our laws and endanger our community.
I love Pagosa Springs. My wife and I have been coming here for over 30 years. We have been taxpayers since 2006 and have lived here for 6 years full time. I am concerned about the direction our community is going. I am Pro "planned" growth. We need to be proactive and not reactive as we grow. It's important we keep the things we love about our community and the reasons we live here. I am concerned about our Wildland fire potential and want to use my expertise in this area to protect our homes. I want to see the increased property taxes used wisely and begin a residential road paving program. I am frustrated by the lack of transparency in our government and desire to see trust restored by the citizens, including me. Finally, I have served the public throughout my 40 year career in Public Safety. I know what needs to be done and I know how to work with others, with respect and cooperation.