Submitted Biography
Gina is from Bangor, PA a blue-collar region known for quarrying slate. Her mother was a NICU nurse and her father a teacher. She was taught the importance of hard work and the value of contributing to one’s community. She’s a decorated athlete, successful small business owner, and a champion for equity though collaboration. Her work in the running industry has garnished global recognition for leadership and progress. Gina’s love for the community is evident in her stewardship. She’s a Buena Vista Trustee (formerly Mayor Pro Tem), Search & Rescue North VP, member of BV Airport Advisory Board, Region 15 Opioid Settlement Committee, Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and BLM Rocky Mountain RAC. Gina will ensure a sustainable future for generations to come that provides opportunities for all Chaffee residents, protects natural resources, offers affordable housing, and promotes economic prosperity.
The BOCC will need to ensure balance and responsibility as growth continues. Cultivating opportunities for diversified housing options and solutions for increased childcare services. Taking responsible actions to protect and preserve our natural resources including water, wildlife, working and public lands. Expanding and exploring ways to strengthen our economic prosperity and foster a year-round economy with a diversified portfolio of businesses. Collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies to support projects and opportunities. My extensive community involvement and stewardship have prepared me with experience and knowledge to hit the ground running on day one. When making decisions I always take a thoughtful, thorough, respectful, and collaborative approach. I will ensure transparency and community involvement are integral components in building the future of Chaffee County.
Successful growth is smart and responsible and provides opportunity for all Chaffee residents. Progress reflects affordable housing options in the way of apartments and single-family homes for our workforce. Assisted living facilities, a memory care unit and care services for our aging population. Year-round childcare providers that can accommodate all ages but especially infant care services. A stable, prosperous, and diverse business community that provides jobs, products, and services. Protecting the Ark Valley watershed, maintaining clean rivers and drinking water, and keeping local water rights in the valley. Ensuring support for working land owners with protections that safe guard their ability to ranch and farm. Mitigating impact and overuse on public open space and fostering opportunities to improve recreational offerings. Access to an extensive offering of public health programs and resources for all county residents. A sustainable balanced community is the goal.
I’m passionate about all areas of public policy, as county success is achieved through balance and care in every decision and its impact on residents. Through my experience as a Buena Vista Trustee I’ve learned how to evaluate the pros and cons, short and long term impacts, and the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve policies that benefit the overall community well-being. We’ve got a lot of work to do to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come, and I’m looking forward to making meaningful policy decisions guided by the county comprehensive plan, land use code, and community input.
Submitted Biography
My husband and I had been coming to Chaffee County since the mid-nineties. We settled here as a family in 2007. While living in Eagle County before moving here, I had numerous jobs. I owned a restaurant/convenience store in Red Cliff which closed in the black. I am a Master Gardener and owned a landscaping business. My jobs consisted of large resorts, commercial areas, permanent residences as well as second homeowners. While raising my children, I headed up fundraisers, served on boards, and worked on Main Street. I also caretake for some elderly and have worked in hospice. I love doing project managing work and have helped with projects here in town.
Decisions need to be made based upon facts not emotions with any issue presented. Geothermal plant, growth happening too quickly, influx of people. Perhaps we could come up with some type of incentive to the owners of rentals where they would rent to local workforce instead. We need a trade school locally. I feel that sometimes, taking more time on issues is more prudent. Instead of worrying about a deadline because a grant has a timeline, rushing things to a vote becomes more of a burden later than anticipated. The cart keeps getting put before the horse. I believe that special interests were the reason the 1041 permit for Blue Triton was renewed. I feel our county is being taken advantage of. I will address things based on facts and truths.
Less division, more talking to each other, compromise. More community involvement, less outside interests involved. We need to mend bridges. Mainstreaming and consolidating agencies, aka: less government would be a start.
In no specific ranking, I am passionate about continuing education like a trade school in the county. There needs to be a public transportation system between Buena Vista and Salida as well as more to Denver or the Springs. Although I believe that geothermal could be an alternative fuel source for power, I do not believe that it belongs in Chaffee County where it's being proposed. I think we need to focus more on local talent than relying so much on outside consultants.
Submitted Biography
I moved to Buena Vista in May of 1962 at the age of 6. I attended Buena Vista Schools from 1st grade through12th, graduating with the class of 1974. I was elected to the Town of Buena Vista Trustee Board in 2006 and served on the board for a total of 5 terms all together, totaling 14 years on the Board. I am proud to say that Chaffee County is my home. I've been privileged to be a representative of the residents of Buena Vista and it would be a privilege to be a representative & voice for the citizens of Chaffee County.
I feel like there are 2 challenges that are "greater" in importance to our county in the next few years and those challenges that need the utmost attention are; #1 - keeping/securing enough water for our ever growing population & our ranchers who have water rights & grazing rights that need to be protected. With the amount of people moving to Chaffee County, we have to be sure that we don't run out of water. I plan to address this with committees, communication, public meetings to keep the citizens informed. #2 - Working with developers & builders to obtain true affordable housing for our ever growing county population. I would like to see if there are any funds available through grants, etc. to help with costs that builders have to pass on to the buyer so that the final sale price would be more in line with incomes in Chaffee County.
Successful growth would be having the infrastructure to support the growth, adequate emergency services, health care facilities, schools, law enforcement & jobs that would support the citizens who currently live here and the people who are moving to our county. Having open spaces along with well planned subdivisions. The successful growth also involves enough water to support all of our citizens, now & in the future.
I am interested in making a difference through development & implementation of policies that positively impact people's lives. Building codes, Dept. of Health & Human Services, Law enforcement & schools just to name a few. Public policy can solve problems efficiently & effectively. Open communication with elected officials is very important to me.