According to Montezuma County election officials, more than 3,000 ballots had been counted as of Thursday morning, and an additional 4,000 votes could be cast between now and election day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
To aid those last-minute decisions, The Cortez Journal has assembled a brief list of the issues impacting each race along with candidate biographical information.
County Sheriff
In the sheriff’s race, Republican candidate Steve Nowlin upset incumbent candidate Dennis Spruell in the primary to face write-in candidate Mike Steele in the general election. At a recent Farm Bureau-sponsored Q&A, both candidates fielded numerous queries.
Question: How will you control the increase in vagrancy, squatters, meth labs, and panhandling?
Steele said suspects could be contacted and questioned. If squatters don’t have permission to be on the property they’d be asked to leave. Homelessness is a societal problem, Steele said, and needs our attention.
Nowlin said contact could be made with individuals that may be involved in criminal behavior, and information on any criminal history could be ascertained to determine any a pattern of bad behavior. On homelessness, Nowlin said there is the Bridge Shelter for overnight stays only, but he would like it to expand to a full-time shelter. He said homelessness is often accompanied by mental illness. He added that legalization of marijuana in the state is going to draw more people here that will add pressure to law enforcement offices.
Question: Will you assign officers to handle water disputes?
Steele said he’d train all officers on water law, and increase personnel as needed.
Nowlin said he’d assign two agricultural officers for water and livestock disputes and train others on the issues as well.
Question: How will the candidates ensure civil rights are protected?
Both candidates said additional training on the civil and constitutional rights of citizens, and use of force, is the answer.
County Commissioner
Republican James Lambert and Independent Bill Utrup are vying to replace Montezuma County Commissioner Steve Chappell, whose term ends in January.
Question: What are your views on protecting water quality in the Dolores River Valley? Utrup said he feels the minimum 10-acre plot to develop, and the 100-foot setback rule, is controlling growth and protecting water quality. He said he said he did not necessarily have “any qualms” with the Transferable Development Rights system.
“I don’t know why it was retracted in the first place,” Utrup said. (The TDR program was canceled this year by the commission, triggering a lawsuit.) Utrup said that heavy development in the valley isn’t likely, but if it became a problem, a solution would be a centralized sewer system.
Lambert responded that water quality is a No. 1 one concern for all waterways in the county. He feels the 10-acre minimum for development in the Dolores Valley, along with engineered septic systems, are sufficient for protecting water quality. He said as development increases the water quality issue needs close monitoring.
Question: Will you spend taxpayer money to claim jurisdiction of Forest Service and BLM roads, and if so how will they pay for their upkeep?
Lambert said it is a misnomer to say they are BLM or Forest Service Roads. He believes they do not belong to government agencies but to the people.
“Taxpayers pay for the upkeep of the roads one way or another,” he said.
When pressed about his views on the validity of the Forest Service and BLM, Lambert said “the Constitution does not authorize the federal government to own land except for certain things. The fact that we do have (those agencies) does not mean it is the right thing to do.”
Utrup said as commissioner he would enforce Constitutional rights. However, he added that taking the federal government to court is not always advisable.
“The Forest Service is basically saying, Sue us if you don’t like our position,” Utrup said. “But I’m not in favor of spending a dime against the federal government to enforce what we feel are our rights in this county.”
County Clerk and Recorder
There are two candidates for Montezuma County Clerk, Republican Kim Percell and Independent Judy Marquez.
When asked recently what her priorities would be, Marquez said she would foster a more professional and friendly office, with more cross-training.
Percell said her top priority is customer service, and that as the deputy clerk in the office she is certified in different departments, cross-trains her team, and has the experience to handle the job.