Republican James Lambert, a retired businessman from Pleasant View, will be the next Montezuma County commissioner.
Lambert coasted to victory over rival Bill Utrup, an unafilliated candidate.
Unofficial election results show Lambert earning 5,429 votes to Utrup’s 3,397.
Utrup conceded Tuesday night.
“I really appreciate all the support I had,” he said. “I’m still going to work hard in the community as if I was a commissioner.”
Lambert, 77, will replace commissioner Steve Chappell, whose term is up Jan. 1.
In other races, Deputy County Clerk Kim Percell beat out challenger Judy Marquez, bringing in 6,184 votes compared with Marquez’s 2,879.
Percell said her priority is customer service. She has worked for the clerk’s office since 2005, first in the motor vehicle department, and then as chief deputy in 2011.
In uncontested races, Sherry Dyess will be the Montezuma County treasurer, and William Scott Davis will be Montezuma County assessor. Ernest E. Maness will be the county surveyor, and George Deavers will be county coroner. Montezuma County Judge JenniLynn Everett Lawrence was retained.
‘Quite a bit to learn’
The race for Montezuma County commission focused on concerns fairly typical in a rural, conservative region.
Federal over reach, land-use plans, economic development, public land access, roads, and the CO2 industry topped the charts.
In an interview Lambert said a one-vote loss to candidate Jim Candelaria at the Republican county assembly was a twist of fate that helped him win.
In order to get on the GOP primary ballot, Lambert had to collect hundreds of signatures, which spurred his campaign.
“It made me get out there and get more acquainted with the community. It got my name out there,” he said. “At first I dreaded campaigning, but it turned out to be enjoyable.”
Celebrating his election victory with family, he discussed the upcoming job as a public servant.
Lambert has been a regular audience member at county commission meetings and hearings. He shows up at water forums and public land meetings as well, a strategy that served him well, he said.
“It’s been a good experience, and I learned that I did not know as much as I thought,” he said. “Over the years I thought I knew what was going on, but now I know there is quite a bit to learn.”
He said he does not have “an axe to grind” and needs time to learn the job of commissioner. But he does have his pet issues.
On federal encroachment, Lambert says he will be watching for water and land grabs by agencies like the EPA, Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
“They want more and more control of land and water,” he said.
‘Reduce animosity’
On Kinder Morgan, Lambert says the company’s expansion is putting more pressure than ever on local farming.
In the Pleasant View and Goodman Point areas, right-of-ways for irrigation canals and pipelines, electric and gas utilities, and Kinder Morgan infrastructure are getting tight, causing more conflict than in the past.
He said for the most part the company negotiates well with farmers to access private land for CO2 development. But there is room for improvement.
“The land men Kinder Morgan uses to negotiate (surface-use agreements) are not always aware of what the needs of the farmers are,” he said. “I feel the company could make some changes in their design to accommodate farmers. That would reduce animosity.”
He said the recent lawsuit by Kinder Morgan against the county for permitting requirements could be a precedent-setting case.
Attracting industry here is a tough nut to crack, Lambert says, because of high transportation costs. To find out solutions, industry leaders need to be invited to meetings to give their input.
“I’m for getting different players at the table to educate county leaders on what can be done,” he said, adding he will have an open door policy.
“I appreciate when people explain to me issues and concerns they are having.”
Hemp supporter, anti pot
Regarding the recent legalization of hemp and local test plots, Lambert said he is supportive of growing the crop, the opportunity needs to be studied carefully.
“It is not proven that it will grow well here and even it does, there needs to be an economically accessible route to a market and a processing plant,” he said.
But he draws the line on growing marijuana as a viable commercial crop in the county.
“For me its a moral standpoint. I’m opposed to growing marijuana in the county for retail, so I stand with the other commissioners on that.”
The county is pushing for jurisdiction over Forest Service roads through state law RS2477. Lambert will continue with that mission.
“So far as I am concerned, all roads in the county not designated as U.S. or state highways already are county roads. RS2477 is a law. It should be adhered to.”
The county is claiming the Dolores-Norwood road from U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction. Lambert said federal ownership is a misnomer.
“The land does not belong to government agencies but to the people,” he said. “Taxpayers pay for the upkeep of the roads one way or another.”
A 10-year-old land-use plan in the Dolores valley became a focus of the election. A system of Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) capped total growth in the critical watershed of the Dolores Valley. But the plan was overturned by commissioners in a 2-1 vote despite support to keep the plan by the planning commission.
A citizens group sued the county, and the case is pending.
Regarding TDRs, Lambert said 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, water quality needs close monitoring.
Lambert was on the board that founded the Montezuma Water Company. He has been active with the Pleasant View Fire Department, and helps to manage local phone and data service for businesses.
Lambert is fearful of Agenda 21, a belief that the federal government and U.N. are collaborating to control Americans.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com