What are the biggest challenges facing Mancos, and how do you think the town board can play a role in addressing them?Funding needed infrastructure improvements is, and will continue to be for some time, a significant challenge. Of course, continuing to identify and leverage funding sources is critical, as is continuing to steward public funds in a fiscally responsible and forward-looking manner.
How can the town government play a role in economic development, and what kind of development would you like to see?Continued collaboration with area stakeholders – e.g. the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce, MCEDA, (Montezuma Communty Development Association) and et-cetera – seems critical to supporting ongoing economic development. So too does maintaining focus on improving infrastructure/service delivery, beautification, walkability, street connectivity, sprucing up our “pocket parks,” and bringing our “fees in lieu” (a type of development fee) more in line with comparable municipalities, to name a few. The last couple of years have been productive, and it’s been a community effort. An effort that I look forward to sustaining.
What is your position on livestock within city limits?My position is that about 80 percent of random survey respondents would like to see sensible regulation of livestock within town limits. Moreover, the discussion has been vetted by a citizen advisory process/public comment, which have suggested the same. These noted, any potential policy needn’t present itself in zero-sum terms, nor need it preclude the existence of responsibly managed backyard food-producing endeavors of a scope and scale appropriate to Mancos’ built environment. This is a question of scalability, one that I hope will deal in happy mediums. I have and will continue to advocate for less restrictive policy positions first – so long as they adequately address their intended concerns – first among them neighborliness.
What is the best thing about Mancos and the worst thing about Mancos?Mancos is geographically blessed, culturally distinct, and home to some of the most rooted folks I’ve had the good grace to encounter, in no particular order.
Which construction projects along U.S. Highway 160 should be the highest priority?Safe pedestrian crossing has been a concern for some time, and, we’ve an additional crossing on the way that should bring noticeable improvement.
Enhanced connectivity along the frontage seems also needed, in a few very noticeable places. The sitting Town Board met with CDOT some months ago, during which time a number of potential future Highway 160 design options were presented that’d been informed by public input, all of which were appealing.
It’ll take a comprehensive effort to significantly improve 160’s functionality for all users; I look forward to working with CDOT in the future.