Document

2007 Election Guide

Helping voters make informed decisions on Nov. 6

2 | October 2007 A Supplement to the Steamboat Pilot & Today

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Yampa

Steamboat Springs

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Hayden

Yampa

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Routt County 2007 Voting Precincts

Source:

SOURCE: ROUTT COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE

Election Guide 2007

Precinct(s), polling locations1 — Moon Hill School House, 50710 County Road 129, Clark2, 5 — Routt County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 398 S. Poplar St., Hayden3, 4 — Lufkin LIFT-UP Center Food Bank, 2125 Curve Court, Steamboat6, 7 — Steamboat Christian Center, 36103 E. U.S. Highway 40, Steamboat8, 9 — Oak Creek Town Hall, 129 Nancy Crawford Blvd., Oak Creek10 — Yampa Town Hall, 56 Lincoln Ave., Yampa11, 12 — Centennial Hall, 137 10th St., Steamboat13, 14 — Routt County Courthouse annex, 136 Sixth St., Steamboat15, 16 — Yampa Valley Medical Center, 1024 Central Park Drive, Steamboat17, 18 — Tennis Center at Steamboat Springs, 2500 Pine Grove Road, Steamboat

Where to vote

A Supplement to the Steamboat Pilot & Today October 2007 | 3Election Guide 2007

Steamboat Springs City Council

Brandon GeePILOT & TODAY STAFF

Of the five City Council seats up for election this fall, the race for the at-large seat is the only one to draw more than two candidates. The at-large seat is a two-year seat, as opposed to the other six council seats, which carry four-year terms. Candidates for the at-large seat may reside anywhere in the city, while other candidates must live in the districts they want to represent.

The at-large race presents three can-didates with varying degrees of political experience. Towny Anderson is running as an incumbent City Council member, Cari Hermacinski is a Steamboat Springs planning commissioner, and retired librar-ian Dave McClure is a newcomer to poli-tics. McClure conceded that might be a disadvantage.

“It’s a disadvantage because I’m not part of the network that has developed over the years, so I’m an outsider in that way,” McClure said.

McClure said he would make up for the inexperience with commitment. Being retired, McClure said he has plenty of time to devote to the issues and to listen-ing to the concerns of constituents. As a councilman, McClure said the door to his woodshop would always be open to any-one who wanted to come in and talk over coffee or a beer.

One of McClure’s focuses would be education. He said Steamboat schools need to expand their curriculum, par-ticularly to include vocational education for students not meant to go to college.

McClure said he also would like to see Steamboat establish a living wage law.

Hermacinski said her educational background in law, business and social work as well as her perspective as a busi-ness owner and her long-term commit-ment to Steamboat Springs make her the best candidate. She has concerns with the way the council is currently run. For example, Hermacinski said she thinks council operates too often in executive, or secret, session.

“I think government should be open and accessible, especially at a time when we’re experiencing so much change,” she said.

Anderson, the incumbent, said he made a promise when running in 2005 to

set a different course for the council, put-ting community interests ahead of devel-opment interests. And although he thinks the course has been changed, Anderson said he is running again in hopes of firmly establishing it.

“What’s motivating me is I’m contrib-uting to a change that the community has asked for and that for some people can’t happen soon enough,” Anderson said.

Anderson thinks continuing growth, especially on the west side of Steamboat, will be the most important issue facing the next City Council.

“The growth that we’re experiencing is manageable, but it takes political will,” Anderson said.

The candidates gave differing reasons for why they are running for an at-large seat as opposed to one of the council’s four-year seats. Anderson said his wife asked that he run only for a two-year seat and that he is honoring her request. He also said he has no interest in running against City Council President Susan Dellinger in District 1, which would have been his option. Hermacinski said that having two young children and a business made the smaller time commitment a bet-ter decision for her.

McClure said he wants to represent the whole city as opposed to one district. He also said he “wants to get things started,” which he thinks he can do in two years.

At-large race draws largest fieldTowny Anderson

Age: 56Occupation: Community develop-ment consultantPolitical experience: Two years on Steamboat Springs City Council, local planning commis-sioner in Vermont, worked in Vermont governor’s administra-tion

On the issues: Transportation: The citizens of Steamboat have made very clear that a bypass is unacceptable, and, with that in mind, we have to make serious commit-ment to public transit. Historic preservation: “The community surveys have told us resoundingly that citizens want to protect historic resources and that they would be willing to do that through regulations. ... It is a legitimate goal of government to preserve the resources of the commu-nity for the greater community good. I understand that some folks don’t agree with that.

Cari HermacinskiAge: 37Occupation: LawyerPolitical experience: Four years on Steamboat Springs Planning CommissionOn the issues:Transportation: “I don’t think the bypass is the solution.” Believes traffic should be addressed with “a

lot of little solutions,” such as being more bike-friend-ly, constructing roundabouts and exploring the pos-sibility of a passenger train from Craig to Steamboat.Historic preservation: “I would not have voted for the moratorium. I believe a moratorium should only be enacted when something is going to affect the health, safety or welfare of the community. … Property rights are hallowed ground, especially when you’re talking about homes. …At this point, on privately owned structures, I wouldn’t want to make it mandatory unless the community is willing to pay for it.”

Dave McClureAge: 53Occupation: Retired University of Tennessee librarianPolitical experience: NoneOn the issues:Transportation: “I consider traf-fic a non-issue. ... I would encour-age public transportation and, as a matter of fact, use it myself.”

McClure thinks other solutions, such as a bypass, are too extravagant. “It’s just not feasible. We’re going to have to live with it, and people are going to have to decide for them-selves how to get around it. There are much more important issues.”Historic preservation: “I’m a firm believer that, if it’s your private property, you can do whatever you want with it. I would hope you would preserve it, but that’s your call.”

— Compiled by Brandon Gee

Bentley, Hughes square off in council’s District 2Mike LawrencePILOT & TODAY STAFF

There is no shortage of administra-tive and professional experience in the race for a District 2 seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council.

Paul Hughes, 64, served as Steamboat Springs’ city manager from 1998 to December 2005, capping more than two decades of service in munici-pal government. Meg Bentley, 63, is a founder of The Playworks Preschool, a co-owner of Steamboat Aviation, and a former member of the Steamboat Springs Planning Commission and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s Board of Directors.

Hughes said his knowledge of city resources, staffing and policies would be an enormous asset for the City Council.

“I know more about municipal operations in general, and Steamboat Springs operations in particular, than any other council candidate or any

existing council member,” Hughes said. “I gained that knowledge in 35 years as a manager, 21 of them in municipal government, and seven of those as the city manager right here. ... I believe that my experience can provide City Council with expertise that it has never had before.”

Bentley focused on her professional experience in a variety of work environ-ments.

“I know what it is like to own a busi-ness here,” Bentley said. “I have been in the lodging business … and started a consulting business based in Steamboat Springs. My statewide business and per-sonal coaching consulting specializes in space design, clutter control and time management.”

Bentley and Hughes are currently working to improve conditions in the workplace. Bentley is a professional organizer, and Hughes is starting a

Meg BentleyAge: 63Occupation: Professional OrganizerHistoric preservation: “I think that preservation of historic Old Town homes should be left up to the homeowners, most of whom are motivated, on their own, to maintain the character of their homes. I think it would be worth-

while for the city to help fund the balance of the survey of homes in Old Town which might qualify to be recognized as historic. With the input of Old Town residents, I would like to consider increasing setbacks or limiting floor area ratios and overall height for new houses built on consolidated lots. This would maintain the scale of Old Town homes and allow the eclectic nature of that area of our town to remain intact.”Traffic: “Immediate things for City Council to do: support public transportation and specifically the Main Street buses between Third Street and the Transit Center; build a public parking structure (pay parking) downtown; sequence all the lights on Lincoln Avenue between Third Street and Elk River Road so that traffic can flow consistently … and then maintain that sequencing year-round.”

Paul HughesAge: 64Occupation: Mediator, semi-retiredHistoric preservation: “If the com-munity identifies a house as genu-inely of community-wide historic interest, the City should negotiate an historic preservation easement on that property. The community would be assured that the structure wouldn’t be torn down and would

be cared for. The owners would have access to a pool of public money for when their “historic” house needs major repairs or restoration. The easement would be voluntary but would run with the property thereafter.”Traffic: “There is no one step that will alleviate our traf-fic problem – including building a bypass. Clearly, we cannot solve the problem by merely adding capacity. We must also reduce the number of trips per day and offer alternative forms of transportation. We need to assemble a group of citizens who represent all parts of the traveling spectrum, put them together with traffic experts from CDOT and the private sector, and put onto the table every conceivable realistic step. Those steps …include reconfiguring Lincoln Avenue, building off-street parking, expanding the bus system, looking into self-propelled railroad cars between here and Craig, a bypass – in short, everything we can imagine.”

Race pits professional organizer vs. ex-city manager

See District 2, page 11

4 | October 2007 A Supplement to the Steamboat Pilot & TodayElection Guide 2007

Mike LawrencePILOT & TODAY STAFF

Both candidates for a District 1 seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council hope to make local government more accessible to the public — and change inefficient procedures such as council meetings that extend late into the night.

Susan Dellinger is familiar with such meetings. Dellinger, 47, has served as City Council president since January. Before that, she served as the City Council’s pres-ident pro-tem since November 2005. She is now seeking re-election to her District 1 seat, but faces solid opposition from Scott Myller, a local architect and six-year member of the Steamboat Springs Planning Commission.

“I’d like to see council be more citizen-run. Right now I feel that our council tends to be professional politicians — they should rely on their staff more and trust their boards and worker groups, and do what they say,” Myller said. “I’d like also to see meetings be shorter, more to the point, and more friendly for the pub-lic who decide to show up. That would alleviate people waiting until 11:30 (p.m.) and then giving up and leaving, while the council passes important ordinances after the public has left.”

Dellinger also said City Council needs to streamline its meetings, potentially by less micro-managing and more of a focus on larger issues.

“I really want us to look at how we do business as a government — how we can improve the process and continue improvements we’ve already started, so that council is talking at a policy level, not a driveway- or culvert-level,” Dellinger said. “I want the process to work so well that it’s a legacy that can be left for any council, and so that the public has input.”

Dellinger said if re-elected, she hopes to focus on planning for Steamboat’s eco-nomic future and growth.

“I’m looking forward to the economic sustainability (study, to be finalized in December),” she said. “I want us to really review our plans and our Community Development Code, and make sure that what we think is coming on an economic level is what we’re planning for.”

Myller stressed the need for greater input from council-appointed groups, such as the Planning Commission on which he serves.

“A lot of the decisions this council has made have been without Planning Commission input and insight, and I real-ly don’t like what they’ve done,” he said. “The first was linkage and inclusionary zoning, the second was firing the (Routt County Regional) Building Department, and third was the moratorium on old houses downtown. …I’m especially down on linkage, because I think it’s already

hard enough to run a business here. That’s just going to be a huge burden — I think it will discourage our economy from find-ing new ways to survive.”

Linkage fees compensate the city for housing needs created by development, and are part of affordable housing poli-cies adopted by the City Council in June.

Myller, a mountain biker and Nordic ski racer, said he is running for City Council because of his love for Steamboat.

“I’m not looking for power or author-ity or anything like that,” he said. “I want to give back to the community.”

Dellinger, a former GIS coordinator for the city and an avid photographer, softball player and artist, said she wants to bring more of the community into policy conversations.

“I want to make sure that we have a fair forum, no matter who is speaking from the public. I think we can continue to improve that,” Dellinger said. “I want the public to be able to come in and speak comfortably — it’s such an intimi-dating environment (in Centennial Hall). The goal is to hear what people have to say.”


Planning commissioner challenges DellingerSusan Dellinger

Age: 47Occupation: Yampa Valley Electric Association engineering techni-cianOn the issues:Historic preservation: “Public input is No. 1. I think we need to define if the community wants historic preservation, and if they

do, how do they want it; I really don’t think we asked that question clearly enough for people to understand. We have got to define what it is we’re trying to do, and who’s affected, and we absolutely have to have incentives.” Traffic: “I would like to see us really look at widen-ing U.S. 40 from 13th Street to Steamboat II, even if it means using some of our funds. We’re not going to make it onto the federal-level list in time for our need. For my four-year term, that’s one of the things I would want to do first – see what it’s going to take to improve U.S. 40 and then start doing it.”

Scott MyllerAge: 41Occupation: Principal architect at West Elevation ArchitectsOn the issue: Historic preservation: “I think we need to finish the historical significance survey that we’re about half done with, that’s step one. Step two is to identify specific properties

that are eligible and get buy-in from owners. Then we need to provide incentives for proper remodels and additions. I tend to believe, though, that people buy old houses because they like old houses and want to take care of them. What I don’t like about these policies is that it assumes people don’t like their old houses and they won’t do a good job.”Traffic: “I think the problem that we have is frus-trating, but not nearly as bad as anywhere else in the country. Life here still is good, despite a five-minute wait. Though we could improve things by getting two lanes each way on U.S. 40, west of 13th Street past Routt County Road 129.”


Of Steamboat Springs’ three City Council districts, District 3 is the one that will see the most changes as a result of November’s election.

Although only one seat is up for election in both District 1 and District 2, both District 3 seats are on this year’s ballot. One of the races is for a traditional four-year seat, while the other is for a two-year seat fulfilling a term resigned by Kevin Kaminski in September 2006.

Walter Magill and Vince Arroyo are running for the latter seat, currently held by Councilwoman Karen Post. Post is running against Jon Quinn for the four-year seat being vacated by term-limited Councilman Paul Strong.

Arroyo and Magill are political new-comers.

“Now’s the time to step up and do it,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo is a fifth-generation Yampa Valley resident who thinks his long-term perspective on the valley is a

strength to his candidacy.“I’m passionate about this valley

and the direction it’s heading,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said he has seen a lot of changes in Steamboat — “for better or for worse” — and he’d like to be involved in directing the changes com-ing down the road.

“My biggest thing is sharing the valley, as we’ve done for many years,” Arroyo said. “We can accept this growth. We can direct it. The answers will come with time and patience. We have the resources and the tools to get things done.”

Magill thinks his background would be a unique one on the City Council.

“I’d like to add a voice for business owners and people with children,” Magill said. “I think being a business owner and having employees, I’m aware of how policy affects the community.”

Magill said he doesn’t have any specific problems with the current City Council but thinks the process can be improved, especially when it comes to late-night meetings.

“Council has done some good work,” Magill said. “I think they could do better and more efficiently. Making policy after 11 p.m. is a hardship both on the public and council.”

Arroyo, who says he would bring a common-sense approach to the council

and be a voice for working people, agreed that the City Council process needs to be improved. He said people too often bypass the city’s committees and commissions to drop things on City Council’s lap.

“They’re so overwhelmed with what’s been put in front of them,” Arroyo said.

Political newcomers vie for open District 3 seatVince Arroyo

Age: 48Occupation: Mechanic for Xcel EnergyPolitical Experience: NoneOn the issues:Transportation: With all the changes in Steamboat in recent years, he thinks the town should be surveyed once more to see

what residents want done about traffic issues. Supports multi-modal forms of travel and carpool-ing. “Right now, there’s so many options out there. I think the people need to have a say as to what they want.”Historic preservation: “If the city’s going to step in, it should remain a voluntary program only.” Believes committee reviewing historic preservation ordinance “should be stocked with people from all walks of life.”

Walter MagillAge: 37Occupation: Land surveyor/civil engineerPolitical Experience: NoneOn the issues:Transportation: Thinks city should be talking with Colorado Department of Transportation about a long-range widening of

U.S. Highway 40 west of Steamboat. In favor of adding lanes to 13th Street south of the Yampa River. “I’d have to look more at the bypass. It disturbs open space and is a bad investment.”Historic preservation: Believes city should establish inventory of historic structures and notify their owners in spirit of cooperation to preserve the structure. “Any alterations should be in the character of the existing structure. But I think it needs to be mostly voluntary. We don’t have too many Greek coliseums here.”

DISTRICT 1


Referendums 2B and 2C — Rec center


For more than a year, proponents of a new recreation center in Steamboat Springs fought simply to get the facility onto the ballot.

Their wait is finally over. A unanimous City Council voted in

September to put the recreation center on the ballot, but it’s Steamboat voters who will have the final say.

The construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed facility at Ski Town Fields would cost Steamboat taxpayers as much as $3.4 million in additional property taxes next year, not including users’ fees.

That increase would mean an addi-tional $33 a year per $100,000 of esti-mated market value for residential tax-payers and an additional $121 a year per $100,000 of estimated market value for commercial taxpayers, according to cal-culations by Bob Litzau, the city’s interim

finance director.City Manager Alan Lanning said the

recreation center, if approved, would be the “highlight of the budget” for 2008. The $34 million facility would consti-tute about 40 percent of the city’s total spending next year.

The ballot issue includes two ques-tions. The first asks for approval of an operation and maintenance tax for the center, which would be funded by an increase in property taxes of as much as $455,500 annually — for collection in 2008 — and by additional amounts annually in later years. The property tax would be imposed at a rate of up to 0.7 mills.

The second question concerns the actual construction of the recreation center and asks that the city be allowed to increase its debt up to $34 million. The repayment of that debt would be funded by a property tax increase of up

Rec center issue dominates Steamboat ballot


Post, Quinn want to represent south SteamboatMike LawrencePILOT & TODAY STAFF

There are two open seats to represent District 3 on the Steamboat Springs City Council: a two-year position and a four-year position.

Karen Post and Jon Quinn decided to go all in.

Post and Quinn are vying to repre-sent south Steamboat for the next four years. For Post, the decision comes after a year on City Council — she was appointed in October 2006 to fill the seat vacated by former Councilman Kevin Kaminski. Quinn said running for City Council is an attempt to pre-serve the community he loves for fami-lies and the working class in the face of rapid development and skyrocketing home prices.

“My goal is to put the focus back on the families that live and work in this town,” Quinn said. “Steamboat is fast becoming a place where working families cannot afford to raise a family. There is little to no affordable hous-ing, no available daycare for working families, and few jobs that offer com-pensation and benefit packages that will afford them the opportunity to make Steamboat home.”

Post said her first year on City Council has shown her how to be an

effective leader in city government.“What has made me want to run (for

election) the most is to finish the work that Susan (Dellinger, City Council president) and I and the rest of City Council had started, with getting a process that will better allow the voice of the citizen to be heard,” Post said. “There’s been a frustration level with the flow of ideas and information.”

During her time on City Council, Post has cast several influential or nota-ble votes, often siding with Dellinger. The two candidates are sharing cam-paign ad space this fall.

Post has voted in support of a mora-torium on demolitions to downtown structures deemed historic, and in sup-port of the city’s revised inclusionary zoning and linkage ordinance.

Quinn said City Council needs to do more to support affordable housing in Steamboat.

“One of my goals is to shift the emphasis from creating deed restricted housing to creating more inventory that is attainable to working families,” he said. “Developers need to be encouraged to shift their emphasis from building second homes to building communities.”

Quinn said the city can also help

working families by supporting increased local daycare services.

“There is quite literally no daycare in Steamboat right now for new families,” he said. “The existing providers do an outstanding job, but they are full for

years to come. Without daycare we will drive working families out of town, and it will be next to impossible to recruit and retain quality employees. The city

Jon QuinnAge: 33Occupation: Owner of Northwest Data ServicesOn the issues: Historic preserva-tion: “It is my opinion that the goals of historic preservation are best accomplished with the carrot rather than the stick. There should be incentives provided by the city and county to maintain the criteria

of the historic preservation ordinance. Compliance should be voluntary, not mandatory.“Most of the homeowners in downtown are excellent stewards of their property and have maintained the character of Steamboat and the charm of the com-munity without having the city force subjective criteria upon them. The true charm of Steamboat is with its diverse community, not the buildings they live in.”Traffic: “I would like to see the city take some smaller steps first. The bottleneck at 13th Street needs to be addressed by expanding U.S. 40 to four lanes all the way to Steamboat II. Parking meters should be used on Lincoln Avenue, and probably the side streets between Lincoln and Yampa and Lincoln and Oak. We also need a paid parking structure in downtown to accommodate all of the daily commuters.”

Karen PostAge: 51Occupation: Self-employed psy-chotherapistOn the issues: Historic preservation: “We have to consider property rights — for both commercial and residential — along with community charac-ter, historic preservation and sig-nificance, and practicality. Even if

a building is significant, is it practical to maintain it? Part of what makes Steamboat such a nice place to be, and brings tourism, is our historic, Western nature. What I hope comes out of the ordinance in the long run is a preservation of our character, if not a specific building.”Traffic: “For west of downtown, the plan to add four lanes from Steamboat II to 13th Street will definitely help. For downtown, some of the traffic will be alleviated when the building and construction phase stops. We also need to do a greater promotion of transit, especially in the summer, and see if there is any way to create a bypass for downtown.”

Referendums 2B, 2C ask voters to fund construction and operation of facility

DISTRICT 3

Referendum 2B:Shall city of Steamboat Springs taxes be increased up to $455,500 annually (for collection in calendar year 2008) and by such additional amounts raised annually thereafter by the levy of an ad valorem prop-erty tax imposed at a rate of up to 0.70 mill for the operation and maintenance of a recreation center and providing programs and services at the recreation center; and shall such tax revenues and the earnings from the investment of such tax revenues be collect-ed, retained and spent as a voter approved revenue change under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law? Referendum 2C:Shall the city of Steamboat Springs debt be increased up to $34,000,000 with a maximum repayment cost of up to $66,495,000 and shall city of steamboat springs taxes be increased up to $2,965,000 annu-ally for the purpose of financing the construction of a recreation center at ski town park, which shall include youth/teen facilities, a double gymnasium, an elevated walk/jog track, locker rooms, six lane indoor lap pool with diving well, warm leisure pool, artificial turf field, indoor playground, fitness center, and associated support spaces; and shall the mill levy be increased in

any year, without limitation of rate or amount, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such debt or any refunding debt (or to create a reserve for such payment), such debt to be evidenced by the issuance of general obligation bonds; such bonds to be sold in one series or more, for a price above or below the principal amount of such series, on terms and conditions, and with such maturities as permitted by law and as the city may determine, including provi-sions for redemption of the bonds prior to maturity with or without payment of a premium of not to exceed three percent; and shall the city be authorized to issue debt to refund the debt authorized in this question, provided that after the issuance of such refunding debt, the total outstanding principal amount of all debt issued pursuant to this question does not exceed the maximum principal amount set forth above, and provided further that all debt issued by the city pursuant to this question is issued on terms that do not exceed the repayment costs authorized in this question; and shall the earnings from the investment of such bond proceeds and tax revenues be collected, retained and spent as a voter approved revenue change under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law?

Referendums 2B and 2C ballot language

See Rec center, page 8



Steamboat Springs School Board

Mike McCollumPILOT & TODAY STAFF

The two candidates for the Steamboat Springs School Board’s District 4 seat put their passion for education to work long before seeking election.

Char Rusk, who was appointed to the School Board in June to finish the term vacated when Pat Gleason resigned, is a classroom volunteer and former Parent Information Committee chairwoman.

“After being appointed this summer and serving this short term, I know I have a lot to offer the school and our community,” she said. “My passion lies in supporting the staff. I know how hard it is to make it here, and I know the value of a quality educator, and I feel that the staff has not always received the amount of respect, support and freedom they deserve.”

Challenger Robin Crossan, a retired facilities director and disaster recovery planner for Macy’s in New York City, is president of the Education Fund Board. She said she became dissatisfied with the School Board during her work with the Fund Board.

“I started going to School Board meetings and seeing a board that was not moving forward and making good decisions,” Crossan said. “I started to consult with many community members

and decided that, with my management, fiscal and (Fund Board) experience, I would be a positive, contributing mem-ber of the School Board.”

Crossan said that if elected, her pri-orities would be to conduct a nation-wide superintendent search, work to complete the ongoing major construc-tion projects on time and under budget, work through the challenge of starting a full-day kindergarten program, set up a means for district-wide accountability and better communicate with the com-munity.

“In doing this, I’ll always ask, ‘Is this best for our kids, and is it fiscally responsible?’” she said.

Rusk said she will work on improv-ing communication and developing an honest, working relationship between all district stakeholders, along with demanding accountability to and from all.

“In striving to meet these three goals, we will have put in place a culture that is prepared to work collaboratively and inclusively to confront the many chal-lenges we will face together as a district in the future,” she said.

Important to Rusk and Crossan is improving the divisiveness the candi-dates said has emerged in the district.

“It sounds like there are a lot of issues that need to be resolved, and

trust among the board, administrators, teacher and staff needs to be re-estab-lished,” Crossan said.

Rusk said she too will work to improve communication among district

stakeholders.“There needs to be open, honest

communication between all involved parties,” she said. “All need to be heard, valued and honored.”

Candidates have passion for education Char Rusk

Age: 50Occupation: Registered nurse at Yampa Valley Medical CenterOn the issues:Do you favor all-day kindergar-ten? If so, how do you propose funding the program and when do you see the program starting?Yes. I would love to see the

program start fall of 2008. Our current challenges include classroom space and funding. With comple-tion of the elementary schools expansion, space will be available upon finishing the building project. In regards to funding, a committee is currently being organized to investigate available options. ... I believe the curriculum development will be an opportunity for our skilled and professional staff to expand their roles and provide a well-rounded full-day kindergarten.Is there divisiveness in the school district? If so, what would you do to help improve the climate?Yes. The district needs to be managed not as a business, but as a collaborative operation, with input from a wide variety of individuals in order to serve a wide variety of individuals. It is paramount that fiscal responsibility continues to be achieved, while the open, honest communication is brought to the forefront.

Robin CrossanAge: 51Occupation: Retired facilities direc-tor and disaster recovery planner for Macy’s in New York City. Currently a guest services supervi-sor for Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. and Steamboat Golf Club pro shop employeeOn the issues:Do you favor all-day kindergarten?

If so, how do you propose funding the program and when do you see the program starting?Yes. We should look at several options to help fund it: parents paying a small per diem, school district funds, Education Fund Board kick-starting the pro-gram, check the pulse of the Steamboat community for the 1 percent mill levy that could be asked for. All options should be explored. A timeline for (starting the program) would probably be when the construction of the new Soda Creek Elementary and the addition at (Strawberry Park Elementary School) are completed.Is there divisiveness in the school district? If so, what would you do to help improve the climate?Yes. After hearing the School Board talk (Oct. 2) at their retreat with our new superintendent, yes, I believe there is divisiveness in our school district. As a School Board member, I need to be impartial, listen to all sides, and work with our groups to build trust and repair the damage I heard about (that) evening.


Lisa Brown’s two children face 14 more years of education in Steamboat. That alone was Brown’s inspiration for running for a spot on the Steamboat Springs School Board.

“I want to contribute my skills to help create a great future for our communi-ty’s youth,” said Brown, program manager for the Yampa Valley Community Foundation.

She is running unop-posed for the District 2 seat. Colorado Mountain

College professor Jeff Troeger, the board’s longest serving member, is not seeking a second term on the board.

Brown, 38, said her priorities as a board member will be to position the Steamboat Springs School District as a community partner and asset.

“I’ll focus on high academic standards and an integrated curriculum in K-12, hiring and supporting the best employ-ees possible districtwide and letting them do their jobs,” she said. I’ll also “encour-age a culture of excellence.”

She is a supporter of all-day kinder-garten, but Brown noted she doesn’t know enough about it to propose how to fund the program or when it could be implemented.

“Kids coming out of preschools are ready to learn more,” she said. “The cur-rent half-day (kindergarten) is stressful on working families and their employers. Full-day kindergarten also could help to free up some capacity in our preschool system.”

Brown said more work should be done to see how to commence the all-day pro-gram.

“My feeling is that we are in the pre-liminary stages of this implementation,” she said. “I am hesitant to tie much fund-ing to the Education Fund Board until the community votes to reinstate the half-cent sales tax.”

Brown said she rejects the notion that there is divisiveness in the district.

“Honestly, as a parent and community member, I do not feel this great divisive-ness people allude to in the school dis-trict,” she said. “We have involved parents and a great staff. What I perceive is a sense of community and a willingness to work together to address problem areas.”

Nonprofit manager runs uncontested for District 2 seatMike McCollum

PILOT & TODAY STAFF

Laura Anderson and Jerry Kozatch have faced off before. In October 2006, both applied for the District 5 School Board seat vacated by the resignation of Tom Miller-Freutel.

The School Board voted 3-1 to appoint Kozatch to fill the remainder of Miller-Freutel’s term. Now it’s up to voters to decide who occupies the District 5 seat for the next four years.

Anderson, a former engineer who describers herself as a “volunteer mom,” said her desire to challenge Kozatch for the seat is partly due to the board’s buy-out of former Superintendent Donna Howell’s contract.

“I was disappointed by the board’s recent decision regarding the superin-tendent and I feel their actions have hurt the credibility and trust the school district has within the community,” she said.

On Aug. 10, the School Board voted 4-0 to buy out the remaining two years of Howell’s contract, paying Howell $270,000 in exchange for her immediate resignation.

Kozatch said that despite the tur-moil surrounding Howell’s buyout, the district is not divided.

“If there is (division), it is not direct-ed toward me,” said Kozatch, a former Education Fund Board member.

“I am trying to remain focused on my current responsibilities,” he said. “I continue to monitor the climate at all the schools and the administrative office. We can always do better, make improvements, and provide a better educational atmosphere for our stu-dents.”

If elected, Anderson said she wants to be part of a board that focuses on what’s best for students and is fiscally responsible.

“I have the experience and talents to be a board member who can respectful-ly work as part of a team to accomplish common goals,” she said. “And I will support our staff, which works so hard to provide our kids with an academi-cally successful year.”

Anderson, who has two children in the district, added that to ensure chil-dren have the best education possible, the board needs to be more account-able to the community.

“Our first task will be to hire a superintendent who can unify our many viewpoints and open dialog with parents, teachers and community inter-ests,” she said. “This will build trust

District 5 candidates meet again


Brown


Referendum 1A- County road tax


A proposed property tax increase for Routt County residents would raise $3.3 million a year for road improvements and other capital projects.

The ballot question approved by the Routt County Board of Commissioners asks voters to allow county government to “deBruce” its property taxes, or be exempt from a state statute known as TABOR that limits the growth of its revenues.

The increased revenues would fund improvements to 59 miles of county roads during the next six years. The deBrucing, however, would be permanent, and after six years, the revenue could be used for any number of capital projects. Some have expressed concern that the tax increase does not include a sunset, but county com-missioners defend that decision because of the flexibility it would allow future com-missioners.

The county hopes to raise $3.3 million beginning in 2008 to fund its road improve-ments. The improvements are based on the recommendations of the Citizen Road Review Committee, which was established in spring 2006.

“It was obvious to us that there was definitely a need to make a plan to accom-plish these improvements,” Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak said.

The scheduled road improvements are

scattered throughout the county. Proposed projects include widening shoulders on Routt County Road 129, reconstruct-ing much of C.R. 14 south of Colorado Highway 131, and hard-surfacing several roads that are currently unpaved.

To raise that amount of money, the county commissioners are asking to be allowed to assess taxes at a rate of 12.266 mills. The commissioners point out that the proposed mill levy is actu-ally a decrease from this year’s mill levy of 12.420. However, it is a 32.9 percent hike from the 9.229 mill levy TABOR would require next year.

Some fear exempting government from the statute while the county’s property pric-es are rapidly rising could have the effect of pricing people out of their homes.

“Any deBrucing question is problematic in an area with rapidly rising property val-ues,” Steamboat Springs City Councilman Paul Strong said.

In 2008, the tax increase would mean an additional $25 a year per $100,000 of estimated market value for residential taxpayers and an additional $88 a year per $100,000 of estimated market value for commercial taxpayers. Commercial property taxpayers take a much larger hit because the state property tax rate is 29 percent, compared to a 7.96 percent resi-dential rate.

Because the county is required by state statute to share property taxes it

collects within municipalities, the govern-ments of Yampa, Oak Creek, Hayden and Steamboat Springs also would receive a boost to their road and bridge bud-gets. The city of Steamboat Springs, for example, would stand to gain $818,000 annually.

The $3.3 million in annual revenues would be used accordingly during the next six years: $2.6 million will be dedicated every year to road and bridge improve-ments, with $859,000 of that amount going to the municipalities’ road and bridge bud-gets. The remaining $700,000 would be used to pay for increased county operating expenses, including energy and personnel costs.

The total cost of the road projects is projected to be $18,936,000. The property taxes will pay for $10,436,000, and county reserves will cover $8.5 million. Monger said the county is often criticized for the size of its reserves and said he hopes this contribution will relieve some of that ani-mosity.

“We believe this is an appropriate match,” Monger said.

After six years, the additional tax rev-enues would no longer be earmarked for road improvements. Commissioners said they didn’t want to tie the hands of future boards. Possible projects that might be funded are expansions to Yampa Valley

Tax increase would fund county road improvements

Alexis DeLaCruzPILOT & TODAY STAFF

Downtown Steamboat Springs commercial property owners and tenants have the option of voting for a tax to fund a business improvement district.

Tracy Barnett, executive director of Main Street Steamboat Springs, said the proposed 2.5 mill levy would generate about $120,000 a year to fund support for marketing, advocacy and parking management efforts for downtown Steamboat Springs businesses.

The recently formed Downtown Steamboat Springs Business Improvement District is designed to offer sup-port to downtown businesses. The district’s boundaries run from Second to 13th streets, between Yampa and Oak streets.

The mill levy would be funded through a property tax. Only downtown business owners and commercial tenants are eligible to vote for the mill levy. Residents living within the district’s boundaries are not eligible to vote on the issue.

However, business owners and tenants who want to vote on the issue must request a designation of elector form and ballot by Oct. 20, Barnett said. Ballots will be mailed from Oct. 12 to 22 and must be returned to the state by 6 p.m. Nov. 7.

“The trickiest part is getting the ballots out there, and then having people realize you can’t wait until Nov. 6 to do this,” she said.

Eligible voters can contact Barnett at 846-1800 for more information or to request a ballot.

Barnett said district officials have been proactive in reaching business owners about the ballot issue and hope for a healthy response to their efforts.

“The point of the (district) is to raise money to spend it in the Business Improvement District,” she said. “It’s the property owners taxing themselves for advocacy.”

If approved, the mill levy would continue to fund ongoing efforts to “maintain a viable downtown,” she said.

“Every year we have a new operating plan, which can stay the same, but it could include things like beautifica-tion, working on clean and safe issues like shoveling the sidewalks more, putting business ambassadors down-town,” she said. “There’s a lot of things that can hap-pen with a business improvement district.”

The Routt County Board of Commissioners previ-ously have agreed to make a $14,375 contribution to the business improvement district’s budget because the county would not be subject to the mill levy if it passes.

Mill levy would fund business improvement district

Referendum 1A - ballot languageWithout increasing the current property tax rate for all county mill levies, and establishing a maxi-mum property tax rate of 12.266 mills for all Routt County property tax mill levies, other than for the special mill levies (as defined below), shall Routt County be permitted, with respect to taxes due for tax year 2007 (collectible in 2008) and for each year thereafter, to retain and spend county rev-enues from whatever source without being limited by the spending and revenue limits contained in Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution, the 5.5 percent limitation contained in section 29-1-301, Colorado Revised Statutes or any other law? The first $2,600,000 of taxes generated above the tax proceeds received by Routt County from property tax mill levies, other than from the special mill levies, for tax year 2006 (collectible in 2007) in each tax year from 2007 through and including 2012 shall be used solely for capital expenditures of Routt County and the municipalities of Routt County entitled under CRS Section 43-2-202 to share in taxes collected for road and bridge pur-poses. After tax year 2012, the first $2,600,000 of such additional tax proceeds shall be used only in the construction (including the remodeling or expansion of existing buildings) or the repayment of debt incurred in connection with the financing of capital improvements including, without limitation, public buildings, roads and bridges and equipment needed to serve the citizens of Routt County. As used in this question, the phrase “special mill lev-ies” shall mean the voter-approved mill levies for the Routt County Purchase of Development Rights program, the Routt County Museum and Heritage Fund and to provide services and support for the developmentally disabled.

Business improvement district

See Road tax, page 12


Referendums 3A and 3B - South Routt School District


The South Routt School District is asking voters to approve two ballot ques-tions Nov. 6 — one to fund a new heat-ing system, and the other to provide additional money for the general fund.

Superintendent Kelly Reed said the first ballot initiative will help the district replace the dirty, crumbling, coal-fired boilers that heat Soroco High School and Soroco Middle School.

“(The boilers) were installed in 1970, and at that point they were already 20-year-old architecture,” Reed said. “So they are about a 50-year-old design, with 40-year usage.”

In July, the district received a $1.57 million Capital Construction Grant from the Colorado Department of Education to help replace the boilers at the high school, middle school and South Routt Elementary School in Yampa. The grant is contingent upon the district raising an additional $1.57 million in matching

funds. The bond issue posed to voters would provide that money.

“Our first thought was that we’d replace the existing coal boilers with new, state-of-the-art coal boilers,” Reed said. “The more we looked into it, everything pointed toward ground-source (heat-ing).”

Below the frost line, the ground main-tains a constant temperature of about 55 degrees throughout the year. Ground-source heat pumps are used in conjunc-tion with closed-loop systems in which liquid coolant is pumped through under-ground pipes. The higher temperature is then absorbed by the liquid within the pipes, after which the liquid is pumped to the surface to a heat pump.

“You supplement this 55 degrees with a propane heater,” Reed said. “Then in the summer you have 55-degree cool air coming in.”

He said the benefits of ground-source heating are threefold: It’s a clean energy

South Routt schools seek funds for boilers


South Routt School District voters have a choice between the old and the new on Election Day.

Longtime South Routt School Board member Linda Long is being challenged by Jules Palyo. Long has served on the board since 1994. If elected, this would be Long’s fourth term. She is currently the board’s secretary.

Palyo said he felt compelled to run for the board as part of his volunteer efforts.

“My wife and I both do a lot for the schools. We try to do our part to volunteer,” he said. “I just want to do my part.”

Palyo and his wife, Wendy, have lived in South Routt since 2000, when they purchased Backcountry Outfitters, a business they recently sold. The Palyos opened Flat Tops Ranch Supply in Phippsburg on Oct. 1.

The Palyos have three children attending school in the South Routt School District — Tristan, in eighth grade; Ian, in sixth grade; and Morgan, in third grade.

Palyo said one of his biggest concerns is focus-ing on elementary curriculum to create a “better flow of process.”

“I’ve got a strong opinion on the district hav-ing a curriculum, particularly our elementary school,” he said. “There’s a structure in place, but it doesn’t flow from year to year.”

If elected, Palyo said he also would work with the board on ongoing budget issues.

“The budget’s tough every year,” he said. “I’d like to get more creative with that process.”

Long said she has always faced an opponent

for her district seat and that she’s OK with who-ever wins the election.

“It’s up to the people,” she said. “There are bigger issues that we need to be concerned about, whoever the winner is.”

Long said those issues include the 3A and 3B ballot questions, which, if passed, would provide money for a new school heating system and funds for general operating costs. Long also thinks the South Routt Early Learning Center is an important project for the district and its communities.

Long said her experience is a valuable asset for the district.

“We have a young, dedicated board that, as a senior board member, I feel I can offer the leadership needed to get us through what’s on our plate,” she said. “My passion is still the youth and the families in this valley. We have to provide them the best education we can. How satisfying is that?”

Palyo said he wasn’t running against Long for any other reason than he wanted to serve on the board.

“Unfortunately she’s in my district and I want to have a seat on the board,” he said. “It’s a bum-mer because she’s very hard-working. It comes down to that.”

Superintendent Kelly Reed said the district would benefit from either candidate serving on the board.

School Board President Tim Corrigan agreed, saying he was glad to see a contested race. “I’m happy to see a contested election because it shows some interest,” he said. “It helps get the issues out there and people arguing about them.”

Palyo looks to unseat Longto $2,965,000. The property tax would be imposed with a n annu-al mill levy increase without limi-tation. Lanning estimated the rate would be between 4 and 5 mills.

As proposed, the recreation center would include youth and teen facilities, a double gymnasium, an elevated walking and running track, locker rooms, a six-lane indoor lap pool with a diving well, a warm leisure pool, artificial turf fields, an indoor play-ground and a fitness center.

There have been passionate arguments made for and against the recreation center. Few argue the quality of the facility, but many take issue with its cost and neces-sity.

Some concerns have been raised about how the city would deal with potential cost overruns. The ballot issue is based on consultant esti-mates of cost, but no engineering or bidding of the project would occur unless voters approve it. City Attorney Tony Lettunich said that if major cost overruns occurred, the city would have to decrease the scope of the facility or kick in some of its own funds.

Some argue the proposal is just a hyped-up push for improved facilities for the Steamboat Springs Swim Team. Steamboat resident Bill Jameson is one such critic.

“It’s a lot of money for a competi-tive pool for a limited number of members of the swim team,” Jameson said. “I just don’t think the community has the appetite to fund a $34 million rec cen-ter.”

Shannon Lukens, a Steamboat Springs Swim Team board member

and Citizens for a Community Recreation Center member, said the facility is about much more than the indoor swimming pool.

“It’s everything Steamboat doesn’t already have,” Lukens said. “It’s great to be outdoors, but we can’t be outside all the time.”

Steamboat mother Michelle Diehl said there is a need in Steamboat for a safe place for kids to have fun.

“Just knowing local kids, there’s a huge need for a place for kids to hang out,” Diehl said.

— To reach Brandon Gee, call 871-4210 or e-mail [email protected]

Rec center continued from 5

Center would include pool

“It’s everything Steamboat doesn’t already have. It’s great to be outdoors, but we can’t be out-side all the time.”

Shannon LukensSupporter of rec center

Referendums 3A and 3B ballot languageReferendum 3A:Shall South Routt School District No. RE-3 taxes be increased up to $360,000 annually for the purposes of, among other things,• Maintaining current education programs,• Addressing educational and extracurricular pro-grams eliminated or reduced due to budget cuts,• Attracting and retaining qualified teachers, and providing additional staff for essential education programs,• Maintaining low class sizes,• Implementing a bus/vehicle replacement program as determined by the board of education, and• Meeting rising fuel, insurance and operational expenses,by an additional property tax to be levied at a rate sufficient to produce the amount specified above, which taxes shall be deposited into the general fund of the district, shall be in addition to the property taxes that otherwise would be levied for the general fund and shall constitute a voter-approved revenue change?Referendum 3B:Shall South Routt School District No. RE-3 debt be

increased $1,570,000, with a repayment cost of up to $2,595,000, and shall district taxes be increased by up to $525,000 annually for the purpose of• Providing required matching funds for an approximately $1,547,040 Colorado Department of Education capital construction grant for boiler replacement and relocation, and related repairs and improvements,And, to the extent funds are available after providing for the above purpose, to repair and improve school facilities, by the issuance and payment of general obligation bonds, which bonds shall bear interest at a maximum net effective interest rate not to exceed 5.75% and mature, be subject to redemption, with or without premium, and be issued, dated and sold at such time or times, at such prices (at, above or below par) and in such manner and containing such terms, not inconsistent herewith, as the board of education may determine; shall ad valorem property taxes be levied in any year, without limitation as to rate and in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such bonds and to fund any reserves for the payment thereof; and shall any earnings from the investment of the proceeds of such taxes and bonds (regardless of amount) constitute a voter-approved revenue change?

See South Routt, page 12

No animosity between involved South Routt residents


South Routt School Board

Hayden School Board


Three current South Routt School Board members feel pretty good about their chances of serving another term.

School Board President Tim Corrigan and members Joel Harris, who was appointed to the board in April, and Rodney Wilson are seeking re-elec-tion in uncontested races. Each term is for four years.

School board members Regina Hange, who represents District 2, and William Smith, who represents District 3, aren’t up for election until 2009. The District 1 seat remains unfilled, and no candidates stepped up for the position this fall.

Superintendent Kelly Reed said he is happy Wilson, Corrigan and Harris are

interested in retaining their seats.

“The current board has done a tre-mendous job to provide quality services for our kids with limited budget means,” Reed said. “I have nothing but praise for the job they do.”

Corrigan, who represents District 6, is seeking his second term on the board and said he can help provide stability in light of recent board turnover.

“The board has undergone so much

turnover that I wanted to stay on to provide some continuity,” he said.

Corrigan was first elected to the board in 2003 to fill former board member Bob Logan’s seat. Corrigan moved to South Routt in 1981 after living in Clark. All four of Corrigan’s children attended school in South Routt. Corrigan is the former president of the Oak Creek Hockey Association and Rocky Mountain Youth Hockey League. He owns Timco Walls and Ceiling in Steamboat Springs.

Harris is seeking his first full term on the board. He and his wife own Rocky Mountain Pet Resorts west of Yampa. Harris’ 11-year-old daughter, Emily, was the impetus for him seeking appoint-ment to the board.

“Of course that’s why I got involved,” he said. “She’s the apple of my eye.”

Harris said he has learned a lot about the district by serving on the board and hopes to have a strong voice in creating a cohesive K-12 curriculum.

“That’s probably No. 1 on my agen-da,” he said. “That and attracting and retaining quality staff.”

Harris said he hopes South Routt voters will approve the district’s 3A and 3B ballot issues that would provide funding for general operating expenses and new school heating systems.

“We’re at a crossroads with out bud-getary needs,” he said. “We definitely need to have this 3A issue pass. It’s going to be crucial for the betterment of our schools.”

Rodney Wilson, the board’s vice president and District 7 representative, will be serving his second term.

Wilson was unavailable for comment.

Most South Routt board races uncontested


The two candidates in the only con-tested seat for the Hayden School Board said their children were their inspiration to run for public office.

Sharon Nereson, a Hayden School District paraprofessional and classroom volunteer, is challenging incumbent Troy Wertenberger for the District D seat. Wertenberger, an employee of the Routt County Road and Bridge Department, was first elected in November 1999.

“The expiring term of seat D of the School Board allows me the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to seek election,” Nereson said. “My sixth-grade daughter’s education is my priority, and I will continue to support the quality of education in Hayden.”

Wertenberger, who has two children enrolled at Hayden High School, said hav-ing children in the district provides more of an intimate knowledge of important issues facing the schools.

“You get to know the staff a lot better and their policies and everything that goes on with it,” he said. “It also lets you know if polices are being followed.”

Wertenberger said his priority if re-elected would be to find a replacement for

Superintendent Mike Luppes, who is retir-ing at the end of the school year.

“We’ve already started in that process in seeing if we need to hire a firm to help in the process with that or if we should keep it in-house and hire locally,” said Wertenberger, who noted the board must also assess whether the district’s four-day week has proved advantageous for teach-ers and students.

“If we do keep it, I’d like to see more student-teacher contact days,” he said.

Nereson said her eight years of expe-rience working in Hayden schools has helped her build a strong relationship with district staff. Those relationships will serve her well on the school board, she said.

“Working as a paraprofessional and volunteering in classrooms has given me understanding, which will be used to make decisions at the board level to strengthen the student’s academic standards,” she said.

Incumbent, school staffer square off in Hayden

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Referendum 2A - Hayden use tax


Hayden town officials want voters to replace an existing automobile use tax with one on building materials. In addition to raising more money, officials say the move would shift the tax burden from existing Hayden residents to new-comers.

“The bottom line for the use tax was I made a promise when I started the job that as growth and development occurred, I would put the town in a position to have growth pay for itself,” Hayden Town Manager Russ Martin said. “This is a shift in burden.”

The ballot question, if approved, would repeal the current use tax on new automobiles and levy a 2 percent tax on half the value of new construction, based on building permit valuations. The current use tax generates between $25,000 and $30,000 a year, Martin said. In a year similar to 2007, Martin said the new tax would raise between $75,000 and $100,000. In 2006, the town collected

$934,571 in sales tax; $370,000, or 39.5 percent of total sales tax revenue, came from business generated from Yampa Valley Regional Airport. The town col-lected $307,615 in property taxes.

Martin said residents continue to pay a fairly high burden with the automobile use tax. While existing Hayden residents would be subject to the building materials use tax if they added on to their homes or built new ones, Martin said it primarily would affect developers and newcomers to the community. He noted most people probably buy a new car more often than they renovate their homes.

Town officials say the new tax is needed to keep up with the increasing demand for town services — such as water lines and police — created by the town’s steady growth and development. A citizens’ tax review committee exam-ined the town’s revenue structure and recommended the use tax on building materials.

“We can balance the budget with or without a use tax, as we have for years,” Martin said. “The issue is

increasing the service.”A use tax was one of the town’s only

options to increase revenue, Martin said. Unlike a home-ruled city or town, such as Craig or Steamboat Springs, Hayden is a statutory town limited by state law in the taxes it can collect. For example, while Steamboat can increase its sales tax beyond a state-mandated maximum of 4 percent, Hayden cannot.

That could be changing soon, how-ever. Both Martin and Finance Director Lisa Dowling have said the town will take steps to develop its own home-rule charter in coming months.

Martin said he has not heard much fuss from developers about the pro-posed use tax. In July, developers Roger Johnson and Jon Peddie said the tax would not stymie growth.

Johnson, president of Mount Harris Development and one of the developers of The Villages at Hayden subdivision, said the tax could encourage growth if the revenues are used to fund infrastruc-ture projects that are “economically pro-ductive for the area.”

Jon Peddie, co-developer of the Valley View Business Park, said increased costs would simply be passed on to consumers.


Hayden seeks to shift tax burdenOfficials say building materials use tax would force growth to pay for itself

Melinda DudleyPILOT & TODAY STAFF

Hayden-area voters will consider increasing their cemetery district tax in the Nov. 6 election via Referendum 5B, which aims to fund capital improve-ments and expansion to keep pace with population growth.

“Hayden’s just changing tremendous-ly, and we’re trying to keep up with that,” Hayden Cemetery District Board mem-ber Lisa Zirkle said. “We’re growing, and our cemetery grows.”

Referendum 5B calls for “deBruc-ing” the cemetery district tax, a ref-erence to Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, author Doug Bruce. DeBrucing would exempt the Cemetery District from TABOR’s restrictions lim-

iting tax increases to population growth and the inflation rate. DeBrucing would effectively allow the Hayden Cemetery District to increase its tax revenue.

Zirkle described the current tax as “tiny,” at less than 0.5 mill levy.

Improvements to be funded with Referendum 5B revenue would include grading and fencing undeveloped land in preparation for future burial sites.

The Hayden Cemetery District serves Hayden, Milner and other unincorpo-rated communities in Routt County such as the Williams Fork area. The district currently operates on an annual budget of less than $40,000 for improvements, grounds maintenance and equipment.

In addition to the Hayden Cemetery, the district operates a cemetery in the unincorporated community of Pagoda

and maintains the grounds of a closed memorial cemetery, also in Hayden. The cemetery district tax funds all three facilities, although the closed facility requires only minimal upkeep, Zirkle said.

Providing burial services at the

Pagoda cemetery is particularly expen-sive because of its remote location and the need to bring in the necessary equip-ment from Hayden, Zirkle said.

The district has only part-time care-takers, and Zirkle said the board hopes to hire full-time employees, or at least expand the number of hours worked.

“We are a small district, so we don’t need a whole lot of funding, but we do need more than what we’re getting now,” Zirkle said. “The big thing is just doing the capital improvements, and keeping up with the growth.”

Anticipated improvements to County Road 37, bypassing Shelton Lane, would offer a more direct route to the cemetery from U.S. Highway 40, but would also change the entry points to the grounds, requiring additional work.

Cemetery district trying to keep up with growth

Referendum 2A - ballot languageShall the town of Hayden’s taxes be increased by $100,000 annually (first full fiscal year increase) and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter from the extension of a use tax of two (2.0) percent upon the privilege of using or con-suming within the town construction and building materials purchased at retail for use in connection with construction or building projects and shall the existing two (2.0) percent use tax on motor vehicles be eliminated effective Jan. 1, 2008, all in accor-dance with Ordinance 587, passed and set on July 19, 2007, with the net proceeds of such use tax to be collected, retained and spent for purposes deter-mined by the Board of Trustees; and shall the town be permitted to collect, retain and expend all reve-nues derived from such use tax as a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to limits which would otherwise apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law?

Referendum 5B - Hayden cemetery tax

Referendum 5B - ballot languageWithout imposing any new taxes and without increasing its property tax mill levy, shall the Hayden Cemetery District, as a voter approved revenue change, be authorized to accept, col-lect, retain, or expend all revenues received from all sources from the fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent year, notwithstanding any limitations or restrictions that would apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (TABOR), section 29-1-301, Colorado Revised Statues (5.5% limit), or any other law?

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Early Voting

Melinda DudleyPILOT & TODAY STAFF

County officials have expanded early voting options in an effort to limit the long lines that plagued polling locations during the 2006 election.

This year’s early voting period is two weeks — from Oct. 22 to Nov. 2. While most early voting will take place at the Routt County Courthouse Annex, the county will set up early voting centers in Hayden and Oak Creek on Saturday, Oct. 27 for one day only. Saturday’s early voting is new this year, as is evening voting until 6

p.m. from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.“The reasoning behind it is to get as

many people to vote absent by mail or early voting to minimize lines at the polls,” Routt County Clerk and Recorder Kay Weinland said.

Long lines at the polls during the 2006 election earned Routt County a spot on the state’s Election Watch List, and prompted the county to take action.

Offering people the opportunity to vote on evenings and weekends was a sugges-tion of the Routt County Citizens Election Review Committee, as was increasing the county’s stock of voting machines.

However, the county has been unable to purchase 20 additional voting machines because of delays in the state’s certifica-tion process for voting equipment. Counties must wait to purchase new machines until

ongoing recertification of existing equip-ment is completed by the Secretary of State’s office.

In the absence of additional machines, Weinland and her staff took have made an all-out push to promote early and mail-in voting. In addition to making presenta-tions about early and mail-in voting to service clubs and other local organizations, the county sent mail-in applications with information about the new extended voting hours to all registered voters.

— To reach Melinda Dudley, call 871-4208 or e-mail [email protected]

Early voting options expand

mediation practice — a skill he hopes to bring to City Council.

“I’d like to approach com-munity issues as problems to be solved by all, rather than as posi-tions to be defended by some people against others,” Hughes said. “I’d like to work within the Vision 2030 process to see what the community’s clear vision is for the next 20 to 30 years. … Finally, I’d like council to do less, but to do it better.”

Bentley also cited a desire

to increase the efficiency of Steamboat’s chief governing body.“I would like to continue to

streamline the workings of City Council,” Bentley said. “Over and above that, I think the time has come to follow the suggestions of the Growth Management Team from the 2004 Steamboat Springs Area Community Plan to manage “rate and timing” of development in the city. I would also like to increase the range of work force housing choices and opportunities.”

Both residents and former public servants said they hold a deep love for the Yampa Valley. Bentley is an avid camper, skier and snowshoer with interests including cooking, green build-ing and landscaping. Hughes said he enjoys tennis, skiing and “everything about every season here.”

Which of the two very quali-fied candidates gets a seat on City Council is up to the voters.

— To reach Mike Lawrence, call 871-4203 or e-mail [email protected]

District 2 continued from 3

Bentley, Hughes have deep love for valley

Early Voting (Oct. 22 to Nov. 2)■ 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22-26 at the Routt County Courthouse Annex in Steamboat Springs■ 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Routt County Courthouse Annex, the Routt County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in Hayden, and Town Hall in Oak Creek■ 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 at the Routt County Courthouse Annex

where our staff will feel supported and will begin to open up communication and create a respectful and user-friendly education system where all parties are valued.”

Kozatch, whose daughters have grad-uated from the district, said his inspira-tion to run for the school board stems from a life-long desire to be a teacher.

“I wanted to be a teacher when I was in college, but was never confident that I would be a great teacher, so I have always been a teacher wannabe. I also think that the system of free public edu-cation we have in the U.S. is an extraor-dinary institution.”

Kozatch added that students have a “great, untapped potential.”

“Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I see so many opportunities to make what is good about our schools great, and what is great, even greater still,” he said. “I would like to remain part of a winning team. …I think that the continuity, flex-ibility, and creativity I can offer would be a positive quality for our district.”

Both candidates said they support all-day kindergarten and they agreed that more research must be done to deter-mine how to fund the program.

“We could see this new program in place as soon as the facilities are ready if we can identify a reasonable funding source,” said Kozatch, who noted all-day kindergarten space was planned in the new Soda Creek Elementary School and in the expansion of Strawberry Park Elementary School.

“I would aggressively look for any available district funds, grants, gifts from the community, and gift proposals to the Education Fund Board,” he said. “Many parents have told me that they would be very willing to contribute their own money since the state currently will only fund half-day kindergarten.”

Anderson said she too will look at a variety of funding sources.

“Whether it’s a mill levy or parents pay their way, I’m concerned with the kids who need it the most being able to afford it,” she said. “I would like it to be a thoughtful process involving all inter-ested parties.”


Both candidates support all-day kindergarten, want more researchLaura Anderson

Age: 48Occupation: Engineer by training, volunteer by choiceOn the issue:Do you favor all-day kindergar-ten? If so, how do you propose funding the program and when do you see the program start-ing?“Yes. I do have a concern how

it is going to be funded. Whether it’s a mill levy or parents paying their way, I’m concerned with the kids who need it the most being able to afford it. I would like it to be a thoughtful process involving all interested parties. (It should begin) at the very earliest, when the building construction projects are completed.”Is there divisiveness in the school district? If so, what would you do to help improve the climate?“Yes. It was the main topic at the School Board retreat with the new superintendent on (Oct. 1). I want to be part of a board that focuses on what’s best for our students and is fiscally responsible. I have the experience and talents to be a board mem-ber who can respectfully work as part of a team to accomplish common goals. And I will support our staff, which works so hard to provide our kids with an academically successful year.”

Jerry KozatchAge: 54Occupation: Co-owner of Ambiente Home Accents and GiftsOn the issues: Do you favor all-day kindergar-ten? If so, how do you propose funding the program and when do you see the program start-ing?“Yes. One of the primary respon-

sibilities of a school board member is to assess the needs and desires of their community. The Steamboat Springs parents I have listened to are very much in favor of a choice for all-day kinder-garten and would like to have it available as quickly as possible. …We could see this new program in place as soon as the facilities are ready if we can identify a reasonable funding source. I would aggressively look for any available district funds, grants, gifts from the community, and gift propos-als to the Education Fund Board.”Is there divisiveness in the school district? If so, what would you do to help improve the climate?“No. If there is, it is not directed toward me. I am trying to remain focused on my current respon-sibilities. I continue to monitor the climate at all the schools and the administrative office. We can always do better, make improvements, and provide a better educational atmosphere for our students.”

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Dave Moss likes to think of the North Routt Fire Protection District as a three-legged stool with a loose leg.

Those three legs consist of the dis-trict’s facilities, equipment and per-sonnel, he said.

“We’re in good shape with our facil-ities because of the bond issue that passed in 2001, and we’re looking good with our equipment since we got grants for new trucks, but we need funds to pay our personnel,” he said.

Moss, president of the North Routt Fire Protection District’s Board of Directors, said district officials decid-ed to put a 2.9 mill levy issue before North Routt property owners and other eligible voters to help generate funds to pay their full-time chief, Bob Reilley, and enhance benefits for the district’s core of about 15 volunteers.

If approved, the mill levy would generate about $101,000 for the dis-trict. About 60 percent would go to Reilley’s salary and benefits, with the remaining money going to volunteer benefits, Moss said.

Reilley, who makes less than $65,000 a year, is currently paid out of the district’s reserve funds. Reilley is the district’s only paid employee besides a part-time administrative assistant and mechanic who are paid contractually.

Fred Wolf, the district’s treasurer, said the proposed mill levy increase would cost the average North Routt homeowner about $1.85 per $100,000 of assessed value. Most homes in North Routt are valued at about $300,000, meaning the tax would cost the average resident about $5.45 a month, he said.

“It’s a little more than a gallon of milk a month to ensure that when you call 911 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, someone

shows up,” he said. Reilley said an increased call volume

coupled with the fact that many of the district’s volunteers work in Steamboat Springs makes it difficult to have people available to respond to a calls during the day.

“Call volume is only going up,” he said. “This has been our busiest year to date with about 90 calls. That’s more than (2006), when we had the Rainbow (Family of Living Light) Gathering and more than 2005, when we had the Hinman fire.”

In addition to paying Reilley, the funds generated from the mill levy would help the district enhance benefits for volunteers.

“We need to attract volunteers as well as keep the very professional and quali-fied group of volunteers we have right now,” Reilley said. “(The tax) is going to benefit everyone.”

North Routt property owners or rent-ers living within the district’s boundaries

are eligible to vote. North Routt prop-erty owners who live outside the district but are registered voters in Colorado also are eligible to vote, Moss said.

North Routt fire tax would fund chief, benefitsReferendum 5A - North Routt fire tax

Referendum 5A - ballot languageShall North Routt Fire Protection District taxes be increased $101,832 annually (for tax year 2008) and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter by the imposition of an additional ad valorem property tax rate of 2.969 mills resulting in a total mill levy not to exceed 5.25 mills commencing on January 1, 2008, for tax year 2008 and continuing thereafter, to provide fire, rescue and emergency medical services including general operations and capital improvements; and shall the district be autho-rized to collect, retain and spend all tax revenue collected from such total property tax rate com-mencing January 1, 2009, and continue thereafter as a voter approved revenue change, offset and exception to the limits which would otherwise apply under TABOR (Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution) or any other law?

source, the cost of maintaining a ground-source system is cheaper and less time consuming than a coal-fired system, and the technology has the potential to heat the schools for the next 40 years with minimal upkeep.

The Hayden School District agreed in July to a 15-year lease-purchase agree-ment to replace its boilers. Reed said the same model can’t work in South Routt because of the higher costs of the project.

Reed stressed that replacing the boiler system is the most pressing concern in the district.

“Case being, had our boiler been inoperable in January as it was in May, it would have forced us to shut down the school until it could be repaired,” he said. “In essence, what we are looking at is that we have a very old system that we cannot rely upon. We have been patch-ing it for years and it is time to replace it. We are hoping it will hold together for another year.”

If approved by voters, Reed said work

would begin in the spring and be finished before the 2008-09 school year.

The district also is asking South Routt voters to approve a mill levy override of three mills — a property tax increase above what state regulations allow — to generate an additional $360,000 a year.

Reed noted that the net mill increase would be one mill — or a tax of $1 per every $1,000 of the first 8 percent of a property’s assessed value — if vot-ers also approve the bond purchase to replace the boilers. The average market value of a South Routt property is $236,000, which equates to an increase of $18.80 a year.

This loss of 42 students equates to about $344,400 of lost revenue that would have come from the department of education.

Reed said the decline in revenue led to the gradual dismissal of six teachers, five paraprofessionals, and the reduc-tion in the number of extracurricular activities.

Medical expenses also have increased as much as 18 percent a year, and fuel costs have nearly doubled.

South Routt continued from 8

Reed said boiler is pressing concern

of Steamboat needs to find a mecha-nism to provide funding or incentives for existing facilities to expand and or new providers to open businesses.”

Post said a potential annexation of the Steamboat 700 property west of

downtown is the city’s “last big chance to place permanent affordable housing.”

“There’s a lot of things that will go into that annexation,” Post said, citing the city’s role in design elements, plan-ning and infrastructure. “It’s a very exciting place, because it’s rare that you get this opportunity.”


Post excited about Steamboat 700

Regional Airport and the construction of a new office building on the county’s downtown campus.

Steamboat resident Charles Baker, who like Strong has concerns with the deBrucing measure, said the tax should have a sunset and future projects should be subject to the approval of voters.

“The long and the short of it is that, if the ballot issue passes, the mill levy will be fixed,” Baker said. “Our taxes are automatically going up, and we won’t have a right to vote on future projects.”

The commissioners take a different approach to that thinking, seeing it as a benefit that the county won’t have to trouble voters with every project they undertake in the future.

“Basically the $2.6 million annually going into a capital fund will address the county’s needs well into the future,” Monger said. “We believe we’ve been prudent with the money, and we believe future commissioners will be prudent with the money.”

Stahoviak acknowledged that the tax could stand to raise much more than $3.3 million in coming years as property values rise. She said that doesn’t mean the county will collect as much as it can.

“In future years, the commissioners will have options,” Stahoviak said. “The final option is to refund some of that money to the taxpayers. That’s always an option.”


Road tax continued from 7

No sunset on proposed road tax

A proposed county tax would raise $3.3 million a year for road improvements, but the revenues could be used for other purposes once the repairs are complete.

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