A three-way race for the Montezuma County District 3 commissioner seat highlights the Nov. 6 general election locally.
Independent candidates Greg Kemp and Larry Don Suckla are challenging Republican nominee Dewayne Findley for the District 3 (Mancos) seat being vacated by Gerald Koppenhafer. Findley defeated Casey McClellan in the primary in late June.
Republican nominee Keenan Ertel is running unopposed for the District 2 seat (Cortez) being vacated by Larrie Rule. Ertel defeated Bud Garner and Pat DeGagne-Rule in the primary.
Koppenhafer and Rule are term-limited.
Steve Chappell is the third commissioner on the board, and is not up for re-election this time.
Voters get to select the commissioners no matter what district voters live in. Mail-in ballots will be sent out by the Montezuma County Clerks office this week. Early voting will begin on Oct. 22 and will go until Nov. 2. The only location for early voting is at the Montezuma County Annex 107 N. Chestnut Street. Voting will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Voters will need to bring a form of identification to the polling place.
The Journal survey for each District 3 commissioner candidate will run in alphabetical order in this edition of the Cortez Journal.
DEWAYNE FINDLEY
Biographical info: 64 years old; moved to Montezuma County when he was 2 years old; co-owner of Aspen Wall Wood, Inc. since 1990; serve on Region 9 Economic Development board of directors and the executive committee; served on the Southwest Regional Transportation Planning Committee for nine years; chairman for seven years before retiring in December 2011; serve on board of directors of Dolores State Bank, Dolores Fire Protection District, Dolores Chamber of Commerce, Dolores Community Center, and the Colorado Timber Industry Assoc.
Why do you want to be a county commissioner?
One of the most important roles of The Board of County Commissioners is to help set the course for the future of our county. They have the responsibility to work with local, state and federal agencies to ensure continued energy development and access to public lands for recreation, grazing, timber, etc. My entire career has involved working on public lands and dealing with public land managers. I want to be a county commissioner to be an advocate for the citizens of Montezuma County.
What are the two main issues facing Montezuma County?
1. Land Use Planning and Economic Development
I believe one of the few ways that the commissioners can promote economic development is through our land use process. By designating commercial and industrial overlay zones along our highway corridors, permitting and approval can be streamlined. This will let prospective businesses know that Montezuma County is open for business. We have to be part of the process of land use planning on public lands because of our dependence on oil and gas, tourism, and agriculture.
2. County Roads:
Almost everyone in the county drives on a county road every day. The commissioners work together to set road priorities and schedule improvements based on these priorities and the dollars available. Oil and gas exploration and production impact our roads dramatically in our county. They need to be held accountable and share in the cost of maintaining these roads.
Why should the voters choose you as county commissioner?
I hope the voters will choose me as their next county commissioner from District 3 because of my experience and qualifications. I have been a small business owner in the county for 20-plus years. I have walked the walk as a commissioner, and I know the tremendous amount of responsibility and hard work that is involved in serving. I love this area and the people living here, and I am committed to serving the citizens of Montezuma County.
GREG KEMP
Biographical info: 71 years old; College degree in Economics; career: industrial supervisor; completed Leadership Montezuma program shortly after moving to Montezuma County in 2001; serve in leadership positions in Habitat for Humanity, the Montezuma Community Economic Development Association, and for the largest homeowners association in Montezuma County; volunteer in 9 other community organizations
Why do you want to be a commissioner? My objective in becoming a county commissioner is to raise the performance standards for this job. It is my belief that the residents of Montezuma County have not been adequately served by those who have one or more outside businesses, and therefore, are required to fulfill the requirements of county commissioner as a secondary priority. I will be a full-time county commissioner.
Two main issues facing Montezuma County?
The two main issues currently facing Montezuma County, in my opinion, are 1) increasing economic development and 2) ready access to public lands for multiple use. I believe that agriculture was, and is, the heart of Montezuma County, but increased commercial and industrial activities are also important. The use of public lands for grazing and timber harvesting, as well as for recreational purposes, is vital to our economy.
Why should voters choose you?
My education, work experience, and over 10 years of wide-ranging volunteer community service make me the most qualified candidate for county commissioner in District 3. My commitment to full-time dedication to the responsibilities of commissioner and to keeping the public informed, in writing, on a regular basis, add to my unique qualifications. My campaign is not supported by a wealthy relative or a major political party. That shows my level of commitment to being a commissioner.
LARRY DON SUCKLA
Biographical info: 47 years old, married to Julie Suckla, two daughters, lifelong resident of Montezuma County, co-owner of Suckla Auctions, family has owned Cortez Livestock Auction since 1956, rancher, auctioneer, rodeo announcer, cattle broker and representative for Superior Livestock for 22 years, volunteer firefighter 11 years, participated in the original Forest Service Master Plan, volunteer auctioneer for Bridge Shelter, County Fair, Kiwanis, Childrens Kiva, community centers, and many more important organizations in the community, past president of Southwest Cattlemans Association
Why do you want to be commissioner?
I was brought up to be honest, hard working, and to stand up for whats right. I was also raised with the belief that one of our main purposes in life is to give our kids more opportunities than we had. Our kids may go off to college but I want them to have the choice of returning to our county and not have that decision be limited by a shortage of good jobs. I hope that they will want to come back and raise their children here and have a county as good as or better than we enjoyed growing up here.
What are the two main issues facing the county?
1) Job growth and 2) multiple use of public lands.
Job Growth is so important because we need more opportunity for our present and future generations. One way to do that is to get rid of outdated obstacles that our current and future businesses face when trying to compete and grow. We also need to streamline the zoning process.
On the issue of multi-use, I believe that experience is the key. My experience includes ranching, harvesting timber, and recreational enjoyment of our public lands. To be successful at these activities a person must be a steward of the land. I have the boots on the ground experience to understand the necessity of defending our right to this land.
Why should voters choose you?
I am coming into office without any obligations to one group or party. My obligations will be to the duties of the county commissioner and to the people only. I believe that we are defined by overcoming our adversities. Everybody faces them, a death of a loved one, cancer, a number of things. When I was 16, I was in a motorcycle accident that put me in the hospital for 46 days. I was told that I could be crippled for the rest of my life. It took a year of pain and perseverance for me to learn to walk again. That was a defining part of my life. It taught me that when I am faced with adversity I can overcome it. I believe in action. When you convert ideas into action you are seldom disappointed. Finally, as commissioner I believe that when all options are exhausted, you have to stand up and fight for what is right. When you are negotiating and you start in the middle you have already lost. I will do everything I can to fight for whats right for the people of Montezuma County.