Following is a sampling of some of the issues facing Park County.  The list is by no means complete.  I plan to spend my time going into the active campaign season doing research, acquiring data, and coming up with some specifics.

     You may also want to visit “Campaign Conversations” to get some further information.  That page is designed to respond to resident questions which have been emailed to me.

Come up with a solution for Road and Bridge

     A complete overhaul of Road and Bridge operations is the single most important issue facing the county, and ongoing deterioration of our roadways must be dealt with if we are going to get back on track. While there has been lip service to solve the problems facing the department, little has been accomplished.

     Voters have consistently turned down ballot questions on a sales tax for the department largely based upon mistrust of their elected officials.  We should not use limited funding streams as an excuse for inaction.  Working within whatever budgetary constraints we have, a specific plan is needed to rebuild Road and Bridge.

     Failure to act has only complicated matters.  The task will not be easy.  And there will be no quick fix.

     Key questions:  Is quality road work being performed, or work being spread too thin when it is done?  Are employees working to the best of their abilities, or are they so demoralized that this isn’t the case?  Are our Road and Bridge managers performing to the utmost of their capabilities?  Should we be looking at more creative solutions to solve our road issues?

Revisit the Park County Strategic Master Plan

     The process to implement Park County’s Strategic Master Plan was a long one. Upon adoption, however, the document was given little, if any, teeth as a framework for future land use regulations.  The population of Park County will continue to grow, and we should plan today for the look and feel of our county tomorrow.

     The Strategic Master Plan should be more than a set of "suggestions" in planning for the future.

 
Greater enforcement of Land Use Regulations

     A person’s home/property is most likely to be the greatest investment he or she will make in a lifetime.  Park County’s Land Use Regulations specify zoning and appropriate land uses within each zone.  Homeowner associations also specify covenants with which residents must comply.  Some residents have not been aware of existing covenants but have made the effort to do what is needed to come into compliance once they find out.  Others have resisted this process saying they have the right to do as they please.

     The most egregious cases should be pursued to ensure that one person’s property rights do not adversely affect those of another.

 
Improve communication between officials and county residents

     Information that Park County residents need stays bottlenecked in Fairplay.  Residents are often unable to attend public meetings which are poorly announced or noticed.  Weekly emails containing agendas are incomplete. Agendas posted can change up to 24 hours of a meeting, making it difficult for interested parties to make adequate arrangements at work or home.

     In this technological day and age, we have incredible means to provide information to the public.  More emphasis needs to be placed on use of technology to keep people informed.

 
Greater accessibility through locally-held meetings

     Although Fairplay is the county seat, there are times when it is more appropriate to hold public hearings in the communities which are solely affected.  For example, holding a public hearing in Bailey on a proposed subdivision in the community makes sense.  These hearings generate considerable public attention, and more people would be likely to attend meetings held closer to home.  Given that we have a national gas crisis, we should be doing our utmost to keep cars off the highway to the greatest extent possible while promoting public participation.

 
Revisit the issue of recycling in Park County

     Vision 2020 is redoubling its efforts to promote recycling in Park County.  The organization has placed a survey on the home page of the South Park Chamber of Commerce to get a pulse from the community.  Results are expected to be released soon.  Vision 2020 is studying the feasibility of purchasing a five-bin recycling trailer which can travel throughout the county.

     Let’s put the issue of recycling back on the table and see how we can help bring this important project to fruition. Check  "Useful Links" for more information.