Forums are an important opportunity to understand the differences between candidate POVs, and Tuesday’s event was no exception. The PWC posed some really thoughtful questions - if you weren’t able to tune in and are still undecided, I encourage you to review the video at the link in my bio. If you have any questions about where I stand on key county issues, I hope this provides some clarity. 👍

QUESTION TIMESTAMPS (per PWC video on YouTube - link in bio):

5:40 Moderators share forum rules

6:15 Q1: Knowing that county commissions have a lot of discretion about how they spend their time, how do you see yourself prioritizing local, state and federal issues, and are there specific topics that you are already engaging in?

10:50 Q2: How will you balance representing people who live in unincorporated San Miguel County, and the people who live in incorporated municipalities throughout the county?

17:00 Q3: With an annual budget of about $36 million, prioritizing the county’s discretionary spending is crucial. What are your top priorities for budget allocations and how do you plan to ensure that these areas receive the necessary funding without neglecting other essential services?

22:30 Q4: Do you think we can solve our county-wide housing deficit through adding ADUs (accessory dwelling units), minor scale projects and infill development, or do we also need large developments, like planned unit developments?

28:10 Q5: Given that the loudest opponents often dominate discussions, how would you approach decision making to ensure all voices and interests are heard?

33:27 Q6: What elements of the Climate Action Plan and the Climate Change and Resiliency in the East End Master Plan are your highest priorities for implementation?

39:00 Q7: What are your values around environmental issues and natural resources? What are you passionate about in this area and what are you willing to do to promote environmental stewardship?

43:53 Q8: How do you envision the future development of the Diamond Ridge property? And what specific plans or projects would you advocate for to achieve this vision? Please focus on the future/forward-looking ideas, rather than past issues or controversies.

50:18 Candidates ask each other closing questions and respond

Thanks to KOTO for hosting the first candidate forum of election season!

I appreciated the thoughtful questions and the opportunity to share more about my experience in local government, and what I hope to see for the future of San Miguel County.

Visit the link in my bio to listen to the full conversation.