{"id":39963,"date":"2022-06-17T17:23:46","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T23:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/candidates-for-montezuma-county-commission-seat-present-views\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:52:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:52:41","slug":"candidates-for-montezuma-county-commission-seat-present-views","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/candidates-for-montezuma-county-commission-seat-present-views\/","title":{"rendered":"Candidates for Montezuma County commission seat present views"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"About
About 20 people attended a candidates forum for Montezuma County Commissioner District 1. It was put on by the League of Women's Voters of Montezuma County on June 9. (Jim Mimiaga\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Three Republican candidates are running for the District 1 seat of the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners.<\/p>\n

Because no other candidate is running, the winner in the June 28 Republican primary election will be alone on the November ballot and serve a four-year term.<\/p>\n

The candidates are incumbent Jim Candelaria and challengers Tim Lanier and Liz Tozer.<\/p>\n

They presented some of their views during a forum hosted by the Montezuma County League of Women Voters June 9.<\/p>\n

Jim Candelaria<\/div>\n

\"Jim
Jim Candelaria<\/span>du1-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Candelaria, who has served as county commissioner since 2018, has worked in construction and as a firefighter in Cortez and Farmington, where he made the rank of battalion chief.<\/p>\n

He pointed to his experience as a commissioner, including navigating the pandemic, implementing the land use code, broadcasting public meetings and informing the public via video presentations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no blueprint for the pandemic. We dealt with it, and the experience prepares the county for the next public emergency,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Speaking about other challenges, he said the drop in oil and gas revenue has contributed to a budget shortfall of $3 million. Staff retention is challenging because private industry pays more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to live within our means,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers and must work within our confines.\u201d<\/p>\n

He supports the Dolores River Valley land use code\u2019s special restrictions to protect the county\u2019s main water source.<\/p>\n

The county does not have a sales tax. He supports asking the voters to approve a small one, but not this year because of high inflation and the struggling economy.<\/p>\n

A sales tax is \u201cequally distributed,\u201d he said. Visitors would help fund county roads and law enforcement.<\/p>\n

Affordable housing is another major problem that is linked to economic development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout housing, workers and businesses will not come to your community,\u201d he said. \u201cInventory is so low we are in a desperate situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

On collaboration with area towns, he said each commissioner is assigned to attend government meetings in Dolores, Cortez, and Mancos to stay informed. He attends Dolores Town Board meetings.<\/p>\n

On the issue of mental health and drug abuse, he supported the county\u2019s new Community Intervention Program, which pairs EMTs and social workers to respond to noncriminal emergencies.<\/p>\n

On the economy, he pointed to the approval of two U.S. Department of Agriculture meatpacking plants in the county, the cleanup of the M&M truck stop for a new business, and support of outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n

He helped improve parking at Sand Canyon and open public access to the Summit Ridge BLM land. He supports greenhouse development to extend the agriculture season.<\/p>\n

Closing statement: <\/strong>\u201cIt has been a pleasure to serve as county commissioner. I have learned so much, and I have the knowledge, skills and ability to continue. I represent the county on a local, state and national level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tim Lanier<\/div>\n

\"Tim
Tim Lanier<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Lanier is a lifetime resident of the county. He served 12 years on the Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 School Board, including four years as president. He served as a firefighter and EMT on the Pleasant View Fire Department, and currently serves on the board of Farmers Telecommunications.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have experience serving on boards, I\u2019ve worked with different groups and individuals, and I\u2019ve worked on budgets,\u201d he said. \u201cI listen well and communicate well.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said a major challenge is the high rate of suicide, including among youths.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need more support for our youth and need to stop the bullying. They are our future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

On wildfire mitigation, he wants to utilize the county GIS department to identify where buffer zones are needed around homes and towns.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to promote cutting dead trees in the forest to help get rid of the fire danger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

While the county does not control water supply, he said adjustments in agriculture are needed to preserve water.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to manage what we have. Before opening up for development, we need to make sure water sources are available,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He supports the special land use restrictions in Dolores Valley to protect the critical water resource.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dolores River is the lifeblood of this county, and I think we need to protect it at all costs,\u201d he said. \u201cIf it is contaminated upriver, it is contaminated for everybody downstream.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said he was undecided about putting a sales tax on the ballot.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst thing we need to do is streamline the county and cut the budgets, then see what we can\u2019t live without,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said the economy needs a railroad.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are limited on what we can do because of transportation issues out here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Attracting industries that don\u2019t require a lot of water, like Osprey Packs, should be prioritized, he said.<\/p>\n

Regarding the workforce, he wants to work with Pueblo Community College to create internships, so young people can develop the skills needed locally.<\/p>\n

While the county does not manage schools, Lanier said he would support pushing the state Legislature to change lottery laws to earmark revenue for schools.<\/p>\n

Closing statement: <\/strong>\u201cI have deep roots and great love for this county and people. I want to make sure the county is viable and continues to grow and attract good people. I have had leadership roles and have the ability to lead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Liz Tozer<\/div>\n

\"Liz
Liz Tozer<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Tozer was born and raised in Cortez and is a farmer and rancher in McElmo Canyon. She has worked at the Cortez Livestock Sale Barn for 48 years, including the past 18 as manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been involved in agriculture my entire life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She served on the Montezuma County Fair board for six years and represented private landowners on a citizen advisory board that developed a management plan for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. She currently serves on the county social services citizen review board.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very familiar with the rural county and people and would love the opportunity to serve everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She said the economy is the county\u2019s biggest challenge, in addition to drought and threat of wildfire.<\/p>\n

The county should distribute information pamphlets to educate the public on wildfire mitigation, water conservation and other important issues, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI conserve water all the time, not just during drought. I\u2019ve hauled water, and you learn to conserve,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She supports limiting development in Dolores River Valley because the river is a \u201clifeline.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not have a river in Cortez. If the Dolores River dries up, we will dry up too,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She is in favor of asking voters to approve a sales tax, but not while the economy struggles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I see it, with a sales tax, a lot of people who come through to shop would be helping to support the county. The tax revenues would not all have to come from property taxes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She would look into incentive packages to attract companies such as reducing permit fees and other startup costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cA well-planned timber industry would be good,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is a lot of timber around here, and a lot of it needs to be cleaned up. This area has people who have worked in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also supports creating a year-round indoor market that only sells goods produced in Montezuma County, \u201clike a year-round farmer\u2019s market.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also supports the county\u2019s Community Intervention Program, a non-law-enforcement unit that responds to mental health and addiction emergency calls.<\/p>\n

Closing statement: <\/strong>\u201cI am not a politician, I am a concerned citizen who has lived here all my life. I have a lot to thank Montezuma County for and I want to see it prosper into the future. I am a good listener and will govern with common sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

jmimiaga@the-journal.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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