Endorsing the Mt. Crested Butte tax issues along with 1A and 5A

The mail-in ballot process is not a favorite. Election Day in Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and the county used to be almost a holiday. No more and that’s a shame. But everyone should have his or her ballot by now. You have until November 3 to get it in the hands of the county to be counted. Drop it in the mail or get it to a county office. Residents of Gunnison County like myself get to vote on two issues. 1A is the county’s initiative allowing the county to set up a program to lend money to homeowners making energy efficient improvements. The proponents have seemed to address the concerns brought up early in the initiative conversations. It is set up to impact just those properties that utilize the program. It could benefit reduction of carbon emissions in the county and provide some job opportunities. It deserves a yes vote.
5A deserves a check as well. It will reauthorize the Local Marketing District funds gathered through a 4 percent lodging tax. There are issues with how some of the money is spent but trying to please everyone at both ends of the valley is never easy. The bottom line is that this area depends on tourism and this money helps bring in tourists. Yes on 5A.
In Mt. Crested Butte, residents get to vote on three tax issues. After bumbling through a similar election last year and being rejected, the town leaders seem to have worked out the kinks and stopped overreaching. Mt. Crested Butte is facing a very real financial crisis. If Mt. Crested Butte wants to be a real town it takes long term thought, preparation and money. 2A, 2B and 2C would increase the sales tax rate to 5 percent, “De-Bruce” the property tax and retain a 4 percent admissions tax. The money raised through these measures would go to roads, tourism marketing, public transportation in the Mountain Express and basic town services. These are real items a real tourist town should fund in order to prosper. As Mt. Crested Butte mayor William Buck commented a few weeks ago, “It will get a lot worse a lot faster without this.” As opposed to last year’s measures, these seem appropriate and streamlined and those living in Mt. Crested Butte should seriously look at passing all three initiatives. The pain is slight and the benefits worthwhile.
For more detailed information on any of the above initiatives, see page 6.
Voters have until November 3 to mark their ballots and either mail them back or drop them off to the county. Voting, especially in a small town, is a privilege and truly makes a difference. Just do it.