The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Sustainability, sales tax and plastic bags
(Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of the report on the Crested Butte Town Council Candidates’ Forum that was held on October 9. Last week we reported on the candidates’ thoughts about traffic, the mine and HCCA involvement.)
Mayoral candidates Aaron Huckstep and Jeremy Rubingh, along with Town Council candidates Jim Schmidt, Roland Mason, Chris Ladoulis, Danica Ramgoolam, and Josh Schumacher all answered the queries from more than 100 people at the Center for the Arts at the Crested Butte News Candidates’ Forum October 9.
The council candidates were asked what sustainability meant to them. “It goes to that question of balance,” said Schmidt. “Over the years some in the environmental community want extreme measures. Some business people would make a mall of the entire town. The council needs to fashion compromise and deal with both perspectives. It’s difficult.”
Ramgoolam said she has been impressed with recent efforts of the Mountain Roots community. “Council can support such groups. Maybe we can give tax breaks to businesses doing things like solar panels.”
“More business and economic sustainability is not being inconsistent with environmental sustainability,” pointed out Ladoulis. “Being green can be profitable.”
“Economy and environment can go hand-in-hand,” said Schumacher. “Things like the Farmers Market and ORE are good examples.”
“It can be difficult to balance the economy and environment but we’ve done a pretty good job in Crested Butte,” said Mason.
“In 2005, the town accepted an Energy Action Plan and there hasn’t been much follow-through,” said Rubingh. “There was an agreement among area governments to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020. We need to be a leader in this. We need to look at more opportunities, like increasing funding to ORE. There is nothing more we need to do than deal with climate change.”
“We might look at freeing up some BOZAR regulations a bit to encourage more green building,” suggested Huckstep. “Expanding public transportation is an idea.”
When pressed for specific ideas by ORE’s new executive director Kristen Van Hoesen, Rubingh said an inventory of town carbon emissions is important. Partnering with ORE was also critical, in addition to “engaging the staff on how to do this,” he said.
Schmidt said he has been pushing a solar farm idea with the local electric co-op and has been disappointed at the “glacial pace” of the GCEA on the matter. “As the town gets bigger, we probably burn more carbon,” he pointed out.
“We live at 9,000 feet in a cold climate. We probably realistically burn more carbon than some areas,” agreed Ladoulis. “We need to remain aware and do our best. If it’s a town focus, we can elevate the objective.”
“We can do more outreach with the citizens,” suggested Ramgoolam. “I’m all for anything sustainable.”
“Utilizing more public transportation and having more people get an energy audit is productive,” said Schumacher.
“The town did pass an idling ordinance,” said Mason. “Finding ways to encourage people to get out of their cars can be a direction.”
“We need to work collaboratively with CBMR and Mt. Crested Butte,” said Huckstep. “And we are in the process of replacing an old boiler at Town Hall—that will help.”
Is town sales tax figure okay?
A new guy to town said he had been warned about the high sales tax in Crested Butte and advised to shop outside of town. He asked the candidates what they thought about the situation.
Ladoulis said he felt Crested Butte sales tax was comparable to that of other resort towns.
Schmidt pointed out that 25 percent of the town’s 4 percent sales tax went to fund the free Mountain Express shuttle. “Things are no doubt cheaper in Gunnison but some of that tax goes to both the local shuttle and the RTA operations.”
Ramgoolam claimed Telluride’s sales tax was closer to 11 percent, “so we’re doing pretty good as a mountain town. But I see the price comparison all the time with the books in my store,” she said. “The question is, where do you want your money to be? Do you want your money to go to Amazon or to your local bookstore? Do you want your money to go to City Market or stay in Crested Butte?”
“There is lots of cool stuff in town that taxes pay for,” pointed out Schumacher. “It all goes to a good cause.”
Long meetings
Former councilperson Skip Berkshire asked how the council could cut down on the length of their meetings, which sometimes last more than six hours.
Ladoulis said it is important for the council to set priorities to discuss at the meetings. “We can collect input at the right time from the right people to make decisions go faster,” he suggested.
Schumacher said that since there were only two meetings a month, “It is the time for seven people to hash out the issues. Maybe they can get rid of some of the fluff talk, but it does take time.”
“Meetings going to after midnight is just wrong,” said Ramgoolam. “With the right leadership meetings could be streamlined and professional.”
“There are times like at the marijuana public hearing that the length is very appropriate,” said Schmidt. “We should give everyone who wants a chance to talk. Plus, council members must do their business in public and that can take time.”
“Some more thought could be given to the agenda items, especially when there are big issues,” said Mason. “We need to remember we have a new town manager and he is learning.”
“We have done some things to expedite business, like making the consent agenda bigger,” explained Huckstep. “But staff updates take 30 or 40 minutes and it is the time for the council to connect with the staff. Council updates and reports take similar time. We need to respect all the councilmembers and let them talk.”
“It’s about public access and input,” said Rubingh. “If you have a job or kids then you won’t be coming to a meeting at 10 o’clock at night. You can do some things to shorten council and staff updates but it is crucial to allow public input at reasonable hours.”
Plastic bag ban?
Crested Butte Community School sixth grader Dane DeFrates put the candidates on the spot, asking whether they would support a plastic bag ban in town like some other mountain communities have. “I’m interested in doing this but you might have to educate me more on the issue,” said Rubingh.
Schumacher suggested DeFrates bring a proposal to the council to consider.
“It might be the right thing to do,” added Huckstep.
In closing statements Rubingh pointed out there were still many important topics the candidates could address. He said the council should find improved ways for the staff to have better communication with the business community. He said more consistent air service through the RTA is important. Marketing the area with the state was another issue on his radar. “I want to keep the Crested Butte roots and character intact,” Rubingh said.
Huckstep said he encouraged anyone with a question or concern to find him and chat. “Civil discourse is important,” he said. “I want to be as accessible as possible.”
The county elections office mailed the ballots out last week. You should have your ballot by now. Voters must return the ballots to the county by Tuesday, November 5.
