OCR Text |
Show THE ZEPHYRNOVEMBER 89 PAGE 4 election 89: the race for mayor ' . ' . interviews with the candidates Bill Meador: On October.13, 1989, The Zeohvr conducted an interview with Bill Meador. The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. Zephyr: You were an educator for many years. What motivated vou to come out of retirement to run for political office? Meador: First of all, this is my home town. Im deeply committed to its past and to its future. Even though Ive been an educator, its also been as an administrator and chief executive officer. I was encouraged to run by my friends and family and others in the community who felt I had something to offer the process. When you feel strongly about something, if you're not willing to serve In some of these roles, then I dont know how much you have to say about what happens. While politics has not been something I look forward to getting Into, and I'm not all that comfortable In the political arena, I do feel that I have some group process skills and leadership skills that can be used by the City. So I made the decision to run. Zephyr: You came close to answering mv second question. What qualities or skills do vou possess that would contribute to the office of mayor that the Cltv would not benefit from If you're not elected? Meador: Thats very hard to say. Basically its a decision of leadership style that I bring to the process. I believe that we need to set priorities and goals. We need to find out as a city, what we are, what we want to be, and how we're going to get there. I'd like to see us reach a consensus where we act Instead of react to Issues and really get In charge of our own affairs In a way that is positive and provides some economic recovery. I'm not saying development; we need to recover some things that weve had. That includes a broad scope of activities. Zephyr: One criticism that I've heard Is that because you've had a career as an educator, vou havent had much contact with the private sector. Meador: I think thats a misconception, Jim, and in fact, as the superintendent of schools, I didnt spend all my time dealing with curriculum. We ran the largest transportation system in town, the largest maintenance group, the broadness of being superintendent of schools Includes dealing a great deal with the private sector - with contractors, and so on. So I think Ive dealt with the private sector much more than the average citizen might perceive. If vou became mayor, would vou possibly consider hiring an Zephyr: administrator to assume some of the responsibilities that are currently being combined Into the mayor's position? . Meador: As you may or may not know, I'm serving as an education consultant at the present time, and have my own business which Is successful The position of mayor, I would leave how that Is to be handled to the Council If they want me QnluiK 21 Quality Realty, Inc. 59 S. Main Suite 4 suzan martin sales associate t ; i the challenger to serve In both roles, I would do that If It would be to the City's advantage to full-ti- me manager in place, that's something the have a part-ti- me mayor and have a Council would decide, and I would be amenable to both those positions. decision that was made bv cltv government Zephyr: if you could change one It be? In the last four years, what would I that think you or I or anyone else can, by second-guessidont Meador: Jim, I can win every football game on provide any Information to the voters. a screen set up that we need establish priorities, Monday morning. When we do all about? Will this benefit the says, is this what we want? Is this what were citizens we serve? Id much prefer to operate that way than second-guessin- g. own assets and Zephyr: in most campaigns, candidates talk a lot about their their opponent's liabilities. Id like to turn that around a bit and ask what vou think your weak points are and vour opponent's strong points? I Meador: I think Tom Is a very capable Individual, and choose not to listen As Ive gotten Into to innuendos; Its back to the business of not second-guessin- g. me and maybe uncomfortable for been that's of one the the political arena, things The I'm a a weak point, Is that basically, campaigning Is not private person. something I enjoy. I enjoy people, but I'm somewhat hesitant to walk up and Intrude on someone's private time. Im not a good campaigner, and that's a definite weak point as far as the campaign goes. I've spent more time In the last month ng, . patting myself on the back than I did in the last 27 years. rancor and How we reduce can the personal hostility that seems to Zephyr: How do we get bevond that and stick to be ever present In political campaigns? the issues? Meador: I don't know, Jim. There are people out there, the outside Influences In this campaign that have been surprising to me people who feel strongly about an Issue, who by backing one candidate, have an avenue to express that rancor. I suppose In every campaign, you have the outsiders who have much stronger Issues to take with either candidate, then the candidates do themselves. While I cannot censor what they say, I certainly don't have to condone It, or hesitate to express my anger to them. want to get vour thoughts on different aspects and programs that Zephyr: dtv government deals with. The first Is redevelopment It's been a hot Issue . -- . ' 1 lately. Meador: I think that economic development tools, such as the one the Council examined Is a good tool Properly applied, It can be a valuable tool I think the conditions and timing are Important There are other means to achieve those types of ends, and they all need to be examined. I really feel that the Mayor and the Council, in moving ahead as they did, felt that they were acting In the best Interest of the City. Once they got some feedback, they saw there were some areas they hadn't covered, and they showed the maturity to back off and reconsider. ent Somewhere down the road, I think we're going to see some kind of type financing, different enterprise zones, those kinds of things we need to look at to give free enterprise a kick start Zephyr: How do vou feel about consolidation of cltv and county government? Meador: I was active In the community when consolidation came to a vote last time. I feel it's time to at least consolidation as an Issue again. I know there are a lot of things said ebeut unavailability to elected officials. Maybe tho plan wasn't put together properly. I feel consolidation needs to be and the people need the opportunity to look at what they want as a community. If ever there was a where consolidation could work, It would be In this community There are few Issues valley. that dont Intertwine city and county. very Zephyr: How do vou view efforts to develop the golf course? Meador: Im not sure what the efforts are at the present time. The building of the course and the new nine holes was a tremendous achievement a group of very dedicated Individuals using their own time and effort to make by It happen. To hold off and make sure the water system was protected was an excellent Idea. Now I think we can move ahead, but we need to be careful whats done out there, that It s quality, that it doesn't become another run down neighborhood, etc. The r .Jf10 course has proved to be advantageous to the community. Id say 80 of the play is They come In and buy groceries, gas, stay at a moteL As that money turns over In the community, people benefit Anytime we have an opportunity to Increase the tax base withmany a clean, environmentally safe development, we need to pursue that Zephyr: Hqw do you see tourism changing our community In the next few Incen-tivaincrem- Commercial Retirement Residential Castle Valley J know where the best deals are ine ined out-of-to- wn. yBaiS Equal Housing Opportunity EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED Business (801) 259-502- 1 Residence (801) 259-791- 4 AN0 dPERATED Meador: Tourism has already changed this community. I think to will continue to change, either because of us or In spite of us. I'd rather be In charge of how It happens. I d rather that we make sure we know what we want to be, and what we want, how we get there, and what we do so that we're not continually to something, but that we're acting. Were going to have tourists, whether we want them or not. We need to know hew to be a tourist town. All of us also need to know the ramifications of that I hope we never choose strictly tourism, as re-act- lna |