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Show THE ZEPHYROCTOBER 1990 Election '90 Knutson us. Bierschied PAGE 7 an intewiew with David Knutson The Zephyr conducted an Interview with Incumbent Grand County Commissioner has been edited for clarity and length. David Knutson. The Interview farsighted goal. If patience and farsightedness were rewarded Immediately, they wouldn't be patience and farsightedness, so we're going to have to wait somewhat However, If things bog down In the future, I see other road needs where some of those monies can be But thafs In the future. Im not going to say, stall costs, were going to build that road over the top. I want to see It taken one step at a time, and when we see we can take the next step, we take that one. Lets keep going until we hit an obstacle. If It looks like Ifs going to drag on for years and years, then If s time to that money. But ted. WHY RUN? re-dlr- ect Zephyr: Dave, tell me why you're running for office and why you think youre the best candidate. Dave: I guess I choose to run because first, there are some things I want to see through. I still think I have some things I can do for the county. I'm good at being a county commissioner -- - Im not the best, but Im good at It I have an ability to listen to people, and make them feel at ease. I think Im fairly open minded, although I dont agree with everything brought before me. I can organize and I can get things done. I'm so I have the ability to be a good commissioner. Therefore, I think I ought to use those self-motiva- ted were not there yet Zephyr: Let me ask vou this. At the UDOT priority meeting. Sam Tavlor said. "We said wed pave the road.... we didn't sav when." Looking at their budget and priorities. It looks like paving would be well over a decade awav. Would vou proceed with construction anyway? Dave: I dont think It would be wise to do anything If we waited for 10 years. If we're going to get It ready for paving and then wait 10 years, thafs ridiculous. If It looks like were going to run up against a wall, and It doesnt look like that now, Id be ready to redirect those monies. Zephyr: Let's sav the road was a done deal, one wav or the other, how else would vou use those mineral lease funds? Dave: Id like to have some money go toward flood control problems related to on Holyoak Lane, Murphy Lane. We need culverts and ditches. If we could get the roads roads Into shape, I'd like to see some of that money got to the Hospital; that comes to mind. But I'm stuck on roads because I was Involved In all this at the beginning and the Intent was to get money for Grand County roads. The roads will help get us back a good tax base. THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER Zephyr: Give me vour thoughts on the equestrian center. Will It pay for Itself and can the county ultimately become responsible for Its operation and maintenance? Dave: I think If II get built With proper management, I think If II be able to pay Its se own operating costs. Its a center. The Association of Counties would love to come here, and that building would suit them. Theres been some difficulties and I've got some concerns, but well keep working to get It to work out I think Itll work like the golf course. As a tool for economic development, I think If II be In the black In a matter of years. Zephyr: Is the county ultimately responsible for the cost of operations? Dave: Yes. In my mind, yes. I'm not sure legally. multi-purpo- THE RIVER CORRIDOR Dave: Alright THE COURTHOUSE ANNEXTJAIL Zephyr: The first Is the courthouse annex proposal. Do we need everything that's proposed and how do you perceive It being financed? Dave: We need everything proposed,, because that Is whats required by law to In be compliance. Practicality - we probably dont need those things. There are certain requirements that the state and federal governments mandate, so we have to live up to those. We don't want fluff In there anything opulent It doesnt have to be austere either. Just functional. How Ifs going to be paid for. You know I want to have a special election for that before the general election. I dont know If Ill get that done (editor's note: the Grand County Commission voted 2- -1 to hold a special election for the proposed courthouse expansion on October 23, with Feme Mullen dissenting). The proposal will be paid for by a combination of tax monies, help from CIB In that they'll buy down Interest Theyll make It possible for us to pay for It with the taxes. Included also we have revenue from the state for the courthouse. Thaf s a wash because eventually that will pay for Itself. They'll pay us lease monies and we'll put that toward retirement of the debt State prisoners will put money towards It Theres also monies coming In from emergency management Ive looked at every way possible to offset a tax Increase. But there will be a tax Increase. Zephyr: What If the voters relect a tax Increase? Dave: That means they have to be willing to live with the consequences. I need to explain to people what the consequences of the vote are before the election. There are some "pros to not having a new building and some "cons. If people understand the ramifications of their choices and can live with those, I can live with them. Zephyr: Whv have a special election 2 weeks before the general election? Dave: A couple things. First, It draws attention to what we're voting on. Theyll be better educated. If II pique Interest In It Also, the people who come out for a special election will be Informed on the Issue and able to cast a vote, based on that Information. A lot of people who show up for a general election will say, whaf s this? It raises taxes, we dont like that It gives the county a better opportunity to educate the people. Second, there's a referendum on the school mill levy on the November ballot I want to separate those. The county does not operate the schools. We dont appoint school board members or levy the taxes. We do not set policy. This Issue should stand on Its own. Third, It gives us an advantage to having an early election. Im not saying this to say the schools dont matter, but I'm a county commissioner. The county's people have needs. If their needs are honest and sincere, I think I should do everything I can to make sure those needs are met Zephyr: How do you decide that this Issue deserves a special election and other Issues don't? Dave: I decide because Ive been given the charge by the citizens to make these decisions. If somebody else wants something put on a special election ballot they can certainly come before the commission and lobby their case. Nobody has. Anybody else can do the same thing. If s a free country. THE ROAD DISTRICTBOOK CLIFFS ROAD Zephyr: What are vour thoughts on the Road District and what you think the priorities should be on the Book Cliffs Road? Dave: At this point I still support the Book Cliffs Road. I still think thafs a Zephyr: Whaf s vour solution to the crowds along the river corridor and the associated problems? Dave: The first thing I would do Is look toward the private sector. Can they step In here? We need to accommodate those people and make sure theres facilities and ftreptts there and so on, but private Industry should do that If private Industry can't do that, lefs limit the liability somehow, perhaps by restricting camping at certain times during the year. If that Isnt feasible, I suppose I turn toward funding from the government But that should be the last step. Zephyr: Do vou think these vast numbers of people who camp free will turn to commercial campgrounds, which usually provide extra amenities, but at a cost usually double that of government-operate- d campgrounds? Dave: No, I think they'll go to other places. And thafs fine. Zephyr: Isnt that lust shifting the Impact from one location to another? Dave: If everyone camping there wants primitive camping, then the answer Is yes. On the other hand, If they camp there because Ifs convenient, the answer Is no. My Idea Is not to force everyone Into a campground. I certainly don't want to push the Impact further out I dont think thaf II happen. My major concern though, Is that we resolve this without going to the feds. problem In-ho- use THE NUISANCE ORDINANCE Zephyr: This Issue's been batted about Where do vou stand now? Dave: I think we should Just continue with what weve got For the most part, Ifs working, and It'a the best you can ask for from a law. We're making It work. Corkys working real hard to get us cleaned up, and I can see a marked Improvement Zephyr: Do vou think we need stronger zoning ordinances In general for Grand County? Dave: No. I think everythings In place. The trick Is enforcing what we already have. THE DUMP AND TOXIC WASTE Zephyr: Weve been taking Increasing numbers of toxic wastes like asbestos and Do we need a policy? contaminated soli from San Juan Countv and even Dave: We might Weve always taken asbestos from before I was commissioner. As things go on, we need stricter guidelines. On one hand, the gas soli doesnt pose a health threat and we need the fill. On the other hand, people outside the county need to start taking care of themselves too. Zephyr: Fairly soon, we're going to have to start looking for a new dump site. Tied to that would vou support a more active role for the county In recycling? Dave: It depends on the cost My questions Is, whafs the benefits of recycling to our county? If we could say, If we recycle, we wont need another landfill absolutely. But were going to need another landfill. So recycling, as I see It, does not save Grand County any money. Thafs not to say we shouldnt do It On the other hand, recycling Is going to cost some money. So what Is the need to recycle In Grand County? Are we doing It Just because Ifs the thing to do right now? Or are there sone legitimate reasons to recycle? A landfill, I dont believe, honestly, Is a legitimate concern. We've got places for land fills you and I'll be dead and gone a million times over before we run out of landfill In our county. I realize In other parts of the country thafs not true. But we don't space have a problem with space here, so why are we recycling? I do believe recycling b a socially consclenable thing to do. Buttherea also economics. We need to look at the cost vs. benefits. out-of-sta- te. continued on page 9 |