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Show THE ZEPHYROCTOBER'l 990 PAGE 8 BIERSCHIED (continued) THE SCHOOL MILL LEVY INCREASE Zephyr: How are you going to vote on the school mill lew Increase? David: I'm for It The schools need K, and I really wish we hadnt tied our PILT money up In another project, when we have to put It In the people to vote on our schools. se Schools are a necessity. A building (The Equestrian Center) Is a bonus, and I feel bad about It multi-purpo- COUNTY ATTORNEY YESNO VOTE Zephyr: How about the YeaNo vote on Elaine Coates as our countv attorney? David: First of all, Im happy that It got on the ballot Its absolutely necessary when you have a situation like we have here In Grand County. Personally, I believe that we need a more experienced attorney. Im apprehensive about Elaine because we're way overbudgeted since she took office. I wish someone had run against her, but I would vote against retention of Elaine. THE BROADER QUESTIONS Zephyr: Everyone talks about the need to develop a sustainable economy In Moab. How do we do that and what effect can a countv commissioner really have? David: Not much really, unless you want to get Into some specific project like an Incinerator, or something. All a commissioner can really do Is sit down, develop a master plan, and try to legitimately make It 20 years, or even 10 years. Then the people who want to Invest here know what to expect If we do that, than I think we can have a sustainable economy In that we've gotten away from the boo nVbust thing. I'd like to be able to attract the small businesses: 2 to 50 people. I don't think were going to attract 200 -- 1000 people businesses, and I dont think we want that So If we can laydown a basic plan and get a consensus from the community, then those who dont like It can see that and maybe they wont want to stay. Those looking at us will have a better Idea where we stand. Zephyr: Do you think there are wavs to make government operate more efficiently In Grand Co.? Where would you make cuts? David: It starts out with an active Involvement by the County Commission. You can look at traditional expectations and still have to say - you have to cut back. The City has cut back by 50 over the last 8 years, although we're building back up. Its hard for commissioners to affect county operations because It affects peoples' lives. The budget period coming up In November Is a very Important time. Maybe monies coming In shouldnt be counted on. Working better partnerships with State, Federal and local governments to share In services. Zephyr: What do you think of consolidation? David: Theyre actually working on a new law In the legislature to allow that kind of government and I think Grand Co. Is one of the few counties where that would work. I don't know how to solve all the problems meshing them together. One of the departments -The Road Department could be consolidated and save a lot of money. Mostly It requires a more efficient government though. Zephyr: What about law enforcement? Do you see that as a consolidation possibility? David: I think It could be much like the Road Department Theres a lot of redundancy and expense between the two agencies. That one, I think, would take a real citizen work force to put together, because of the terrttortallsm of the situation. One thing Id like to see Is a representative from each voting district form a board that represents the people of that district They could get together on these Issues, and It wouldn't be City vs. County, or Castle Valley vs. Moab. Zephyr: Would you ever change county government? or Increase the number of commissioners or hire an administrator? David: I have a hard time with elected officials being able to do everything. Somehow you get a balanced commission - ones an accountant, one's a construction worker, and so on. And they understand different facets of government But there's no guarantee to that It would help to have an administrator of some sort They need someone out of the political arena, and, of course, In a sense, they are political because they're appointed. boomtown oil davs? That could alter your vision. David: If Indeed there Is that much oil out there, well have to deal with It We can Increase our revenues off that oil, but I dont think theres a billion barrels of oil to save us. But It goes back tothe land use plan. We can have an oil boom, as long as the management I plan Is followed, all that can be managed and complimentary. have no problem with an oil cause and where they dont problems with a higher, better well, as long as they use. I honestly believe the oil Industry Is going to cut Its throat On a national and International level, people are going to throw up their hands and let people Invent cars that run on less gas and so on. Why dont we recycle? Because the people who mine silica for plastics want to stay In business, and they havent geared up for a new business. Its an attitude. re-cla- lm BIERSCHIED APPRAISES KNUTSON AND BIERSCHIED Zephyr: Tell me what vour strengths and weaknesses are. Then tell me what vou think vour opponent David Knutsons, strengths and weaknesses are. David: My background In business and understanding the process of planning, and how a concept goes Is strong. My three years on the City Council, and the Issues Ive handled..- -. Zephyr: What are vou proud of on the Council, and what are vour failures? David: We moved In a planning direction, weve been fair, weve revised or at least took a different look at the way ordinances are administered, and less apt to "good old boy ourselves. Weve maintained moderate growth and spending with needs. Of course, you make mistakes. I dont know that I made any that had a drastic effect on the running of the City. I think the only time I feel bad about things Is when I dont have the time or enough Information to make a good decision. Zephyr: The two Issues Ive heard vou criticized for were the hot tub vote and the drug task force vote. Do vou think they were mistakes? David: I dont think I voted wrong. I possibly didnt have enough Information. First the hot tub we were given Information that wed have a payback on them. Other towns our size have had a profitable operation. Maybe the expenditure at this time, some people thought was wrong. But I dont think Its a failure In that It has a business plan. To those critics, Ill say, lets see how It goes for a year. But Its a done deal. The drug task force. It will be a mistake If we, as a council, and the commission and the police forces and attorneys of each one dont sit down and make sure that damn thing Is run right By participating In that we have the ability to have a say In that I dont believe enforcement of the drug laws Is going to solve the problem. I believe education and rehabilitation Is where the monies can be better spent But until laws are changed, we have to live within those laws and this gives us the opportunity to take advantage of monies to control this at a local level. I dont think we have drugs running rampant In the City. Zephyr: Do vou think this task force has proven Itself effective In the oast? David: Its hard to say. I dont know how to gauge It When I saw the thing In the about turning In your neighbor, It had shades of KGB. And Ive got a real problem with that I think that the task force can be effective In that they can educate and take care of the major problems, possibly. And we are gaining, hopefully, positive help from the state and federal people. Zephyr: How do you size up Mr. Knutson? David: Dave has a pretty good understanding of the energy business and on a national level and how we fit Into It His weakness Is he depends too much on It He comes from a background of trying to depend on whats worked In the past versus what we need for the future. Grand County's future possibly wont fall back on resources. I dont think Dave Is 'worried enough about the future, and Is willing to risk changing tradition to create a sustainable economy. I think were dreaming If we think we can continue to depend on government grants and subsidies to make tradition work. Tlmes-lndepend- ent non-renewa- ble CRYSTAL BALLING MOAB Zephyr How do vou see Grand Countv ten years from now? David: I think Grand County, If the world survives In all honesty, I think It will be an excellent place for people to be. If people start steering It In the right direction, those folks coming here will understand us, will respect It I think theres a big education thing for the new people coming In, as well as the people already here. I think of Grand County as a Jewel In the West It has the potential to be anything we want Kto be, other than a heavily Industrialized place. In 10 years, I dont think ITU be much bigger population wise. It may go to 10,000 people. It may not be the same people living here now; there are going to be some changes and not everyone here now will be able to make a living. Zephyr: Do you think Itll be more tourist oriented? David: I perceive Moab, not so much a Park City, as I do that bumper sticker around town -- - New York -- - Paris Moab. It can become a place where Tokyo Europeans come here, not Just for spending money. But weve got history, beauty theres a difference here. Other tourist towns were directed toward a higher economy money, money, money. We dont want to for the sake of a dollar. Its going to take some real far thinking, and people who are going to take a lot of flak. This land has best uses. If we can accept limitations of each parcel of land, Moab can be a fantastic place. Zophyr: With the world situation being what It Is. do vou foresee a return to the over-devd- op RECYCLING TASK FORCE INVITES INPUT FROM ALL GRAND COUNTY CITIZENS Everyone is invited to attend the Grand County recycling program planning session Tuesday, October 2nd at the Grace Lutheran Church located on 360 West 400 North. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the recycling task force, call Lisa Wolfson at 801 259-768- 0. BREAKFAST DINNER epicurean natural foods luscious desserts interesting encounters 60 N. 100 W. 259-844- 2 |