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Show i T 1 1 ':- . ! j ; !:;.; ;; .. ; i iron. I" J ' H ' J t t ;! " 1 'I J ' Candidates Matt Alvarez and Bob Wells, moderator Eleanor Bennett, and candidate Mary Lehmer Council Candidates Face Issues at Athenaeum Pow - Wow necessary in this town," he said. Candidate Lehmer began her statement by observing that elected officials "often lose sight of why they were elected." "They don't listen to the voice of the people," she said. "The job of the council is to find the pulse of the people." Lehmer detailed the events surrounding a study conducted during her term on the council when John Price headed the administration. She said the study pointed out six subjects people were most interested in and six committees were formed to study each subject, but the committee she headed was the only one that ever met. "This is the reason people become apathetic," she said. Lehmer reviewed a hearing earlier this year on rezoning of two small portions of property in connection with the Norfolk Avenue subdivision project, which later failed to gain approval by the planning commission. Although the vast majority of those attending the hearing were against the project, she said, the council voted in favor of the zone change. Lehmer also attacked the policies of the council in recent year toward "people's pocket-books." pocket-books." Recalling the days when a zoning administrator was first hired at $10,000 per year and the part-time city recorder was paid only $500 per month, Lehmer observed that administrative expenses ex-penses for the city are now $150,000 per year "even though we don't have a great deal more going on." "There ought to be a way of cutting our overhead down," she said. "We're tolerated too much incompetency in office." Positive attitude Bob Wells told the group he felt he could offer a "very positive attitude toward the direction the city is going to take and the ability to work hard." Rather than spend time on his stands on the issues, which he said were outlined in a letter already in everyone's mailbox, Wells devoted most of his opening statement to discussing his image as a "pro-development" candidate in favor of "fast uncontrolled growth." Noting that in the primary election he did well in the north end of town where he lives, but poorly in the downtown area, Wells said he had spent the last two weeks "trying to find out why." Wells said he was "somewhat surprised" to find a number of people who felt he was a representative of development in town and "in the back pocket of Royal Street Land Company." Wells said he worked for Royal Street between 1971 and 1975 when they controlled the resort area, but since he left the company his involvement in the development business has been "relatively small." As a general partner in the Michigan-Utah Company, Wells said he was involved in the development of the Mt. Air Mall, which was an attempt "to do something with an ugly building," build-ing," but has not been affiliated with any other developments. "I have a lot of friends in the development business," he admitted, ad-mitted, "but I have a lot of friends not in the development business." Wells said he was also surprised to find a lot of people who feel he represents uncontrolled uncontrol-led growth. "That's not the case," he said. "I think any of us would be foolish to think there won't be growth since Park City is one of the nicest places in the country to live, but the job of the city council and planning commission is to insure that the growth that does occur is compatible with our surroundings and doesn't tax city services." Questions and answers In the question and answer session, Jim Piper, a resident of the Three Kings condos, asked the candidates to comment on the lack of progress in the Main Street area and what they propose to alleviate the problem. Matt Alvarez answered that the problem was the result of development of Royal Street Land Company property on the north end of town. A member of the planning commission at the time the company acquired the property, proper-ty, Alvarez said thought it was "wrong" and "resigned because of it." Repeating that Park City needs a centralized business district, he noted that "most tourists are dumbfounded, everything is scattered." scat-tered." Alvarez said he thought the proposed redevelopment of Main Street is "important" and suggested sug-gested that the city should consider a reduced impact fee for the Main Street area to encourage development. Mary Lehmer agreed with Alvarez that commercial development develop-ment on the north end of town ' had hurt Main Street and proposed that the city consider rezone areas of potential commercial com-mercial growth. "The only way to solve the problem is to rezone and eliminate potential commercial areas until Main Street is viable," she said. Bob Wells said the problem was caused by the differences between businesses that serve the permanent population and thev tourist. He said he is "very much in favor" of the redevelopment and development of Main Street and suggested that the city encourage more permanent residential development de-velopment in the downtown area. "We can do things to make Main Street more the center of our permanent population," he said. One thing we can change is the zoning ordinances. The present zoning tends to encourage encour-age permanent residents in the north part of town." Transportation Planning Commission Chairman Chair-man Burnis Watts asked the candidates what they propose to improve the city's transportation system, including pedestrians. Three of the four candidates running for city council in the November 8 municipal election had a chance to present their views to the public and answer questions Monday night before a small crowd attending the Ladies Athenaeum "Candidates Night" in the Memorial Building. Timberhaus owner Matt Alvarez, Al-varez, retired attorney Mary Lehmer and Moana Corp. executive execu-tive Bob Wells faced a group of approximately 50 Park City residents at the forum, chaired by Athenaeum officer and current councilman Eleanor Bennett. Incumbent councilman Rich Martinez, Mar-tinez, running for re-election, was unable to attend because of a prior commitment. A wide range of local issues was discussed during the one and a half hour forum, which brought few changes in the candidates' positions from the views expressed express-ed in articles in the press and in campaign literature. Matt Alvarez and Mary Lehmer clarified their stands on the future use of the Memorial Building, stating they favor its continued use fo.r recreation. Both had earlier indicated support for possible conversion of some rooms to office space. Candidate Lehmer came under attack from councilman Jan Wilking for allegedly distorting the facts in a campaign handout entitled, "Facts" and fiction about Mary Lehmer." Saying that the matter should be clarified since people are generally "suspicious of politicians" politi-cians" and since he was mentioned by name, Wilking quoted the handout. Wilking said it was a "blatant falsehood" that sales had been stopped on the Crescent Ridge condos in 1972 because the local sewage treatment plant was overloaded, as stated in the handout. He questioned how Lehmer could have "refused to sign" a letter to the state board explaining explain-ing steps Park City was taking to correct the problem, when the letter was never brought to her. Wilking later described the letter as "routine." Lehmer answered that she had been informed by Wilking himself of the sales stoppage and that Wilking had called her to ask if she would sign the letter. Wilking later strongly denied that he had given her the untrue information or sought her signature signa-ture on the letter in any way. Questioned status Wilking and several others attending the meeting also questioned Lehmer's status as a Park City resident. "I live next door to her, and I've never seen her in the last two months," Wilking said. Lehmer answered that it was "such an old issue I don't even want to discuss it" and cited an opinion from the state attorney general that she was a legal resident of Park City. Responding to a question from Thaynes Canyon resident Dick Shoff, Lehmer admitted that she owns three homes, however. A few minutes later, Lehmer supporter Tom Doyle stood up to ask "where Mary's heart lies." Lehmer answered that out of her three residences, "this is my home." Eleanor Bennett began the forum by reading a statement from Rich Martinez, who cited "prior commitments" as the reason for his absence. Martinez gave his views on several issues, indicating that he would like to see the Memorial Building remain as a recreation facility and that he would like to see new sidewalks installed along Park Avenue "from Main Street 10 ine new high school." Martinez also said he would support the proposed Main Street redevelopment agency and cited his accomplishments in improving improv-ing the city's water supply. "If elected, I will continue to look for new water sources," he said. Opening statements Bennett then called on the three candidates present to make a 10 minute opening statement. Matt Alvarez began by citing the growth problems experienced by California, in particular the San Fernando Valley, where he lived in the early 1960's. "Now, it's pretty much blacktop," black-top," he said. "I wouldn't like to see Park City become like that." Alvarez said he would like to see Park City become "a more tourist-oriented town than a bedroom community" since additional ad-ditional services have to be provided for permanent residents. resi-dents. "I'm hopeful we can have orderly progress in this city," he said. Alvarez spoke in favor of "centralizing the business community" com-munity" in the Main Street area. "I don't think large operators and duplication of services is r n xyl S .f : ' m, . . , i as.. Ml- ,4 Burnis Watts poses a question. Alvarez said it was a "shame" that the quarter percent sales tax referendum to fund the city's bus system was defeated this summer, sum-mer, calling it the "easiest way to handle vehicle transportation." He also said bike-paths should be encouraged and suggested the city work with the Park City Depot project as a "natural place for foot traffic," as well as for bike-paths. Lehmer also said bike-paths should be encouraged and suggested sug-gested the city work with the Park City Depot project as a "natural place for foot traffic," as well as for bike-paths. Lehmer agreed with Alvarez, adding that she wished "the people who had spent time on the sewer bond had spent more time on the transportation tax." Wells confessed he feels partially responsible for the defeat of the referendum, since he is a member of the city transportation committee, but added that the bus system should be expanded to "serve the needs of the town." He said new sidewalks "through the areas of town that are already populated" should be a priority over a walkway through the Depot project, and added that he is in favor of the relocation of the state highway "to get the bulk of traffic off Park Avenue." Long-time active resident Nan McPolin asked Alvarez and Lehmer their attitude on the future use of the Memorial Building. Both indicated in interviews with the Record that they favored using the building for office space. Alvarez explained that he had suggested using it for offices only to offset the cost to the city of operating the building. "I meant it as an economic thing," he said. "My children use it as a recreation facility and I would like to see it continue as recreation." Lehmer said she had proposed that it would be "most economical" economi-cal" to use the building for offices if the city could arrange to use recreation facilities in the schools, but that she had changed her mind after getting strong feedback feed-back against offices. "I listen to the voice of the people," she said. "What I heard, overwhelmingly, was the wish that it be expanded as a recreation facility." Skaggs, Norfolk, lift Woodside Avenue resident Cathy Soares posed the final question of the evening, asking the candidates to comment on the proposed Skaggs development, the Norfolk Avenue subdivision and the proposed ski lift from the Coalition Building to the resort. Matt Alvarez repeated his stand against the proposed Skaggs store, saying he hoped businessmen would live in the area. "I don't think Mr. Skaggs does or ever will," he said. Alvarez said he didn't know enough about the Norfolk subdivision subdi-vision to comment, but indicated some support for the ski lift. "1 look at it from a right of way point of view," he said. "If the town chose to put a lift there, and I assume it will happen sooner or later, that would be the most obvious place to put it." Mary Lehmer said the site of the Skaggs store was properly zoned and the store would be a "legitimate use." She repeated her opposition to the Norfolk subdivision and criticized the present council for granting a needed zone change. Her only comment on the ski lift was that "the people who live there should be heard." Bob Wells said he agreed with Lehmer that the Skaggs store could legally be built on the site, adding that he is a "fairly strong believer in property rights," but that he is concerned about the size of the building. "From a personal standpoint, I think there may have been a mistake made in the zoning ordinance," he said. "From a voting standpoint as a member of the planning commission, I don't have any feeling accept architecturally." architec-turally." He said he was in favor of the Norfolk project "as a single family subdivision," but had some concerns about the steepness steep-ness of the site. "On balance, I thought it had more advantages than disadvantages," he said. Well's said he didn't have "strong personal feelings" about the ski lift, but that he would vote against it based on the objections of surrounding residents" resi-dents" at this point. |