Forums draw crowds

Crowds once again rolled into the Platte Valley Community Center (PVCC) to hear from local primary candidates.

On July 29, nearly 80 Saratoga community members arrived to hear from candidates for mayor of Saratoga. The candidates include incumbent John Zeiger and challengers Don Sherrod, Glee Johnson, Lynda Healey and E.J. Glode.

All candidates were asked questions  about their background, their solutions to the town's budget crisis, how to repair infrastructure, how to keep the zoning ordinances up-to-date and how to deal with the drug problem in Saratoga.

Another resident asked about placing the executive session at the end of the meeting instead of the beginning like it has.

Tensions started to rise as candidates were asked about several ongoing legal battles, including the Randy Stevens' lawsuit, the Reiman meter-project dispute and the pending litigation between Healey and the town of Saratoga.

Healey made a brief statement about her pending litigation for wrongful termination. She said when she had concerns while at town hall, her concerns "fell on deaf ears".

Zeiger said "I respectfully decline to comment [on the lawsuits], because of ongoing litigation."

The next day, the Saratoga Town Council candidates met at the PVCC to field questions from the VSO and audience members.

Incumbent Steve Wilcoxson, and challengers Joshua Wood, Will Faust and Richard Raymer, were in attendance for the forums. Candidates Dave Jeffers and Chris Duke were not at the forum.

The council candidates were asked the same set of questions as the mayoral candidates by the VSO.

For most of the forum, candidates agreed with each other on many of the issues. When asked what makes them unique from the other candidates, Wood said his youth gave him a different perspective, Faust said his financial background provides much-needed insight to the town, Wilcoxson said he was not afraid to speak his mind and Raymer said growing up in Saratoga his entire life gives him a unique perspective.

Candidates were asked whether or not they support having council members on town boards, as Faust, Raymer and Wilcoxson all serve on commissions. All of the candidates supported having council members on the boards, but said having council members voting one way on the board, and another way at the town council, was not appropriate. There is currently a council member serving on every Saratoga board and commission.

At the end of the council forums, Sue Jones, of the VSO, said she was impressed by the turn out for all of the forums.

She said it is an especially important primary this year due to the county commissioners' election. Because there are six republican candidates, and no registered candidates from other parties, whoever wins the primary race for commissioner will almost certainly win a seat. The same scenario holds true with the clerk of district court, which has two republican candidates.

"Get out and vote, and encourage other people to get out and vote as well," Jones said.

After the primary elections, two mayoral candidates, and four council candidates, will advance to the general election on Nov. 4.

To hear the platforms of state, Carbon County and municipal candidates, be sure to read the Saratoga Sun's special primary section, out on Aug. 13.