The Herald emailed questions to the candidates for the three open seats on the town’s board of trustees and the mayoral office.
Running for mayor is current trustee and mayor pro tem Travis Day. Board candidates include Jessica Browning, Charles Day, Trisha Granahan, Aubrey Perry and Kathy Sizemore. Matt Franks’ name will appear on the ballot but he has withdrawn his candidacy.
The following questions were sent to the candidates:
1. What can you tell us about your background and experience that makes you qualified to serve as a town trustee?
2. What (or who) motivated you to run for the position of town trustee?
3. What do you believe are the top two or three most pressing issues facing Meeker in the next 3-5 years? Please share one original idea you have to solve or improve one of those issues.
4. How will you prioritize the town’s budget decisions to best serve the community?
5. If there was one thing you could change about Meeker right now, what would it be and why?
6. How do you plan to engage with residents outside of your personal/business circle to gather input and feedback on town issues and policies?
7. How do you plan to handle conflicts of interest that may arise while serving as a town trustee and what potential conflicts might you foresee, if any?
8. Finally, what do you hope to accomplish during your tenure as a town trustee, and how will you measure the success of your efforts?
Responses are below, beginning with mayoral candidate Travis Day and then proceeding alphabetically.
TRAVIS DAY
1. I have served as a town trustee for two terms and believe that has helped me prepare for the role as mayor.
2. I have always loved Meeker and believe that you have to be involved to make a difference.
3. This is a tough question. With all the changes that are happening at the state level it makes it hard to plan 5 years ahead. I believe you need to evaluate each year and see what you can do with what you have.
4. I feel maintaining and or replacing aging infrastructure should always be a priority along with employee retention.
5. I really like Meeker. If there was one thing I could change, it would be making it more small business friendly.
6. You can’t be afraid to get out and talk to the public about issues and policies. I try to get out and ask the tough questions in order to receive feedback on how the town is doing and to encourage citizens to come to meetings and get involved
7. During my tenure on the board we have had to deal with conflicts that have come up. You have to be sure you follow the laws and recuse yourself and abstain from voting when there is a conflict.
8. I will consider my tenure a success, if at the end, we can get some capital improvement projects done along with winning grants to help pay for them.
JESSICA BROWNING
1. Currently I work for a public entity as the Human Resources Director and one of the Board of Education Secretaries to Meeker School District Re-1. I have been in this role for over a decade and understand the laws and restrictions of running a taxing district. I am also the Executive Vice Chair of the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials. Serving both boards has allowed me to understand how different boards govern and serve their community.
2. I have a passion to serve and have done so in a variety of ways throughout my life, and running for Town Trustee seemed like a perfect next step.
3. Affordable housing; connecting local entities with resources to establishing employee housing for the larger entities; tourism; winter sustainability for small businesses.
4. As the Town Trustee I will support the existing budget processes. I will gain an understanding of the Town’s revenues and expenditures and ensure that the towns capital improvement plans are reviewed annually and prioritized within the budget by severity and need. It is important that the town trustees approve a budget that best serves the community, while also being fiscally responsible and transparent.
5. I look forward to working on the existing plans for housing development, small business programs, nonprofit partnerships and increased supports for emergency services. Which all currently make Meeker great.
6. Should I become a Town Trustee I will make time to listen to what our residents’ needs are, and together with the Town employees do the research on such matters before forming an opinion or suggesting change.
7. Should I encounter a conflict of interest I would abstain from making comments and voting on matters that would be of conflict. I would work closely with the town manager to ensure any conflicts of interest are handled in a professional manner before any town meeting.
8. The Town of Meeker has been my home for 20 years and there are many reasons why my husband and I have chosen to stay and raise our family here. I would like to see this already wonderful community continue to thrive and be a viable option for young families to share the same experiences we have. How this will be measured is by the growth of our local businesses, schools and healthcare community.
CHARLES DAY
1. I am qualified to run for the position of town trustee because I consistently follow the politics within Meeker and beyond. I have served on the Meeker Sanitation District for the last three years and will continue to serve as long as I am reelected. This position has provided an amazing opportunity to learn and implement board action. Regularly attending meetings leads to a deepened awareness of the budgeting process and the necessary steps to provide improvements to the infrastructure of Meeker. I have developed an appreciation for the necessity of maintaining financial reserves so that the district can financially handle costly, unforeseen issues. A strong board can voice different opinions, share different perspectives, and make decisions in a non-personal manner which results in outcomes that serve the community’s best interest. I am a dedicated and caring person. I have proudly served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with Meeker Fire and Rescue for over five years. Being an effective town trustee requires a calm demeanor and clear thinking, much like responding to a fire or EMS call. I plan to carry these qualities into town meetings to make thoughtful decisions on a regular basis and handle controversy as it comes to the board. In the EMS field, I consistently meet people with varied backgrounds which provides a unique opportunity to listen to different ideas and visions for the future of Meeker. In return, I gain a broader perspective and bigger picture of our town’s needs.
2. Many motivating factors have resulted in me striving to serve on the Meeker Board. The most prominent aspect in my desire to serve our community is to make the best possible future for not only the current generations, but many more to come. Working on the Meeker Volunteer Fire Department and with Water Pump Supply & Service provides numerous people interactions in different settings–many improtue discussions. The common consensus in these discussions is that there are not enough people willing to dedicate the time and energy necessary to properly serve and protect our community the way it deserves. In short, I have always had the calling to serve both politically and physically. If given this opportunity, it will be my privilege to serve our community. I will continue to be thoroughly committed to the greater good, as long as Meeker will have me.
3. In my opinion, two pressing issues that the town currently faces are as follows: (1)affordable housing and (2)the future use of Ute Park. I will address the first issue here. Affordable housing is currently being addressed by multiple groups within Meeker. As a board, it is a necessity to oversee the applications that affect the current residents and the future home buyers. I would strive to ensure that all development projects are properly filed and constructed to town standards in order to provide sustainable choices for the community. The town could potentially support new development by supporting multi-family units, and “tiny homes”. I am and will continue to look for more options. I am willing to listen to your ideas.
4. I intend to prioritize the town’s budget with this simple process: (1)How will the decision affect the town both in the short and long term? (2)How will the decision affect the town’s budget with upkeep or future costs? (3)Finally, how will the decision affect the town reserves?
5. The one thing I would change about Meeker right now is to push for more multi-agency training and scenarios within the town. Such as school fire drills that utilize fire, EMS, and local police to clear the building. Also, a plan of evacuation due to wildland fire with the aforementioned agencies.
6. I plan to engage with the community at public events and anytime that I am in public. As a town trustee, it is my duty to listen to our community. I intend to be a person that anyone can talk to about town issues.
7. When issues are brought to the board that are a conflict of interest, I will do my duty to make my fellow trustees aware. This will be followed by my knowledge of only the facts that I know to be true. Finally, I would abstain from any vote or decision that is decided by the town where I have a conflict of interest. The position of town trustee is one that I highly respect, and as an elected official it is my duty to not let personal matters affect the decisions of the board. One conflict would be the matter of paying any bills to Water Pump Supply & Service. This is a conflict because I am employed by the company and it does business with the Town of Meeker Water Department.
8. During my tenure as town trustee, I will strive to establish affordable housing in Meeker, protect the history of our town without hindering the growth of Meeker’s economy, and listen to the residents.
TRISHA GRANAHAN
1. I have been living in and loving Meeker for the last ten years. I’ve been fortunate to stay home with my children, while also running a small business. As a stay at home mom I’ve had to develop organizational skills, including time management, multi-tasking, and prioritizing tasks. As a parent and a small business owner, I’ve spent a lot of time out in the community, getting to know other parents and community members. I feel this provides valuable insight into the needs of our community. Furthermore, while operating our small business, I’m tasked with making decisions, strategizing, and problem solving. I believe all these skills combined will serve useful as town trustee.
2. An acquaintance who works for the town initially reached out to my husband and I both, asking if either of us would be interested in running. It just so happened that I had really been feeling a deep need to do something useful and helpful with my free time, as well as wanting to give back to the community. This opportunity sounded like a great fit and balance to our current family life and work load.
3. Shortage of housing and rentals have been, and continue to be an issue. Additionally, a lot of parents struggle with child care. From my understanding of reading through previous town minutes and attending meetings, there are currently plans and ideas in the works to ease some of these burdens. So as a member of the board, I would work to continue to support the ideas that best mitigate these issues.
4. As a small business owner I have a firm understanding of financial management and budgeting. I plan to apply these skills, along with recommendations from other members of the board, town employees, and community members to make the best decisions.
5. Meeker is a great town, I love living here and raising my family here. One thing I would consider changing is that I would like for there to be more opportunity to create, and expand outdoor recreational areas. So much of our community enjoys being outside. For me personally, I would love to have more designated cross country ski trails to use in the winter months.
6. I plan to continue attending community events and getting to know more members of our community, and listening to any concerns and ideas they may have. I will also use social media, a useful platform for anyone to share their thoughts and ideas.
7. I’m committed to transparency and accountability. To address conflicts of interest, I’ll adhere strictly to ethical guidelines and would recuse myself from any decision where personal interests may conflict with the best interests of the town. Potential conflicts could arise in matters involving businesses I’m affiliated with or personal relationships. Open communication and transparency will be key in handling such situations fairly and responsibly.
8. I want to be a part of Meeker’s future. I want to see Meeker grow and flourish in a way that keeps all the things we love about living in a small town at the center of all the decisions we make. Success will be measured in seeing our community and local businesses prosper and thrive.
AUBREY PERRY
1. Before moving to Meeker, we lived in Arvada CO. I ran my own hair salon for 4 years. I’ve been a stylist for over 10 years. I’ve learned how to communicate needs and wants or find common ground until results can be achieved. I had to handle money transactions in various forms; cash, check, cards, etc. I had to make sure all licensing with my county and city were correct, follow specific guidelines and have correct tax forms filled out quarterly and yearly. Having a child entering into Jefferson County schools I felt a strong pull to be apart of the community. I took an active part in a group that was responsible for ensuring children weren’t getting left behind and advocating for their needs and wants at such a crucial time of their lives.
I’m a stay at home mom, my husband works full time. I’ve learned how to reasonably balance our income vs bills. While routinely multitasking, there’s many times through the day to focus on time management with compromise.
2. I would love to see new ideas to keep this town successful without turning it into something it’s not. We moved here for what Meeker is. I love this community and I want to see it thrive and grow without taking away the beautiful small town feel. Being involved in this community would mean the world to me. Our family feels safe here. Our community is unique and peaceful!
3. I would like to find ways to invest into start up grants or potentially low interest loans for new businesses. Bringing in new restaurants or small businesses that can create jobs and provide income for families. The new daycare opens opportunities for both parents to work and provide extra income.
– support numerous outdoor lifestyle activities such as hunting, hiking, biking trails, Sheepdog trials, Skijor, Summer rodeo, Agriculture
– work towards a solution for available housing.
4. This will be a learning curve for me as I ran a small business so the scale was much smaller. I do understand there’s certain things that take priority and others that are more flexible.
First thing would be having a balanced budget. Secondly there’s crucial aspects like safety, supporting community events that earn revenue.
Third, support activities that make Meeker an inviting place that families want to raise their children in.
5. I honestly love Meeker for Meeker. I love the small town, the rodeos, we’ve had an excellent experience with the elementary and so much more.
I would like to see more job opportunities that are well paying. I see so many people working and shopping outside of town. To have the opportunity to shop for more then basic supplies and entertainment for families.
6. I would make my self available for necessary meetings and certainly be willing to have communication via email. I’d be more than happy to discuss ideas and concerns.
7. Being a small business owner there’s been many times someone wants something that’s just not achievable. It’s taught me to respectfully find middle ground or go in a different direction that is mutually beneficial. I’ve learned how to keep a professional front when I’ve had to let clients go and not leave any hard feelings. You can’t meet everyone’s needs and that’s ok!
I’m newer to this community, we moved here 2 years ago. It’s hard to move to a small community but everyone is so genuine. I’m not trying to turn this town into something else. We got out of the city and specifically picked Meeker.
8. I see the importance of taking an active roll in my community. I hope to accomplish unity in this town. There’s a beautiful way to come together and respect each other’s ideas. Measuring my success will be by seeing the town’s people truly invested in their community and sustain positive growth without changing the roots of Meeker.
KATHY SIZEMORE
1. Hello, my name is Kathleen Sizemore, I was born and raised in California, moved to Colorado in 1970 for my father’s work. I moved to Meeker in 1976 and in 1984 I attended CNCC, graduated with an associates degree and 2 days later went to work for the Meeker Police Department. I retired in 2022 after 34 years of service and worked with four Chiefs of Police. Having worked for the Town of Meeker I am familiar with the current staff and the policies and procedures currently being used.
2. I have discussed the possibility of running for town council with friends and family for sometime, even before I retired. I have a fundamental understanding of government, how municipal funding works and the basic knowledge of the rules of order for town council meetings. I feel serving on the council would be a great way to give back to the Town and its citizens.
3. Pressing issues I feel would be facing Meeker are, affordable housing, unemployment, and the rise in the cost of everyday living expenses. To solve or even help with unemployment I would like to see the workforce center reopened. There are currently wonderful offices and meeting places upstairs at Town Hall for training, classes etc., just waiting to be used.
4. By being diligent in studying all the information provided to us by staff.
5. No significant change comes to mind but I would like to see a more permanent structure at Ute Park for expanding event usage and visitors, while following the comp plan guidelines.
6. By attending functions that I have not been to before and watching to see who attends the public meetings and engaging with them when the opportunity arises.
7. Presently I work part time at the Chamber of Commerce, I serve on the Meeker Housing Authority Board, and assist with the Meeker Safe House organization, so those would be the only conflict of interest I see having and will simply recuse myself from any decisions/vote related to these entities.
8. I simply want to serve the Town of Meeker and its citizens to the best of my ability and have no hidden agendas. I hope to be a trustee to whom citizens feel they can come to with a concern or issue, I can not promise always getting you the answer you want but I will try, that to me would be a great measure of accomplishment in serving. I have an honest interest in our community and its future and hope to make the best decisions without self interest. Thank you for the opportunity and if you vote for me I will do my best for the Town of Meeker.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect Granaham’s response to question six. The question was inadvertently copied instead of her answer. The HT regrets the omission.
