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Avon mayor joins commission race

Tamara Miller
NWS Buz Reynolds SM 4-1 Vail Daily/Shane Macomber Avon's Town Mayor Buz Reynolds is the new independent candidae for District's Two County Commissioner. Thursday in Avon.
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Avon Mayor Buz Reynolds, Jr. Thursday launched his campaign for county commissioner.

Reynolds, a registered independent, will face off against former Eagle County Sheriff A.J. Johnson, a Republican, and incumbent Arn Menconi, a Democrat, in the Nov. 2 election. The three men are running for the District 2 seat, which represents of Avon, Edwards and Eagle though all county voters can cast ballots in the race.

“I’m excited about running,” Reynolds said. “I think it’s something I’m kind of made for.”



Reynolds, who will formally announce his candidacy today, was elected to the Avon Town Council in 1996, appointed mayor pro-tem in 2000 and then mayor in 2002. His latest term expires in November and term limits prevent him from running again.

But Reynolds has considered running for the county commissioner seat for some time.

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“I’ve been talking to people on my council and in my town and they have all given me a push and they think I can do a good job,” he said.

Reynolds has a lengthy background in public service. He served on Avon’s Planning and Zoning Commission for 13 years before being elected to the Town Council. He also has served on several subcommittees in the community.

His father, Buz Reynolds Sr, was elected to the Avon Town Council in 1988 and served as mayor pro-tem in 1991 and mayor from 1992 to 1996.

“I think it’s a great step for Buz,” Avon councilman Mike Brown said. “My experience with Buz is that he listens very well, he gets to know people as an individual. With he and his family being longtime residents of Avon, he has a great familiarity with the workings of Eagle County and the people.”

Some officials with the town of Avon believe the county unfairly distributes sales tax revenue back to incorporated towns. Mac McDevitt, an Avon town councilman, is hopeful that Reynolds could change that if elected.

“He’s really somebody who understands town financing and what happens to tax money,” McDevitt said. “Having someone at the county level who understands that and retains that understanding once they become a commissioner would be beneficial.”

Reynolds declined to compare himself to his opponents.

“I’m not interested in talking negatively about other candidates,” he said. “I’m only interested in promoting myself as someone who has been around this valley for a long time and is able to do a good job for the fine citizens of Eagle County. That’s it.

“I want to help Eagle County continue to be the great county it is,” he said. “Sure, there’s room for improvement, but there always is.”

Johnson and Menconi both said they looked forward to the competition.

“I know him and I wish him the best of luck,” Johnson said.

Menconi welcomed Reynolds to the race. “Let’s continue working and talking about how to make Eagle County great for all of us,” Menconi said.

The last District 2 – in 2000 – race attracted three candidates as well. That year, voters were asked to decide between Menconi, Republican candidate Steve Morris and independent candidate Kathy Warren. Menconi won that election by 39 votes.

Reynolds is owner and president of The Reynolds Corporation, a general contractor and excavating firm. He and his wife, Monica, have two children.

Staff writer Tamara Miller can be reached via e-mail at: tmiller@vaildaily.com or by calling 949-0555 ext. 607.


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