Minturn, Gypsum vote Tuesday
EAGLE COUNTY — The spring election season continues Tuesday in towns at either end of the Eagle River Valley — Gypsum and Minturn. Here’s a look at who’s running for what in each town.
Gypsum
While Gypsum Mayor Steve Carver is running unopposed for another term, the town has the most people — seven — running for the most Town Council positions — three. Here’s who’s running:
• Tim McMichael, incumbent.
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• Pam Schultz, incumbent.
Dick Mayne, incumbent. Mayne is also running this fall for a seat on the Eagle County Board of Commissioners.
• Chris Estes, former council member.
• Hagen Kuhl.
• Chris Huffman.
• Marisa Sato.
All the council members are elected to four-year terms.
Minturn
Only the mayor’s position is contested this year, with longtime council critic Frank Lorenti challenging longtime incumbent Gordon, “Hawkeye” Flaherty. Lorenti has a candidate questionnaire filled out on the town’s website. Flaherty at the April 2 town council meeting acknowledged that he hadn’t filled out a questionnaire, saying he’s satisfied to run on his record.
On the town council, current members Aggie Martinez and Darell Wegert aren’t seeking new terms, but there are four candidates for the four available seats:
• Incumbent Earle Bidez.
• Incumbent Shelley Bellm.
• Newcomer Jason, “Ozzie” Osborne.
• Former council member Matt Scherr.
The three candidates earning the most votes will be elected to four-year terms, while the person who finishes fourth will be elected to a two-year term.
While Bellm will be elected to a new term, she recently resigned her council position, citing the conflict she’s seen on the board. The day after submitting her resignation, Bellm asked to rescind that resignation. The rest of the council April 2 voted 5-1 not to accept Bellm’s request. She’ll re-join the council when she’s sworn in on April 16 for a new term.
Once the town elections are finished, special districts in the valley will hold May 6 elections. The Vail Recreation District and the Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District will hold board elections. The Beaver Creek Metropolitan District is also holding a board election, as are the Lake Creek Metropolitan District and the El Jebel-based Crown Mountain Park and Recreation District.
The Eagle River Water and Sanitation District is also holding a May 6 board election. The district is also asking voters two tax questions — a property tax increase question and another to exempt the district from some of the revenue limits imposed by the Colorado Constitution’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights amendment.
