Breckenridge candidates face off at forum

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By LORY POUNDER
summit daily news
Summit County, CO Colorado
March 27, 2008

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BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge Town Council candidates shared views ranging from Main Street vitality to backcountry access at a forum Thursday morning.

Six candidates are running for three open council seats and one candidate, who already holds a council seat, is running for the open mayor position.

About 30 residents turned out to meet them and ask questions at the second Breckenridge Resort Chamber sponsored event held before Tuesday’s election.

While sitting at the council table inside Town Hall, all of the candidates — Peter Joyce, Geoffrey Gempeler, Michael Bertaux, John Ebright, and incumbents John Warner, Eric Mamula and Jeffrey Bergeron — emphasized the importance of managing the development of the gondola lot, and recognized the importance of Main Street’s vitality and backcountry access.

Warner, a local dentist, is running unopposed for mayor, and if elected, the remaining two years of his current council seat will go to someone appointed by the new council. He has served alongside three different mayors.

“I think I bring to the table a fair amount of executive experience,” Warner said.
One of the business owners who turned out for the event wanted to hear why he should vote for the candidates who don’t sit on the current council.

Ebright said he will bring business experience and board experience from when he held a school board seat in another community, as well as make sure constituents are heard. Joyce and Gempeler also commented on their business experience.

Joyce added that he first got involved with the Historic Preservation Committee and then Planning Commission and he wants to continue that momentum with the next step being Town Council.

Gempeler said he is versed in negotiations, efficiency and has a passion for the Town and community. Bertaux, who is on the Town’s Planning Commission, commented on his previous experience as well as dedication, time, willingness to prepare and represent the community.

Incumbents Bergeron and Mamula offered a bit of comic relief during the forum as well as talked about initiatives they’ve been a part of and encouraged the public to get involved with the process. Mamula said that attracting employees and getting them to stay in the community is the top obstacle the Town faces. Bergeron commented that capacity, such as with parking, road congestion, is an issue that needs more attention.

To read more about the candidates and their views on Town topics check out www.summitdaily.com/breckelection.

Lory Pounder can be reached at (970) 668-4628, or at lpounder@summitdaily.com.