Phil Castle, The Business Times

Seven candidates vying for election to the Grand Junction City Council emphasize the importance of everything from good infrastructure and streamlined regulation to public safety and especially affordable housing.

The economic vitality of the city remains important as well to generate the funding needed to address problems.

The candidates answered a range of issues about business and the economy during a forum hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

A total of nine candidates will appear on the mail ballots for upcoming municipal election. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. April 4.

Voters also will decide on a referred measure asking if the city should raise sales and use tax rates to finance the construction of a community recreation center at Matchett Park.

Four council seats will be determined in the election. District A pits Cody Kennedy, Jamie Porta and Sandra Weckerly. District B pits Michael Deuel, Greg Haitz and Jason Nguyen. Scott Beilfuss and Diane Schwenke seek an at-large seat. Anna Stout is unopposed for a second term in District C.

Porta and Deuel didn’t participate in the chamber forum.

The remaining candidates cited in opening statements their credentials, including experience in operating businesses.

Kennedy retired after 17 years as a Grand Junction police officer, which he said gives him insights into addressing what he said is a shortage in public safety staffing. He and his wife also operate a rental homes business.

Weckerly owns several businesses, including the newly opened Mama Ree’s Pizza & Brewhouse. She serves on the Grand Junction Planning Commission and as vice chairman of the chamber board of directors. She said business leaders are needed on the city council.

Haitz runs a chiropractic practice and serves on the Mesa County Planning Commission. He said he brings conservative values to his bid, but also his desire for a vibrant economy.

Nguyen works as a site manager for the U.S. Department of Energy. He said he’s used to managing what he said are effective government programs.

Stout works as executive director of the Roice Hurst Humane Society. She was elected to the city council in 2019 and served as mayor pro tem and mayor.

A retired sales representative and small business owner, Beilfuss is active in community issues and politics. He’s a member of chamber legislative committee. He said he’ll represent not only to businesses, but also workers and what he said is an aging population.

Schwenke retired last fall after serving more than 30 years as president and chief executive officer of the chamber.

Asked about the role of local government in economic development, Kennedy said he’d incentivize the attraction of businesses offering high-paying jobs while also streamlining regulatory processes.

Weckerly said it’s important for the city to provide core services, but not compete with the private sector.

Haitz said it’s sometimes more important for local government to “get out of the way” and work with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Business Incubator Center to support economic development. Bringing in businesses that pay higher wages would help in addressing affordability issues, he said.

Stout said the city outsources economic development efforts to economic development partners. But it’s also important to pursue policies that increase the quality of life.

Nguyen said local governments must offer regulatory predictability, and policies should actually achieve goals.

Schwenke said the city should provide a foundation in good infrastructure, then support organizations with expertise in economic development. It’s important for the city to also support Colorado Mesa University as well as the tourism industry.

The availability of more affordable housing is important as well, most of the candidates said.

Beilfuss termed it a crisis. “We need to work fast and hard on the issue.”

Nguyen said more affordable housing could constitute a proverbial “rising tide” that would help in attracting more businesses and workers. It would help, too, to promote alternative forms of mobility so people were less dependent on automobiles for transportation.

In addition to apartments, Schwenke said more starter homes are needed to provide work force housing and help businesses attract and retain employees.

Weckerly said affordable housing should be determined by the market, not mandates. Lower city fees would help.

The candidates said the city shouldn’t compete with business. But several candidates said the city also must look at the the most effective use of taxes.

The candidates were asked to identify their top priorities to protect economic vitality. But Stout said she couldn’t given the importance not only of infrastructure and housing, but also quality of life. “We’re juggling many balls at all times.”

Schwenke said economic vitality is required, though, to generate the tax funding that enables the city to address problems.