Phil Castle, The Business Times

Candidates running for election to the Grand Junction City Council emphasize public safety, infrastructure and quality of life in promoting a business environment that creates jobs.

The candidates also cite access to city government and fostering transparency and trust as priorities.

The six candidates discussed their views and answered questions at a forum hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce as part of a quarterly membership meeting.

Aaron Michelson and Phillip Pe’a are running for election in District B, while Jim Doody, Chuck McDaniel and Dennis Simpson vie for an at-large seat on the council. Anna Stout is unopposed in her bid in District C.

The mail-in ballot for the municipal election also includes six referred measures.

Three measures ask voters whether or not the city should raise sales and use taxes to fund road projects, build new fire stations and hire additional first responders and construct a community center.

A fourth measure asks voters whether or not the city should be allowed to sell 18 acres known as Burkey Park and use the proceeds to develop Matchett Park. The remaining two measures ask voters where or not the city should amend its charter to extend the term of lease for public property from 25 to 99 years and change the renewal process for cable television franchises.

Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. April 2.

Asked at the chamber forum how the city council can promote job creation, the candidates offered varied answers.

Michelson said it’s important for the city to make operating a business easy and regulations don’t discourage businesses. He said he’s particularly worried about the effects of restrictive zoning on home-based businesses.

Pe’a said the city must address one of the foundations of economic development in ensuring public safety.

Stout said the city should invest in the vibrancy of the community and offer a business-friendly environment and quality of life that brings people to Grand Junction.

McDaniel said the city can promote development and job creation through incentives as well as its services and planning process. It’s also important, he said, to maintain quality of life.

Simpson said the city must offer public safety and maintain infrastructure, but also keep taxes as low as possible.

Doody said changing the Colorado National Monument to a national park would attract more tourists to the area and, in turn, create more jobs. “We are blessed to have this.”

Asked about their priorities, Michelson and Pe’a cited efforts to improve access to the council and city government and encourage engagement. “We need you guys to participate,” Pe’a told the chamber members attending the meeting.

McDaniel and Doody both said public safety was their priority. McDaniel called for support for the ballot measure that would increase city sales and use tax a half of a percent to build and equip new fire stations and hire more firefighters, police officers and emergency medical responders.

Simpson said it’s important to improve trust in the council.

Stout said she plans to make sure all aspects of city government work together more efficiently and effectively.

The candidates said they’d bring different approaches to the council. Michelson and McDaniel said they’d promote collaborative efforts to address issues. “There’s so much good we can do together,” Michelson said.

Doody, who’s previously served on council, said he’d continue to seek out ways for the city to partner with other organizations.

Simpson said he has a different view in that council members sometimes behave as though they’re synchronized swimmers in acting and voting in the same way. Simpson said he’d “behave,” but also strive to base decisions on facts.