Eds. note: The Sky-Hi News distributed questionnaires to all of the candidates in the Fraser and Winter Park municipal elections. These are the candidates that responded. Responses are listed in the order received. For responses from Fraser’s mayoral candidates, read the March 16 edition of the Sky-Hi News or visit skyhidailynews.com. Responses edited for style and clarity.

Fraser Board of Trustees

Sam Brewer – Challenger

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Occupation:

Semi-retired consultant, still doing a bit of this and a bit of that but not employed in Real Estate sales.

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Education:

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering

How many years in Grand County?

Three lovely years, and I’ve never lived anywhere else that felt more like Home to me.

Original hometown:

A little town in Iowa you’ve probably never heard of.

What do you like about Fraser?

What’s not to like? Wonderful people, beautiful mountains, and -40 degree winter days! But mostly I like that the fine people here accepted a newcomer like me into the community without reservation, and I am proud to have the support they have all given me.

What experience or qualifications make you the best candidate for town board?

I’ve been a problem-solver all of my life, which is why I chose engineering as a profession. I’ve learned to avoid starting on a solution until the real problem is identified, then work with others to find the best solution.

I am also a person who listens. Fraser is OUR town, and the Board members represent each of us in the Community. Every Fraser resident can contribute to the success of Fraser, and it is up to the Board members to listen to our community to provide the best representation possible.

Why did you decide to run for the town board?

Fraser is facing many issues including business development, attainable housing, and infrastructure maintenance and improvement.

But most of all, I want to see Fraser remain Fraser and not lose the special character that makes our town unique. We can grow without becoming a forgotten suburb of Winter Park or the Ski Area. Each of us settled in Fraser because of the community we found here. I want to see Fraser grow and succeed, but not become just another expensive resort community. “Keeping Fraser Fraser” is my firm belief!

Describe one time when you believe the current town board got it wrong. Why do you think so, and what would you have done differently?

I’ve watched the Board in action for several years now, attending most meetings even when I was sometimes the only person in the audience. The Board has struggled with difficult issues, and I would never say they made a ‘wrong’ decision even if I might not fully agree with their action on a particular issue.

I bring my problem-solving background and training to the Board to help with identifying problems as well as working toward viable solutions that will benefit all of Fraser.

What are your platform goals?

Promote Business in Fraser. Facilitate Attainable Housing. Keep Fraser Fraser!

What do you think will be the biggest issue facing Fraser in the next four years? What solution(s) do you propose?

The biggest issue will be growing the community without losing the unique character of Fraser. Increasing business opportunity in Fraser to provide good jobs and providing attainable housing for people working in the area are the challenges facing us. I hope, with your vote, to be part of the team that will build on the work of previous Boards to keep Fraser growing in the right direction.

Parnell Quinn – Challenger

Occupation:

Owner of The Simple Life Real Estate Company.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree

How many years in Grand County?

36

Original hometown:

Denver

Family:

Parnell lives in Fraser with Megan and his three kids, Jo, Katrina, and Nate. He also has family members who live in Grand County: Lorr Quinn (father), Brent Quinn (brother) and his three daughters, Katie (sister) and Troy Schmidt and their two sons. His brother, Lorr Christopher, lives in Fort Collins with his wife and two kids, and his sister Heather Allen currently lives in Meredith, NH.

What do you like about Fraser?

That Fraser has a lot of potential and it will always have a small town feel, regardless of how many people live in or around the town.

What experience or qualifications make you the best candidate for town board?

A good understanding of both sides of the growth issues: keeping it quaint and still being able to raise a family here, and congruently being able to afford to live here.

Over the years, I’ve worked in many different trades and have also been a part of, or owned my own business. All of those experiences, as well as my understanding of what the Fraser locals and Fraser families need, as well as what is needed to keep business doors open are what make me the best candidate for the town board.

Why did you decide to run for the town board?

Growth is inevitable and if done correctly we, as a town, can make it what we all want, not just what a few squeaky wheels want. Being a member of the board will allow me to help guide the town in a direction that fits the needs of the residents and business owners in town.

Describe one time when you believe the current town board got it wrong. Why do you think so, and what would you have done differently?

The town board did not get it wrong, however the wrong result occurred when we, as a town, missed the opportunity to have a voice and help direct the land being developed bordering the town of Fraser. You attract a better quality of people and relationships by first understanding their point of view, not by trying to shove the status quo down peoples’ throats. The Board needs to be planning for the future, not waiting until the future is here and then freaking out when someone wants to develop a piece of property.

What are your platform goals?

Creating a town with many levels of entry for places to live for individuals and families. Creating an awesome mass transit system that does not put all of us in the poor house. Getting new businesses to come to Fraser. Creating a real master plan that tells people who we are and what we want the town to look and feel like. We need the town to feel and act like a community, working on what is best for its residents and business owners.

What do you think will be the biggest issue facing Fraser in the next four years? What solution(s) do you propose?

There are several major issues:

1. Affordable housing – for the year round locals and families and housing for the seasonal workers. The best solution is to work with the people that believe in Fraser and are willing to put personal gain aside for what is best for the community. This includes but is not limited to: Fraser locals, Fraser business owners, developers and the town municipalities. Everyone needs to work together and to really look at what can be done and should be done and that it makes financial sense.

2. Mass transportation – some of this is being handled now by the towns taking over the bussing system. There is still a lot of work to be done and funding such a massive project will be a big challenge for such a small town. However, again, by utilizing all the people and local resources we have in the town this issue can be resolved.

3. Water – this is an issue that most people do not think about as it is a very complex issue, especially in the Fraser Valley. We need to work with land owners in and out of the town of Fraser to find ways to keep the water in the Valley.

Eileen Waldow – Incumbent

Occupation:

Currently I am a cashier at Safeway and manage Waldow and Daughter Trucking. My career was in medical technology, 22 years of which was in clinical microbiology in Ft. Collins.

Education:

Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology

How many years in Grand County?

40 years total: 20 of which have been full-time

Original hometown:

Lodi, Wis.

Family:

I am widowed for almost two years and have three children: Aila (Asa) Holley, Christina (Steven) Prothero, Nick (Caroline) Waldow and a son-in-law, Eddie White. They have blessed me with eight grandchildren, five of whom live full time in the Fraser Valley, three who live a third of the year in Granby and a step-grandson who lives in Michigan. Pop-Up is my one woman cat and there are six granddogs who know that I always have treats.

What do you like about Fraser?

Fraser is HOME. It is a supportive community with citizens of all ages. Tom and I moved to Colorado 43 years ago and planned to stay for two years. We fell in love with the mountains, the intense blue sky and the people. That may be why many World War II German prisoners of war returned to Fraser when they were able to. Fraser has a rich history to preserve by remaining independent while still cooperating with our neighboring towns.

What experience or qualifications make you the best candidate for Town board?

When I first was elected to the town board, I said it felt like I was a freshman in college again. The learning curve for how town government works was pretty steep, I have survived that. I have served as the town’s representative on the Policy Committee to the State Legislature of the Colorado Municipal League. It is helpful to see the struggles similar to and different from ours that over 200 other municipalities are having. Water and wastewater are probably the most important services that a town provides, and we all take it for granted unless something malfunctions. Serving on the water/wastewater committee has educated me on how much goes on behind the scenes.

Most of our citizens shop at Safeway at least occasionally and, therefore, I get to talk to people of all ages and economic groups and often hear of their challenges and successes.

What has been your biggest accomplishment whiie serving on the town board?

When I ran in 2012, broadband, year-round bus transportation, sustainability and affordable housing were issues of mine. We have a start on all of them. I am happy that our meetings are now available by audio files on our website.

What has been your biggest shortcoming while serving on the town board?

Frustration. Frustration that everything takes so long to accomplish. I am one vote out of seven and every two years the board changes, and we start anew.

What are your platform goals?

To continue to work on the same goals that I had in 2012 – broadband, year-round bus transportation, sustainability and affordable housing – and see big results. I also want to see more transparency and accountability.

What do you think will be the biggest issue facing Fraser in the next four years? What solution(s) do you propose?

Affordable housing! I wish I knew a answer. We are exploring many avenues to see how we can best accomplish this: tap fee incentives based on unit size, smaller lots, grants and public-private partnerships.