This is the final installment of a series of interviews with all Salida city council members and Mayor P.T. Wood, providing an overview of the state of the city. Lawton Eddy and Joe Jordan contributed the series of interviews.
The mayor and every city council member were asked the same five questions. What has gone well with the current city council? What has this city council accomplished? What are the city’s “works in progress”? What are the lessons learned and the changes or improvements that resulted? What are the shortcomings – what could be done better – and what are your hopes for the new council going forward?
Some council members responded to all questions. Others chose not to respond to one or more questions. Ark Valley Voice has run the series all this week, beginning Monday, Aug. 26. We have not edited the responses other than for grammatical or syntax errors.
Question 5: What are the shortcomings? What could be done better? What are your hopes for future council?
Dan Shore:
We need to do a better job of communicating.
Additionally, for improved communication we would like to see a quarterly newsletter, more proactive responses to community concerns, a better job of refuting misinformation and more information in city press releases.
Mike Bowers:
We need full transparency, no surprises.
Council needs to have conversations with the community, not just say “this is the way it is”.
People want to know where the city money is going. There used to be an ad run by the city reporting on the budget. When the public doesn’t know enough it makes them suspicious. When we involve them, they respect and admire us.
Citizens want council to be part of the community.
We need to encourage volunteering.
The community should know their police officers – city personnel need to get out there and be known by the people.
Recreation is OK, but we have a housing crisis. That is the priority.
We need to improve regulations and enforcement of short term rental licenses.
Salida City Council meeting in June, 2019; :Council members left to right: Cheryl Brown-Kovacic, Justin Critelli, Mayor P.T.Wood, Jane Templeton and Dan Shore. Missing form the photo Harald Kasper.
Jane Templeton:
I hope the collegiality and non-partisanship will continue. I hope people will continue to express themselves and be heard, even when disagreed with.
Justin Critelli:
With housing it feels like we’re doing a lot of talking and collecting ideas but not planting the seeds. In an effort to include everyone’s ideas, there are so many branches that can be distractions. This delays making something concrete happen.
When you’re in a crisis don’t keep it at arm’s length for fear of setting a precedent; just get it done. I speak from experience – the Hostel is not a resource for homelessness but can be treated as one when there aren’t any options.
Cheryl Brown-Kovacic:
We need to improve communication with the community that isn’t dependent on local media alone. A newsletter or social media forum would be helpful.
A citizen advisory committee could be used in a wider capacity.
We need to make some parcels of city land available for housing needs.
Harald Kasper:
I would like to see things move a little faster.
Mayor PT Wood:
There has been a lot of reacting and shooting from the hip in the past. Now we’re planning. Planning for the future and preparing. That should continue.
Council’s dedication to providing good quality public service must continue.
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