With the November election approaching, Candy Meehan, running against Galena Gleason for county commissioner, told the Forum she will focus on maintaining transparency. The current mayor of Norwood, who is in the middle of a recall mess to be decided this December, said if she’s elected as county commissioner, she’ll ensure that all meetings are open to the public and streamed online for broader accessibility.
She said she’d provide regular updates on “projects, budgets and decisions through newsletters and social media, making sure residents are informed."
“Additionally, I would continue to educate the community that accessible, online repository for public records, including meeting minutes and financial documents, are available,” she said. “By creating opportunities for public input through community forums and surveys, I would encourage active participation and feedback. My commitment to clear communication and accountability would foster trust and collaboration between the commission and the community.”
Regarding solar energy development on Wright’s Mesa, Meehan said the recent process has “ignited deep-seated concerns about the strain it places on the area's already fragile resources.” She added that economically, local fire and EMS, the Norwood Fire Protection District, could likely face increased demand without additional support available, making for potential stress.
“The ecological impact is also significant, with solar installations threatening to deplete water resources, which are already scarce, and encroaching on valuable agricultural lands, crucial for local food production and livelihoods,” Meehan said. “Wildlife habitats are also at risk of fragmentation, disrupting biodiversity. Beyond the tangible impacts, there is a profound emotional strain on the community, which is already resource-stressed, as residents grapple with the uncertainty of how these developments may alter their lives.”
Overall, Meehan said for regulations which are imposed on communities that result in major impacts but lack real improvements or benefits, they have to be looked at carefully for “their true viability and sustainability.” She said Wright’s Mesa residents feel that, “without clear local gains, such projects exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, rather than contribute to a sustainable future.”
“We are willing to work with San Miguel County, but insist that things are done with us, not to us,” she said.
Regarding the proposed national monument along the Dolores River that has been hotly debated in local communities, she said as it’s proposed, it “poses a potential threat to the survival of the West End, which is absolutely unacceptable.”
She said it’s clear all parties involved in the process are committed to protecting the Dolores River corridor, but their motivations are divided. She said local residents are seeking preservation of their way of life, including grazing, recreation and mining, and they’re striving to rebuild their economy as part of the Just Transition program, special in Colorado for coal-affected communities. At the same time, she said the Protect the Dolores environmental group wants to preserve the region by creating legislation that restricts the historical uses and blocks future mining opportunities.
“Considering both perspectives, I firmly believe that the best path forward is through negotiation,” she said. “This should allow local stakeholders to continue their economic recovery, resilience and sustainability efforts, while also implementing safeguards to protect the environment for future generations.”
Her opinion is to return to the table to work on a revised national conservation area (NCA) that benefits everyone.
“Again, we are insisting that things be done with us. Not to us,” she said.
Meehan told the Forum she’ll definitely communicate with voters, if elected.
“I will prioritize being accessible to constituents through various channels. I will hold regular office hours where residents can drop in to discuss their concerns and ideas,” she said. “In addition, I will organize community meetings and town halls to encourage open dialogue. Utilizing social media and a dedicated website, I will provide updates and create platforms for feedback. I will also be available via email and phone, ensuring that constituents can reach me easily.”
