Meet the candidates for Blue Valley Metropolitan District board elections
Blue Valley Acres Unit, No. 2 Metropolitan District south of Kremmling on Highway 9 is having an election to fill positions on its 5-person water board. It is the first election in many years. Four candidates are vying for a 4- year term on the board. There are three openings. Those candidates are: Thomas “Tom” Kellen, Mark Nelson, Todd Nelson, and Michael “Mike” Stoveken.
Two candidates submitted their names for two 2-year terms, Ken A. “Buck” McNichols and Charles “Bob” Jones. Jones recently withdrew his candidacy from the election leaving only McNichols to fill a 2-year seat. The other vacancy will be filled by appointment after the election. Current board members are: President – Ken McNichols, Secretary – Tom Kellen, Chairpserson Tammy Hanohano and chairperson John Ilgner. Ilgner has served 10 years on the board. Ballots were mailed to military and oversea voters on March 23 and on April 21 ballots were mailed to all other property owners and residents in the Blue Valley Metropolitan District who are registered to vote in Colorado. There were 214 ballots sent.
Election day is May 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The district will be utilizing the ballot dropbox located at the CSU Extension Hall as well as PO Box 492, Kremmling for ballot returns.
Unofficial results will be posted at the office of the Designated Election Official on May 8. The official results of the election will be posted on www. bvmd.biz on May 17, 2018. The term of office of each newly elected person will commence at a special meeting to be held before June 7, 2018.
Candidates for 4-year term | 3 seats open
Thomas “Tom” Kellen
Employment/Company – Keller Williams Top of the Rockies Real Estate and Copper Mountain Ski Patrol
Why do you want to serve on the board? What special attributes will you bring to the board?
Having lived in Blue Valley Acres for over 20 years, I feel it is important to serve my neighbors in this way. I’m level headed and easy to work with.
What issues do you feel are facing Blue Valley Acres Water District?
The limited water supply in the State of Colorado is always a concern.
Mark Nelson
Employment/Company – Maximum Services Inc.
Why do you want to serve on the board? What special attributes will you bring to the board?
I have been a resident of BVMD for the last 19 years & have served on the board for the last 2. I would like to continue to serve the board to ensure that our current issues are resolved, a long-term plan is implemented to keep the district’s facilities & utilities safe, maintained, & updated as needed. My 30-year career in civil, commercial, & residential infrastructure has provided a comprehensive education that is key in understanding the physical workings of our water system, roads & drainage.
What issues do you feel are facing Blue Valley Acres Water District?
The district is in dire need of a longterm water system improvement plan. A good portion of our water system is coming of age & needs replaced. In the past the district has only done only the minimum required to keep things going. This plan should include a capitol outlay plan to help facilitate the much needed improvements & expansions that will help us to keep providing our neighborhood with great water.
Todd Nelson
Employment/Company – Lawson Products Inc. Is my main job. I am self-employed with Saddle T Services.
Why do you want to serve on the board? What special attributes will you bring to the board?
Greg Winkler (from DOLA) once said, “Thanks for serving on a board, this is American government at its best on a local level.” I agree with Greg, local government offers quicker solutions to problems that are tailored to specific needs of a district. I served on this board from 2006 – 2016. During that time, I and other board members secured $500,000 in grants from DOLA. I learned to network with other government officials on solving problems. Time management is a big factor for any volunteer board. With my work schedule, I do have the time to make calls, ask a question and come up with solutions to situations.
What issues do you feel are facing Blue Valley Acres Water District?
BVMD is experiencing growth with summit county’s high cost of living. This year we have no less than 6 new houses under construction and at least 3 more planning on building in 2018. In 2019 we are expecting at least 2 more houses at this time. The largest issue we are facing is amending our water contract with Bureau of Reclamations/division 5 water court is to provide enough water taps for each lot within and surrounding BVMD. I fully expect that in the next 10 years we will need to expand our water supply system and water storage. The second issue BVMD is facing is financial. Federal and State lawmakers pass laws but do not provide funding avenues for new regulations. BVMD must control spending and prioritize where spending is needed not wanted. The third issue we have is board members participation. All elected persons need to participate and take on tasks to make the board work, I have done this before and will do so in the future.
Michael “Mike” Stoveken
Employment/Company – Silverthorne Power Sports/Owner
Why do you want to serve on the board? What special attributes will you bring to the board?
I have been on the board of several community associations in Summit and Grand counties over the past 20 years. I have lived in Blue Valley Acres #2 for 13 years and would like to work with and for my neighbors to make our community a great place for all of us to live! In regards to the Metro Board, this group is instrumental in planning for our future water needs as well as other important items that effect our community. It is my hope that being involved with the Blue Valley Metro Board I will be able to help the board continue to offer transparency and promote the friendly/neighborly atmosphere that the current board has initiated during their tenure.
What issues do you feel are facing Blue Valley Acres Water District?
It is fortunate that the developer and the original owners at Blue Valley Acres #2 had the foresight to secure water for our community. Keeping our water source available and affordable is one of the most important issues that our community and the board will face in the future.
2-year term candidate
Ken A. “Buck” McNichols
Employment/Company – General Manager, Shadow Creek Ranch Owners Association.
Why do you want to serve on the board? What special attributes will you bring to the board?
I have been serving on the Board for the last 2 years and would like to serve for another 2 years in order to complete the process of planning and affecting a long term maintenance plan for the Water System and Road infrastructure throughout the District. By serving as the President/Chairmen of the BVMD Board of Directors for the previous 2 years as well as my background with managing another domestic water system and large scale Community Association, I feel my knowledge and experience will continue to be put to good use serving our Community in Blue Valley Acres.
What issues do you feel are facing Blue Valley Acres Water District?
Cleaning up issues created and overlooked for years. Funding and coordinating the necessary future improvements especially as the District rapidly approaches full build out and the sale of the last few remaining water taps “the largest avenue of funding”.
