In 1988, Shirley and I retired to Cortez because this is where she was born and raised. With retirement I looked for somewhere I could become in-volved, and was appointed a member of the Cortez Planning and Zoning Commission. Here I began my association with the true leaders of Cortez.

In Chris Eastin, I found a person with long-range views toward what is good for Cortez. He was the first of many leaders I would encounter in my "ride."

In November of 1991, I was elected to City Council. Through the leadership of Roger Smith, Bill Smart, Jerry Wiltgen, Maxine Kirk, Merit Carter and Steve Guymon, many changes were accomplished. These included the acceptance of the Carpenter Natural Area land donation, purchase of the land for Parque de Vida, the hiring of Bill Ray, the new Comprehensive Plan, starting program, long-range airport planning, and other items affecting the future of Cortez. This council taught me a lot and was as joy to work with.

The 1993 election saw Dorothy Faught, Jim Herrick and Roger Echols elected and Jerry Wiltgen and I re-elected. Bill Lemons was later appointed to replace Steve Guymon, who moved. Again, a council with a vision towards the future!

A program was begun to review the zoning and land use code; a recreation center was proposed but defeated; the retention of excess revenue for construction projects was approved, construction of the police building was completed; Parque de Vida construction was started; Central Dispatch for the entire county was installed; two-year budgets were implemented, the airport became a city-only operation, and a district election released the city from purchasing excess water from McPhee. Things were moving ahead.

The 1995 elections saw Joe Keck elected, and Bill Lemons, Jerry Wiltgen and me re-elected. This council tried to work on problems with governmental and private entities that affected the future of the city. I am sad to say nothing came of all this work.

The council did take the position that Wal-Mart must build the super store in the city limits so the sales tax revenue to the city wouldn’t be lost. In this, we were successful. Other efforts were starting studies to bring telecommunications to Cortez, space need studies for city hall, retention of 20 percent of operation budget for future emergencies, and expansion of the water plant and storage. Karen Garner replaced Bill Lemons, who resigned.

In 1998, Fred Torres, Larry Kautz, Mike Kelly and Darlene Denison were elected, and Karen Garner was re-elected. Joe Keck and I were carry-overs. Immediately, this council was accused of secret meetings, primarily to select a mayor and mayor pro tem. From here it went to considering firing the city attorneys, and they did fire Bill Ray, the city manager.

Through all of this it was a split council. This was an experience I had never had before. After some time, things settled down, but it was hard to move ahead because one council person gave prominence to zoning and the land use code. A few things were accomplished, such as the addition to the service center, the salary increases to employees (at what cost to future councils?), and closer relationship with the county commissioners. Still much more could have been done.

The hiring of Hal Shepherd was probably the best achievement of this council. In him, I see the future of the city in good hands. The hiring of Bill Argo as manager of MCEDC and his and Hal’s ability to work together is also a plus for the community.