Sarah Haas,  Central City.  On October 15, 2018 Central City will open its Special Municipal Election to voters to elect a mayor, fill two city council seats (two candidates run unopposed), and vote on two ballot issues: 1A, which considers a 2 percent increase in sales tax, and 1B which would amend the city’s charter to clarify council’s powers to fill mid-term city council vacancies.

Below are questions and answers of the two mayoral candidates, incumbent candidate Mayor Kathryn Heider, and first-time candidate, Jeremy Fey, represented here through write-in responses and in-person interviews with The Mountain-Ear.

Introductions

Kathryn Heider: Heider has been living in Central City since the 1970s and bought a home in the city in 1975. With a bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois State University, she worked as a public information officer for various municipalities, including a 14-year position with the Jefferson County Government. She was first elected to Central City’s council in 2012, and became mayor in January of 2017. She continues to live in her Central City home with her dog, Lewis.

Jeremy Fey: Fey has been living in Central City since February of 2017. Previous to arriving in town, he worked nationally and internationally in events, investments and private development. Since arriving in Central City, he founded Central Presents, the company behind 2018’s Central Jazz festival, joined the Gilpin Arts Association board, and has been an active participant in city government, including volunteer work with the City Clerk’s Office. He lives in town with his wife and daughter, and the couple is expecting another baby this Spring.

The Mountain Ear: In your opinion, what is the role of the mayor in Central City?

Kathryn Heider: Heider describes the mayor as a team leader, writing: “A mayor should be good at building consensus on council, ensuring that all council members, as well as the public, have a chance to be heard. I believe that the city council and the mayor must be a team, working together along with the city manager, or nothing will get done.”

Jeremy Fey: Fey writes that he will, “represent the will of the residents first and foremost, including that of current businesses,” but that his focus is also on developing the city into, “a tourist destination that appeals to the broadest amount of possible visitors.” In this vein, he sees the role of mayor as one that represents the city to the broader county, state, national and international audiences, saying, “it would be my job to showcase the city for what it is and what it wants to become.”

The Mountain Ear: What kind of growth do you want to see in Central City?

Kathryn Heider: “Thoughtful and steady,” Heider writes. “I want Central City to remain a great place to live, one that offers excellent quality of life for residents.” Citing that more than 50 percent of Central City’s commercial buildings are vacant, she says, “I want the empty storefronts filled up with shops and restaurants. I want the Belvidere open with a hotel/parking garage built on the city-owned T-Lot. I’d like the casinos, which provide 60 percent of the city’s budget through taxes and device fees, to be able to attract more patrons. And, most of all, I want Central City to remain at heart a charming Victorian town that is proud of its good bones and authentic roots.”

To achieve thoughtful growth, Heider hopes to continue to improve municipal infrastructure, making incremental improvements on water systems, safety services and sidewalks, to name a few. Under her leadership, she says the city is also attracting grant money to improve the Belvedere and that, in conjunction with incentive packages, they would help to attract developers to the space, and, in time, the city at large.

Jeremy Fey: Fey has big plans for the city, all of which, he says, are founded on the maintenance of Central City’s existing assets and character, especially in the historic sense. As mayor he hopes to create development by creating incentive packages for businesses and developers and activate existing entities to grow in step.

Worth noting, Fey is a partner in his private development company with a 13-year revitalization plan with five phases, each dependent on the success of the prior. In explanation he writes:

“Phase one is the year-round activation of current buildings in the historic district, including Opera properties, with restaurants, venues, galleries, services and a temporary hotel placed on the Academy/Greek Lot. Phase two is the development of a hotel and other hospitality facilities in the T-lot, along with infrastructure for localized food such as restaurants and grocery stores. Phase three is a new 1,600 seat venue for residents and businesses. Phase four is residential and commercial developments along the parkway. Phase five is a golf community and hospitality on the ranch west of town.”

Fey is aware his private interests pose potential conflicts of interest with the mayoral seat but is working with an attorney and city legal teams to ensure he would recuse himself as needed.

The Mountain Ear: What is your vision for the city in five years, and what strategic planning needs to occur to realize that vision?

Kathryn Heider: “In my vision, the Belvidere is open and hosting conferences, banquets, meetings and events. An onsite bar and restaurant are open all year. Shops and businesses are located on the first floor. The Opera Association has turned the Teller House into a functioning hotel and a large grocery store and gas station have opened on the parkway. Our water distribution system is in great repair and all our streets and sidewalks are in great shape,” Heider says.

She says the city already engages in strategic planning, usually annually, and that no additional planning is needed to realize her vision.

Jeremy Fey: “By 2024 Central City will be a top destination in Colorado, and a burgeoning arts community on a world level stage,” Fey says, adding that he would like to see current business thriving, commercial and residential vacancies filled, and further activation of the opera owned properties.
“I would also like to see property values increasing, more families moving into town, and more visitors who come, and stay, again and again,” Fey says. “Central to this, I also want the city to develop a strong cultural presence, actively attracting top arts and entertainment programming to Central City.”

To achieve his goals, Fey would like to see robust strategic planning at the city level that is informed by the public and publicly available after the fact. He would like to see expectations for the City’s economic health and vitality raised and cooperation among stakeholders increase. He says Central City can also be helped by state marketing arms, as he sees Central City as the most underused asset in Colorado.

The Mountain Ear: Why do you want to hold the office of Central City Mayor?

Kathryn Heider: “When I was elected to council six years ago the city was in such bad shape that it had to take out a loan to make payroll in January and had to include money to pay credit card late fees in the adopted budget. Six years later, thanks to strong city councils and mayors who put a great city manager in place, we are no longer in dire financial straits. In fact, the beginning of the year balance in our general fund has increased by more than 200 percent over those six years. I have a proven record of good governance and would like the chance to continue this forward momentum.”

Jeremy Fey: “I love the City of Central and hope to spend the rest of my life here! As such I want to do all that I can to ensure a vibrant and healthy city to share with my family and neighbors. I will forever be working toward this aim and believe my leadership as mayor will place Central on the right course.”

Central City mail-in ballots will be delivered October 15 through 22, 2018, and must be received at the City Clerk’s office (drop-of or mail in) by 7:00 P.M. November 6, 2018.