Candidate: Ann Shaw, Cottonwood resident of 30 years
Age: 69
Current or past profession: “I am an educator, both a teacher and an administrator, and I am currently working in the area of curriculum development.”
Q: Why are you qualified to serve on council?
A: “I was a Cottonwood Parks and Recreation Commissioner for about 20 years and I served as the chair during my final term. I am also the president of two governing boards for which I prepare the agendas, conduct the meetings and even type up the minutes. These roles require many of the same skills needed to serve as mayor: Listening, working collaboratively with key staff, gathering and weighing information to present well-balanced perspectives and, occasionally, offer an innovative idea. I have conducted many meetings in a cordial and orderly manner and believe that I can do the same with the City Council.”
Q: How should the city bring more affordable housing into the area, and balance the growth of businesses and new residents?
A: “I am in the process of gathering information about the issue of affordable housing and I do understand that it is a crucial one that is being considered by the city in view of the high proportion of residents having to devote 50% or more of their monthly income to rent.
“I recently saw the data-based presentation by Cottonwood Housing Manager Shannon Boone which seemed to indicate that the growth of businesses will be limited if the people needed to work in those businesses cannot afford to live here.”
Q: What is your vision for economic development in Cottonwood?
A: “I think my vision for economic development is pretty much the vision most of us share. We want Cottonwood to retain its small-town character while attracting businesses in a measured manner that are desirable for both residents and visitors and will become established elements of the city. Forward-thinking businesses tend to locate in places where essential services such as health care and education meet high standards and, in order to provide these services, it is necessary to attract highly-qualified professionals from both fields.
“Over the years, it has been encouraging to see Old Town become a revitalized destination, but I understand how much more growth we may see hinges on a number of factors including availability of space, natural resources, the city’s location and its attractiveness to investors, sustainable long-range business plans and, as mentioned, housing.
“As an example of a possible business opportunity recently suggested to me by a young Cottonwood voter, an area that is wide open for development here is entertainment. A movie theatre would be a community asset along with some other indoor places to gather for fun. The city certainly supports the businesses that are here now but it’s up to business owners to choose to come to Cottonwood and, to some degree, it’s up to us to make the city inviting for those businesses we would like to have.”
Q: How should the city change events to reflect the city’s changing demographics?
A: “I don’t think that the city’s demographics have changed so radically that we can only have one type of event. I’m open to new ideas and wine-themed events seem practically required to promote the array of local vineyards, but I have been around long enough to like having Brian Mickelsen’s name on the marathon and I think Thunder Valley Rally has been a good event for Cottonwood. We’ve had some great entertainment and some pretty good times. It only lasts a couple of days and by Sunday afternoon everything is pretty much the way it was before.
“As a P&R commissioner, I was briefed on the post-event reports presented by staff at Parks and Recreation meetings each year and I don’t recall anything happening that was so terrible that I thought TVR should be eliminated. Most of the complaints were matters of minor inconvenience.”
Q: How will you rebuild public trust and confidence in Cottonwood City Council?
A: “If I could kindly and respectfully implore the voters of Cottonwood to exercise their right to vote by selecting the candidates for City Council who are answering questions honestly rather than cynically and, yes, even, at times, telling Cottonwood citizens what they want to hear.
“We have a great opportunity to seat a mayor and council members who will focus on the business of the city rather than partisan or personal agendas. With the right people in office, trust and confidence can be restored almost overnight. If anyone needs help finding out who those people are, I’m at annshaw4mayor@ gmail.com.”
Cottonwood City Council Election
Mayoral candidates (one four-year seat):
- Michael Mathews, challenger
- Ann Shaw, challenger
Council candidates (three four-year seats)
- Felicia Coates, challenger
- Holly Grigaitis, challenger* [*residency in city limits remains in question]
- Helaine Kurot, incumbent
- Bob Marks, challenger
- Lindsay Masten, challenger
- Joy Mosley, challenger
- Heather Piper White, challenger
- Bill Tinnin, challenger
