Candidates offer views heading into Evans mayoral, council elections

Jakob Rodgers
March 27, 2008

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The first mail-ballot election in Evans' history is shaping up to be an important one as voters will have until 7 p.m. on April 8 to decide who will lead the city as it faces uncertainties in its water supply and vast economic development on the horizon.

Only two races -- those for mayor and Ward 2 -- feature multiple candidates to choose from this spring; current council member Debbie Lambert will once again run unopposed in Ward 3.

Experience will be on tap as the winner of the race for mayor will be no stranger to the council chambers. Current council members Gregg Rhoads and Lyle Achziger, both of Ward 2, are vying for the seat that current Mayor Sherry Melby will give up due to term limits.

Achziger, a salesman for a local wireless company, said he would like to continue on the path that the council has been forging since 2006.

"We have done a lot of work in those areas -- financial reform, law enforcement, economic development -- and my goal, my platform, is to continue that and finish what we've begun," Achziger said.

Achziger notes that the city must be aggressive in pursuing water rights, as both issues depend on the other's proper handling. With more economic development, the city could focus the increased funds on its police and fire services, according to his Web site.

Rhoads, a council member since 2004 who attends Aims Community College as he works toward becoming a certified drug and alcohol counselor, also noted water and economic development as primary areas of focus. He said his outspoken nature helps facilitate action.

"My goals if I become elected as mayor is to accelerate economic development, maintain a positive and upbeat attitude in the community and show that we are capable of being achievers," said Rhoads, who also noted he would like to address the gang and drug activity in the city.

The race for Ward 2, however, features two first-time candidates with far different backgrounds.

A building inspector for the city of Greeley for six years and Evans for 11 before stepping down in 2001 to start Hamblen Inspection Services, Tom Hamblen, said he'd like to help the city in the areas of economic development. To do that, he said, the city needs to "be on its toes" in acquiring water rights.

"I really feel that with my knowledge of the community and the neighboring communities and everything that I'd be a real asset to the council -- bring a new perspective to it from both the private sector and the public sector of it," said Hamblen, a lifelong Evans resident.

Matt Wells, who maintains natural gas wells for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, said he sees the University of Northern Colorado -- which he attended -- as a significant source of revenue he would like to see the city more actively pursue. While also noting he would work to try to help the city get its own water treatment plant, he said he would also try to focus on environmental issues.

"Something I would have as kind of maybe a pet project -- an issue really close to me -- is improving our recycling and improving our desirability by green industries," said Wells.

Ballots have been mailed and can be returned to the Evans City Clerk's Office, 1100 37th Ave. in Evans.

THE CANDIDATES