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ASPEN — Mick Ireland's intention to run for mayor of Aspen has gotten other potential candidates fired up for a good challenge.
Andrew Kole said he remains "on the fence" about whether to run, but Ireland's candidacy would "inspire" him to join the fray: "If Mick runs, I'll be happy, happy," he said.
Kole, a political gadfly and former local television show host, labeled himself a long shot to win the race. Nevertheless, he said he would like to run against Ireland to enliven the campaign and force full discussion of a wide variety of issues.
Tim Semrau, another potential candidate, said his decision won't depend on what Ireland or anyone else does. Instead, he is going to evaluate other aspects of his life - as a family man, co-owner of retail businesses and a builder with an emphasis on affordable housing projects - and see if he could absorb the responsibilities of mayor.
Semrau said that if both he and Ireland run, they would offer an "interesting dichotomy" for voters. "We share a lot of the same goals, with completely different approaches," he said.
Semrau suggested one of the differences would be the level of government regulation the candidates support. A race between them would determine "if citizens feel government control is going to make the town better or if the creative, dynamic individuals of this town working together can make it better," he said.
Councilman Torre also expressed interest in running for mayor before Ireland's intentions became known. Torre didn't return repeated telephone messages Thursday for comment on whether Ireland's direction will have a bearing on him.
The Aspen Times reported Thursday that Ireland has told close friends recently that he intends to run. Ireland is an attorney and former Pitkin County commissioner who stepped down in January because of term limits. He said he will make a "definitive" announcement next week about his candidacy in the mayoral race.
Semrau said Ireland's intention to run comes as no surprise since he has been in elected office for so long.
Semrau has also served in local government. He was an Aspen councilman from 2001 until 2005. He didn't run for re-election after one term. He said he feels residents with interest and the right skills should serve in government but rotate out before they become professional politicians.
Semrau said he is interested about getting back in government because "I care about the town" and feels he could help solve some of the issues.
Both Ireland and Semrau have expressed concern over the level of construction in Aspen and its impacts on residents. Semrau said they share views that the amount of construction should be managed and capped. Semrau said the limits should apply to government projects - like affordable housing and municipal facilities - as well as private-sector projects: "Let's do it correctly," he said.
Kole said he probably couldn't win the race because he doesn't know how to win elections. He has tried and failed in several previous local contests. Kole sees a race between Ireland and Semrau as tight.
"I think Mick's an early front-runner. I think Tim's right there," he said.
If Kole runs, it will be to raise campaign issues like the status of the 30-year-old affordable housing. He believes the housing program should be "blown up" and revised. Virtually all the government's housing inventory should be rental, he said. Current owners should be given the option of selling at higher prices than currently allowed, but not at free-market levels, he said.
In contrast, Ireland is a champion of the existing program.
Kole said Ireland's entry in the race would require other candidates to work harder because of Ireland's experience in running campaigns. "He knows how to get the votes out," Kole said.
Semrau said he would expect to work hard to earn votes regardless of who is in the race.
"I'm going to run the same campaign whether I run against Mick or not," Semrau said.
Scott Condon's e-mail address is scondon@aspentimes.com.
Andrew Kole said he remains "on the fence" about whether to run, but Ireland's candidacy would "inspire" him to join the fray: "If Mick runs, I'll be happy, happy," he said.
Kole, a political gadfly and former local television show host, labeled himself a long shot to win the race. Nevertheless, he said he would like to run against Ireland to enliven the campaign and force full discussion of a wide variety of issues.
Tim Semrau, another potential candidate, said his decision won't depend on what Ireland or anyone else does. Instead, he is going to evaluate other aspects of his life - as a family man, co-owner of retail businesses and a builder with an emphasis on affordable housing projects - and see if he could absorb the responsibilities of mayor.
Semrau said that if both he and Ireland run, they would offer an "interesting dichotomy" for voters. "We share a lot of the same goals, with completely different approaches," he said.
Semrau suggested one of the differences would be the level of government regulation the candidates support. A race between them would determine "if citizens feel government control is going to make the town better or if the creative, dynamic individuals of this town working together can make it better," he said.
Councilman Torre also expressed interest in running for mayor before Ireland's intentions became known. Torre didn't return repeated telephone messages Thursday for comment on whether Ireland's direction will have a bearing on him.
The Aspen Times reported Thursday that Ireland has told close friends recently that he intends to run. Ireland is an attorney and former Pitkin County commissioner who stepped down in January because of term limits. He said he will make a "definitive" announcement next week about his candidacy in the mayoral race.
Semrau said Ireland's intention to run comes as no surprise since he has been in elected office for so long.
Semrau has also served in local government. He was an Aspen councilman from 2001 until 2005. He didn't run for re-election after one term. He said he feels residents with interest and the right skills should serve in government but rotate out before they become professional politicians.
Semrau said he is interested about getting back in government because "I care about the town" and feels he could help solve some of the issues.
Both Ireland and Semrau have expressed concern over the level of construction in Aspen and its impacts on residents. Semrau said they share views that the amount of construction should be managed and capped. Semrau said the limits should apply to government projects - like affordable housing and municipal facilities - as well as private-sector projects: "Let's do it correctly," he said.
Kole said he probably couldn't win the race because he doesn't know how to win elections. He has tried and failed in several previous local contests. Kole sees a race between Ireland and Semrau as tight.
"I think Mick's an early front-runner. I think Tim's right there," he said.
If Kole runs, it will be to raise campaign issues like the status of the 30-year-old affordable housing. He believes the housing program should be "blown up" and revised. Virtually all the government's housing inventory should be rental, he said. Current owners should be given the option of selling at higher prices than currently allowed, but not at free-market levels, he said.
In contrast, Ireland is a champion of the existing program.
Kole said Ireland's entry in the race would require other candidates to work harder because of Ireland's experience in running campaigns. "He knows how to get the votes out," Kole said.
Semrau said he would expect to work hard to earn votes regardless of who is in the race.
"I'm going to run the same campaign whether I run against Mick or not," Semrau said.
Scott Condon's e-mail address is scondon@aspentimes.com.
