Pitkin County commissioner Q&A: Incumbent Francie Jacober

Incumbent Pitkin County commissioner Francie Jacober and challenger Toni Kronberg compete to serve as one of five county commissioners. The Aspen Times asked each candidate where they fall on key county issues as the Nov. 5 election nears.

Jacober, finishing up her first term, looks to serve a second.

The Aspen Times: Which airport-related ballot question will you vote for? Why?

Francie Jacober: I have already voted, and my vote was a “yes” for 1C and a “no” for 200. Pitkin County cannot afford to replace the runway, build a new terminal, upgrade our avionic capabilities, increase our environmental standards, and add solar at the airport without funding from the FAA. I have a fiduciary responsibility to the people of Pitkin County, and trying to stare down the FAA and ignoring their safety policies is a straight path to no further federal funding for the airfield or the terminal and would be the height of irresponsibility. Modern aircraft — after the Embraer 175 — will have wider wingspans, which create greater efficiency and less noise. It is time for Aspen/Pitkin County Airport to modernize, increase safety for aircraft, and improve our carbon footprint.

AT: Will you vote “yes“ or “no“ on the property tax meant to help fund affordable housing? How do you think affordable housing should be approached in the valley?

FJ: I voted “yes” on 1A for a mill levy to generate $8 million per year. This will give Pitkin County the possibility of building partnerships with other organizations who want to improve the housing situation for our workforce. People who work in Aspen and other upvalley locations are forced to move further and further away from their place of employment due to the high cost of real estate and rentals. As far away as Glenwood, a person wanting to buy a home needs $6,000-$7,000 per month to afford a mortgage (average cost of home in Glenwood is now $900,000). Using the recommended 30% on income spent on mortgage or rent, that amounts to $280,000 per year. How much further away can people move in order to work in Aspen and still afford a home? Average rents in Carbondale are $4,000/month. Clearly, if we want to stabilize our workforce and improve quality of life for our constituents, we have to continually take steps to improve housing possibilities and decrease commute time. Housing would ideally be located near transit and in an area with already existing infrastructure and sustainable water availability.

AT: How will you work to balance the natural beauty of the area with infrastructure installments or improvements, like cell phone towers?

FJ: I was the lone “no” vote on the BOCC in response to the SkiCo’s request to add 11 cell towers on Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and the Highlands. These mountains have an excellent safety record with outstanding ski patrols, and I believe the main purpose of the towers is to supposedly improve the customer experience — not to save lives. The environmental cost of installing these towers is considerable, and while the SkiCo has a strong record of recovering landscapes after construction, I believe our obsession with “improving our lives” with continual infrastructure and development is misguided and jeopardizes the beauty of this valley.

AT: What would be your proposed solution for the Entrance to Aspen, particularly thinking about evacuation routes in the event of a wildfire?

FJ: While it is painful to imagine converting open space to roads and traffic, I lean toward an amended Preferred Alternative. Jacobs Engineering predicted five-hour traffic delays on and off for three years if the Castle Creek Bridge were to be rebuilt without an alternative bridge in place. Any commuter who has sat in traffic at Buttermilk knows that a five-hour delay is untenable and would threaten the stability of our workforce. Clearly, the city needs more than one egress point in the case of an emergency, such as wildfire. That said, I am open to learning more as Aspen City Council continues their polling to gauge public opinion and initiates an Environmental Impact Study. In addition, I am committed to exploring a comprehensive approach to the Entrance to Aspen without focusing solely on the bridge. Impacts from the Airport, AABC, and a new Lumberyard affordable housing project need to be considered when developing plans for increasing efficiency and reducing commute times. It is my hope that Snowmass, Aspen, and Pitkin County can move forward with examining new ideas and a global approach to our traffic and evacuation problems.

AT: Pitkin County unanimously expressed support for a Highway Safety Improvement Program grant application for Colorado Highway 82 projects at Lazy Glen and Smith Way. What are other safety features you think could be utilized on the highway?

FJ: Most importantly, fewer cars on the road. Carpool or ride the bus. RFTA is the most successful rural transit system in the U.S. It runs every 10 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours and reduces commuting time substantially. In addition, drivers need to take some responsibility for the dangerous conditions. The speed at which many — if not most — drivers travel is out of control. The difference for a driver exiting Smith Hill Way confronting approaching traffic moving at 50 mph compared to 70 mph is astronomical. If you want to reduce your commute time, don’t drive 20-30 mph over the speed limit — take the bus.

Regan Mertz can be reached at 970-429-9153 or rmertz@aspentimes.com.