Cortez voters packed City Council Chambers Wednesday night as 10 candidates offered sharply different visions for the city’s future during the first of two City Council candidate forums.
Some candidates defended the current council’s handling of city finances and governance, while others warned Cortez is struggling with deeper economic and social problems.
Hosted by the League of Women Voters, the forum featured both predetermined and audience questions, prompting candidates to outline their priorities and critiques ahead of the upcoming election.
City finances were a central focus of the evening, with several candidates highlighting budgeting experience and debating how the city should manage its resources.
Charles P. Borchini Jr. and James McGinley positioned themselves as critics of the current council, arguing the city faces mismanagement and growing social challenges.
Borchini, who has faced criticism over the historical associations of his business name “Work Brings Freedom LLC” to Nazi concentration camp slogans, said he decided to run after Mayor Rachel Medina announced she would resign before completing her term.
“I wasn't going to run, but I saw the mayor resigned. Seems like everybody's bailing out on the city,” Borchini said.
He criticized the city’s planned sales tax holiday, prompted by an accidental overcollection of city tax and scheduled for the final quarter of the year.
“I'm going to take responsibility if I make a mistake. I'm not going to just brush it over and pass some tax holiday,” Borchini said.
City Manager Drew Sanders previously said the overcollection resulted from a failure to pass an ordinance and that the timing of the tax holiday is intended to benefit local residents.
Borchini also pointed to the South Softball Complex as an example of what he sees as poor budget management.
“If we don't have maintenance of our facilities, we might as well not even build them,” Borchini said. “There’s a lot of ways that we can save. I don't know if we have to cut people from the payroll.”
McGinley focused on the city’s unhoused population and broader economic struggles.
“I want to see us vibrant as a community, and we're not heading in that direction right now,” McGinley said. “I don’t want to see us living off the impoverished anymore. We have a poverty industry here in town.”
He also called for City Council, which currently meets every two weeks, to operate as a full-time governing body.
“I need a council that is working 40 hours a week,” McGinley said.
Other candidates defended the current council’s record, particularly on finances.
Dennis Spruell, who is seeking re-election after four years on the council, said the city is in strong financial condition.
“I'm happy to say that currently Cortez is totally out of debt and in very good financial condition,” Spruell said. “I hate to hear all the doom and gloom because it's not that way. We work very, very hard.”
Travis Shepherd said the council inherited significant financial challenges, including embezzlement by a former financial director and a backlog of unfinished financial audits.
“We have more here than we have budget for and they’ve done a really good job of keeping the lights on and that’s what they need to do,” Shepherd said. “Going forward, we need to find ways to continue what they’ve done.”
Kathleen Swope, a retired teacher who said she frequently watches City Council meetings, said she was impressed by the council’s professionalism.
“I was greatly impressed with their professionalism and the good work that has happened here and I want to really be part of that,” Swope said. “I want to know more about Cortez from that angle.”
Several candidates pointed to their professional experience managing budgets.
“I manage a council of 15 participating local governments for the opioid settlement funds,” Claire West said. “I’ve managed budgets anywhere between $500,000 and $10 million. I see money as a tool.”
Carly Wolf, owner of Doobie Sisters dispensaries in Cortez and Mancos, said her experience running a business prepared her to manage city finances.
“I've been running our business for 10 years now, so I'm very familiar with how to keep a budget, how to keep it running and sustainable,” Wolf said.
Wolf also said she manages finances for Rise Southwest, a suicide awareness nonprofit.
“I'm very familiar with how to get funds, inviting other revenues to maintain and be able to give back into our community,” she said.
While many candidates emphasized experience or community involvement, others described a personal or spiritual calling to serve.
Bruce Burkett, pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church, said his candidacy is rooted in his faith.
“I believe that God has called us to protect the citizenry,” Burkett said. “That’s one of the primary purposes of government is to ensure the welfare of our people.”
He added that he wants Cortez to remain a “wholesome” community grounded in rural, conservative values.
Candidates were also divided when asked whether they would support the council recognizing Pride Month.
Shepherd, Burkett, Borchini and Spruell said they would oppose the idea.
“I love all people but they can go to Durango for that,” Borchini said.
Spruell said he would not support singling out any specific group for recognition. Burkett said his personal belief is that “homosexuality is a sin,” and Shepherd said he would vote against the proposal.
“I'll be the first to take a hard stance here. I would vote against it,” Shepherd said. “I’m very conservative. I believe in a man and a wife, a man and a woman.”
Others said they were unsure or expressed support.
Most candidates said they would be new to city government if elected.
“I don't know exactly how or why I'm up here doing this. But I'm supposed to be here,” said Michael Earl Bischoff. “I know less than I knew yesterday.”
Spruell said his experience could help guide newer members of the council if he is re-elected.
“I've done it for four years. I know what it's all about. We have two council members remaining – very, very good council members. And they need help,” Spruell said.
Karen Sheek, chair of the League of Women Voters, praised the turnout, noting nearly every seat was filled and nearly every candidate attended. Randy Vialpando did not attend.
The next and final forum, hosted by the Republican Women of Montezuma County, will be held at 6 p.m. Friday in the Breakfast Room at the Baymont Inn, 2276 Hawkins St.
avanderveen@the-journal.com
