County voters will choose a new county commissioner in the November election. Ballots will be sent out the week of Oct. 13.

Democrat Cynthia Roebuck and Republican Brad Blake want to fill the seat being vacated by Bobby Lieb, who is running for county treasurer. They spoke at a Sept. 22 candidates' forum hosted by the La Plata/ Archuleta Cattlemen. The format included direct questions from the audience, and opposing candidates didn't always get the same questions.

Blake grew up in Durango and operates a plumbing business. He cited the need to have conservative business representation on the board.

County long-term financing is an issue with declining revenue, he said. Water supply and local regulations also are issues. He didn't elaborate.

Roebuck said she moved here in 1981 to live in a ski town. "I found a home to raise my two children," she said. She works as a land use consultant in the private sector.

She criticized the amount of money the county has spent over the last 10 years on outside consultants to write a new land use code, with nothing to show for it. "I'll work to adopt a workable code," she said. She said she'll look for new revenue sources for the county and new ways for citizens to access services. "I'll be a full-time commissioner committed to serving you all," she said.

Blake was asked his qualifications to be a county commissioner, and what he'd do with his business if elected.

"I have a couple businesses," Blake said. "I have good operational managers. My son helps." As for qualifications, he cited his business, personal, and family experience.

"Many people ask me what a county commissioner does. Mainly set policy for the county. We need a good common sense code and planning. If businesses are successful, our people will be successful, able to build and buy homes. You wouldn't believe how hard it is for a young person to get into a home. Thirty miles to the south, the same house will cost $50,000 less."

Both candidates were asked about county planning and Agenda 21, a document signed by 178 countries at a global development conference in 1992. The county's draft comprehensive plan was shelved in 2011 after some local residents charged that it was a local scheme to implement Agenda 21, which they said is part of a United Nations plot to take guns and property rights in the U.S. The word "sustainability" became suspect in this context.

Blake said, "I believe the planning department has improved over the past few years. I think they're doing a good job of looking at all the issues." As for Agenda 21 fears, he said, "I'm not one of the people who think that's a myth. The last plan had many things from Agenda 21."

He described Agenda 21 as "a proposal from the U.N. to help us follow the guidelines they want in our communities."

Roebuck said of Agenda 21, "I don't know that it's particularly relevant to our county government. ... The planning commission failed us in not reaching a compromise (on a comprehensive plan). The county commissioners failed us." She doubts that the county needs to spend several hundred thousand dollars for outside consultants to get it done.

"I've taken people through the land use permit process," Roebuck said. "I know where they don't work. I have relationships with other agencies like CDOT and the city."

On oil and gas development, Blake said, "I'm a big supporter of the industry. They've been very good to work with. If I ever had a problem with them, they came right out. They support our communities and our kids. They coach kids' sports, they support the county fair. They give a lot back to our communities.

Roebuck said, "I support oil and gas, and I hope they continue for a long time. I think they've been good neighbors and good investors. I think we also need to provide good housing opportunities for their employees."

She also said, "I think individual counties should be able to adopt certain (oil and gas) regulations as they apply to the geology and natural resources in our county."

Blake was asked about possible airport expansion. He said, "I'm in favor of a regional airport. I think it can help grow business. Be careful and don't over-do it. Make sure the people know we are serious about a good-sense plan for the airport."

Roebuck also said she supports a regional airport.