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City Council Candidates & Incumbents
-Incumbents-
Barbara Traylor Smith- Running uncontested- Currently on council
Bennett Boschenstein- Running uncontested- Currently on council
Duncan McArthur- Running uncontested- Currently on council
Marty Chazen- Currently on council – Term expires may 2017
Phyllis Norris- Currently on council – Term expires may 2017
Sam Susuras- Currently on council- Term Expiring- Not running again
Jim Doody- Currently on council- Term Expiring- Not running again
-Candidates-
Chris Kennedy- Running for 4 year At large
Dennis Simpson- Running for 4 year At large
Rick Taggart- Running for 2 year At large
Kim Kerk- Running for 2 year At large
Barbara Traylor Smith- Running uncontested- Currently on [email protected] Ivanhoe Way. Grand Junction, CO. 81506970-985-5910Business- Retirement Outfitters
Barbara Traylor Smith is President of Retirement Outfitters, LLC and is a Private Wealth Advisor for Avant-Garde Advisors. Barbara received her BA in Accounting from Texas State University (now Texas State – San Marcos). She worked in public accounting for ten years, earning her CPA designation in 1990. She is currently working toward The American College Certified Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant designations and The College of Financial Planning Certified Financial Planner designation.
During her ten years in tax preparation, she observed how the retirement landscape changed with the enactment of new 401K rules. Realizing that individuals and families were not prepared for this new retirement paradigm, in 1994 Barbara began shifting her focus toward Retirement Planning. She has directed in excess of $200 million of retirement funds and has successfully helped numerous individuals and families plot their course to and through retirement, as well as assisting them in thoughtful legacy planning.
Barbara’s desire for a healthy, active, and successful Grand Junction community has been demonstrated through her involvement with the Grand Junction Rotary Club as JUCO Host, STRIVE Foundation chairperson, as well as her involvement on the Hospice Planned Giving Council.
Barbara enjoys baseball, entertaining, traveling, hiking, and camping with her husband Donnie Alexander (GJHS Head Baseball Coach), and her two children.
Bennett Boschenstein- Running uncontested- Currently on [email protected] Ouray Ave. Grand Junction, CO. 81501970-640-8153Business- Retired
Bennett Boeschenstein is a semi-retired urban planner, having worked as a professional planner over the past nearly 40 years for the City of Fruita, the City of Grand Junction, Mesa County, the City of Norwalk, Connecticut and Hudson County, New Jersey. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Cincinnati. He served in the US Peace Corps for three years in Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa where he taught primary school and did agricultural extension work.
He is a member of the America Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association. He is the past president of the Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association and of the Fruita Rotary Club. He is a founding member of the Riverfront Commission. He is a volunteer programmer at community radio station, KAFM.
His interests include bicycling, hiking, skiing, photography, art, music,architecture, parks, open space and rivers.
He is married to Elizabeth Rowan and is the father of three children. Bennett has lived in the Grand Valley for over 30 years.
Duncan McArthur- Running uncontested- Currently on [email protected] Kelso Mesa Dr. Grand Junction, CO. 81503970-245-7003Business- Catalina Bros., Inc.
Duncan was born in eastern Utah but has spent the vast majority of his life in Colorado. He is a graduate of William C. Hinkley High School in Aurora, attended the University of Colorado and ultimately graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Management Emphasis. He is also a 2006 graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies.
For most of his adult life, Duncan has worked in the construction, development and home building industry. For ten of those years, he was employed as a Division President in the land development operation of a national homebuilder. His assignments included operations in numerous states and communities across the southern half of the nation before returning to Colorado in 1992. He then started Catalina Bros., Inc., a concrete foundation subcontracting business with his brother in 1993. After his brother’s passing in 1997, he operated the business until 2004 when the business was converted to a construction and development consulting business. In 2007, he converted the business to a government affairs consulting company serving local associations. His function is to monitor government operations on a local, state and national level and then inform the client associations’ membership of any actions that may have an impact on their businesses. While operating as a government affairs consultant, Duncan has served on numerous committees for Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction reviewing development codes and housing-related issues.
During his spare time, Duncan can be found on Blue Mesa Reservoir or Lake Powell on his boat he calls “Corporate Headquarters”.
Mayor Pro TemMarty Chazen- Currently on council – Term expires may [email protected]
Martin “Marty” Chazen retired in 2003 after enjoying a successful career in corporate finance. His last assignment was Controller for National Companies at Fox Sports Net in Los Angeles. Before that, Marty worked as a Regional Controller for The Seagram Beverage Company in Los Angeles before being promoted to manage the Seagram corporate general ledger in Florida. Prior to that, he worked as a Regional Controller for 7up. Connecting with the energy industry early in his career, Marty worked for H & H Oil Tool in Santa Paula, California. Marty earned both his BS and MS in Finance at California State University, Northridge.
After earning his MS, concurrent with his full-time career, Marty was a part-time lecturer at California State University, Northridge teaching classes in corporate financial policy.
After moving to Grand Junction in 2006, Marty began taking classes at Western Colorado Community College, where he earned an AAS in Electronics Technology (Mesa State College, With High Distinction) and became certified as an Industrial Electronics Technician. He currently holds a post-secondary teaching credential and teaches part-time in the Process Technology program at WCCC.
Marty currently serves on the School District 51 budget committee, is a Faculty Adviser for an on-campus club at CMU and is a member of Club 20. In 2011 he graduated from the Leadership Program of the Rockies. Always drawn to outdoor activities, Marty and his wife Jeanne enjoy the hiking, camping, fishing and hunting opportunities of Western Colorado. A long-time trap shooter, Marty has won awards for competitive shooting and currently belongs to two area shooting clubs.
Marty and Jeanne have been married for 25 years. Their family includes two adult children and eight grandchildren living in Southern California.
MayorPhyllis Norris- Currently on council – Term expires may [email protected]
Phyllis is a Grand Junction native. She has three children who live in the Grand Valley with their families.
She worked for City Market for 40 years. She started as a clerk in 1970, worked numerous management positions and was promoted to President in 2001. She retired from City Market in 2011. During her time at City Market she was involved in planning for company and job growth, financial management, development of associates and managing operations. She also worked on various corporate committees to help grow and develop the business.
She served on the Governor's Workforce Development Council, worked on the Mesa County Economic Development Plan and the Governo'rs TBD Planning. She has served on numerous boards in the community such as St. Mary's Hospital Board, Hilltop Community Board and Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce.
Phyllis is honored to be able to serve on the Grand Junction City Council to represent the the citizens of Grand Junction.
Sam Susuras-Currently on council-Term Expiring-Not running [email protected]
Sam is a Colorado native. He is married to Lois and they have two daughters each and one grandson.
Most of Sam's professional career was in commercial banking, where he served as president, CEO and Chairman of the Board for several banks. His banking career involved him in management, business development, financial and operations management and staff development.
Sam completed his undergraduate work at Oklahoma Wesleyan University where he was named Alumni of the Year in 2008. His graduate work was at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado.
Sam was appointed to The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade by the Governor of Colorado and served as the Business Development Representative for 18 western Colorado counties.
Sam recently served for several years on the Mesa County Planning Commission and resigned when he was appointed to the Grand Junction City Council. He also has served on the School District 51 Long-Range Planning Committee and the Budget Committee.
While in banking, Sam served on various Parks and Recreation Boards, Planning Commissions, Economic Development Boards and other community organizations.
Sam considers it a privilege to serve on the Grand Junction City Council.
Jim Doody- Currently on council- Term Expiring- Not running [email protected]
Jim Doody has been a Grand Junction resident for over 50 years. Jim is the founder of the Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial Park at the Colorado Welcome Center in Fruita. He previously served on the Grand Junction City Council from 2005 through 2009 and served as Mayor for two years. Jim enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle across the state with his wife Melanie. They have three wiener dogs named Harley, Hogie & Harmonee as well as a daughter Jayme Jade.
Chris Kennedy- Running for 4 year At [email protected] Filmore Ave. Grand Junction, CO. 81506970-433-1375Business- Kennedy Telecom
BiographyKennedy's professional experience includes owning a telecommunications business in addition to working for a large IT company that provides telecommunications support for gas and oil field locations throughout the United States.[1] He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1984 to 1988 where he was trained in electronics.[2]
Campaign themes2014Kennedy's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[3]
▪ EnergyExcerpt: "Smart regulation focused on environmental stewardship and safety while providing opportunities for exploration and production.Protecting agricultural interests."▪ EducationExcerpt: "Protecting and strengthening our Public Education system. Developing a generation of 'Critical Thinkers'. Supporting our education professionals in and out of the classroom. Ensuring equal access to quality education for all of our kids."▪ EnvironmentExcerpt: "Ensuring that Western Slope Water Rights and concerns are defended and addressed and made equally as important as those on the Front Range, and down river locations out of state."
Dennis Simpson- Running for 4 year At [email protected] E. Piazza Pl.Grand Junction, CO. 81506970-257-0650Business- Dennis Simpson CPA
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/grand-junctions-gadfly
Dennis has been a vocal member of the community (at city council meetings) for many years. He has been both a thorn in the city council’s side, and also a voice for the community. Read this article to learn more of his background.
Rick Taggart- Running for 2 year At [email protected] Shadow Lake RoadGrand Junction, CO. 81507970-424-3352Business- CMU Director of Marketing & Recruiting
Background
Rick Taggart was born in Ogdensberg, New York, currently resides in Grand Junction, CO and is the Executive Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at Colorado Mesa University.
He received his undergraduate degree with a B.S. in Management Science at Syracuse University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
He was co-owner of Pyramid Printing in Grand Junction from 2001-2008; he served as President/CEO of Swiss Army Brands, Inc. from 1995-2001 and again from 2007-2010. He is well known in the community and was president of the former Marmot, Inc. (Marketer of Outdoor Gear) from 1981-1985 and Senior Vice President of Product Development for the Timberland Company (footwear and apparel) 1985 - 1990.
His most recent affiliations are Chairman of Grand Junction Economic Partnership; Board member of Saint Mary's Regional Hospital; Professor of Marketing at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO; Board Member of Suicide Prevention Coalition, Western Colorado and Board Member of Grand Junction Business Incubator.
Kim Kerk- Running for 2 year At [email protected] Hancock St. Grand Junction, CO. 81503970-255-8853Business- Blue Star Industries- Development Manager
Not much Bio info on Kim online. It looks like she is family person who works for Blue Star as a Development Manager & GM. On her Facebook page “Kim Kerk for City Council” there are a couple of posts..
“Voting for me is a vote for the ENTIRE community. A City Council seat should not be used for a specific personal agenda.”
&
“Propert owners rights” (that is how she spelled it on her site…)