November 8 is Election Day, but your mail-in ballot should be arriving soon—why wait to learn more about this year’s candidates?
This week, we spoke to candidates for the three Grand County Commission seats up for election this year: Emily Campbell and Bill Winfield running for Commission At-large, Lori McFarland and Mary McGann running for District 4, and Steve Getz and Mike McCurdy running for District 5.
Voting Information
Grand County conducts elections through mail-in ballots, so you and all our local voters can take the time to get informed on the candidates before making your choice. Voters can mail back the ballot postmarked no later than November 7 or drop it off at the Grand County Clerk’s office within the County Administration office (125 E. Center Street, Moab) by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 8.
Ballots were sent around October 18. If you are a registered voter and have not received your ballot, call 435-259-1321.
The last day to register to vote and receive a ballot by mail is October 28. There will be an in-person voting period from November 2 to 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clerk’s office. The office will also be open for in-person voting on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Curious about ballot security? Read the Grand County Clerk’s office election policy and procedures at www.grandcountyutah.net/904/Vote-by-Mail.
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Lori McFarland
What’s your history in Grand County? What sort of work have you done professionally? What made you decide to get involved with local government?
Having a diverse background gives me a unique view of the current political crisis our community is facing. I earned a degree in International Relations, with a focus on critical problem-solving in government. Studying in the Middle East and witnessing the divided community between Palestinians and Israelis while volunteering at an orphanage for Palestinian children, I saw first-hand the tragic results of unresolved conflict.
I worked in Washington, D.C., as an intern for Arizona Congressman Eldon Rudd, and was involved with problem-solving at a federal level. I am familiar with how to connect with Washington. My career continued after being hired by a startup airline where I worked to solve problems in quality control, yield management, customer satisfaction, human resources, and employee recruiting.
27 years ago, I took a seasonal job as a river guide. The beauty of Grand County prompted my husband and me to stay. We raised two children here and built a business that offers others the opportunity to experience these indescribable back-county soul-connecting experiences.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to build a business and be part of the community. It is becoming more difficult for families to start and grow businesses here for the long term; I hope we can remedy that.
What’s an example of a great ordinance or political move you’ve seen in the last few years here in Grand County? What is one you believe was a misstep?
During the pandemic, Ford Motor Company was unable to source wiring harnesses, so thousands of trucks sat waiting. In spite of this, Ford spent millions of dollars advertising the same trucks. Why did Ford do that? They understood if they didn’t spend money keeping Ford on potential customers’ minds, when their trucks became available, customers would not be thinking about Ford. Ford continued their marketing campaign so that one day, they could again sell their fabulous trucks.
Grand County is mandated by statute to spend a certain percentage of TRT taxes (tax on tourists) to bring new visitors to Moab. There are millions of unspent dollars sitting in an account. Our commission does not want to spend that money to encourage visitation to Moab. Unfortunately, the Grand County economy is a “one trick pony.” Currently, the only economic engine available is tourism, but our county commission shortsightedly decided not to make the mandatory spend. Now there is an economic downturn, but vacationers are not thinking about Moab because we haven’t spent the dollars to bring visitors to Moab. A Sept. 21 article in the Times Independent
quoted Chris Baird “projected a roughly $850,000 drop in revenues from the tax estimates.” Not investing in the only economic engine Grand County currently has was a conscious choice and a misstep.
What is your strategy to evaluate whether a proposal or ordinance is worth implementing?
Ordinances and proposals that are collaborative with all affected stakeholders given a seat at the table would be the goal. I do not believe the uniformly unanimous decisions reached by our commission indicate creative dissent or collaboration.
What three steps would you take in the next year to put our county on a firm footing for the future?
I would fight to create a long-term sustainable economic engine.
I will fight to plan and spend every tax dollar to support a sustainable long-term economy.
I will fight to preserve and protect our natural beauty so we can continue to enjoy the long-term benefits of a visitor economy.
Mary McGann
What’s your history in Grand County? What sort of work have you done professionally? What made you decide to get involved with local government?
My name is Mary Elizabeth Mullen McGann, you can’t get more Irish than that. I was born in Leadville, Colorado, and moved to Moab when I was in kindergarten and completed my public education here. I went to the University of Idaho, began my teaching career in Idaho, and returned to Moab in 1980. My entire adult life has been dedicated to family, friends and service. My passion for service helped me be an effective teacher, mother, and CEO of a children’s foundation and now it helps me be an effective commissioner. My mother, Ferne Mullen, served as a Grand County Commissioner; my dad, John Mullen, served as a member of the Moab City Council. My father and mother taught me that one of the greatest services you can do is run for office and serve with a desire to help your community, not for your own benefit. Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people. I am passionate about the people that live here and call Grand County home. I am dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for Grand County’s citizens.
What’s an example of a great ordinance or political move you’ve seen in the last few years here in Grand County? What is one you believe was a misstep?
Ordinances we have passed that I am proud of are the High-Density Housing Overlay (HDHO) ordinance and the Overnight Accommodation Overlay (OAO) ordinance. The HDHO ordinance incentivizes developers to create housing for people who work and live in Grand County. The OAO ordinance protects residential neighborhoods from commercial nightly-rentals developments. One project I am pleased with is obtaining funding that expedited the tailings removal from the Colorado riverbanks, leading to completion 10 years ahead of schedule. I am also gratified that I was instrumental in the creation of the Utahraptor State Park. This park will increase tax revenue and preserve a dinosaur quarry and historical sites.
A misstep was not more effectively working with UTV enthusiasts and businesses.
What is your strategy to evaluate whether a proposal or ordinance is worth implementing?
The basis I evaluate whether a proposal or ordinance is worth implementing is if they protect the health, safety, and quality of life of the residents of Grand County.
What three steps would you take in the next year to put our county on a firm footing for the future?
Continue to diversify our economy while protecting our tourist economy and providing a quality community for our residents. I will continue to work on affordable housing by supporting Arroyo Crossing, High-Density Housing Overlay Development, Community Rebuilds and the Housing Authority of Grand County. I will work with the county, state, and federal officials to establish policies that will protect our water and address climate change.
