Actions speak louder than words – Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Gary Hall is the mayor of Estes Park and was formerly chief information officer at Estes Park Health. (Gary Hall/Courtesy photo)

I thank the Estes Park Trail-Gazette for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

After one of my recent columns, in which I mentioned my commitment to Estes, I was asked, “But what are you actually doing? What actions are you taking?”

Well, every mayor goes his own way. I try to serve everyone and anyone while maintaining humane and humane relationships in every interaction. However, it is important to understand that in our mayor/council form of government, the mayor does not run the business. The mayor does not give orders to city personnel (although the city manager and city attorney do report to the board of trustees). I contribute my philosophy and opinions and help where I can within the legal limits of the position. If you would like to see the City of Estes Park Administrative Policies, including the detailed responsibilities of the mayor (item 1.4 in this collection), let me know and I will send it to you.

I interact with the media locally and across the state, providing insight on various topics both proactively and reactively. They want to hear the Mayor’s opinion on certain issues and ask for messages to their listeners/readers who may decide to travel to Estes.

I listen to residents, merchants, guests, contractors, and anyone else on any issue, and then decide if there is any meaningful action I can take (within legal limits) to help with the problem. I may be asked about the Loop or other citywide issues, or I may be asked about individual issues. In some cases, after researching the issue, I help connect the individual or group with the proper resource. In some cases, I offer my opinion on issues to the city council. I think it’s fair to say that the Mayor’s opinion (as well as that of the other trustees) is given serious consideration when expressed in this way.

In some cases I cannot take specific action, but I try to provide a comprehensive justification when I say no.

“Can the mayor help us with this?” Often I can. I have connected citizens with the state insurance association. I have helped individual store owners apply for funds to assist with construction. I facilitate communication for anyone I can help. I have been contacted about short-term rental (STR) licenses and regulations, homeowner association (HOA) challenges (including insurance challenges), staff/personal issues, opinions on zoning, a wide range of potential AI uses for the city, roads and accessibility, traffic lights not working, sales tax changes considerations, Cinco de Mayo, the Duck Race, Paint Estes Pink, solar panel regulations, various Estes events, diversity resources, planned projects, natural foods, sales tax changes, J-1 workers, and much more. And that’s only ten weeks into my term.

I prepare for and chair the twice-monthly City Council meetings. It’s a long process of preparation: lots of reading and research to understand the issues and be ready to lead the Council’s discussions and run the meetings effectively. And I still have work to do to make these meetings really efficient.

I express my own opinions: If you have followed board meetings and read my other articles, you know my opinion on many issues. It is important to me to publicly express my preferred directions and outcomes, even though I am only one of seven votes in the board’s decision.

I meet with the city manager at least once a week. I meet with other city managers, managers, and staff to get input on issues so I can effectively address them. I sign the various documents the board has voted on. I have coffee with the various trustees (one at a time, of course, to comply with public meeting rules), not to poll for votes, but to better understand the various views on the issues.

I reach out to other municipalities, mayors, Larimer County, the state and other political entities to find new solutions to our problems. I support legislation that will help Estes Park and also reach out to our legislators to advocate for the direction (there’s that word again) I would like to take these laws. I serve on the board of the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA). I ​​serve on the Larimer County Behavioral Health Policy Council.

There are numerous requests for ceremonies or events that require me to be present, such as Disabled American Veterans, Schools, Streetcars, Pride, Rodeo, Scottish-Irish Festival, Open World Delegation, Women’s Club, League of Women Voters and many more. I give speeches and issue proclamations when requested. These latter tasks are a fun and rewarding part of the job.

I spent A LOT of time educating myself during these first few months: attending orientation sessions, touring and getting to know our facilities, visiting other partner sites, reading city and other relevant documents, and asking lots of questions.

As we do this, we must preserve the beauty of Estes while continuing to develop the town to be ready for our future.

Did that help answer the question? Next. I hope you had a happy Independence Day and a wonderful summer and rest of 2024.

If you have questions or comments, you may also contact me at [email protected], through my City Hall phone at 970-577-3706, or by requesting a meeting at https://dms.estes.org/Forms/mayormeetingrequest.

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