Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Joe Schminkey joined two incumbents on the Hayden Town Board leaving Andrea Hayden on the outside after all the votes were counted in Tuesday's election.

Incumbents Tim Frentress and Chencho Salazar received the most votes in the election with 130 and 121, respectively. Schminkey edged Hayden for the final seat on the seven-member Town Board. Schminkey received 91 votes and Hayden finished with 67.

Also, Mayor Chuck Grobe, who was not challenged, was also elected to a second two-year term during the election where 151 resident cast ballots, which is a 15 percent turnout. More than 1,100 registered voters live in Hayden.

Because of the election, Schminkey will replace Jim Haskins on the board. Haskins did not seek another term.

"I was a little bit surprised of the results," Schminkey said. "I'm the new kid on the block, but it is the votes that matter.

"I am honored, and I look forward to the next four years."

Schminkey, 42, moved to Hayden in 1995 from Iowa. During that time, he has focused on getting the family business, M&J Storage, off the ground.

"It was time to step up and take a more active role in the town," he said. "Hopefully, I can make some changes, but I will take it one step at a time."

For Frentress and Salazar, Election Night is becoming something they are becoming accustomed to.

Salazar was elected to his seventh four-year term. Salazar, 51, was appointed in 1982 and held the seat until 1994.

In 1998, Salazar decided to enter back into politics and was elected to his sixth term.

Salazar works for Twentymile Coal Co. Last year, Salazar was appointed by Gov. Bill Owens to serve on the state's Coal Mine Board of Examiners.

"I'm invested in Hayden," he said. "I have lived here all my life. I'm ready for the next four years."

Frentress was surprised he received the most votes in the election. Frentress was elected in 1992 and served a four-year term. After taking two years off, Frentress, 47, was elected again in 1998.

"I'm looking forward to the next four years," he said. "We have some projects that need to be completed. I think we have a good board in place, and we work together well."

Frentress works at the Hayden Power Plant.

Hayden, who also owns a business, could not be reached for comment.

The elected officials will be sworn in during the board's next meeting, which is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall, 178 Jefferson Ave.