Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs voters will have their first organized opportunity to meet candidates for City Council on Friday at the City Council Candidates Picnic. Organizers say the picnic, as opposed to a forum or debate, will give the public a relaxed opportunity to chat with the candidates.

"This is truly a completely nonpartisan, everyone-come thing," said Lynn Abbott, one of the picnic's organizers. "I think it's a chance for people to visit casually and informally with candidates as opposed to a formal speech."

The picnic is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. at West Lincoln Park. To accommodate limited parking, a shuttle will continuously run from the Routt County Courthouse parking lot to the picnic from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Organizers also encourage attendees to travel to the picnic using the Yampa River Core Trail. In the event of rain, the picnic will be held at Centennial Hall.

The candidates are paying for the picnic, and Steamboat Smokehouse is catering the event.

Abbott said all 11 council candidates have indicated they will attend, except Councilwoman Karen Post, who is out of town. Each candidate will have a table set up that people can stop at and visit at their leisure. The picnic is the first of its kind in Steamboat and was conceived by Council President Susan Dellinger.

"I hope it keeps going," said Dellinger, who noted it's sometimes hard to interact with the public at typical forums. "I think it will be fun."

Routt County Clerk and Recorder Kay Weinland is another organizer of the picnic, and agreed the picnic would be a good opportunity for voters to get to know the candidates.

"I hope we have a good turnout," Weinland said. "This is a great opportunity for Steamboat voters to meet the City Council candidates and actually have some one-on-one time to meet with them. I think it's a great idea."

Weinland said there would also be a table at the picnic with information on voter registration and how to update your registration if you've had a name or address change. She also hopes to have a sample version of this November's ballot available in time for the picnic.

"I'm all about voter education," Weinland said.

Abbott said the picnic might help shape future discussions leading up to the Nov. 6 election.

"The more people who come, the better the chance candidates will have to see what's on their mind," she said.

- To reach Brandon Gee, call 871-4210 or e-mail bgee@steamboatpilot.com