Nine persons are seeking four positions on the Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District board. Friday was the last day for candidates to submit letters of intent.

Running for a seat on the RMW board are new candidates Paul Snyder, Dee Hoag, Peggy Dunlap, Sarah Moyer and Robert Gilchrist.

Incumbents Darrell Niles, Randy Wilhelm, Jerry Lacy and John Johnston are also seeking re-election. Board member Chris Haga is not up for re-election.

Paul Snyder and his wife, Marty Frick, have lived in the Valley since 1996.

He is a practicing attorney. He says he is running for a seat on the RMW board because the district “is the water source for the two towns and I want to focus on serving in the best interest of the towns.”

He continued, “I think we need to do a better job involving the public in the decision making.”

Hoag has lived in the Valley for 25 years. For many of those years, she owned and operated a business in Westcliffe.

She said she is running for a seat on the RMW board because “After the changes at the board level in recent years, I feel there’s a need for more community involvement by board members.”

Hoag also said she has gained experience and knowledge as a board member for the West Custer County Hospital District and by serving on various other community boards.

“I understand the importance of board organization and the necessity of community involvement,” concluded Hoag.

A Valley resident since 1998, Peggy Dunlap is the drive-through teller at Colorado Mountain Bank.

As RMW board of director, Dunlap said, “I feel I can bring new and fresh ideas to the table to benefit Custer County.”

Sarah Moyer has lived in the Valley for six years. She is the office manger at Custer County Realty.

When asked why she decided to put her name on the ballot, Moyer responded, “Changes are inevitable and I feel I am a part of the change.”

Robert Gilchrist was out of town and was unavailable for comment regarding his candidacy. However, in February 2009 Gilchrist sent a letter of interest to fill a vacancy on the RMW board. At that time, Jerry Lacy was appointed.

The special district election will be held May 4.

– Nora Drenner