Unopposed for City Commission District 1: Randal Crowder

Randal Crowder

Age: 53

Employment: Builder, developer, partner in American Self-Storage.

Contact: 763-3901

Political experience: Chairman of the city’s Water Policy Advisory Committee.

What is your experience and background?

Born and raised in Clovis, Vietnam veteran, married with two children, builder, developer and general partner in American Self-Storage. Four-time president of the Building Contractors Association of Curry County, chairman of the city’s Water Policy Advisory Committee. I attend 85 to 90 percent of city commission meetings.

How do you feel about the proposed quarter-percent gross receipts tax increase?

I believe the quarter percent will really help the community of Clovis on the Ute Water Pipeline project and things like that. I’m nervous that if the state eliminates the gross receipts tax on food and medical it will raise it a half percent on other items. If the state raises our gross receipts a half percent, then the city raises it a quarter percent, that’s going to be a tremendous blow to the building industry. I do want, as a commissioner, to make sure the money is spent on the items listed.

I hate taxes, but some of them are necessary evils.

Which is more important, infrastructure improvements or raises for city workers, including police officers?

I believe the foundation of government is to provide for the common defense and the public welfare. Police and fire are important because, on the local level, they are our common defense. But, the Ute Water Pipeline is most important to me, because in the long term that’s going to have the most effect on this community.

How do you feel about the city’s participation in the Ute water pipeline project?

I think we need to participate 100 percent, and I don’t think we need to stop there. I think we need to look at the possibility of filtering the water that’s coming out of the milk plant. I think we need to go after every water resource available.

How do you feel about the water conservation measures adopted by the city commission? Should some be mandatory?

What was adopted by ordinance was an action plan for drought management. That ordinance only kicks in when there are drought conditions. We did not mandate anything. In times of drought, yes, some things should be mandatory. In other times, not mandatory. I don’t think the government needs to tell people how to live their lives.

What projects that we haven’t discussed would you work for as a commissioner?

I would like to see some changes in our zoning regulations. There are some discussions now on density ratios. We meet all the ratios, but we’re required to buy more land than what we need. I do think we need to work on some of the city’s requirements for subdivisions, as far as curbs and gutters and things like that. They have some policies in place that are very expensive. I think the developers need a little more control over what they do.

This Q&A was compiled by Jack King of the Clovis News Journal. He can be reached at

[email protected]