Candidates explain their visions for Keystone

By Leslie SIlverman

 

The Town of Keystone held a meet the candidates night March 29. The evening was well attended and gave residents an opportunity to get to know the three candidates running for the two open positions.

Candidate Will Parks was born in a small town and has lived in both big cities and small towns, preferring the former. He has a degree from California State University and currently works as the property director for the Keystone Project and Rushmore Express Hotel. He is a former Marine and has previously been vice president of operations for a Fortune 500 company. Parks has helped with the food distribution in town for the last three years.

Casey McNulty has deep roots in Keystone with his family living here since 1953. He has a high school diploma and owns a vacation rental company as well as a construction company in town. McNulty is the incumbent and also serves as a board member for the Battle Creek Fire Protection District. He has also served on the Keystone Area Historical Board and the Holy Terror Days Association.

Lynette Tyon was born and raised in Keystone and has worked at the Holy Smoke Resort just outside of city limits for a decade. Tyon currently runs winter bingo and has served as a town trustee and a Keystone Area Chamber of Commerce board member in the past.

Potential voters asked the candidates about the issues most important to the town, with Tyon putting parking and year-round housing at the top of the list. McNulty wants to focus on water and holding organizations in town accountable. Parks sees water as a “very serious issue” and is also concerned about parking and infrastructure.

Keystone resident Bob Nelson grilled the potential candidates about their knowledge of town financials. Tyon was honest, answering that she was unsure of the amounts taken in by the town in recent years since she hasn’t been on the council recently. Parks too was unsure but was interested in looking into the matter, while McNulty, who is currently a trustee, had a ballpark for revenue and employee compensation.

Much discussion centered on the Keystone Chamber of Commerce, since Keystone’s budget relies primarily on sales tax.

Parks wants to see the chamber dollars tracked.

McNulty expressed opposition to the chamber’s budget, which he feels is mainly used for administration and wants to see the organization be “better led.” Tyon thinks the city needs to have a prime location for “whatever advertising entity” the town chooses to use for marketing in the future. Tyon was well aware of the organization’s $160,000 budget but did not agree with how it was spent. She is in favor of the town exploring marketing avenues other than the chamber. 

“I don’t feel the chamber does the job it’s meant to do,” she said.

Candidates were asked to give an example of how each resolved conflicts in the past. Parks explained conflicts were a way to create a healthy environment if handled correctly. Parks feels town board members should have a “healthy relationship” and consider the needs of the town first.

McNulty said the main way he handles conflict is to be “in the arena and fight it out,” being open and transparent and seeing both sides. McNulty says town board members do not have to be unified but stressed the importance of being “professional.” Tyon said she is “pretty forward but fair,” in contentious situations and feels town board members cannot “bicker and argue.”

In closing, Tyon said she has no agenda for the town and considers herself fair and open minded.

Parks feels he adds a “fresh light” to Keystone with his experience.

McNulty is invested in the community and wants to see Keystone “grow in the right ways,” adding, “I want to be your guys’ voice.”

Absentee voting in Keystone has already begun.

In person voting takes place April 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.