Editor’s note: Today is the third question in a series of five posed to the two Aspen mayoral candidates. Their answers (200-word limit) will be published each day through Friday. For more information on the 2021 Aspen municipal election, go to aspentimes.com/election
.
What do you think should be the city’s role in financially assisting local businesses during the pandemic?
Torre
Firstly, let us all remember that the support and relief for businesses is not about the dollars to the establishments, it is about the people. Business assistance is to maintain the employment and lifeblood in our community. The city should do direct relief funding, assist in getting state resources to businesses in our community and reduce or eliminate some of the fees and taxes that are levied.
One challenger to incumbent Aspen Mayor Torre
Staff reports
Editor’s note: Today is the first question in a series of five posed to the two Aspen mayoral candidates. Their answers (200-word limit) will be published each day through Friday. For more information on the 2021 Aspen municipal election, go to aspentimes.com/election
.
What can you do as the Aspen mayor to improve the average citizen’s quality of life?
Torre
Age: 51
Short bio: I have lived from Basalt to Aspen and everywhere in between. I have worked on the mountain, in lodges, bars and restaurants, events and concerts, teaching tennis and have worked for the city in many roles.
Annual event hosted by local media set for Thursday online
Staff report
In partnership with Grassroots TV, The Aspen Times and the Aspen Daily News on Thursday will moderate a virtual Squirm Night, first among the eight candidates vying for the two open seats on Aspen City Council and then between the two mayoral hopefuls.
The events, happening between 5 and 8 p.m. on Zoom and streaming on Facebook and YouTube, will each feature a series of questions to better inform voters ahead of the March 2 election. Because of the number of City Council candidates, 90 minutes has been slated for that forum, until 6:30 p.m. Mayoral incumbent Torre and challenger Lee Mulcahy will then begin at 6:45 p.m.