craigdailypress.com

Lay buffalo rancher Dan W. Martin has held positions with the National Buffalo Association, the Western Buffalo Association and other social organizations.

He has operated his ranch since moving to Moffat County in 1975 and calls it a good move and a good career.

Now, another career Martin has his sights set on is representing District 3 as a Moffat County commissioner. Martin and fellow Republicans Tom Mathers and Vicki Burns will appear on the ballot during Tuesday's GOP primary election.

As commissioner, Martin said that he would do what he can to fight the methamphetamine problem in Craig, and notes that Dinosaur has a "real meth problem," that should not be overlooked.

"As a county commissioner, meth is an issue, but it's more a sheriff and district attorney issue," Martin said. "We need to support meth programs and take care of the treatment centers."

Although nobody seems to have a solution for the meth crisis, Martin said he supports efforts to fight the problem in Moffat County.

As commissioner, Martin would like to see Dinosaur receive more attention from the county. He said that even mosquito spraying is hard to come by because of the remoteness of the town 90 miles from Craig.

Martin said that he also favors oil-and-gas exploration and pipeline projects in Moffat County. They are valid uses of the county and important sources of revenue.

"The question is how much drilling and where to drill. Exploration should be part of Moffat County," Martin said. "We have to be smarter now than in the past. The BLM and the companies are working together now. We have the skills and knowledge and an interest in developing those resources in a sound manner."

Martin said he doesn't want Craig and Moffat County to develop as quickly as Rifle did and that development can be done in a manner to minimize objections from the public.

"In Dinosaur, people are very concerned about the oil-and-gas exploration," Martin said. "The county consists of extremes. While many are against it, a number of people are pro-exploration for oil and gas."

Earlier in the campaign season, Martin said he favored no more than a 10 percent annual growth rate. His view is that Moffat County should have consistent, regulated growth.

Martin has listed 30 years of experience managing budgets and serving as a private consultant for energy companies as traits that would serve him well as commissioner.