craigdailypress.com

Tom Mathers, a Republican candidate for the district 3 Moffat County Commission seat, wants his old job back.

Mathers, 57, served on the commission from 1988 to 1992. His long-career as a small business owner has prepared him well to shape public policy, he said.

A lifelong Craig resident, he has been a business owner since he was 24 years old. Should he win Tuesday night's primary election, Mathers will be closer to returning to office.

"I worked at Mathers when I turned 21 years old," he said. "I worked for my dad for two years, and then leased the business from him for a year. Then I bought it from him."

Mathers also took over the family ranch when he was 16 and has been farming and ranching since then, he said.

He is familiar with the issues facing the next county commissioners. Those issues include the trafficking of illegal drugs and energy exploration. Mathers said he is ready for the challenge.

"There certainly is a methamphetamine problem in town. I see it in my business, and I know it's a hard habit to break," Mathers said. "It's one of the worst drugs to ever come to town."

He said the problem is not helped by plea bargains given to offenders.

"The police make arrests and the judicial system lets us down," Mathers said. "We need a stronger approach by the (prosecutors) to clean this up."

He said he thinks most addicts want to get off the drug but can't without help.

"It takes time for these busts to come about, and we can't just let them walk." Mathers said.

Although methamphetamine poses a serious threat to the county, oil-and-gas exploration offers a positive benefit, Mathers said. If handled correctly, the new business can boost the local economy.

"Oil-and-gas exploration will be good for revenues in the county, but we need to watch and make sure the roads are not destroyed and the land is reclaimed," Mathers said. "The county has to absorb the costs if these contracts are not held up."

He recalls when the pipeline operations led to a deteriorated Moffat County Road 7. Companies working in the area only applied treatment to the roads one time, and then dry weather and traffic destroyed the road, Mathers said.

The county needs to work with the oil companies, he said, to limit their environmental impact on the land.

"It can be a win-win deal for the economy, the natural gas producers, and the mineral rights owners if we tie them all together and do it smart." Mathers said.