As the Town of Palmer Lake prepares for its upcoming Board of Trustees recall election, three candidates, Roger Moseley, John Marble, and Beth Harris have stepped forward to share their backgrounds, experiences, and visions for the town’s future.

In the following Q&A, each candidate was invited to respond to a series of questions addressing their motivations, qualifications, priorities, and perspectives on the challenges facing Palmer Lake. Their responses are presented in the same order their names will appear on the official election ballot.

Tell a little bit about yourself; where from originally, what brought you to Palmer Lake, education, family, etc.:

Roger Moseley: You can see my very long life history at my candidate Facebook page, Roger 4 Palmer Lake. The short story is, born in St. George, Utah. Dad in the Army. I graduated from the Air Force Academy and served 22 years. Purple Heart in Vietnam. Did top secret work for 10 in the F-117 and B-2 programs. I always wanted to come back to Colorado. Returned in 1993 and have been in Palmer Lake ever since. In the meantime, I’ve lived in 17 states, as well as Germany, and Vietnam (if you can call that living), and the home we’re in now my wife and I designed and built. It’s my 49th home, so I’ve moved a lot, but not much in the recent 30 years.

John Marble: I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life. My mom is originally from Palmer Lake, and we moved back here about two years ago. I’ll be graduating from Metropolitan State University of Denver this fall with a major in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. I grew up in a family of teachers and musicians, and music teachers, so I have a passion for music education and the arts as a genre. Living in Palmer Lake, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to meet so many amazing people, and develop a community of friends and colleagues, the caliber of which you won’t find outside of the area. Working at Cork N’ Bottle allowed me to not just meet most of the town’s residents, but offer a setting for which to talk to them, unafraid of formal social norms. As my love for the town grew, so did my understanding of the frustrations and grievances of the members of Palmer Lake.

Beth Harris: I’m originally from Greenville, Illinois, a small, rural, predominantly agrarian town near St. Louis, Missouri. I completed my Bachelor’s degree at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, then moved to St. Louis shortly thereafter to pursue professional opportunities. To further my professional career, I moved to Colorado in 2012, which has a more cutting edge technology environment. When I looked for my first Colorado home in 2013, I toured homes in Palmer Lake, but wasn’t able to find the right fit at that time. Instead, I bought a home in Castle Rock. After the pandemic allowed for full-time remote work, I returned to my goal of living in Palmer Lake and purchased a home here in 2021. I was drawn by its small-town spirit, magnificent natural surroundings, beautiful trails, wildlife, and distinctive restaurants, businesses, and events.

What experience, knowledge or passions do you feel makes you a quality candidate for the Town of Palmer Lake Board of Trustees?

RM: Experience; I have commanded or led groups from 6 to 2500. In the top secret world, you often have to make big decisions with only a few people. As Deputy Director of the B-2 Bomber Program,

I was responsible for approving all engineering changes and the cost of those changes. In my next job, the Air Force gave me responsibility for 24 contracts valued at $15.8 billion, for projects across the Air Force, Army, Navy, and FAA. Knowledge; I completed a Fellowship in public policy and management at Harvard, 1989. I attended the Defense Systems Management College that provided education in Federal program management, accounting, negotiation, government processes, and more. Passion; Fiscal responsibility and integrity in my reporting. For two years I was the Chief Test Pilot on President Reagan’s highest priority project at the time, the F-117. I had to tell him many times that we hadn’t solved all the problems and that we only had a 66% chance of success. I was the senior VP for the largest services company in the Department of Defense (DoD), where we were credited with pulling together four major flight test ranges and reporting our successes and failures accurately, which was our key to building trust with our customers.

JM: Politics has always been a strong suit of mine, and something I enjoy studying and participating in, so as the number of people expressing concerns over local government grew, the more I felt that I should, and could, become someone that could represent the will of the average Palmer Lake resident.

I’ve seen the character and passion of those in our town who might not get a second look from a politician who doesn’t care about the common citizen.

BH: My qualifications for the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees include decades of corporate experience in the financial services industry with several globally-recognized firms, most recently leading a team of eight Technical Program Managers delivering complex technology to a user community of 40,000 in support of a high visibility, global-scale firm. The unit I work in has a $50 million annual operating and capital budget, while the firm itself had a 2024 EBITDA of $18.3 billion. Previous experience includes technical program management of a cryptocurrency startup and merger and acquisition projects worth tens of billions of dollars in assets. These roles require my highly collaborative, diplomatic, level-headed, results-oriented, and focused approach with everyone from individual contributor team members to C-level executives, sometimes traversing multiple global, high visibility financial firms and vendors at once. In addition to my corporate experience, I have organized community-based events and teams, the most recent example of which is my grass roots political efforts for the town, in collaboration with citizens from the Tri-Lakes region. I contributed social media skills to the Festival on the Fourth in 2022. I have also shared my leadership, collaboration, organizational, and technology skills to the Festival of Nations and mobilized neighborhood organizations for events such as National Night Out and Operation Brightside.

There are a lot of ways a person can serve and/or give back to their community, why have you decided to serve on the Board of Trustees as yours?

RM: My wife and I have been speaking in BoT meetings for three years about the failure of the Town to manage its fiscal affairs in accordance with the CRS and our own Town Code. The Trustees have very little competency when it comes to the Town Budget, and have admitted as much, so they have allowed the Town Administrator (recently departed for Minnesota) and the Town Counsel to make almost all those decisions. The failure of the Trustees to understand and execute their fiduciary duties is where I can have the biggest impact.

JM: I think people underestimate the importance of participating in local politics, especially in small towns like ours. I’ve met many people who don’t even vote in local elections, and I can’t really blame them, because it isn’t something that is taught to be important, or catches much media attention at all. With that said, I encourage anyone who cares about Palmer Lake to get involved, whether that be attending board meetings or running for any kind of government office. There is a lot of value in coordinating town events, or running charities or fundraisers, probably more so than being a politician, but politics is what I enjoy and what I excel at, and if I can fight for the community I love, then I have an obligation to do so.

BH: I’m running for the Board of Trustees out of a strong sense of civic duty.

The Board of Trustees has increasingly acted against the will of the people — most notably in its decisions to advance the Buc-ee’s annexation despite well-articulated, vocal, and consistent public opposition. After this clear contradiction of citizens’ sentiment, I was compelled to get involved. My resolve has been further reinforced by conversations with residents who feel unheard and disenfranchised, particularly regarding Buc-ee’s, the Elephant Rock development, and other key issues. I believe our town deserves leadership that truly listens to and represents its people.

What do you feel makes you unique as a candidate for civil service?

RM: Pay has never been my reward, my years of service have been everything. My education and experience speak for themselves.

JM: Unfortunately, younger people are hesitant to get involved with local government. I think this is a serious problem, as younger people tend to be well connected, and offer a unique perspective not just on major issues, but the world and the people in it. I encourage anyone in high school or college to get involved, and I believe not just our town, but the country as a whole would be better for it. I’m not running because it would look good on a resume, or for some financial benefits earned down the road. I’m fighting for my future, and the future of those like me, and unlike many others, I am blessed in having the opportunity to be able to throw my entire effort at this, while many others older than me have career obligations or family commitments that I don’t have yet.

BH: I bring extensive experience leading complex, multi-layered projects within heavily-scrutinized regulatory environments. This background has equipped me with the skills needed for thoughtful, accountable decision-making, qualities essential in civil service.

Where do you feel your service on the Board of Trustees would be different from those who have served in the past?

RM: Fiduciary competence. Deep understanding of our town code and the CRS. I am not a lawyer, but I will take the time to read and understand. I have, on several occasions, had to correct the town’s counsel on his omissions in his legal advice.

JM: Past board members are not very approachable, and any communication is almost impossible. As elected representatives of the people of Palmer Lake, I believe there is a responsibility to be not just transparent about yourself and your dealings, but to have an open and frequent line of communication with the community members. While you might see a board member out in public, or at local events, it is almost entirely performative, and there is no intention or desire to have conversations with people who voted for you. I will make sure the people are not just heard, but listened to, and bring a new look to being a board member.

BH: I prioritize listening to the citizens as a vital part of informed decision-making. What sets me apart is this commitment to public input, combined with a logical, data-driven approach that ensures decisions are both responsive to the community and evidence-based.

If elected, what are the top three things/projects you would like to see happen for the town?

RM: One, forcing the trustees to justify and discuss their positions before they vote. They appear to have been secretive and colluding (against the Colorado Open Meetings Law) in both Executive Sessions and in private. For example, they had been discussing Buc-ee’s coming to town for five months six and 1/2 months before it was ever mentioned publicly. I can show you Krob Law invoices. Two, operating the Water Enterprise as a standalone business, per TABOR, and to handle all Enterprise money in a separate bank account. Three, explaining all adjustments and changes in the Town and Enterprise monthly financials, instead of burying them in the “consent agenda.” Four, getting control of the professional services costs, which have more than doubled in the past four years. Many of these contracts support decisions that should be able to be made by competent business owners, which five of the Trustees are, and the products of these contracts are often unacceptable on their face.

JM: If elected, I will ensure the master plan, which is a miracle or modern politics, is followed and maintained. Things like natural beauty, small town atmosphere, and access to outdoor activities are important to the people of Palmer Lake, then and now, and should be maintained and cared for. As someone who cares deeply about the arts, and the preservation of history, Chautauqua as an event is something very important to the town, and the community of Palmer Lake. While events like the Yule Log and the Fourth of July are wonderful and meaningful events, I believe Chautauqua deserves love as well, and I would encourage and support anything to help it grow and succeed, even more than it already has. The most important thing to me as a candidate is strengthening communication between those in government and the people they represent. Any attempt to be involved and engaged is a massive headache as it stands, and the people of Palmer Lake deserve better. If elected, I will not only make myself more present and open, but hold events and meetings with the town, both in person and online, so that community members feel like they have a voice, and they matter, because they do.

BH: Foster responsible and sustainable revenue opportunities that reflect and preserve the town’s unique character and identity. Address near term infrastructure concerns while developing a clear long-term plan for maintenance and future improvements. Enhance property values and the town looking its best by encouraging residents to take care of their homes and yards. We’ll do this by offering support, such as partnering with Operation Brightside, and using fair and consistent code enforcement when needed.

What do feel are Palmer Lake’s largest challenges and in what ways would you propose to begin addressing them?

RM: See previous answers.

JM: I love Palmer lake. I have never felt so at home, and the community Palmer Lake has given me is something I can’t put into words, nor can I ever repay it. I, as most of us do, wake up every day blessed to be in a corner of God’s green Earth that is so beautiful, and untouched by the perils of modern society. This being said, Palmer Lake has challenges and issues that need to be addressed. As a community member, one of these issues is the heightened sense of frustration that gets between us as neighbors and friends. We should be frustrated, and we should be angry, but we are going to lose our sense of fraternity if we don’t face this quickly. I’m sure we’ve all seen the way our neighboring towns speak about us, and it makes me sad, because I know just how amazing we all can be. I believe with better communication, and a chance to come together as friends, enemies, and neighbors, we can resolve our issues and make Palmer Lake the bright and welcoming town we all know it can be.

BH: Some key areas of opportunity I see are for Palmer Lake to revitalize and reconnect. I deeply value Palmer Lake’s small town feel, but also recognize opportunities for growth from sources of sales tax revenue in keeping with the town’s Master Plan Community Vision. Many of the town’s citizens have personally expressed to me their concerns about disenfranchisement thus I see the need for a return to governmental service and transparency owed to its citizens by the laws of our town’s municipal code, our state’s statutes, and our nation. Not only does the Town of Palmer Lake have an opportunity to reconnect with its own citizens, but also with citizens and government of our Tri-Lakes neighbors, Monument, and Woodmoor.

In general, where do you feel Palmer Lake’s tax dollars are best put to use? Feel free to list more than one.

RM: One, the biggest infrastructure problem we have is storm water drainage. Funding improvement will be costly. There has been a suggestion that we need an enterprise to handle this, but only half the town has the problem. This makes it a bad mix of politics, taxes, and possibly TABOR-allowed fees. Two, the drains will require some attention to the mix of paved and gravel roads–most of the town is gravel. Paved roads would make the adjacent concrete drainage ditches more justifiable. Three, We have a wonderful lake for the summer and great hiking opportunities in the winter. We need to find a way to monetize that for the town. We recently installed parking meters for the hikers, which was a small move in that direction. We could do more.

JM: Palmer Lake’s tax dollars should go to preserving the town as it is. This includes public works, police and fire departments, and water. We already have major issues concerning the water supply, so that should be a major point of focus.

BH: The town must consider how it will address its aging infrastructure, especially water, drainage, and roads; these are big projects that take time. While working on those, it’s also important to balance implementing smaller, more immediate needs, such as creating a business incubator to bring and sustain valued small and local businesses to the town or making sure there’s enough safe and clearly-defined parking for people visiting downtown, for example.

In what way do you feel you could help strengthen relationships between the town and its neighboring institutions? (Non-Profits, Schools, Chamber, other jurisdictions, etc.)

RM: This has been difficult for the Town. Over the years that I have been paying attention, we have tried various economic development panels, arts panels, and other similar methods to give the Town standing. They haven’t worked very well. In this current period of division over the Buc-ee’s issue, many officials and residents of Monument and El Paso County have been very helpful with advice and experience, even though many in Palmer Lake fear that “Monument wants to take us over.” I don’t see any of that on the part of Monument and I only see honest comments from those county residents who are being steamrolled by Palmer Lake accepting Buc-ee’s via a flagpole annexation–after both Monument and the Woodmore water district turned Buc-ee’s down. I am not affected by Buc-ee’s. I’m too far away, but I see the majority of our town residents agreeing with the people near the annexation, which promises a good relationship in the future, if Buc-ee’s is resisted. We had an opportunity, via the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, to have a real multi-community arts center. We lost the facility because the mayor and town administrator would not enforce our code and the CRS code to maintain the nonprofit, allowing it to eventually be illegally sold. This single terrible episode tells me that pushing the Board of Trustees to enforce our code or, if they hate it, make the necessary changes, but failure in this area is just totally inexcusable and has created a rift between us and Monument, and I bet others, too.

JM: Strengthening relationships is important to me, so I would focus on enhancing communication channels, whether that be shared digital spaces or holding regular meetings. Establishing and promoting shared events can be a good way to not only communicate but improve. I believe if we can identify mutual goals and build trust between organizations and individuals, we can build a stronger relationship.

BH: I’ve already shown I’m willing and able to build strong partnerships to help the town. I’ve collaborated with non-profits to create and grow a grass roots political effort. In less than nine months, I’ve built a network of supporters from all over the Tri-Lakes area. I’ve formed friendly working relationships with political colleagues in neighboring towns and at the county level. In 2022, I lent my social media skills to TriLakes360 for the Festival on the Fourth in 2022. Most importantly, I’ve connected face to face with the people who make Palmer Lake special; its citizens. If I’m elected trustee, I’ll keep building upon this foundation of trust and respect as I serve our community.

What are the most important platforms of your campaign you would like your community to know?

RM: See previous answers.

JM: I hope people see me as not just another shady and self-absorbed politician, but as a community member, someone who shops at the same grocery stores and has a beer at the same bars. We deserve a government that represents us as a town, the best and the worst parts of it, and that can listen to our wants and needs. The beauty and nature of Palmer Lake deserves better, and so do the people. With proper communication, and an effort to build relationships and common goals, I know Palmer Lake can really shine.

BH: The most important part of my platform is that I listen to what citizens have to say and include their input in decisions. I want to restore governmental transparency, service, and fair representation, because that’s what the law promises to the people and it’s the right thing to do.