Q&A with Killington Select Board candidate Rick Bowen

Tuesday night, Feb. 18,the  Killington Pico Area Association (KPAA) held a forum for the four candidates vying for two seats on the Killington Select Board. One seat is for a 3-year term; the other a 1-year term. Incumbent Chris Karr will face a challenge from Patrick Cushing for the 3-year seat. Karr is the owner of the Karr Group which operates half a dozen restaurants and businesses in Killington. Cushing is a senior consultant with Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory. He works in intelligence and investigation field supporting government clients. 

Incumbent Rob Hecker will face a challenge from Ricky Bowen for the 1-year seat. This seat was vacated by Steve Finneron and Hecker was appointed by the Select Board to fill it May 13, 2024, until voters could elect a replacement this Town Meeting Day. Hecker worked over two decades with ADP in New Jersey before moving to Killington in 2021. He’s since started a small construction company called Peak Construction, LLC. Ricky Bowen was the foreman for the town of Killington highways and facilities for 36 years until May 15, 2024, when he resigned.

Each candidate was given the following eight questions in advance of the forum. Answers were submitted to the Mountain Times.  Note: responses from Chris Karr, Patrick Cushing and Rob Hecker were published last week and are online at: mountaintimes.info.  Bowen was not able to complete the Q&A before deadline so requested to be included in this edition.

1) Why are you running for the Killington Select Board and what do you think makes you most qualified to represent the citizens of Killington?

I am running because I care deeply about this town, the people of Killington and the people who work for the town as well. Having worked for more than three decades serving the people of Killington, I have an important perspective as a board member. I have a vast knowledge of the town’s infrastructure, including design, construction, and repair. For example, the rebuilding of the town’s roads after [Tropical Storm] Irene and the flood of two summers ago. My background and input will be valuable in all of the current and upcoming projects. I also have an understanding of cost-effectiveness and the budgetary process. I truly think that I could have been utilized a whole lot more than I was in this aspect, but hindsight is 2020.

2) Are there specific problems or concerns that are motivating you to run in this election?

My primary motivation is to add, not subtract. Are there problems? Yes there are. Will other problems surface? Of course they will. Every town has problems, and as a Select Board member, my job will be to address the issues and do my best to fix them, while being open to listening to the people who give so much to this town.

3) The municipal budget on the Town Meeting Day ballot is $7,912,875 which is an increase of 12.5% over last year’s budget. Do you support this budget, why or why not??

I do feel that a 12.5% increase is quite substantial and I understand some of the reasons for that increase. I would like to be able to see how the various departments come up with their numbers.

4) How do you feel about the Town’s initiative “Killington Forward?” Please touch upon the follow areas:  The reconstruction of Killington Road, the creation of a new municipal water system, building workforce housing, support of the Killington Village? 

We can all see what the condition of Killington Road looks like, and it is obvious that it is in dire need of reconstruction. However, as a team, we need to make sure that it is done wisely and cost-effectively. Of course, we would have to see what happens with the current pause on funding.

It is clear that the town needs a water system. Many businesses on Killington Road have had well issues and obviously, the water system is needed for the development of the village. Without water, there is no village.

I support it because it will provide opportunities that other resort towns do not. As long as everyone gains from this project, for example, the businesses that are already established and have been for many, many years.

I also support the workforce housing. We can see that housing isn’t an issue that’s unique to Killington. There’s a lack of housing and more often than not, it is cost prohibitive. Also, many people do not want long commutes to their jobs, especially during winter months when driving distances can become a challenge.

5) Conflict of interest has been a topic locally as well as statewide most recently. The Town has created a new Code of Ethics and Enforcement ordinance. Do you have any current conflicts of interest with matters relative to the town? If so, what are they? How will you handle those, or others that may arise, if elected to the board?

Currently, I do not have any conflicts of interest with the town as a Select Board member. If something arises, one has to recuse oneself depending on the topic of concern. I do feel, however, that the liaison should be a town employee and not a member of the Select Board.

6) The last article on Killington’s ballot (Article 6) asks voters if the Select Board should grow to five members instead of its current three. Do you support this measure? Why or why not?

I most definitely support this measure. I feel that it is important for two main reasons.

1. If there is a conflict of interest in a matter and a Select Board member has to recuse from the issue, then there still will be other members for a majority vote.

2. It will provide opportunities for a broader spectrum of ideas and viewpoints.

7) The Town’s Recreation Dept and Library are two important assets for this community. As Selectman how will you support and help these departments grow, continue to serve the community?

The Recreation Department and the library are fundamental entities in a town. When people move to a place, they look for a good school and a place to build community. I think that both the library and the rec department do a great job in hosting events for children and adults alike.

The Select Board members should collaborate with both departments to help them maintain and grow with the town.

8) What are the biggest obstacles and/or opportunities you see facing Killington’s progress that you plan to address in this next first term?

I am excited about the plans for Killington’s future, but at the same time, we can’t lose sight of what is in front of us now, the roads that need to be fixed, regular maintenance on buildings, sidewalks, and equipment, among other things.

Through my job, I have been very fortunate to get to know the wonderful people who live here. They are strong, resilient and hardworking, and through my conversations with residents, second home owners, and visitors, I have come to the conclusion that a lot of people truly care for this town.