Fountain mayor on mission to make town grow/ Pro-expansion attitude

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 11, 2003 | by JEREMY MEYER

Barela said he did it to beautify the city - part of his plan to make the city more desirable to developers.

El Paso County Commissioner Jeri Howells, who lives in Fountain, said Barela's efforts have improved the city's image across the state.

"He has been a smart business leader," she said. "When new people come to Fountain to do business, they realize they are dealing with someone who knows what is going on."

In 2002, Barela ran for House District 19 but lost to Republican incumbent Richard Decker. Barela promises not to run for another office until finishing his two-year mayoral term, although some supporters have urged him to run for El Paso County commissioner. Howells' seat will be vacant next year.

Barela knows there's one thing he might find necessary before taking another political step in El Paso County: dropping his Democratic Party affiliation.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-1623 or jmeyer@gazette.com.