(Courtesy photo) Kara Kelty, director of the Southwestern Renewable Energy Conference, is running for mayor of Flagstaff against Joe Haughey and current mayor Sara Presler. The election takes place May 18.

Former city council member Kara Kelty said she considers herself “a proven leader that can take complex issues and find solutions.” She was born in Massachusetts and spent several years in the Peace Corps. Afterward, Kelty met the man who would become her husband, and the two moved to Flagstaff. Kelty served on the city council for six years, and now she’s vying for mayor against city council member Joe Haughey and current mayor Sara Presler. The mayoral field will shrink to two in the March 9 primary, and the general election will take place May 18. The Lumberjack sat down with Kelty to discuss her election bid.

The Lumberjack: You worked for city council. Why didn’t you run for re-election in 2008?

Kara Kelty: I finished my term. I chose to run for the Arizona Corporation Commission. I didn’t win. I lost in the primary. It’s a five-member commission of regulators, essentially. They regulate utilities.

It’s a very important commission, and the reason I ran for it is because not only does it regulate utilities, but within that regulation, you have an opportunity to have an impact on renewable energy the utilities are producing. We have what’s called the Renewable Energy Standard, and at the time I ran, they were under attack, and there was a lawsuit to reduce them. I was unsuccessful, but I don’t have any regrets.

LJ: What issues are important to you in this election?

KK: The issues that I worked on when I was on the council before. I worked on economic development, affordable housing, sustainability issues. But the larger issue — and the reason I wanted to run — is the issue of leadership. I want to make sure we are making progress on the critical issues for the community, and that we are also working with the community and inviting them in for that process.

LJ: What do you think Flagstaff’s biggest issue is right now?

KK: The biggest issue is the same facing the state and the federal government, and that’s the economy and the impact it has on the federal budget, more on the state budget. The state’s in a very serious, vulnerable financial position. Flagstaff has a strong local economy, but there’s only so long you can weather the impact of the state without it having a detrimental effect.

LJ: How do you plan on diversifying our economy?

KK: The best way to diversify your economy is to expand in the areas where you have knowledge and skill in already existing businesses. I see in Flagstaff great potential in the areas of finances, renewable energy and technology. What we see as a huge resource is NAU.

You have to analyze your strengths in a community, and your weaknesses, and see where the greatest potential for growth is. I also think it’s important to support the businesses that are already existing.

LJ: What qualifications and accomplishments make the mayoral position right for you?

KK: I think the biggest qualification I have is learning from my experiences. I spent six years on the city council, and I observed what makes someone successful in that role. I think it’s really important to work cooperatively. I am a trained mediator and an experienced facilitator, and I have a lot of public policy experience. I’m very familiar with the issues in Flagstaff; I’m very familiar with the process of City Hall; I’ve worked with city staff. It’s a combination of experience, capability, knowledge and a personal approach.

LJ: How has working with the other two candidates helped shape your platform?

KK: I’ve only worked with councilmember Haughey; I have not worked directly with Mayor Presler. I’ve just observed how council has proceeded since I left. I’ve noticed they’ve revisited a lot of the issues that we discussed. That’s perfectly fine; they had a lot of new councilmembers and a new mayor. At the same time, I feel a lot of the issues I worked really hard on are stagnating. I like both members on a personal level, but I think I will bring better qualifications to the position than either one will.

LJ: Do you feel an advantage in this election and why?

KK: I don’t know, to be honest. I’ve been walking door to door, and I’ve been meeting people, and I’ve heard it all. I think I’ve earned trust in this community, which I think is the most important aspect when you’re running for office — to have people trust you and know you. I’ve been out of office for a year and a half, and it’s difficult to gauge if people remember me.

LJ: If you lose, what are you going to do?

KK: I’ll continue what I’m doing, which is directing the Southwestern Renewable Energy Conference, and I will continue to be remain involved in the community as I have been since I left council. I know this sounds like Sarah Palin, but whether in or out of office, I will continue to serve my community.

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CORRECTION: Original posted quoted Kara Kelty as saying, “I’m not a mediator; I’m a facilitator.”

Watch the SMC Mayoral Debate with Kara Kelty, Sara Presler and Joe Haughey.