MORE ELECTION NEWS
| What in your background makes you qualified for office? | |
| I have spent over 20 years of my career in public service, working for the cities of Aurora, Federal Heights, City and County of Denver, and Metro Water Recovery (formerly Metro Wastewater Reclamation District). Understanding and respecting the framework of local governments is the strength that I will bring to Arvada City Council. I have spent my career in occupations that benefit state and local communities – from environmental health and safety and environmental compliance, to workplace safety and water quality compliance at an electric power generation station. I have served the metro-area community in ways that support and improve the overall environment and health of the front range communities. As the Safety and Health Administrator at the City of Denver, I was directly involved with the city’s emergency management office, housing stability, and public works. I developed and implemented safety directives to assure the city operated in a manner to assure the safety of the employees and the public. This role provided me with insight into government operations during normal operations and emergencies, such as the pandemic. From government shut down to homelessness, I was able to directly contribute to the success of the city. Since 2004, I have served on several Council-appointed committees providing valuable public input and aid in implementing visions in the City’s Strategic and Master Plans. Serving on these committees has allowed me to work directly with city staff, other special districts, and the community. | |
| What elements would you like to see included in the Olde Town Arvada Reimagined 20-Year Plan? Would you like to see the street closures changed/altered? | |
| Increasing lighting, pedestrian gathering areas, and extending the street closures would be desired featured in Olde Town. This will also need to be coupled with traffic and parking improvements for the residents in and around Olde Town. Arvadans, visitors, and businesses Arvada have spoken – the street closures are very popular! Working to expand the entertainment district to cross 57th Ave. at Olde Wadsworth will be ideal. Improved parking is a priority. Arvadans do not view the Transit Hub as convenient parking, noting it is difficult to access. Modifying access to the Hub will encourage motorists to use it. Increasing the number of accessible parking spaces closer to businesses will provide ease of access for mobility impaired visitors. Finally, it is important to assure that there is a maintenance plan in place for Olde Town and surrounding neighborhoods. Resources will need to be allocated to assure Olde Town maintains its charms and attractions. | |
| What areas of Arvada’s infrastructure do you believe need the most immediate attention? | |
| The infrastructure – water, wastewater, stormwater, streets, sidewalks, gutters, streets – in the oldest areas of the city require immediate attention. Lack of infrastructure preventative maintenance can be identified by weeds growing through cracks in the asphalt of roads and streets; water breaks in the same area year after year; and poor water pressure. The city will need to develop a revenue stream dedicated to Take Lasting Care of the city’s infrastructure. Inflating the costs of tap fees on new development is not a sustainable funding source. | |
| What role do you believe the City of Arvada should fill in providing resources for individuals experiencing homelessness? | |
| The city will need to lead the conversation on homelessness, de-stigmatizing the homeless and low income families. Not all homeless have mental health or substance abuse issues. Families may have lost their stable homes through no fault of their own. Low-income does not equate to a person being a criminal. Affordable housing does not equal Section 8 housing. The city has an obligation to lead the conversation to dispel the stereotypes that we have been socialized to believe. The city can be the facilitator of resources for those experiencing homelessness. A Navigator can act as the bridge to individuals’ success. There are a variety of providers offering services and resources to the homeless in Arvada. The Navigator can assess the individual to determine needs. Working with partners in the community to identify services, the city can connect individuals experiencing homelessness to the appropriate resources to meet their needs. | |
| How would you like to see the last stages of Candelas’ development proceed? What needs do you believe still need to be filled in the West side of town? | |
| There needs to be a diversity of housing stock in the NW areas of Arvada. Mixing in homes in the $400K – 500K would allow families and first-time homeowners to live in Arvada. Teachers, mechanics, nurses, people who we want to be our neighbors, will now be able to afford homes in Arvada’s newest neighborhoods and allow them to build wealth and improve their work/life balance. Before Arvada concentrates on increasing entertainment and restaurants in the NW area of Arvada, community safety needs to be prioritized. Residents have identified wildfire mitigation and crime prevention as the most important needs in the west side of town. It is imperative that developers build communities with alternate egresses for residents, stabilize failing slopes, provide adequate drainage to prevent flooding in and icing over of roadways, and develop wildland fire prevention plans with the assistance of AFD. To prevent crime, increase lighting in the darkest areas of western neighborhoods, consider using APD approved civilian response to approved calls, allowing APD to concentrate on patrols in neighborhoods. |