The 2015 Election Guide

By Brett Callwood and Ryan Howe

LONGMONT

MAYOR
Dennis Coombs
Mayoral incumbent Coombs describes himself as a “Democrat on social issues. I’ve always been very conservative financially. I’ve always saved 15 cents on every dollar I’ve ever made and invested it. I resonate a lot with business people, and I think I’m a very moderate, middle of the road Democrat.”
For the forthcoming term, if successful, Coombs is focussing on housing. “That will lower the cost of rent if we build more product, and that will help everybody,” he says. “The city needs to be a public and private partnership.”

Ron Gallegos
Gallegos was previously on the city council between 1995 and 1999. “I was on the council that built the Rec Center and the museum, remodeled the senior center, did the acquisition of Sandstone Ranch.”
However, he now thinks that Longmont is at a crossroads. “What we’ve lacked is vision, a proactive approach to problem solving but more importantly, imaging and a vision of where we want to go in the future,” he says. “What makes a great city? It connects with people, has a vision of the future and communicates that with the people.”

Sarah Levison
Levison got into politics because she believes that she lives in one of the most active neighborhoods in Longmont, the historic east-side neighborhood, the first organized neighborhood recognized by the city. “I moved here in 1997, and in about 1998 I think my husband and I were attending monthly neighborhood meetings,” she says. “I did a community-based art project in 1999 and 2000 for the neighborhood in our local parks.”
She’s been working with the city on a number of issues, one of them being creating a well-aligned system of early childhood education and looking at how fundamental birth to age-eight is. “It’s an economic issue because the future workforce is being born and developed today,” she says. “Early childhood education and having those resources available cuts across every economic line, so a woman with PhD in the sciences had the same challenges – to find quality childcare and a great pre-school, as a woman who is on the WIC program.”

AT LARGE
Scott Dunn
Dunn graduated law school, and was then in the navy jag corp for three years, primarily in defense work and court-martials.
“My overall philosophy is trying not to push my own agenda,” Dunn says. “I try to create a climate where people can realize their own dreams. My dream for the city is for the 90,000+ people to realize their own dreams. I can walk up and down Main Street and see some of the great things that have ben happening here in the last few years, and that wasn’t created by a city council person.”
Dunn says that he believes in, “Making the best decision for the most people for the longest time. That was said by a former city councilman and I think that would be the way I would be committed to decision making.”

Joan Peck
Peck has lived in Longmont for about 39 years. “We’ve always been active when our kids were little,” she says. “We were part of the original group that wanted a rec center here.”
“They wanted to amend our planning code so that, unless you lived within 750 feet of a development, regardless of what it is, you had no say in it,” Peck says. “We lobbied against that and were successful.”
She is determined to continue with Fast Tracks. “We voted for this, and we ned to do it or stop paying the tax. I want to be an advocate on council for that.”

WARD 1
Brian Bagley
Bagley graduated from CU with his law degree as well as an MBA, and he was a part time professor up at the University of Colorado’s school of business for a number of years.
He thinks that his biggest achievements have been the redevelopment of the old Twin Peaks mall into the Village of the Peaks. “I think that the city’s fight to get high speed fibre-optic internet, which is currently logged at the fastest in the country, was another big victory,” he says.
As for the future, “Flood reconstruction is still a priority – rebuilding our roads, trails, bridges,” he says. “That’s probably not only the most important but the most boring answer, but it’s also the true answer. The most exciting answer however is that I’m personally passionate about making sure we get a rec center built.”

WARD 3
Bonnie Finley
Finley has a BA in political science from the University of Colorado, and politics has always been interesting to her.
She describes herself as a very moderate person but a Republican. “Our mayor who is a Democrat told me that I’m his bleeding heart Republican friend.”
Finley would like to pass an ordinance in Longmont that addresses the construction defects law in Colorado. “It makes it prohibitive to build condos and town houses,” she says. “I’m running out of time to get it done and things at the city take a lot of time. The comprehensive plan will be updated this year and I want to be a part of that.”

Paul Rennix
Rennix was interested in politics and he was a self-confessed complainer for a long time, before he decided that he should give a shot to doing something.
“One of my main concerns is keeping fracking as far as possible away from homes and schools, where people work and live,” he says.
Rennix believes in an entrepreneurial spirit, but he think businesses should pay their own way. “So I guess I’m conservative in that way,” he says. “At the same time, I believe there’s a valid reason why most homeless people are homeless, and I don’t believe the solution is to make them more uncomfortable.”

LOUISVILLE

MAYOR
Bob Muckle
For the first time in five elections, Mayor Muckle is running unopposed. “It leaves me at sixes and sevens,” he says. “It’s due for me. I was all geared up and ready to go, and then nobody slipped into position.”
He’s not a bad choice though, even if he is the only one. “If I have to pick one achievement, it would have to be flood recovery,” he says of his time in office to date. “We managed to repair miles of damaged trails, repair and completely rebuild a golf course, rebuild our water intake system, deal with the flood effects on our treatment plants, so that’s a whole big category of expensive, time-consuming things.”

WARD 1
Jay Keany
Keany started on Louisville city council in 1993 but has been off for six years, and this is the start of his fifth term. He originally signed up because he was concerned about the state of the city.
“I can’t take credit for the many achievements that we’ve made during my 16 years on the council – there are seven people making the decisions,” he says. “But I’m proud of the library, the police department, the community park, the revitalization of downtown, and the economic turnaround.”

WARD 2

Susan Loo
Loo came from the Louisville planning commission, which is an appointed position, and she’s been involved in Louisville government politics for almost 13 years now – 8 ½ years on the planning commission and then she ran for election in 2011. She’s been on council now for four years.
She says that the reason she loves local government is because it’s probably the level of government where just your average citizen has the most impact. “I always tell people, if you’re one person and you’re persistent, and you’ve got a good argument, then you’re as powerful as the most powerful lobbying group in the state,” she says. “I believe in a whole bunch on input. Here in Louisville, you get a really good product because you’ve got a council where we’re all independent thinkers and we’ve all got points of view, but we recognize that what we may think may not be what the other person is thinking.”

WARD 3
Angie Layton
Layton and her family moved to Colorado from New Jersey in 2001, and she started getting involved in politics during the 2004 election. She has been more or less involved in various campaigns and social issues since then.
“I just spent the day with President Carter and toured the Martin Luther King memorial, which I found extremely inspirational,” she says.
“So often we think that issues like racism have gone away, and in fact when I look at the things that were being discussed in the 1960s by Martin Luther King and others, I think we are still somehow wrestling with those same questions, sometimes in different forms.”
She believes that the reason Louisville has really been on the map is because of the great decisions that previous councils have made. “Our community is faced with decisions that are going to profoundly effect what happens to or community in the next 50 years,” Layton says. “We need to look at commercial developments and what will be allowed, what’s going to happen to the street fair, and some very prominent issues like rebuilding the bridge by Community Park because that has been out for two years.”

Dennis Maloney
Maloney laughs when we ask him when he first became involved in politics. “I’ve been involved in a number of city things,” he then says. “Most recently, I’ve been on the city’s golf advisory board – with the golf course being destroyed two years ago in the great flood, I was part of the process that renovated the course, working with the staff. I got to know a lot of the city council people and city staff, and gained interest in being more involved with the city. I thought it was time to serve the city. I laugh at the word politics, because it’s not as much politics, it’s really about providing services to the community and providing policy direction from a city council standpoint.”

Todd Stevenson
This is Stevenson’s first endeavor into anything political. “I’ve never run for office before, in Louisville or otherwise,” he says. “I’ve just found myself extremely involved in our community here. I moved here almost five years ago, and we moved after some of our best friends invited us to come up for the Labor Day Parade.”
Looking ahead to the forthcoming term, Stevenson wants to focus on keeping the small-town character of the community. “Reaching out and embracing the small businesses, and supporting them,” he says. “I’m a registered independent. I’m unaffiliated. I feel like, in a town this size, it gives you the ability to have open and honest conversations with people.”

LAFAYETTE

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Stephanie Walton
Walton’s background is as a community organizer in Lafayette, at a local and state level. “Recently, I’ve been working with the long-term flood recovery group,” she says. “It’s a non-profit organization, working with individuals and families. It’s incredibly fulfilling, and that’s really what made me take the leap to put my name on the ballot for city council. After seeing all the great neighborhood rebuilding and all of the resiliency going on, I and to bring some of that energy over to Lafayette.”

Brad Wiesley
Wiesley has been on council for four years – he was elected four years ago and then again two years ago. “That is my only political involvement,” he says. “I’m running one more time, and whatever happens this election, that will probably be my last involvement.”
He sees the sound financial management of the city as a big deal. “In the time I’ve been in council, we’ve achieved a AAA bond rating for our water portfolio, we have good financial results in our general budget fund, we have specific funds that deal with water, sewer, golf courses, that sort of thing, I think we’ve done a really good job of prudently managing the finances of the city,” Wiesley says.

Christine Berg
Berg worked at the Democratic National Convention as the Director of Volunteers, her first big political foray. “That was overseeing the recruitment and management and deployment of almost 20,000 volunteers, so that was exciting,” she says. “I worked for five years for Congressman Jared Pollis in his district office in Boulder.”
She believes that there are some ongoing projects that would need taking care of in the forthcoming term. “One of the most important pieces is to address affordable housing issues, and one of the ways that I’m looking at doing that is requiring new development, particularly for rentals, to be 20 percent affordable,” Berg says.

Alexandra Lynch
Lynch has lived in Lafayette for 30 years, and worked for the city from 2000 until 2009. “So I have a lot of knowledge and experience,” she says. “I’m deeply invested in the town – I raised three kids here. I own a home here. I was elected for a four-year term to city council in 2011, so this is a reelection campaign on my part.”
Looking to the next term, Lynch says that, “the number one thing that council has to do is the very unglamorous job of stewardship and keeping the city strong, able and safe. Economic development keeps chugging along here in Lafayette, Old Town Lafayette and its revitalization plan is being executed really well, and there are a lot of new businesses.”

Cliff Smedley
Smedley has a Bachelor’s degree in political science, and since high school has been volunteering for political candidates and activities. “I have an extensive, life-long interest in political activities, especially at a grass roots level,” he says.
He describes himself as very much on the left. “Bernie Sanders-type left.”
“I would like to focus on renewable energy, social justice, economic justice and transportation issues – those would be three areas that I would like to focus on. In the last two election cycles for Lafayette, there has been a ballot initiative on the ballot for funding renewable energy for the citizens and businesses of Lafayette, and I was very instrumental in both of those initiatives on both of those election cycles. I would like to continue trying to get that for the citizens of Lafayette. Solar panels on the roofs and conservation measures implemented in people’s homes and businesses.”

Cliff Willmeng
Willmeng has been involved in politics all his life. “The first time I ever did anything political was when I went to a march in Chicago when I was 15 against racism, where the national socialists and the KKK were marching in downtown Chicago,” he says. “That was in 1985, and I have essentially been a political activist ever since. I worked on issues ranging from the fight against apartheid in the 1980 to the US wars in central American around the same time. In the 1990s, I was at the protests against the world trade organization in Seattle, and founded the Chicago direct action network that fought against corporate globalization. I was one of 700 people that were arrested in Chicago protesting the Iraq war. It goes on.”
Looking forward, he thinks that there are a few primary things, including the protection of Lafayette and the growth of it, to be taken care of. “To maintain it’s working class and unique character,” Willmeng says. “Alongside that, I see the office as a way of helping the community organize itself and to stand up for the things that it finds value in. I don’t see my elected position as something that is going to fix the really big problems. The big elephant in the room for Boulder County is the twin issues of race and class. What I don’t hear spoken about at all in Boulder County is the fact that we actually have people living under poverty conditions, while at the same time we have $10 million houses selling for cash.”

Frank Phillips
Phillips has lived in Lafayette for 17 years. “When I moved to the city I started volunteering for committees, and then I got selected for the planning commission, where I served for two years,” he says. “I ran for council in 2003 and was elected, and then again in 2007 and was reelected. Lafayette has term limits, so after my second term I had to sit out for four years before I could run again.”
During his previous two terms, Phillips made some admirable forward steps. “The city was not doing anything in renewable energy,” he says. “In 2006 I attended a solar energy conference in Denver and learned a lot about the new technology and what was happening. I spearheaded a lot of the efforts in those regards. We wound up saving the city $100,000 a year in energy costs, which paid for all of the upgrades.”
And looking forward? “Something which is really current on the citizens’ minds is affordable housing,” Phillips says. “We tried when I was on council and it didn’t work for a number of reasons. There’s no silver bullet for it – you can’t just do one thing and solve it – you have to do a variety of things.”

BROOMFIELD

MAYOR
Randy Ahren
Ahren was first elected to city council in 2001, and he served 2001-2009. “I was elected Mayor 2013,” he says. “I served three years on the school improvement team, and then from that when Broomfield was looking at becoming a county in their own school district, I got involved with the committee with Citizens for Better Local Government.”
The mayor believes that his biggest achievement has actually been on regional transportation issues. “I was able to start a highway seven coalition, which includes all the mayors from Boulder, Lafayette, Thornton, Westminster, Brighton, and County Commissioners in Boulder, Adams and Weld, into one commission to look at traffic issues along highway seven to try to get a nice, continuous path,”Ahren says. “Also, we were able to secure funding to be looking at rapid transit along highway seven, and working on a planned environmental linkage study right now. The other thing is working on completing the loop 470 around the metro area. I was involved with those initial discussions and we got the charter signed in October.”

WARD 1
Stan Jezierski
Outside of this election, Jezierski isn’t involved in politics, but he has a solid resume. “I’m not currently holding any office,” he says. “I did run two years ago, and I’m interested mainly because I’ve got a lot invested in Broomfield and particularly in my ward.”
The biggest priority for him is the redevelopment of some of the empty storefronts along 120th Street. “There’s an empty Hobby Lobby there now, and an empty Safeway that we lost a couple of years ago,” Jezierski says. “There are other empty lots too. I’m trying to figure out what we can do to get some new businesses in, to be a benefit to everyone – the landowners, the residents and the city.”

John Lay
Lay ran for office after being persuaded by a friend. “I’m mostly retired now,” he says. “I went through a discerning process and they all said, ‘Well, it’s a lot of work but if you want to do it, you’d be good.’ I taught at Regis University for over 35 years and now I teach once in a while, mainly online, so I have some time.”
He arrived in Broomfield around 1990. “I served on the committee for the first master plan and I was impressed with the way quality staff, quality citizens and quality representatives could work together with the vision of doing things that are best for the city,” Lay says. “I believe that I have the basic talents to think critically, and make decisions well. Most of the work that I’ve done as far as volunteer has been with safe communities. Broomfield has done some wonderful things, working well with their non-profits and their faith communities.”

WARD 2
Mike Shelton
Shelton has always worked in some sort of customer service role, which requires him to be a good listener and good at solving problems. “I want to make sure the railroad intersections are made into quiet zones so that trains won’t have to blow their painfully loud whistles,” he says. “I’d like to repeal several burdensome regulations to make it easier to do business here and be less of a hassle to residents.”
Shelton says that he grew out of the left/right paradigm a while ago because it does not allow for traditional Republicanism, “the kind that knows the importance of having only a few laws which are clearly understood and equally applied to everyone; nor does that paradigm allow for traditional Democrat stances, like being anti-war, pro-business and pro-religion,” he says. “Because it takes a mere majority to pass any law, the fiscally-responsible Democrats have to bend to the will of their leaders in Congress just as the socially-liberal Republicans are usurped by theirs.”

WARD 3
Bette Erickson
In 1999, Erickson served on the health and human services advisory committee for Broomfield as it was transitioning to a county. That was her introduction to municipal politics. She was elected to city council in 2001, and served two four-year terms.
“I’m a writer – I’ve written six hiking books, and I wrote the “Hike of the Week” column for the Daily Camera for a decade and I’ve been writing a hiking column for the Broomfield Enterprise called “Explorations,” she says.
This would be Erickson’s third term. “I like the course that Broomfield is on, and I want to stay the course,” she says. “I’m fiscally conservative, we have a lot of financial reserves. Broomfield is a good place to be and I want to continue to be a part of that.”

WARD 4
Dennis Harward
Since 1981, Harward has been building enterprise software systems for cities and counties. “That was my business – I worked professionally with over 1000 cities and counties,” he says. “I built the leading company in that space.”
Harward very recently got to see one of his biggest achievements thus far in action. “As long as anyone can remember, Broomfield hasn’t had departments present to city council at budget time,” he says. “It’s something that I’ve worked very successfully and I think we have a big budget, forecasted $249 million for 2016.”
He also wants to work with providing opportunities for citizens to communicate with city officials electronically. “I don’t think that millennials are going to go down to City Hall and sit there for a four hour meeting every other week,” Harward says. “We have to provide electronic tools to engage the citizens that are in social media and the way they communicate. That would be a couple of minor things I’d like to do. And always transparency. We have a great government in Broomfield, and the better we can communicate with our citizens, the better they’re going to feel about it.”

Kevin Kreeger
This is the first time Kreeger has ever run for office. “I follow politics avidly, but this is my first foray into anything like this,” he says. “My family and I have been in Broomfield for almost 13 years now.”
He says that he’s financially very responsible. “I don’t say financially conservative or financially progressive, because I think both parties in Washington have screwed up our budget and financial processes,” he says. “If I was fortunate enough to be elected, I think there are three primary things that we need to focus on. One is economic growth. Two is improving transportation. Three is open spaces.”

WARD 5
David Beacom
Beacom didn’t get into politics until about April of 2014, when he was appointed to fulfill the remainder of the term of Wayne Anderson for Ward 5 in Broomfield. Before that, he was in the legal profession for most of his career.
He believes that his biggest achievement in office has been, “learning a lot about the city so that I can understand what the questions and issues are.”
This time around, he’s running on the need for citizen input as to those items that they would like to see, things they think we have to have, but equally what don’t we need or want in Broomfield. “So my goal is to listen to the people, listen to the city and county staff, and help make the best decision for what’s best for Broomfield going down the road,” he says.”

WESTMINSTER

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Debbie Bergamo
Bergamo first ran for office a couple of years ago because she felt like it was time to take a stand. “You sit around and you see what goes on, and complaining isn’t going to get you anywhere,” she says. “So you have to take a stand for what you believe in. Right now, I’m a care-giver for seniors. I was a paralegal. I’m strong, caring, I listen to people. I believe government needs to have ethics back in it, because we don’t have good ethics in our government. There don’t seem to be any. The people we elect, we expect to work for us, and not for special interest groups. I’d like to work with the cops, and crimes against seniors. Also, the new downtown, I don’t like the way things are going with that so that’s an issue. I sit on the far right. I’m very conservative, socially and fiscally.”

Shannon Bird
Bird is a stay-at-home mom, a noble cause if ever there was one. “Professionally, I’m an attorney – I’m not practicing now because I made a decision about staying home with my kids,” she says. “My background, is commercial and public finance, corporate finance, and real estate development work.”
Bird sees Westminster as a, “fabulous city and we stand on the shoulders of great leadership that came before us. I’d like to improve the city’s partnership and support of it’s local schools. The city is served by three different school districts – I would like to work on deepening those relationships with public educators. In addition, I want to strengthen our economic development. We have a great retail presence but we need more to fill vacancies that still remain after the 2008 recession. Third, I’d like to bring in more affordable housing options to the city.”

Jason Blanckaert
This is Blanckaert’s first run at office. His background is in information technology – he has owned an IT consultancy company in Denver since 2003.
“Primarily, the issue facing Westminster right now is the redevelopment of the old Westminster Mall,” he says. “After reviewing the processes and the direction which the city is taking on this project, I oppose it so I’m running against it right now. I don’t believe the city needs to take a part I the redevelopment – I think the redevelopment can be handled by private contractors without spending tax dollars on it. I probably sit center right. Mike Melvin and I, along with Debbie Bergamo, we are all three running together with the same agenda of trying to change the way the mall is being redeveloped. Out of ten candidates, we are the only three that are opposing the direction that the city’s taking in committing all of the tax dollars to this project.”

Mark Clark
Clark started in politics eight years ago, getting on the local school board. “I’m current president and will be term-limited in November,” he says. “Hopefully, I can continue serving, as I really enjoy helping our communities. I’m a native of Westminster, born and raised here.”
Clark believes that the north metro area is growing at a fast rate, as our schools are overcrowded. “I think responsible development, and public safety is another piece of the puzzle,” he says. “Our families and business owners deserve the highest degree of public safety. Our police and fire departments have to have the right tools and right training to make sure we continue to keep our city safe. Growth in economy – we need to build a good city where we can bring in businesses so that people can work and play, and citizens can live without driving downtown.”

Steven Caulk
Caulk first got involved in politics about ten years ago when he helped a friend run for council. “I served for four years as co-chair of the Business Affair Committee for the metro north chamber of commerce,” he says. “I have worked on a lot of political campaigns.”
The first thing that Caulk would like to do is address the issue of construction defects. “The big thing that I want to do is to get moving on development of the Westminster Mall, which has taken way too long,” he says. “The main thing is, I’d just like to make people aware that I’m the only candidate who’s going to go into that position and be able to speak for myself without looking over my shoulder, trying to figure out who it is that I need to repay as a result of getting elected.”

Mariade Cambra
De Cambra was appointed to Westminster City Council in January of this year, and this has been her first time on council. “We expanded the library hours for the Irving Street Library,” she says, with pride. “It’s now open on Sundays, and that hasn’t happened for many years. We want to make sure as many people as possible can use the library. I’m also very proud of all the progress we’ve made at the Old Westminster Mall. We announced two developers, and construction starts this year. As a business owner, I was happy that this year we interviewed 54 business owners to identify ways to make the processes better.”

David DeMott
DeMott is a native of the city of Westminster. “Two years ago, I was the PTO president at my elementary school,” he says. “Some things happened in my neighborhood that got me involved. In 2013, I ran for council and lost by 625 or something like that. Since then, I decided that, if I’m going to do this, I want to show the city that I’m going to be a servant to the city.”
His campaign slogan is “Community strong.” “First and foremost, that means safety – well-equipped police and fire departments that we’re supporting as citizens, as well as infrastructure, safe streets, collaboration and inclusiveness, making sure we’re hearing everybody’s voice,” he says. “Also, being financially sound, and the last thing I talk about is to make sure I’m putting others above myself. How can I serve the community? How can we work together? The redevelopment of the mall property is big news – we need to make sure that we build something sustainable, that will be around for years to come for people to live as well as work and play, generating tax revenue.”

Michael Melvin
Melvin ran back in 2011 for city council and, in 2014, ran for State representative, house district 35.
“The reason I’m running is that I’m extremely unhappy with what’s going on with the Westminster Mall – that whole development project,” he says. “At this point in time, they’ve already earmarked $100 million of taxpayer dollars for this mall, and it’s partially being used to subsidize developers and they’re also manipulating taxpayer money to make it so they can get at that money without actually having the taxpayers vote on it,” Melvin says. “Also, I’m upset with the fact that, if go into Westminster City Hall right now, there’s a big sign proclaiming Westminster as the next urban center of the Colorado Front Range. I don’t want Westminster to be an urban center, I’d rather it be a bit more or a green oasis. A third thing is, Westminster’s been very successful over the last few years, but they’ve taken the tax dollars and spent it on things like this as opposed to giving those tax dollars back and using them for all the people. The tax dollars are being used to benefit a few, and not the majority of people.”

Nathan Pearce
For Pearce, his reasons for running for office are simple – free internet. “I want free wi-fi,” he says. “I don’t see any reason why our city can’t do it. It’s so much cheaper than you’d think, to put a wi-fi box up on the post and tap into the city’s vertical assets. We’re talking about a few hundred dollars a box, including installation.”
He does care about other things, mind. “I’m full of other opinions, that’s just the reason I’m running,” he says. “I want something. I want to actually do something. I’m all the way to the left. I make Bernie Sanders look like Scott Walker. I would like to more affordable housing. For example, if you are working in Westminster there should be a place for you to work in Westminster so you son’t have to bus in.”
Pearce is also looking to kick the lobbyists out. “There’s a big problem with these national lobbying groups that represent big business,” he says. “They come in and they try to cosy up to municipal government, take them out golfing, and then get the same legislature passed all across the country as if it’s federal law. That’s not going to work on me. I’d run them out of town with no time to pack.”

Anita Seitz
Seitz says that she didn’t ever picture herself in politics. “I’ve always been someone who’s interested in community service and leadership, and when I was finishing up my Masters in business administration from Regis University, I saw that the city of Westminster was soliciting applications for city council,” she says. “There has been a vacancy that was created when our current mayor won his election – he was on city council. Finishing up my MBA, I thought about it. I have a very different perspective and background than your average politician.”
“This is a really pivotal time for Westminster. We’re working on numerous projects that are going to have a lasting impact on our community,” she adds. “I want to make sure that these projects are successful legacies that continue to promote Westminster’s interests. Two examples would be converting our old mall into a new downtown that has a mix of uses with residential, retail and office, local restaurants, it’ll be pedestrian-oriented, and give our residents a sense of community. The other big project is our train station. We will have commuter rail this time next year, so it will be 11 minutes ride to Union Station.”

THORNTON

MAYOR
Heidi Williams
Four years ago Heidi Williams was elected Mayor of Thornton, a triumph for a woman who only toyed with the idea a few years prior to become a voice for those in the suburbs who needed it. Williams hit the ground sprinting, pushing the fast tracks line to expand up to 124th Avenue, set to premiere in January 2018, as well as putting food on hungry children’s plates in Adam’s county, with Food for Hope that sends food home to children who are less privileged. “People in the suburbs want to help, but we don’t have the time to drive down to Denver, especially when people are going hungry in our own neighborhood. Sometimes we just don’t rea ize it is happening to our neighbors.” Williams hasn’t lost her momentum or passion for preparing Thornton for the unstoppable growth it is, and will continue, to experience.

Val Vigil
Val Vigil is passionate, to say the least. Serving as a current council member for the second ward, Val has also been a business owner in Adams County for the past 42 years and lived in Thornton for more than 23 years. He wants to take his already proven leadership and help Thornton prepare for the population boom in years to come by bringing primary jobs to the city, develop more commercial activity, and complete the north line. A job, he says, the current mayor can not do. “The Current mayor simply doesn’t have the time, and we need someone who is there.”

WARD 1
Jaque Phillips
Jaque Phillips loves her neighborhood. She loves the people that fill her neighborhood. But, Phillips hates the way her neighborhood has been neglected as Thornton continues to grow in population and size. “South Thornton has been ignored for too long, and I am sick of seeing it.” Phillips, who has lived in Thornton for many years, spent several years out of the nation volunteering and teaching in Burma, Kenya and Saudi Arabia. When she returned and realized that the rest of Thornton was improving, her beloved neighborhood was not. She sets out to be the voice her ward needs.

Mary Payne
Mary Payne is not entering this election with a personal agenda. She is entering to be the voice of the first ward. “There are too many issues that affect us all that need to be addressed. The only way to do that, is to listen to the community and be the voice of reason and compromise.” Payne is doing this for the people, and not the paycheck. Even if that means she doesn’t like the answer that comes forth. Payne also feels strongly about her neighborhood, and the deterioration of roads and buildings. “As Thornton grew, it forget about where it started. What happens to a city that forgets about where it began?”

Jenice JJ Dove
Jenice Dove has spent her life listening to people. Working in healthcare, she would listen to her patients and figuring out how to make them better. Now retired, Jenice has been listening to her neighbors, and she wants to find a way to help them resolve their problems. “Ward one needs a revitalization. I will listen and I will do my part, something that is not just my promise but has become my campaign slogan. I plan to take a stand for the Thornton citizens and continue to keep my promise to listen to what they not only want but need.”

Sandra Wolfe
Couldn’t be reached.

WARD 2
Eric Montoya
Eric Montaya has been on Thornton’s city council for two years. Elected in 2013, Montaya has worked to fight for working families by ensuring a mix of market priced housing and affordable housing, advocating for more funding of the Community Development Block Grant program to address the blighted and underdeveloped areas, and addressing childhood hunger. “It is  imperative that we are thoughtful in our growth plans which is why we have adopted station area master plans to ensure our quality of life while creating opportunities for all income levels.”

WARD 3
Michele Haedrich
Thornton native Michele Haedrich, is committed to Thornton. Growing up here, she chose to stay because of the community and open spaces, and she doesn’t want that to change even as the city’s growth rapidly multiplies. A small business owner, Haedrich welcomes new businesses and the jobs they bring in. Also, she wants to make sure the city spends their tax dollars on the issues that matter. Haedrich refused to comment.

SomXai Vue
Current city council member SomXai Vue, wants a re-election to give Thornton the honest and diverse leader it deserves, he said. Vue knows how much a city can change in a short amount of time, an knows that coucnicl memebrs have to be open to that change. “I am a true public servant, and we need representatives who are interested in serving the community, not political advancement or personal gain.  I can reach out widely and in a diverse ways to voters and those who are still underrepresented in the community.”

JoshZygielbaum
Since his honorable discharge from the Marines in 2008, Josh Zygielbaum has worked primarily with the public in community banking. He has also volunteered with the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, sat on the board of directors for the Commerce City Police Department Victim Services Program, and currently participates in community outreach and feeding the needy as a member of Thrive Church North. He wants to bring these qualities to the council for Ward 3. He plans to work with municipal services to provide safer streets, expand our parks and open spaces, and to create an environment for businesses and labor to thrive. Zygielbaum didn’t respond to Yellow Scene’s interview request.

Cynthia Sarmiento
Cynthia Sarmiento is a firm believer in being proactive, especially in her community. Sarmiento has pledged to communicate with her community openly, and not throw buzzwords around to confuse them. As a council member she wants to analyze and support our processes, and represent the people of Thornton to her fullest extent. “I believe in the power and importance of local government and I know my experience, knowledge, and skills would be an asset to our community,” she wrote on her Facebook. Sarmiento did not respond to Yellow Scene’s interview request.

WARD 4
Adam Matkowsky
United States Marine Adam Matkowsky, and longtime resident of Thornton, is running for council to achieve a shared goal in continuing the efforts to develop the prosperous and inclusive city. “My experiences have provided me with an acute understanding of the needs of a community and I am thankful that this has sharpened my leadership skills to put forth the effort to the great city of Thornton and representing its citizens by being their voice and seeing their vision,” he wrote on his website. Matkowsky declined to speak with Yellow Scene.

Craig Luckey
Craig Luckey is committed to his community, and knows the next four years are pivotal for Thornton’s growth and economy while staying true to its roots. “Our ward has the biggest potential for future growth and we need to maximize sales tax revenue to lift Thornton to an economic leader in Colorado.  This has to be done while respecting the long time residents of Ward 4 and the roots that have been laid,” Luckey wrote on his website. Luckey declined to speak with Yellow Scene.

Alan Thurber
Alan Thurber has lived in Thornton for more than 30 years. He has spent his career managing companies in the printing, graphics and computer industries and is well versed in management, finance, budgeting and decision-making. As a long time resident of Thornton, Thurber is aware of what Thornton has faced in the past as well as the challenges it face in the future. He plans to focus on employment, growth, housing diversity, and natural resources. Thurber didn’t respond to Yellow Scene’s interview request.

BOULDER

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Bob Yates
When Bob Yates turned 50 four years ago he retired from his job, and dedicated his time to Boulder’s community holding positions at Museum of Boulder, Boulder History Museum, the parks and rec advisory board, the capital investment strategy committee, and many more. Now, he is running for council to make sure Boulder continues to grow in the correct way, which includes quality housing for the middle class, improved public transportation, emphasis on the arts, and the reduction of carbon emissions. “As we make decisions, we need to be mindful of both the city and the people who make that up. It’s our responsibility.”

Aaron Brockett
Aaron Brocket is seeking his first term on Boulder’s city council, but that doesn’t mean this is his first rodeo. Brockett has spent the last five years on the planning board where he has “made some impact on the Future of Boulder,” he said. But looking forward, he wants to spend his time focusing on finding a consensus on affordable housing, growth and development issues. “We need to ensure that we are leaving room for the lower income citizens. It’s a huge problem with no single solution.”

Jan Burton
Jan Burton moved to Boulder seven years ago after her husband died. Since then, she has been volunteering her time to the community, by getting involved in nonprofits, focusing on the arts. Her stance for council, understand the community as whole. Get the differing opinions and figuring out how to compromise those. If elected she plans to focus on bringning more attention to the arts, and the “current terrible housing affordability problem,” she said. “A city needs all types of people. I think I can bring a newcomers perspective into the council.”

Lisa Morzel
Lisa Morzel is running for re-election, holding a seat first in 1995 until 2003, and again in 2007 and is currently a member of the council. During her time on the council, Morzel has prided herself on being an advocate for the people. One of her biggest accomplishments is holding a seat when affordable housing was added to the city’s list of priorities. “You can’t lead without listening to the community, take some time to really figure out the problem, and find a compromise between opinions. I love that. I love the problem solving.”

Don Cote
Don Cote didn’t plan on running for the council until he saw the current candidates and realized there was no one to represent south or east Boulder. “ A majority of the candidates are from west of Broadway, and it’s been that way for the past four years. That is enough to get me angry.” Cote believes the current council have not done enough in their four years, and wants to change that. Focusing on the environment, neighborhoods and affordable housing, he wants to bring a grounded eye to the major problems.

Leonard May
Leonard May knows how to build a community. As an architect he has helped build communities in many countries and cultures, working on community empowerment, social and political development, and affordable housing programs. Now, May wants to bring his talents to Boulder. If elected into the council May will focus on growth, affordability and climate change. Now serving on the planning committee, May has tried to build a consensus to improve land use regulations that better achieve community goals. “I have opposed, or worked to modify, projects that would have caused adverse effects on the environment, on housing affordability, traffic congestion and on quality of Boulder life.”

Suzanne Jones
Suzanne has been on Boulder’s City Concil for the past four years, and is running for re-election to continue the work she laid out during her first term. This work includes securing Boulders clean energy future  by fully exploring municipalization and adopting an updated climate action plan, focus on growth and development with the help of the community, continue investing in a strong economy, flood recovery, and maintaining public infrastructure for open space. “We are in the middle of some really, really important work that I want to see through.”

Tim Plass
After his time on the planning board, Tim Plass realized that he only had his fingers in a slice of the pie, where the city council had their fingers in the entire thing. And Plass wants more than just a slice. Focusing on growth and development, the environment, and most importantly affordable housing, Plass wants to ensure that in six years Boulder’s prices won’t be so high that teachers, firefighters, nurses, and all lower income families, are forced out. “I’m also really interested in being good environmental stewards with recycling, compost and working towards cleaner energy. That’s a big deal.”

Bill Rigler
For 20 years, Bill Rigler has been fighting for what he believes in including, climate change, sustainability, economic development, and the health and welfare of the world’s most vulnerable. Rigler moved her before the floods of 2013, and now works as the director of university relations at Naropa, which lets him know that the younger generations voices aren’t being heard. “I’m only 40 years old, and still paying off student loans. This younger generation that is so prominent in Boulder needs a voice.”

Joystana Raj
Joystana Raj decided to run for council when she realized it was the only way to make a change. Attending meetings, and speaking her mind at many, Raj came to the conclusion that the council wasn’t interested in what she had to say, and the only way to change that is to be a part of it. An advocate for the people, Raj wants to take in the consideration the “moods and opinions” of the people. “We need a comprehensive plan on how we want Boulder to be in the future. I will let the citizens decide that and let them be my guide.”

ChaCha Spinrad
Cha Cha Spinrad has a powerful, unique voice, which she thinks could give the council something different. “I’m young, and I stand up for what I believe in.” Which includes growth, the environment, transportation and inclusiveness. “I bring home less than $30,000 a year and I know many people in the same position and we are being kicked out alongside people of color, especially people with very dark skin. We need more spaces for people in marginalized groups to feel welcome, acknowledged and valued.”

JaredKaszuba
Jared Kaszuba is tired of seeing the Boulder he knows and loves get lost. A member of the working class, Kaszuba has worked retail, manual labor, been a courier, done security at a bar, and currently works at Wild Goose Canning. But, as the city grows Kaszuba and the people that surround him are being pushed out. “It’s not just affordable housing that’s an issue. It’s also affordable commercial real estate. It’s forcing us to move to outlying areas.” Kaszuba sees a need for people like him to be represented on the City Council. “It’s time for a change.”

Cindy Carlisle
Cindy Carlisle has been a Boulder resident for 40 years. In that time, she has seen the city continually grow. Running for re-election, Carlisle is passionate about starting at the bottom, where true change stems from, she said. She is an advocate for the people, and will take their side against the powerful. Carlisle will press for a single-payer health care reform, and tougher hate crime laws similar to New York. Carlisle did not respond to Yellow Scene’s interview request.

Michael Kruteck
Michael Kruteck has lived in Boulder for 15 years with his family. Although he left after he graduated from University of Colorado in 1983, Boulder still held a place in his heart, and he moved his family back out in 2000. Running for council, Kruteck thinks it’s time for a chairperson to bring more diversity of thought and perspective, more independent thinking, more data driven practical decision making, and more balance on city council. Kruteck would bring his financial savvy, intelligence, and respect for reality to the council.

Julianne McCabe
Julianne McCabe is no stranger to decision making. As a, Attorney, real estate development, substitute teacher, and former member of the Board of Zoning Adjustments, McCabe knows how to make the tough decisions while compromising. With big ideas, McCabe is running for the first time as Boulder sits in a very important time. “ Boulder can decide its own rate of growth, assuming legal devices to control it. The forums I’ve attended indicate a high level of support for diverse and affordable housing. This will take more taxes and add population,” she told the Daily Camera. McCabe did not respond to Yellow Scene’s interview request.

Ed Jabari
Ed Jabari has been an environmental and social activist for more than 20 years. When he moved to Boulder six years ago, his activism didn’t stop. Now as he runs for council he knows the pivotal decisions made in the next four years will define Boulder. “We need to get a control on the growth happening in Boulder. If we don’t we are going to end up like southern California. If I wanted to live there I wouldn’t be in Boulder. We have to protect what makes this city great.”

Keith Percy
Keith Percy describes himself as a disabled queer poet a community activist and a strong opponent of capitalism. It’s an understatement to say that Percy is passionate person. His passions drive him to change the way Boulder interacts with the minorities and homeless. “Let’s make it as easy for Google execs to live here as religious studies students and let’s have options to live here for all. For a better, a unique, a truly left, free and creative Republic of Boulder!” he wrote on his website. Percy didn’t respond to Yellow Scene’s interview request.

Ballot issues
STATEWIDE
Statutory
Proposition BB asks, “May the state retain and spend state revenues that otherwise would be refunded for exceeding an estimate included in the ballot information booklet for proposition aa and use these revenues to provide forty million dollars for public school building construction and for other needs, such as law enforcement, youth programs, and marijuana education and prevention programs, instead of refunding these revenues to retail marijuana cultivation facilities, retail marijuana purchasers, and other taxpayers?”
In other words, may the state keep the taxes fron marijuana that exceeded the previously agreed upon limits rather than refunding them, and use the funds for education? We say yes.

BOULDER
There are plenty of ballot issues to consider in Boulder this year. Question 300 asks if a neighborhood should have the right to vote on land use regulation changes. We say yes.
301 asks if new development should pay its own way, completely removing the burden from the city. We say no.
2N proposes a short-term rental tax which we think is reasonable. In addition, 2P calls for a climate action plan tax extension, 2O proposes a utility occupation tax extension and 2Q calls for ammendments to the charter provisions regarding the library commission. 2R calls for attending charter provisions regarding compensation for council members. We’re good with all of those.

LAFAYETTE
City of Lafayette Ballot Question No. 2J – should the City of Lafayette, Colorado, I-lomc Rule Charter be changed so that, with the exception of Planning Commission, all board and commission members don’t need to be residents and electors of the city, provided that the chair and all but two members reside in the city?
In addition, “Shall the City Council of the City of Lafayette enact an ordinance by April 1, 2016, obligating the City to engage in collective bargaining with the designated exclusive representative of the Lafayette firelighters, including provisions for non—binding arbitration with impasses to be submitted to the electors of the city Ibr final resolution?”

From the panel:
Lafayette voters are being presented with a change to our City Charter in this year’s election. If you look closely at the language you will see it’s a two part question rolled into one ballot issue. Firstly, we are being asked to allow non electors to sit on our boards and commissions. This is an easy one. Yes of course we should allow this. We widen the pool of applicants and therefore we benefit. I was a non-elector for many years, before gaining my citizenship, so I understand, very clearly, the desire to participate in civic matters while not being able to vote.
However the other part is worthy of additional consideration before you cast your ballot. Should we allow people who are not Lafayette residents to sit on our boards? This Charter change will allow two seats on every board in town, except the Planning Commission, to be held by people who do not live in Lafayette. Non residents are already welcome to attend board meetings and express their opinion and offer insights. Plus boards can invite guest speakers to share their expertise on any subject. I see no reason to allow people who do not live in town to serve on our boards. This change potentially denies two Lafayette citizens, per board, the privilege of serving their city in this capacity.
Why would we want people who do not live in Lafayette to make decisions on our behalf?
The City Council should have presented these issues as two separate ballot questions. Vote no on Issue 2J and tell the council not to wrap two very different issues into one question.
Karen Norback

Issue 2K regards collective bargaining rights for the Lafayette Firefighters and will allow us to negotiate with City Administration about safety issues that face firefighters who respond to numerous emergencies on a daily basis. It will also allow the firefighter’s union to negotiate regarding working hours, training, equipment, pay, benefits, and other terms of employment that help recruit and retain the most highly trained firefighters and paramedics to serve in Lafayette.
Currently no such formal agreement exists between Lafayette City Administration and its firefighters. Surrounding communities such as Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Niwot, Dacono, Mead, Broomfield, and numerous other municipalites up and down the Front Range have collective bargaining agreements in place with their firefighters.
Without the passage of 2K, Lafayette’s administration will continue to make unilateral decisions on emergency service protection without the requirement of taking input from the very same firefighters who are tasked with delivering such services. In a growing community that requires fire protection and emergency medical services within its borders numerous times a day, to disregard firefighter’s expertise in emergency management is irresponsible.
Voting ‘Yes’ on 2K is not a tax increase. There is no change to the city budget with the implementation of 2K. It simply allows firefighters a seat at the table when important decisions are being made which help us operate when there is no room for error.
Chris Wetzel
Lafayette Professional Firefighters

LONGMONT
Longmont voters will be asked via the ballot whether Municipal Judge Diana VanDeHey should be retained in office for two years, and we wholeheartedly believe that she should and will.

ELSEWHERE
The Boulder Rural Fire Protectuion District was a tax increase of $995,464. We say yes.
Boulder Valley School District question 3A seeks to allow them to enter into a contract with a telecommunications company. We say yes.
Jamestown is proposing a tax increase of $15,250 next year, and a temporary tax increase of $5,500. We say yes.
Lyons is caling for a sales tax increase from 3 to 3.5 percent, and a 5 percent excise tax on marijuana products. We say yes.
In Nederland, issue 2C is asking voters to authorize $800,000 to be collects State Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance. We say yes.