My Priorities
MITIGATION OF SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE RISKS POSED BY RMMA MUST CONTINUE TO BE A PRIORITY
The Town of Superior/Boulder County, and a separate group of local residents, have taken major steps to address the issue, but this does not mean we should go underground while these actions play out. As a Trustee, I was hopeful that our letters to the Airport and Jefferson County would lead to a dialogue on coexistence. Unfortunately, our requests were unheeded and we had to resort to litigation – and I do not take the use of lawyers lightly. While the direct impacts of noise and pollutants are not the same amongst all of our residents, the safety issues and potential loss of property value of even one neighborhood could have devastating impacts on Superior’s financial future. Unchecked airport expansion will continue unless we, as impacted residents, band together to develop an organized citizen-based initiative to increase pressure on RMMA and Jefferson County to “do the right thing”. “Moving the chairs on the Titanic, won’t solve the problem.” As the only candidate who lives south of Coalton and who is highly impacted on a daily basis by RMMA, I don’t know the best solution, but I do know it starts with the flight schools.
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE MARSHALL FIRE
As of mid-September, the Town of Superior had issued 257 Certificates of Occupancy (65% re-built) with an additional 47 rebuilding permits issued. As a current Trustee, it’s been an absolute honor to welcome home our neighbors who have completed their re-builds after the Marshall Fire. But our work is not even close to done. Staff must continue to provide leadership support to those who have yet to return and do all we can to bring everyone home. We must be aggressive in obtaining federal dollars we are owed for recovery. We must ensure that neighboring jurisdictions take the appropriate steps to mitigate risks on their lands which abut our residential areas. Superior must grow our own efforts (such as grazing goats and removal of highly flammable junipers in our Town-owned spaces), and enhance partnerships with organizations such as Wildfire Partners, to help our residents take personal action to create safe spaces around their homes and help decrease the impact of future wildfires. As part of this effort, we must ensure that resources and grants are not just available to single family homeowners, but to those living in multi-family unit communities such as townhomes, condominiums and apartments.
FIX OUR ROADS AND COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACES
For too many years the maintenance and upgrades of our town infrastructure have taken the back seat. Our transportation corridors must be as safe (or more so) for pedestrians and cyclists as those in cars. After almost 25 years of use our pools need extensive renovation and our parks require shade and upgrades to meet ADA standards. The proposed sales tax ballot issue will enable us to move forward more quickly with these needed improvements and will help to share the cost burden with others who come to our town to shop. To do this effectively, we must listen to the needs of our residents while also applying factual analysis and fiscal discipline.
MAXIMIZING TAX REVENUES THROUGH RETENTION OF CURRENT BUSINESSES AND DELIBERATE RECRUITIMENT OF NEW ONES
While we all look forward to the success of our new Downtown, we must remember that the majority of our sales tax revenue comes from the Superior Marketplace and Rock Creek Village shopping centers. These serve as home for large retailers as well as thriving locally owned restaurants and businesses. These vital partners provide employment and essential services to our residents, and attract visitors to our town. With limited land available for new retail, we must ensure that these areas remain inviting and productive. We must always remember that sales and use taxes are a core part of our Town Finances and its critically important that we treat our large and small businesses well.
ADVOCACY FOR AND SERVICE TO OUR GROWING SENIOR POPULATION
Colorado is now one of the states with the fastest growing senior population. The word is out! Superior is not alone in that our senior population has grown by 246% since 2011. This growth is likely to keep going as Millennials and GenXers represent about 57% of Superior’s population and usually want to stay as their kids get older. We must ensure that Superior is livable for people of all ages and a great place to retire, ensuring that those who once raised a family (here or elsewhere) are an active and engaged part of our future.
KEEP LOCAL ISSUES UNDER LOCAL CONTROL
Decisions regarding local issues – such as land use and zoning, managing growth and developing resources – must remain under the control of local elected officials who are close to the people who elect them. Powers granted to local elected bodies should be derived from the Colorado Constitution not the whims of the legislature and governor’s office. Passage of the Home Rule Charter, as drafted by nine duly elected local citizens, better protects Superior by ensuring our powers are constitutional and not political. A yes vote on Home Rule enhances our local control – it’s up to Superior’s voters which they prefer.
