My responses to the open council seat questionnaire: --As a member of the Colorado Springs Utilities Board of Directors, how would you balance varying priorities, including rates, reliability and customer service? I can only answer this question as a consumer as I have very little access to the inner-workings of CSU. I’m certain as a member on the CSU BoD, I would become quite knowledgeable of the business of CSU and then appropriately ask that priorities be set to ensure rates remain low and competitive, with reliability and service being second to none. As a long term Colorado Springs resident, I have witnessed incredibly reliable service, low rates and for the most part excellent customer service. Quality, Price and Service; do the CSU users deserve all three? Yes, they do and I will do all I can to keep this possible. --Briefly, what are your thoughts on the City for Champions projects and their potential impact on economic growth and jobs in the City of Colorado Springs? The C4C projects all have stated validity with the potential to increase job opportunities while fueling diverse economic growth. I’m nervous about the stadium proposal as it has the most potential to succeed or fail. I feel that C4C could move forward as long as no new taxes or shuffling of current revenue be used in any aspect to fund C4C now or at any time in the future. C4C must be able to stand on its own without adding any additional burden to the taxpayers. --How would you propose to address the City’s outstanding stormwater and other capital infrastructure needs? I voted against the Stormwater Fee. We do not need to grow government. We do need to repair and improve our infrastructure. With that said, the Council and Mayor must work together to find a way to fund infrastructure repairs such as stormwater, bridges and roads. Funding should be spent efficiently and be the core part of this city’s duty to their citizens. Governments’ are formed to protect citizens. The Mayor’s proposal to renew some bonds with taxpayer approval to fund stormwater repairs is not a cure, but a life boat to help get things started and allow for time to find a solid solution to this Titanic issue. I look forward to being part of the conversation. --Please share your perspective on the implementation of the City’s Council-Mayor form of government and the respective roles of City Council and the Mayor. The Mayor – Council form of government definitely has had its speed bumps. The duties between Mayor and Council are defined well; it’s who interprets these duties and the roles that they lead that seem to always push our city government into the mud. The Mayor is the CEO and the Council, the legislative body. It’s really quite simple. Predicting human action is another thing altogether. --Please share your perspective on the issue of retail recreational marijuana in the City of Colorado Springs. Amendment 64’s passage brought Colorado communities the opportunity to participate in retail sales of recreational marijuana. Colorado Springs can choose to participate and even set how that participation will look like such as retail locations, number of stores and so forth. With that comes increased tax revenue which Manitou Springs has realized as well as other potential issues. I feel that the discussion to consider retail sales can once again be revisited using facts and real life experiences from current Colorado cities that have opted into retail sales of marijuana. We can see how they have been affected by retail sales and how any issues associated with such has been handled. We’re no longer grasping at myths and predictions. Facts will help this city to make the right decision for all who are concerned about the retail sales of marijuana in Colorado Springs. --What are some important issues facing District 2 and how would you propose to address them? Some important issues: Growth, both residential and business. Traffic. Powers Blvd. extension. Infrastructure – stormwater. Most of these issues are being currently addressed and/or have been discussed at council and throughout the community. Now it’s time to make some good decisions and move forward with positive results for the citizens of District 2 and the city. --What attributes do you bring to the position that will help City Council serve the community, and are you able to devote the time required to be an effective Councilmember? Attributes I will bring to council chambers and the community. I’ll listen. I’ll ask questions. I’ll research all options with an open mind and open heart. I’m humble and learn from life every day. I’m a free market, limited government conservative who knows that our citizens deserves transparent government whose footprint of authority should always be invisible. Ben Franklin told us all that it is the citizen’s first duty to question authority. The citizens must be able to question this city and this city must answer to the citizens for all its actions and activities. If not, then corruption and tranny will take hold. I‘m currently employed full-time and will make adjustments to my life and work schedules to devote the time required to fulfil my role as a council member.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 04:35:36 +0000
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