The Council District One race is in full swing! In the Partnership’s effort to provide candidate positions and information to the Federal Boulevard and greater northwest Denver community, we have posed five questions to candidates. We are also providing a “one stop shop” for citizens desiring council candidate information by providing candidate bio summaries and Web site links—all in the right-hand sidebar titled “Candidate Central”.
Over the next two weeks, the Partnership will provide candidate answers to each question. The first question is, What are your top three priorities for the district and why?
And the answers by candidate in alphabetical order are:
Larry Ambrose
Zoning, Neighborhoods, Economic Environment
Zoning – Neighborhood organizations, business districts and commercial property owners all have many questions about the ramifications of the new Code that will affect each and every property in NW Denver. The redevelopment our commercial districts, West Colfax and St. Anthony’s will have major economic, lifestyle and traffic ramifications for the area.
Neighborhoods – Bringing diverse interests together will be a major focus of my term on Council. Issues surrounding residential zoning, parks and business development are import to the quality of life in our neighborhoods and there should be cordiality and ongoing communication between and amongst our business districts, attractions and neighborhood organizations.
Economic Environment – NW Denver has evolved into one, if not the most vibrant, parts of our City. I do not believe issues and projects in NW Denver have been given attention and priority regarding policy and funding, as have some other parts of the City. I will work to assure that NW Denver interests have an equal seat at all of the tables.
K. Jerry Frangas
Meet with the neighborhoods and listen. The district is not homogenous, there are distinctly different challenges facing Avondale and Berkeley-Regis then there are in Highlands, or Jefferson Park. Each area, each neighbor, has concerns as well as something unique to contribute to this district being active in determining its own future. I can do the work and lead that effort.
Meet their concerns effectively and promptly. My service as a dedicated state representative gives me much experience to draw on when dealing with city hall, when fighting for the best practices, services, and schools. My skills as a social worker humanize those decisions we make everyday. I am a public servant above all else.
Guide the implementation of safety plans, the new zoning code, key site redevelopment, and emerging businesses – resident relationships. We all know the critical juncture at which our district has arrived. The new zoning, light rail construction, the development initiatives for West Colfax and Federal Boulevard stand as vital opportunities for our neighborhoods. Not just for change, but for progress and preservation. Our neighborhoods have character that deserve to be protected. City Council is where so many of those threads weave together.
John Haney
My vision for North Denver is a vibrant, sustainable community and the cornerstone of this community is education. North Denver needs a strong ECE – 12 feeder pattern for all of the children in the neighborhood. I will be the advocate for the district to both the Board of Education and the DPS Superintendent. Having a strong local school programs will encourage families to stay in North Denver and I believe resident retention is vital for our businesses and building a strong community.
Successful businesses are an important component of my vision for North Denver. We must actively seek out new thriving businesses for the Federal Blvd and West Colfax Ave business districts. I will work with the City and SBA to assist in streamlining the process so that potential entrepreneurs are encouraged to open their businesses in North Denver.
Last, but as equally as important as strong schools and flourishing businesses, I believe a deep sense of neighborhood safety is paramount to the growth and well being of North Denver. This gives residents the confidence to work, live and play in their community.
Chris Jeffrey
Medical Marijuana: Although these businesses have a legal right to operate in our city there needs to be much tougher regulation on the industry as a whole. In particular one of the very first things I would address would be signage for these establishments.
Education: I would like to see more funding for DPS in general. I believe that strong schools keep families in the district and ultimately create stronger neighborhoods within the district.
Zoning: I do support the new zoning code but would like to see additional review of some of the designations given throughout the district specifically those around the commercial corridors.
Jon Lehmann
My top three priorities are: budget, zoning and access. The City has cut over $200 million dollars in the past two years and if our revenues do not improve, we will have to continue these cost savings measures. We need creative solutions to our budget problem and creative ways to increase the City’s revenue. In addition, I will advocate that any future cuts to the budget are distributed equally among the Districts and not unfairly allocated to District 1.
A second major issue is zoning and the passage of the Zoning Code Update. Blueprint Denver was adopted in 2002 and the New Code Development began in earnest in 2005. This comprehensive rezoning plan included extensive community input with more than eighty opportunities for public information and involvement. Although not perfect, an updated comprehensive zoning plan for the city of Denver is essential for our future.
Finally, my third priority is to be open, accessible and available to my constituents. I want easy and clear avenues of communication between myself, my office and my constituency. It is essential for me to listen and understand the concerns of the residents of District 1 and do my best to address those concerns.
Ken Padilla
The three main issues facing Denver in District 1 are:
Jobs and the Economy. Develop a partnership between city government and businesses to create jobs and stimulate spending within the city.
Revitalization and Development of our Business Corridors. My plan is to coordinate City resources with businesses and neighborhood organizations to revitalize West Colfax, Federal Boulevard., West 38th Avenue and other business areas of Northwest Denver to develop business incentives for employee retention, business expansion, and expand small business loan and support programs. Another key issue is the allocation of federal stimulus monies and I will fight hard to make certain that District 1 gets its fair share to bring growth to our community while maintaining basic residential neighborhoods, especially on Federal Boulevard.
Senior Citizens, Public Safety and Graffiti. Seniors have paid their dues. Give seniors free admission to recreation centers and reduced fees at cultural events. Ensure seniors and citizens feel safe. Demand best police practices. Develop new strategies and police leadership that foster cooperation and trust between residents, businesses and police. Prioritize graffiti clean up. Centralize the City’s enforcement programs. Do little things like keeping the street lights on all night. Lighting deters graffiti, and crime in our neighborhoods and business areas.
Paula E. Sandoval
My top three priorities for Council District One will be to maintain services in District 1 while balancing the budget. I will focus on finding ways to save money in the City thru duplication of services and encouraging City employee innovative ideas. My second priority would be increasing the presence of public safety offices and city officials to reduce graffiti, which frequently leads to an escalation of crime in an area and a decrease in economic development. Third, the City must get the Zoning Code update done correctly to encourage development around higher density areas while balancing the unique needs of each neighborhood.
Susan Shepherd
Priority 1: SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT I will champion development along the West Corridor Light Rail Line (including Federal Boulevard, West Colfax and Sheridan, the station areas and the Saint Anthony’s Hospital redevelopment site). I will promote healthy commercial district revitalization with an emphasis on support for local, independent businesses development and limits on the concentration of marijuana dispensaries.
Priority 2: SAFE, HEALTHY STREETS As a parent of a young child, the safety of our community is of paramount importance. Safety comes when we deny the opportunity for crime. I will encourage natural surveillance or “eyes on the street” by promoting mixed-use development in commercial areas with residential development over retail, as well as neighborhood watch programs and block parties that foster communication between residents. I will also work for the development of a complete streets policy to ensure our streets accommodate healthy and safe transportation options like walking, biking and transit.
Priority 3: EDUCATION. The number one thing we can do to strengthen our community roots is to keep our kids in our neighborhood public schools. I’m not waiting until I get elected to do something about it. I pledge to enroll and keep my son in DPS and to volunteer at least 10 hours to our neighborhood school, and I have asked my supporters to do the same.
Georgia A. Sigala
My top three priorities are ensuring a well-designed and well-planned city, education, and economic prosperity through environmental sustainability. These priorities allow us to respect our history while moving forward and ensuring progress in the face of economic barriers. I feel we need to prioritize people over things.
Randle Swan
Business development/business retention/economic development, “Right” Zoning, and Parks programming development, are the basic foundation components needed for improving the educational challenges and lifestyle issues facing District 1. Only through the use of a holistic approach with a fiscally sound strategy will we be able to help the residents of our area in fulfilling their desired evolution for our Home District. ‘Engagement’ and ‘outreach’ are the key tools, which must lay the foundation for this process, but we must set realistic goals and set defined parameters with measurable expectations. There are plenty of reasons for us to all feel very confident about the future potential growth and improvement of our special part of Denver, but we must all work together.
