District 1
Why are you seeking public office?
I possess a unique skill set that best matches the counties current need for more revenue. One of the easiest ways to improve our current financial situation is to stop the erosion of our tax dollars from Unfunded new state programs we are forced to implement. As a former State Representative, I have served with and have rapport with a majority of the state elected officials. This gives me the relationships and knowledge I need to go into committee rooms and testify with a high likelihood of success preventing the state from requiring a new program that we can’t afford.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
Maintain or increase our current level of services to the citizens by protecting our county tax revenues from the state eroding it through unfunded mandates. More revenue will allow us to prioritize, Transportation funding, Participation in homelessness projects, maintain a high level of Public Safety, Continuation of our “for the convenience of the citizens” services, Drivers Lic., passport svc..
Should decisions about public health — such as requiring mask wearing — be made by elected politicians, local public health officials or a combination? Explain your answer.
We live in a democratic Republic, people have an expectation that Policies which directly affect their lives will be made by those they democratically elect to do so. As elected officials, we should have the pulse of the people, and therefore the best ability to balance the data from our Public Health officials with the economic concerns of the people. Because as we are seeing, Public health, Economic Health and mental health are all intertwined. It therefore should be a collaborative decision between the Public Health officials, and elected officials.
Do you support efforts to cap growth at the county or regional level? Why or why not?
No, I do not. Colorado is a Headwater state, one of only 2 in the nation. In our status as such, we are required to send water to 18 other states, + the nation of Mexico. The ability to Secure water for the growth will act as a natural growth limit.
Do you believe SB 217, the state police reform bill, will improve policing and citizen safety in your county? Why or why not?
90% of what was required in SB-217 had already been implemented in Arapahoe County for many years. Our Sheriffs office has achieved an advance certification with The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Only 5% of Law enforcement agencies in the nation achieve this certification. The bill also resulted in a dramatic change in our justice system for our Deputies. For the rest of us it is still presumed Innocent until proven guilty, now for our Deputies, it’s presumed guilty until a body camera proves them innocent. This shift to presumed guilt, may cause a delay in life and death decisions that need to be made in split seconds. This will cause them to hesitate which could endanger their life, their partners, and the general public.
Why are you seeking public office?
To give people a different choice to the republicans and democrats. Also to advance the ethics of freedom, that as a beautiful free independent human being you own yourself and the product of your labor. That it is wrong and counterproductive to use force or coercion against another person or their property even when done at the hands of government.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
1. Cancel the contract with Tri-County health department: an unelected bureaucracy shouldn’t use force against individuals or businesses.
2. Scrutinize the budget of the Sheriffs department: Anything that is a violation of peaceful people’s life or property should not be funded by taxes or fees.
3. Reduce property taxes and any other county fees greatly: the people of Arapahoe County need to keep the hard earned product of their labor.
Should decisions about public health — such as requiring mask wearing — be made by elected politicians, local public health officials or a combination? Explain your answer.
Health decisions should be made by individuals and businesses. People and businesses should be free to assess the risks of life and adjust according to their own reason and choices.
Do you support efforts to cap growth at the county or regional level? Why or why not?
I support abolishing zoning all together allowing the free market to direct growth issues.
Do you believe SB 217, the state police reform bill, will improve policing and citizen safety in your county? Why or why not?
Itap a start. We also need to eliminate and reduce laws and regulations that require force and coercion against the ethics of freedom.
Why are you seeking public office?
I met my husband at Englewood High School. We raised our three boys here. I’m the best choice for Arapahoe County Commissioner because I understand our values — and how to collaborate and solve problems. My opponent’s record is very divisive. Her voting record of pushing sexual orientation conversion therapy on our LGBTQ neighbors, supporting big box stores ahead of our local small businesses, voting for a constitutional convention to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and not supporting our public health and economic recovery by wearing masks is not who we are in Arapahoe County. It’s time for change.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
I value leaving our community better than we found it. My focus will be to restore community voice — having a voice at the table shouldn’t depend on the neighborhood you live in! My top issues:
1.) As a small business owner, I will champion our local economy and businesses ahead of big box stores.
2.) Bringing long-term smart growth solutions to our county — while respecting the character of our neighborhoods.
3.) Continue funding for our vulnerable populations and address the physical and mental health needs of our community.
Should decisions about public health — such as requiring mask wearing — be made by elected politicians, local public health officials or a combination? Explain your answer.
My opponent and I differ greatly on the use of wearing masks in our local businesses. I support masks. Public health decisions should be made by public health experts who have spent years in school studying best practices and their careers following research and the science of new diseases. The trained experts should make the decisions and the elected official should work with them to implement the policies and help educate our community on the importance of working together. Wash your hands wear a mask.
Do you support efforts to cap growth at the county or regional level? Why or why not?
Arapahoe County is one of the fastest growing Counties in our state and will eventually become the largest. We can not put our head in the sand and pretend that growth isn’t happening. Stopping the construction of new homes would drive up housing costs on older adults, our young people, and middle class families. We need long-term thinking about the big challenges facing our growth — not measures that would stop growth all together to the detriment of our housing needs and small businesses owners. We can grow Arapahoe County, while also protecting the character of our neighborhoods.
Do you believe SB 217, the state police reform bill, will improve policing and citizen safety in your county? Why or why not?
I support the use of body cameras and accountability measures for our police officers, which is provided in SB 217. I strongly support the work of good law enforcement officers. This bill removes the shield of immunity for prosecution from law enforcement officers who have acted unlawfully and requires the reporting and collection of data on people who are stopped and searched. This bill is a good step to protect the rights of Black and Brown minorities who are stopped, searched, and killed at a much higher rate than their white neighbors.
District 3
Why are you seeking public office?
As I finish my first term in office, there is still so much for me to do on behalf of my constituents. Development is occurring in my district at a rapid pace. More and more people are moving into Colorado and to Arapahoe County. This has led to the need for additional services and wear and tear on our roads.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
Transportation — Road and bridge maintenance is badly needed. Reduce congestion.
Smart and responsible development — infrastructure and water resources will not support the number of people moving in unless we plan for that now.
Public safety — The most vulnerable members of our communities, the very old and very young, need to be protected.
Should decisions about public health — such as requiring mask wearing — be made by elected politicians, local public health officials or a combination? Explain your answer.
I believe that whoever is making the decision needs to get public input and then be accountable to the public. Usually that is elected officials who can hold public meetings, solicit citizen comments before making their decision and be voted for/against in the next election.
Do you support efforts to cap growth at the county or regional level? Why or why not?
Capping the growth of communities is an example of government over-reach. The real estate and business market will control growth appropriately. If a developer builds houses that are not appropriately priced, no one will buy them and the developer will go out of business. If a business-person opens a business that doesn’t successfully attract customers, they will fail.
Do you believe SB 217, the state police reform bill, will improve policing and citizen safety in your county? Why or why not?
Yes. Arapahoe County has instituted many of the measures included in SB 217; some as much as ten years ago! Many of these measures needed to be implemented however there will be a financial impact to smaller departments and offices. I am especially appreciative of the requirement making law enforcement officers who witness unethical, immoral, criminal behavior — any abuse of “police powers” on the part of their colleagues — required to report what they witnessed.
Why are you seeking public office?
I grew increasingly concerned about the direction of county leadership when the current commissioner in District 3 voted to raise property taxes $464 million with no clear intent to create jobs or generate sustained revenue. Residents of Arapahoe County face many challenges including increased housing prices, increased prices for food and increased prices for services. In light of COVID-19, many residents are facing unemployment or unpaid furlough days. I did not feel that current leadership in District 3 understood the very real challenges facing our neighbors. For this reason, I felt compelled to seek public office.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
Economic Recovery
Traffic and Transportation
Address water shortages
Due to COVID, the economy is hemorrhaging jobs and the next Commissioner must be committed to economic recovery and supporting the business community. I have extensive experience in this field and would prioritize generating revenue and job creation.
I will seek to expand roads, repair bridges, and for the eastern plains — pave dirt roads and perform snow removal; which some taxpayers have gone decades with unpaved roads and/or unplowed roads.
The eastern plains experience substantial water shortages and increased growth has compounded the problem. This has morphed into a crisis which requires action or the areas risk further uncertainty as businesses and homes would be incapable of ready access to clean water.
Should decisions about public health — such as requiring mask wearing — be made by elected politicians, local public health officials or a combination? Explain your answer.
The Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” This amendment provides individual states with “police powers,” for maintaining the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. In this sense, state governments may enact emergency measures to keep people safe. However, it would be a very good idea to have qualified public health officials consulting those elected politicians with the drafting of emergency policies and legislation such as wearing masks/facial coverings, social distancing and the like. Ultimately, we need the right people in the proper place at the right time to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.
Do you support efforts to cap growth at the county or regional level? Why or why not?
Modified or adjustable caps may be necessary to prevent urban sprawl. Current leadership did not foresee and failed to pre-plan for increased growth. As such, developers are building, contractors are adding lanes and commuters are driving at a snail’s pace. Orange barrels abound and traffic has worsened. Growth keeps our county working and this is a positive for our economy. However, had there been a commitment to properly develop roads and highways in advance and prepare for the inevitable growth, the transition would not have been as difficult as it has become. Therefore, corrective steps may be necessary to stem the tide of unmanageable development. It begins with ensuring that our infrastructure can withstand the growth prior to development by focusing on roads, bridges, etc.
Do you believe SB 217, the state police reform bill, will improve policing and citizen safety in your county? Why or why not?
We must acknowledge that law enforcement officers have an extremely difficult job and we applaud their service. SB 217 would require body cameras on our peace officers and it details a timeline for the disclosure of such footage to the public in certain cases. I support the need for body cameras as the same should clearly establish the facts of any dispute. Where several versions of a particular occurrence exist, the door is left open for lawsuits exposing individual officers to criminal liability and police departments to civil liability which would subject citizens to a depleted treasure as tax dollars are diverted to pay for improprieties. Financially, it is best for taxpayers to be fully informed and honor those who serve admirably and retrain those who do not uphold the standard.
District 5
Why are you seeking public office?
I want to continue my commitment to helping veterans in the County, continue my work to improve employment opportunities, livable wage employment opportunities for Arapahoe County residents, bring new high quality jobs to the district and improve the quality of life in the county.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
* Rebuild the economy in Arapahoe County due to the Corona-virus
* Attract high paying jobs to Arapahoe County
* Improve the transportation infrastructure in Arapahoe County
Should decisions about public health — such as requiring mask wearing — be made by elected politicians, local public health officials or a combination? Explain your answer.
Science matters in these decisions. Public health officials should determine the best and most effective method to stem the spread of infectious diseases and work closely with elected officials to facilitate the decisions.
Do you support efforts to cap growth at the county or regional level? Why or why not?
The best and most effective way to control grow in the county is by establishing strong construction building codes and land use regulations that ensure safe and reasonable growth patterns.
Do you believe SB 217, the state police reform bill, will improve policing and citizen safety in your county? Why or why not?
I believe SB 217 has some very important guidelines that encourage more humane methods used in arrest procedures. I believe that judicial reform in all aspects of our justice system needs review. Certain aspects of the bill unfairly places additional financial burdens on counties to bring them into compliance with the bill. State legislature continues to place unfunded mandates on local governments.
Kathryn Jane Martin and Jim Parker have not returned the questionnaire.
