Tell us a little bit about your personal and/or professional background and why it makes you a good fit for the commission (I.e., how long have you lived in Superior? Do you work there?, etc.).
My educational background is in art history. I received an MA in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010. My family and I moved to Superior in 2011 when my husband purchased an orthodontic practice. I have been involved in the practice for most of that time. In 2015, we relocated our Louisville office to Superior Marketplace. We have been members of the Superior Chamber of Commerce since 2013. I was a founding member of the Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Committee beginning in 2016, and I have served on the PTO Board for Eldorado Pk-8 since 2021. I have had the privilege of getting to know many members of this community through these organizations, as well as school functions and local clubs and teams like Rock Creek Flyers and the Boy Scouts. My experience with various groups within the Town, work ethic, ability to work well on a team, and ability to synthesize complex information make me a good fit for the Town of Superior Charter Commission.
Why do you want to serve on the commission?
One of the major consequences of moving to Home Rule is the ability of the Town to collect sales and use tax directly from businesses. Municipalities that operate under statutory rule, by contrast, must collect local taxes indirectly from the State. This, along with the ability to broaden the overall tax base, has the potential to significantly increase tax revenue from local business. While this will be a boon to the Town, it may pose an administrative burden on small business owners. I would like to represent that segment of our population in ensuring that this transition rolls out in a smooth and transparent manner, and in a way that does not discourage future businesses from setting up shop in Superior. I would also like to create a charter that lays out the fundamental guiding principles and values of our community so that, regardless of who is serving on the Town Board, we maintain continuity in our vision and purpose.
Why do you think a home rule charter is right for Superior?
There are very few municipalities in Colorado with populations over 2000 that operate under statutory rule. Moving to home rule will allow the Town to set some of its own priorities in regard to elections, land use, taxation, and government structure. The suggested downsides to Home Rule, including the possibility of a restrictive charter, and the cost of undergoing the process, are either speculative or do not outweigh the benefits of adopting Home Rule. The community will have opportunities for input to ensure that the charter is neither too restrictive nor too permissive.
What do you think is the biggest pro of a home rule charter? What is the biggest con?
The biggest “pro” to moving to a Home Rule charter, is, as previously mentioned, the ability for the Town to codify some of its own priorities in terms of taxation, land use, etc. The biggest “con,” is that we will likely need to add staff in order to administer new functions. However, it will ultimately be a wise financial decision to move forward.
What should be included in the charter? What should be left out?
The charter should focus on the structure and procedures of our Town government, with sections outlining the duties of the Town Board, City Manager, Legal and Judiciary, Boards and Commissions, etc. I would also like to include a statement of values, similar to the City of Louisville Charter, which highlights the importance of protection and enhancing “natural, cultural, and recreational resources” and contains a section dedicated to open space preservation. The Broomfield charter contains a large section on “Offenses.” I don’t think that will be necessary to include in our charter.
What are some of the values and priorities you think the charter should reflect?
I’ll paraphrase again from the Louisville Charter, which states that all citizens are born with free and equal rights, and that it is the duty of the government to protect those rights, and to provide services in an efficient and cost-effective manner while preserving the “scenic, historic, and aesthetic features” of the municipality.
The Town website says that a possible disadvantage of a home rule charter is the “possibility of a restrictive Charter that could make completing Town business more difficult.” How will you aim to mitigate that disadvantage?
I am certainly not motivated by the prospect of making our government less efficient. I do think it is important to place proper guidelines in terms of transparency, opportunities for community feedback, and high ethical standards. We can achieve the right balance by seeking input from neighboring communities who have already been through this process regarding what works well and what doesn’t work.
What do you hope to learn from community members that will inform how you draft the charter?
The most recent impetus for moving to Home Rule revolved around land use, and I expect that to be the most “hot button” issue going forward. I have seen some creative suggestions put forth on local Facebook groups for incorporating affordable housing into the Town of Superior, and I would like to hear more from residents on this topic.
What is another home rule charter in Colorado you like and why?
Of our neighboring communities, the City of Louisville charter is particularly well-written. The language is clear, and at about fifty pages, it is a reasonable length. As our closest neighbor, we share similar values with Louisville and it makes sense to use that charter as a starting point for creating our own.
