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.).
I’ve lived in Superior for three years and during that time, have been the Chair of the Town’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability. I’ve helped lead several key initiatives including the development of the Town’s first ever Sustainability Action Plan, which was approved by the Board in January 2022. I am passionate about helping my community and ensuring that the Town is better able to control its own destiny. I’ve worked in local government and the private sector for 25 years and have a solid understanding of what makes for good government.
Why do you want to serve on the commission?
Based on my background and experience, I believe that I have a lot to contribute to the Home Rule Committee and to the Town. Superior has a rich history and I want to help contribute to its future in a meaningful way.
Why do you think a home rule charter is right for Superior?
Superior has and will continue to experience significant growth in the coming years. It’s time for the Town to take control of its future by setting its own course while managing how and when it grows.
What do you think is the biggest pro of a home rule charter? What is the biggest con?
Having more direct and local control over land use and management of Town resources, including the ability to audit tax revenues, is critical to Superior’s future. For these reasons, I do not see a significant downside to developing a home rule charter.
What should be included in the charter? What should be left out?
What should be included in the charter are those elements that advance the Town’s ability to establish a municipal government that is accessible, responsive, accountable, responsible and professional. These, in my opinion, are the pillars of good governance. Concepts that should be left out are those that are overly restrictive to the Town’s future and that hamstring future Boards to conduct Town business effectively.
What are some of the values and priorities you think the charter should reflect?
The charter will need to reflect the values of our community while remaining adaptable over time. Elected officials change and community values ebb and flow, so we need to craft a document that can withstand the test of time. Developing a charter that meets this challenge will need careful thought and meaningful discussions.
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?
93% of cities across Colorado have already completed Home Rule Charters, so we have a wealth of examples to review and draw upon. If elected, I would like to reach out to a small handful of those communities to better understand what is working and what they would do differently. Ultimately, the voters in Superior will get to decide if the Charter works for our community.
What do you hope to learn from community members that will inform how you draft the charter?
If elected to the Home Rule Charter committee, I hope to learn more from the community about what’s important to them in Town governance. For example, are they interested in expanding the size of the Board of Trustees or is there a preferred approach to introducing new ordinances, such as holding community wide meetings prior to the Board considering an ordinance, or does the current approach work, etc.
What is another home rule charter in Colorado you like and why?
I like the Town of Eagle’s Home Rule Charter because it provides a broad framework for Town governance, establishes parameters for elections and elected officials while providing guidance for the Town Manager. The document is written in plain language so it is easy for the reader to understand what is being outlined and why.
