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 was born in Louisville and raised in Superior, having become a homeowner here in 2022. I currently serve on the Superior Historical Commission and am a legal consultant professionally. I am very familiar with municipal code and legal writing through my work and my education at both Drew University and Colorado Law.
Why do you want to serve on the commission?
I’m personally interested in having a voice in my hometown’s central governing document and believe this is largely a once in a lifetime opportunity to do so. Why turn down an opportunity as unique as this?
Why do you think a home rule charter is right for Superior?
It’s time for Superior to enter a more mature phase with home rule given Superior’s rapid growth over the last decade and a half and the needs of the residents are now more in line with what a home rule municipality can offer as opposed to a statutory one.
What do you think is the biggest pro of a home rule charter? What is the biggest con?
The biggest pro is having greater autonomy as a town, be it for land use, collecting and auditing sales and use taxes, or government composition and requirements. The biggest con is running the risk of creating a poorly drafted charter which is overly restrictive or outright rejected by the voters.
What should be included in the charter? What should be left out?
Addressing ethical conduct through a Code of Ethics for government officials should be included. What should not be included is overly restrictive language which would hinder the government’s ability to function effectively.
What are some of the values and priorities you think the charter should reflect?
Autonomy as a municipality, trust as a governing body, and transparency for residents.
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?
Look to the United States Constitution as a reference point. While not 1:1 applicable for a municipal charter, Superior’s (hopeful) future charter will be drafted in a way which allows for amendments to be added and to offer interpretations of the statutes for years to come. While we may grouse about the meaning of keywords or passages years, decades, or even centuries later, having a living document which can be updated and modified with the times is essential for the longevity of any governing institution.
What do you hope to learn from community members that will inform how you draft the charter?
I want to know what they are most interested in including, or not including, in a Charter. Every municipal charter is different and speaks to the priorities of the municipality and the residents. Boulder and Denver, for instance, have sections on human rights (in the vein of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights). Should we in Superior adopt similar language to recognize the inherent dignity of each individual? I hope to see from residents what they want and also have the chance to host/ attend educational sessions about what the charter even is or could potentially contain.
What is another home rule charter in Colorado you like and why?
Denver, it is far and away (and unsurprisingly) the most comprehensive. Though a fun fact is Georgetown still uses its territorial charter and this is a fascinating comparison between an exhaustive charter like Denver’s and one that is much more succinct.
