Candidate: Sean P. McCoy
Office: Longmont City Council, At Large
Website: www.mccoyforlongmont.com
QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES:
Yes/No Questions – Please answer only with yes/no.
Are you a homeowner? YES
Do you think your City should have a homeless shelter? YES
If the City police force was fully staffed, would you advocate for adding more officers? YES
Do you believe there’s a need for more housing? YES
Do you believe the City should spend more money on homelessness services? YES
General Questions – Please limit responses to 300 words or less.
Why do you want to be a council member?
I feel I have a lot to offer Longmont after three decades of serving on multiple City and County Boards and Commissions as well as serving as a Longmont City Council Member from 2007-11 and now after a special election in November 2022. I want to continue to do the good work for the Longmont community and focus on affordable and attainable housing, along with addressing a livable wage that allows for families to thrive in our community. I believe these two issues will also help some of our unhoused members of our community. I also want to have an active say in our continuing transportation goals as a community. I want to keep our community safe and successful for all Longmont community members.
When was the last time you paid rent, and where was that?
The last time I paid rent I was in college. I have been helping my children pay rent for the last eight years as they were, completing their college degrees so I am very much aware of the rising costs of housing. I have never forgotten the struggle and do not make light of the fact that I have been given opportunities others may not have. That is why I am running to help because others need a voice and an advocate on their sides.
When considering new developments, which is more important: density and affordability or preserving neighborhood character?
All three have their place in the planning of any good community. Right now density together with affordability are the communities two top priorities, but we cannot ignore the importance of preserving the character of our historic neighborhoods. This attention to detail is what I learned while serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission in the 90’s and 2000’s.
Boulder County has experienced extreme natural disasters over the last decade, including flooding and wildfire. How do you plan to address these challenges?
As a teacher in BVSD at Monarch HS where the Marshall Fire burned almost to the front doors of the school I understand the complexities of climate disasters and how hard they hit communities. Failing to address our climate emergency will continue to cost businesses and taxpayers billions. Disasters of this magnitude will only continue to become more frequent if we do not work to reduce our carbon emissions. It is estimated that the 2013 flood cost about $4 billion in the state of Colorado. The 2021 Marshall fire has cost $2 billion already. I will continue to support sustainable practices that protect our community from climate related natural disasters in all of my decisions.
How do you think you stand out from other candidates?
My overwhelming hands-on City Council experiences for one thing. My Boards and Commission experience. My Colorado Municipal League and National League of Cities professional development courses I have taken to keep myself informed on the latest community issues that concern municipal communities. My educational background and what I teach everyday as a US Government and Economics teacher.
What question would you ask a fellow candidate on the ballot?
I am for Longmont and moving issues that are about and for Longmont forward. I am NOT about putting down another competitor. They are not my enemies and so I am not going to play some “Gotcha Game,” If someone needs to put down another candidate competitor their “Brand,” likely isn’t that good and their ideas aren’t likely all that intune with the goals of the community.
What are your solutions for the growing population of people experiencing homelessness?
Too many conflate homelessness and crime; this is unfair and biased. Homelessness is best addressed by finding ways to keep folks in their home (rental, bill assistance programs) and by helping folks to find and treat any illness, mental or physical, that prevents them from remaining in long term housing.
I would like to see a place on our utility bills where we may donate to a gift card system that organizations like HOPE and the OUR Center can distribute this for families that are struggling to avoid a homeless situation when they are learning the ropes around food banks scheduled pick-ups and other support services.
I would like to see a short-term RV Park for folk who are living in RV’s to get the services that they need to get back on their feet.
What’s your plan for creating more affordable housing in Longmont?
The community of Longmont has adopted the following: “Down Payment Assistance program which helps an income-qualifying household to purchase an existing home or a new construction home that they can afford.” I endorse this approach because there is simply no way of building our way out of this nation-wide problem. If we as a community desisire the quality of life that Longmont is known for we have to adhere to the growth benchmarks and our city services capacity. If we want the level of our, schools, parks, roads, water quality, sewer, electricity and waste collection services as well as the quality of life that has made longmont for the last 50+ years the envy of the Colorado Front Range, then we have to make development pay its way. Without making special taxing districts so developers pass their costs of doing business onto the backs of home buyers and owners.
How will you address climate change? How do you plan to meet some of the City’s climate goals?
It’s not about if a natural disaster will come at this point or a heat wave etc. It’s when. We can not take the approach of denial regarding Man Made Climate Change, but recognise that Climate change is real and only we can do something about it. Sustainable Resilient Longmont is leading the charge in regards to this matter and I support their approach to supporting our community as we tackle this environmental problem. The Mission of SRL is as follows: “Sustainable Resilient Longmont collaborates with the Longmont community to cultivate a sustainable and thriving city. As the hub for education, advocacy and action, we support the three pillars of sustainability: environmental protection, responsible economic growth and social equity.” I believe those who deny these goals as unrealistic, are the problem and I chose to be part of the solution.
It is estimated that the 2013 flood cost about $4 billion in the state of Colorado. The 2021 Marshall fire has cost $2 billion already.
Failing to address our climate emergency will continue to cost businesses and taxpayers billions. Disasters of this magnitude will only continue to become more frequent if we do not work to reduce our carbon emissions.
I would promote local community legislation ordinances that promote community-supported solar and wind gardens at all city buildings. I feel that having a city department that oversees these gardens will ensure top performance as well as output of local energy and ensure the appropriate, required maintenance of such facilities. This reduces carbon emissions and energy costs to our citizens as well as provides skilled well-paying jobs for our community’s working population.
What are your goals for transportation and how will you achieve them?
The biggest issues are getting Light-Rail from Denver, through Boulder to Longmont. I propose hiring 1-2 City paid employees to write grants for funds from Amtrak, the US Department of Transportation, as well as the Colorado Department of Transportation as well as any private funds that can be procured to make this happen. I believe that this will allow our community members to pursue better paying employment outside of Longmont which will force wage increases for those who choose to not commute. This will also help us address the reality of human generated impact on climate change. This will also bring into Longmont new talent that will enhance our community overall.
How do you plan to engage non-English speaking constituents?
As a current seated City Council member I value the city’s approach to community outreach through our website, staff members and city wide publications as well as events that promote, support and educate the non-English speaking members or Longmont. I want everyone to be successful.
How does diversity factor into your policy making?
I am a compassionate person. I try to always look for ways to positively approach city policy through a lens of diversity. I am a high school teacher and for years the focus of so many district professional development trainings, have been to help teachers develop a better proactive view of how they approach lessons as well as school issues and problems through a lens of compassion and understanding in our classrooms. I will apply that learning to my responsibilities as a council member.
How will you reach residents who have different lived experiences than you?
When I was on the Longmont City Council the first time in 2007-2011 I worked with other members of the council and staff to bring about “Coffee With Council”. I believed that this more informal way of allowing community members to communicate with council members directly was and still is a positive way of communicating directly with residents that have different lived experiences than me.
Rank your top 5 issues in priority.
Affordable and attainable housing
Livable wage and minimum wage issues.
Community safety and safe streets
Homeless and the unhoused
Multimodal transportation and the further implementation of Vision Zero goals
