Issues
• The current economic crisis. We are in a period of economic turbulence that is affecting Town Government, businesses and households. Town Government will need to be alert,
responsive and creative in the face of this evolving situation. There are many ways that Town can help citizens and businesses. We will have to closely monitor impacts on revenues such as property tax and sales tax, which may contract. The Town will have to be aggressive in making sure that Lyons accesses some of the stimulus financing being made available through the State, County and other government agencies.
• Economic development. The Town is developing ideas to address the needs of our businesses and its commercial base, most recently through the work of the Economic Development Council. I support this initiative enthusiastically, but want to make sure that economic development both protects and enhances our quality of life and moves the town down the path towards sustainability. It is as important, if not more so, to support existing businesses as well and develop new activity. Lyons will surely need both. The Board of Trustees will be asked to make decisions about economic development proposals and to develop more complex ways of supporting local businesses. This will require leadership and experience on these matters.
• Public finances. Lyons needs to be financially sustainable and its services affordable. For years our Town budget benefited from fees generated from new construction. This is drying up as Lyons moves into its build-out phase, with a limited number of vacant lots left for new homes and businesses. New sources of revenue will need to be found and costs will need to be controlled. With our challenging economic times, this will require experience. Fortunately, I know my way around a government budget with over 20 years working with public expenditures and investments as an economist and project manager.
• Resource sustainability. Even in these times of crisis, I see real opportunities for Lyons to protect our environment, to save money and to better support local businesses by adopting sustainable strategies in energy, water, food and other resource areas. A number of groups are working in these areas, like the Sustainability Group, GreenHeart Institute, Transition Town and lots of motivated citizens and businesses. Town needs to be supportive in bringing these efforts to fruition. And, it needs to lead by example. The community garden is a great new addition. I'd also like to see some innovations for our municipal utility, like voluntary purchase of wind power and possible netmetering of residents that produce their own power.
• Intergovernmental relations. Lyons cannot go it alone. I have worked with all levels of government. If elected Mayor, I will reach out to County and State officials to ensure our voice is heard and that our town receives its share of financial support from County and State agencies. This is another area where we need to do better. For example, the Boulder County Consortium of Cities has been discussing possible revenue sharing at the county level for over a year. Lyons only recently has reinstated sending a representative. We need to not only attend important State and County meetings, we need to bring concrete proposals and make Lyons's position clear.
• The responsiveness of Town Government. In my discussions with businesses and residents, I have been surprised by the frequent criticisms of Town Government. Town Government needs to be proactive about solving the day-to-day issues that citizens raise, from ditches to building permits, parking to planters. Town needs to reach out to our community groups and concerned citizens and spend the time listening to competing views. We need to streamline some of our procedures and better communicate with citizens. I believe the Mayor sets the tone for this.