Why should you re-elect me?
Quite simply, I have spent the past four years being there. I always smile when someone is shocked that I answer my own phone. Maybe it’s because people often think of their elected officials as being out of reach, but frankly I like being there. I’m your neighbor. And if you’ve got a problem, let’s see what we can do to fix it.
My proudest moments in this job have been when I’ve helped make a resident’s everyday life just a little better. Whether it was the crumbling cul-de-sac in Lamar Heights that I fought to get repaved; or the dangerously-low power lines that had been hung incorrectly; or the absentee landlord that refused to address mold concerns… I’ve been there. I’ve stood by you. And we’ve solved these issues, together.
In the community:
On Monday nights you’ll find me on the Council Dais, but the real work is done out in the city. I proudly sit on the Board of Directors for the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities and the Arvada Visitors Center. I also serve as City Council liaison to the Arvada Fire Board and the Arvada Audit Committee.
Each quarter, I engage with residents on major issues facing our community as co-host of the North JeffCo Townhall, in partnership with County Commissioner Tracy Kraft-Tharp and Westminster City Councilor Sarah Nurmela. And in 2021, I was named Vice Chair of the once-in-a-decade Arvada Charter Review Committee, a citizen review panel dedicated to ensuring that the city’s “Constitution” remains responsive to our citizens and modern needs. That work yielded three successful ballot initiatives updating our City Charter.
I’m a member of the Arvada-Jefferson Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge #2278, and the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. In my personal time, my family can most likely be found at APEX, on a patio in Olde Town or enjoying our local festivals each month.
Giving Back:
This community is my home, and the best part of this job is when I get to be out there making a difference for others:
- Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, I organize Chow for Champions to cater meals for every first responder in the city working the holiday in gratitude for what they do for us.
- In the immediate aftermath of the devastating Marshall Fire, my Council colleague Lisa Smith and I teamed-up to organize a region-wide giftcard campaign that raised $68,000+ in the first two weeks to directly help fire victims replace immediate needs.
- I recruited giftcard drop-site locations in thirteen cities across four counties, and 100% of the funds went to help those displaced by the fire.
- In Summer 2022, I partnered with the local non-profit Hope, Connection & Community to organize the “Hope for Kids” back-to-school drive.
- We raised $15,000 in six weeks to help 104 local students in-need have a fantastic start to their school year by treating them to a very special new clothes an shoes shopping experience as well as new backpacks with school supplies.
- We also gathered classroom supplies for teachers at Title 1 schools, which were distributed through The Action Center.