HERE ARE THE TOP ISSUES PEOPLE TELL ME ARE IMPORTANT AND HOW I’LL ADDRESS THEM
I haven’t stopped talking to people about issues since the election in 2023. They are interesting and important to me. But priorities shift to meet the times. These are the larger issues and my broad thoughts on them. The impact on people is very specific and really needs a conversation about individual situations to identify suitable options weighed against the pros and cons of each. This website and public forum will give you an idea of how I view an issue, but I doubt if it will come close to helping you resolve an issue.
ISSUE: AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Prices are too high for average households to buy a house.
MY THOUGHTS:
No argument from me. I will support faster review of site plans that fit a pre-approved model. This will save builders thousands of dollars per unit. However, we can’t sacrifice safety for speed. Construction inspections need to proceed in a reliable timeframe, but the plans review can be done quickly if developers (individual and corporate) follow approved designs. Those savings should go to the residents. I used to be a big supporter of government subsidies for housing. I think it’s still necessary, but I’d rather see the private sector fill the missing middle gap. I’ve seen first hand the amount of effort it takes for the jurisdiction to monitor projects and for the agencies and residents to keep track of monthly income, outcomes, and all the conditions that justify spending public dollars. It’s a heavy burden on everyone involved.
ISSUE: HOMELESSNESS:
Business owners have told me that customers stay away when even one person suffering a mental health crisis is between the customers and their businesses. I’ve also been told that police don’t quickly respond – if at all – unless someone is seriously injured.
MY THOUGHTS:
I currently work in a homeless shelter. I don’t directly work with the clients, but I see all the reasons that bring people to the agency’s doorstep. I will support appropriate funding to Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) and the Department of Housing Stability’s (HOST) outreach programs so that mental health professionals and outreach specialists who know how to approach persons who are in crisis provide services at the level they’re needed. This service should be available 24-hours a day! Approximately half of all calls go unanswered because of funding shortages. It all comes down to money. This will be a priority.
ISSUE: TRAFFIC SAFETY:
I’ve been told countless times that drivers in Denver are too dangerous. The safest way to get somewhere is to drive.
MY THOUGHTS:
Most drivers follow the posted speed limit and don’t cause drama. The reckless drivers – the kind that weave between lanes; the kind that are third in line running the red light – will only change their behavior when forced. Unfortunately that means inconveniencing everyone else. But I think that’s worth the cost of saving one life.
I was hit in a crosswalk in February. I had the walk signal. I was on the ground before I knew what happened. The driver tapped the brakes then kept going. I wasn’t hurt, but I might not be here if I had been walking a little slower or if the driver had been moving a little faster. There are quick infrastructure improvements that can slow traffic: Diverters, speed bumps, trim branches that cover stop signs, enforce site triangles at intersections, and improve intersection alignments. So many of us have lost friends in crashes. We can and must make the streets safe for everyone all the time.