Candidate profile: Charles Davis

Profession: Mortgage Loan Officer

Residence: Green Acres area of Lakewood

Campaign Website: www.charlesforlakewood.com

Why are you seeking this office?

To be part of the future of Northeast Lakewood.

What makes you the best person for the job?

I’ve been an active and engaged leader in Northeast Lakewood for the better part of a decade. We need strong leadership to bring balance and professionalism back to our government. My experience professionally and in the community are foundations I will build my approach to government on.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

A more consistent and unified citywide approach to homelessness. A review of the options afforded the city to assist in subsidizing the cost of housing and rents in a skyrocketing market. Reviewing and clarifying verbiage within the growth initiative.

Has city hall done an appropriate job in implementing the citizen-approved growth ordinance?

With the way the growth initiative was written, they have done an admirable job attempting to implement the growth ordinance. I do, however, believe that council should continue to look at and tweak the ordinance so that investors and property owners know the parameters they need to work within. It is simply untenable to require anyone to work within the confines of a moving target.

What is one part of the city that you feel could definitely use more council attention, and why?

Northeast Lakewood, specifically Ward 2, is the oldest part of Lakewood. It has the infrastructure with the most years on it and has been, historically, neglected in favor of the westernmost parts of Lakewood. Northeast Lakewood requires a lot of investment, re-development and attention to return it to a vibrant self-sustaining part of the city.