Westminster City Council Election Guide 2021

Staff Reports
Posted 10/6/21

Candidate profiles for the Westminster City Council and Westminster mayor.

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Westminster City Council Election Guide 2021

Posted

Northglenn Ward 1

Nicholas Walker

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Factual based.

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

Able to listen to both sides of an issue and make a factual based decision. I am very involved in the city (Community Co-Production Police board and the Liquor License Authority) and always take time to speak with neighbors before making decisions that are in the best interest of the entire neighborhood.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

 

Westminster at large

Bruce Baker

Retired from the profession of Pharmacy and as a US Army Officer, spouse, parent, council person, advocate for many causes, continuing education provider, HOA board member, factory worker, fast food worker, investor, landlord, accountant, assistant scoutmaster and writer.

brucebakercolorado.com e-mail: brucebakercolorado@msn.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Experienced, Tenacious, Smart

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

I have a clear vision of what Westminster should be, some details of how to get there, coupled with an intense curiosity and desire to hear the views and arguments of competing visions. I have the humility to choose the better argument. I have the ability to respect and use the expertise and professionalism of others without being intimidated. I have an excellent financial background that lets me understand reports and ask revealing questions.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

1- To restore all of Westminster to the beautiful, green city it should be. The city leaders of 60 years ago acquired the surface water rights to make Westminster an oasis; a garden in the Colorado High Plains. We should celebrate that legacy. To do that requires non-profit water. 2- No subsidies for growth. Growth must pay all costs it imposes. 3- Thrift in government.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

We must openly discuss and choose between supporting our current population versus seeking population growth. We do not have enough water to do both. Growth is not inevitable. Growth is a choice. The costs of growth have not been acknowledged or reimbursed so we have overused water, schools, parks, roads, social services and police. We are a complete, mature city that is a wonderful place to live.

David DeMott

Vice President of IT and Systems

www.daviddemott.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Servant, Honest, Transparent

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

As an incumbent, I work to address the community's needs. We need to properly fund critical services such as police, fire, water utility and streets. Providing a safe community and delivering safe water does not have to make the city unaffordable to our residents. We must address city needs through methods that don't break residents' pockets. We must cut city hall's top-level bloat and live within a budget that addresses critical services first!

Please list your top three priorities if elected

1. Providing a safe quality affordable community by properly funding Police, Fire, Streets, Water utility, Parks and Open space.

2. Change leadership in the city with one that is more transparent. That will both listen and communicate with residents and provide financially sound and reliable city government that works for all the residents.

3. Find a path for our water utilities future that creates affordable water rates while maintaining infrastructure and providing safe drinking water.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

There are many issues from growth, infrastructure, to the rise in crime that we must address and will shape our future. The most critical issue to address is to fix our leadership and find a city manager who can balance the needs of our community such as affordable water rates working with budget available. This will take a council willing to make some hard critical choices about the leadership and future direction of the city.

Jon Voelz

I have worked in public affairs for 30 years.

www.voteforvoelz.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Innovative, Integrity and Kind

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

I have a strong desire and ability to work with people to find solutions regardless of their political persuasion or background. Solutions based and forward thinking are my work style, which can be a benefit when serving on a City Council. I have proven I have the work ethic, perseverance and experience to get the job done to make our City the best it can be.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

Expanding and enhancing our beautiful open spaces, trails and parks. Residents have told us this is a top reason they chose to live in Westminster. Businesses decide to locate here for that same reason. Preserving thriving and safe neighborhoods through code enforcement, zoning, and investing in our police officers and firefighters. Finally, we must maintain Westminster as an open, inclusive and welcoming City where everyone feels encouraged to participate in their city government.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

Sustainability. We must continuously strive for sustainability in both environmental and financial practices. Sustainable practices like switching to alternative energy and electric vehicles is good for the environment and saves taxpayers money over time. We should also find ways to conserve water. We must continue to find ways to invest in our aging infrastructure like roads, and water and sewer systems, for now and for future generations of Westminster residents.

Karen Kalavity

I am a landscape architect and site planner with a Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University (1980)

integradesign1@yahoo.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Well, I try to start with a mssion that is important and show others why it is important and then work with others to complete that mission

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

I have many years' experience in the field of community planning and design. That is important in a community that is growing - or staying static. We need a quality of life that takes into account people as well as the environment. With my years of landscape architecture and site planning, I feel as though I have some valuable experience to impart with regard to meeting the needs of a world in environmental crisis.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

1. Protect the “Westminster Farm” FROM housing & construction development. 2. Protect the environment by banning pesticides and herbicides and by working towards a “Dark Sky Community” designation. 3. Focus on real public transit options - not simply make parking space available for people to get to downtown Denver cheaply.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

Climate Change is affecting everything. We must work to protect our environment.

Kathleen Dodaro

Professor

dodaroforcouncil.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Accountable - Honest - Competent

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

I have extensive executive management experience in various industries. I have been an entrepreneur and know what the challenges are for small business owners. I have worked on various city, county and state boards. I have strong critical thinking and decision-making skills that will offer common sense solutions to difficult situations.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

Transparent and reasonable municipal spending - Restore reasonable water rates - Protect our suburban quality of life and reduce crime

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

Council, police and citizen groups need to work together to develop short and long-term plans to address the many issues that are problematic at this time and will continue to be if not addressed.

Kathryn Skulley

FRCC Academic Service Assistant Director

www.skulley4westminster.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

ENGAGE. CONNECT. ACT. I meet with residents where they are. This can be knocking on their doors, having a conversation through email, or calling a resident. I hold monthly coffees and quarterly town halls. I attend community meetings to listen and learn. I connect to experts in the community, region, and nationally to communicate and gain input. I work to find and bring about solutions to what is important to the Westminster residents.

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

As a member of the Westminster City Council, I have worked hard to keep our community moving forward. The values that have guided my work are communication, leadership, and accessibility. I thoughtfully listen and communicate transparently. I build partnerships and think strategically to ensure we are maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive City. I make myself accessible to listen to and talk with diverse voices in our community to hear all perspectives.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

Together, we must build Westminster from the ground up. This is accomplished through my top priorities of infrastructure, smart growth, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Infrastructure is both social and economic and affects health and safety. We have to plan our growth, infrastructure, environment, and economy. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are at the heart. We must work together to ensure each resident is listened to, cared for, communicated with, and afforded accessibility.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

The Westminster of tomorrow is shaped by the decisions of today. Each resident's needs and how to meet them where they are is step one. With this knowledge, we will be able to address infrastructure, growth, and diversity, equity, and inclusivity, which are the issues that will impact Westminster going forward. Planning for the how we will manage and take care of our infrastructure and growth will ensure the impact on each resident valued.

Kristine Ireland

Small business owner

KristineIreland.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Common-Sense, Service-Oriented, Responsible

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

I moved to Westminster 35 years ago after graduating from college. It's here that I started a small business and raised my 5 children and served in leadership positions for several community organizations. I'll bring a caring, thoughtful, common-sense approach to the job. Having frugally managed business, organization, and family budgets, I'm committed to responsibly managing the city's money like it was yours or mine - because it is!

Please list your top three priorities if elected

1) Rein in excessive water and sewer rates

2) Curb out-of-control new growth and unnecessary spending

3) Beautify our city, including neglected areas

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

How we manage future growth and infrastructure needs, including water resources, are the most critical issues facing the city. We need to be deliberate and thoughtful regarding future new growth, making sure that it's what residents want and that it pays its own way. That has not happened in recent years, as the financial burden associated with new growth has fallen on the backs of existing residents in the form of incredibly burdensome water rates.

Obi Ezeadi

Small Business Owner / Product Manager

voteobi.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Accountable, Transparent, Listener

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

Through grit and perseverance I survived childhood poverty and built decades of leadership experience across multiple industries critical to our city's recovery. I know the issues that keep working families up at night - because I've lived it. I will protect small businesses because I know what it takes to run one. I'll bring accountability to the council because I'm a dedicated community servant and will ensure all voices are heard equitably.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

First and foremost - we need to rebuild the trust between the Westminster City Council and residents.

Second, we must ensure a sustained, equitable and just recovery from the pandemic. This means a strategic allocation of stimulus relief dollars to support families and local businesses that have been hit hardest.

My third priority is to protect residents of Westminster. This means ensuring equal opportunities for middle class, blue collar workers as well as marginalized groups.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

Westminster is a growing city and that will only continue over the next decade. We must make sure we have built the infrastructure necessary to support that growth. This means investing in our communities, transportation systems, water infrastructure, housing, and small businesses.

Sarah Nurmela

Profession: Urban Planning and Economic Development, Job: Planning Manager

https://www.sarahnurmela.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Direct, Vision-oriented, Collaborative

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

I have 20+ years of experience in city planning, management, and economic development, including 8 at Westminster. I led our citywide planning and managed the creation of our new Downtown. I understand what it takes to build and sustain a resilient, inclusive community. From Day One, I will bring the expertise to ensure we all have the opportunity to thrive with high quality education and training, employment, business support, and a range of housing options.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

1. Creating a foundation of resilience for our community, with expanded educational and job training opportunities and small business support with training and access to financial resources.

2. Accommodating a wide range of housing options that meet the needs and affordability level for all residents, from new families to seniors.

3. Ensuring the City is able to serve its residents for the long term with well-maintained, safe infrastructure and public services.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

Ensuring economic stability and resilience for our residents, businesses, and the City as a whole will be at the core of our work. We need to ensure our residents can afford to stay in the community, and that they have access to jobs, options for income creation and affordable housing. And we need to invest in infrastructure, foster a vibrant economic environment, and build a strong relationship with the community through listening, follow-through, and transparency.

Westminster Mayor

Anita Seitz

Mayor of Westminster | Director of Business Development and Marketing

www.AnitaSeitz.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Thoughtful, courageous and collaborative

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

My experience, knowledge, and passion for Westminster will help lead us forward. I have served on Council since 2013, as Mayor ProTem from 2018 until May, when I was sworn in as Mayor. I have a record of effective, thoughtful, and courageous leadership. I collaborate regionally on issues such as transportation, climate action and economic development. I look forward to continuing to listen to residents, put my experience to work, and promote a thriving Westminster.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

Every decision we make should promote social, environmental, and economic benefits for our residents. I have worked on these priorities while on council; through the development of our downtown, response to the pandemic, investment in infrastructure, access to attainable housing, managing growth, supporting local businesses, strengthening neighborhoods, environmental stewardship, climate action, prioritizing public safety, and preserving open spaces. I want to ensure that Westminster offers a high quality of life now and for future generations.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

Community sustainability is the most important issue facing Westminster. Colorado has seen pronounced growth. Simultaneously Westminster is faced with aging infrastructure, rising home prices and the stress of climate change. To protect our community, I have championed integrated land use, transportation and resource planning. I am committed to ensuring we plan for our community in a way that minimizes negative impacts and enhances our quality of life: adding jobs, parks, openspace, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.

Nancy McNally

Owner of Made and Created

Facebook: McNally for Mayor Website: McNallyforMayor.com

Please describe your leadership style in three words

Listener; Collaborator; Mentor

Describe the skills that make you the best candidate for the job

• I will take politics out of decision making seeking to build council consensus.

•Ability to make a decision: I have the record to lead a group through difficult issues which impact the functionality of a governing body. I would never have allowed a council to deadlock on the importance of filing a vacancy.

• I vote on behalf of citizens.

• I am a fiscal steward.

• I will lead council to establish direction for the city manager.

Please list your top three priorities if elected

Safe and Secure city where our first responders are supported but held accountable;

Affordable Water and sewer rates for all residents and businesses;

New Leadership and direction which seeks to educate council, not divide them, and who hold staff to high professional standards while being held to the same by council.

What issue do you see shaping the city the most through the next decade and how we should respond?

Water/Sewer and how the Comprehensive Land Use Plan functions within the limit of available water resources.

New development should depend on current water available. If we don't have enough water, then we must stop building unless we can acquire more water. Developers agree: Westminster must take care of the people who already have invested in our community. Education, communication and understanding about water and sewer is critical.

Westminster, City Council, Mayor, at large

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