Candidate Survey: Amy Attwood (Ward 4)
Amy Attwood
LAKEWOOD WARD 4 Candidate survey
- Name: Amy Attwood
- Occupation: Chief Operating Officer for Clemons Construction Company and small business owner of Summit Xperience, LLC.
- Length of Ward 4 residency: I am a native of Ward 4. My husband and I returned to Ward 4 in 2000 once we were married to put down our roots and raise our family.
- Web-site: www.AmyAttwood.com
- E-mail: Amy@AmyAttwood.com
- Campaign phone number: 720-840-4912
- Family: My husband Gavin and I are raising our two sons, Max, 7 and Zak, 5.
Q: The city is compiling proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance. What specific changes would you like to see and why?
A: I have attended the Zoning Ordinance change meetings and residents are saying they want a Zoning Ordinance that is flexible and easy to understand. I agree and believe the ordinance should also work to enhance our quality of life by protecting Lakewood’s open space, parks, cultural heritage and neighborhood integrity while allowing for the exploration of new technologies, conservation and energy efficient alternatives. The ordinance is to serve our community and citizens so we have a safe, aesthetically pleasing and sustainable community to live, work and recreate in.
Q: The city is dipping into its savings account (the reserve fund) to overcome a $2.7 million revenue gap this year and an expected $2.5 million shortfall next year. Although the reserve exceeds Council-mandated levels, it can stretch only so far. What can be done to bring the city’s budget back into balance other than hoping for an economic upturn?
A: As a business owner in these challenging economic times I have had to examine every expenditure and determine if it is something we can afford. I believe each city department must go through their budget, line by line, and determine if the services they are offering are truly being used.
Our sales tax revenues will continue to decline because the face of retail shopping is changing with more and more Internet shopping. The city has many big retail businesses but now needs to focus on encouraging career and small business development.
Thoughtful, planned development is also a revenue source. Building permits and use tax revenues are vital to a healthy local economy. In Ward 4, the Rooney Valley will be a revenue source for the city with the increase in property values resulting in higher property taxes as well as revenues from building and use tax permits. A good example of this currently is the construction of St Anthony’s Hospital. Revenues generated from the current construction with building permits and use tax has mitigated a portion of the 2009 budget shortfall.
Q: Because of the recession, many homeowners are unable to maintain their home’s curb appeal, which can affect the value of homes in the surrounding neighborhood. What would you do to encourage upkeep of deteriorating properties?
A: Bringing neighbors together to help neighbors will strengthen our community by engaging citizens to make meaningful contributions to their community. Grants are available that specifically deal with this issue and require community participation. I would look to apply for grants that help not only people who are financially struggling to maintain their properties but also seniors, people with a disability and vacant properties.
Based on my experience in walking in every neighborhood in Ward 4 I have observed that many homeowners are working harder to maintain their properties than in the past. More homeowners are staying home and investing their money into their properties. My observations were verified by the owners of O’Toole’s Garden Center as their business volume has increased during this time of recession.
Q: What is the first issue you will bring before council if you are elected?
I made the commitment at the beginning of the campaign to knock on every voter door in Ward 4 at least once and almost all have been knocked on twice by me personally. I made this commitment because I value each citizen’s voice. I strongly believe the only way to truly understand what the issues are in Ward 4 is to be in every neighborhood actively engaging citizens.
The number one issue I have heard, during my time connecting with voters on their doorsteps, is the need for better communication between the city and its residents. The city is not communicating with an entire demographic, and it is not age-based but technology based. With the use of e-mail, social networking sites and texting we have the ability to reach a demographic who otherwise only obtains their information from nontraditional forms of communication. I believe our Ward 4 meetings, City Council study session and meetings are key pieces of the communication pie. The city must expand its use of technology to effectively communicate with residents.
Q: Elections, including the upcoming City Council election, are expensive and special elections outside the General Election cycle are even more costly on a per-vote basis. City Hall wants to schedule all special elections resulting from petition drives to be on November ballots. The exception would be those elections on issues Council deems more important. Where do you stand on the issue, which itself could become a ballot question next year?
I would not support all special elections, resulting from petition drives, only being allowed on November ballots.
