OPED: Roybal got action on floodplain, saving neighbors money

SUBMITTED BY: Sid Lucero, Lakewood

I wanted to tell everyone about my neighbor, Pete Roybal, who is running for election to Lakewood City Council.  When Pete, his wife Betty and their three kids moved into the Martindale neighborhood 16 years ago, he noticed we all had to pay several hundred dollars a year in flood insurance premiums.  This really bothered him so he started checking into it.

Then he got it into his head that if we all worked together and approached the city maybe they could do some storm water drainage improvements that would get us off the flood plain designation.  It seemed like a long shot to me but Pete is a dynamic leader and he made a lot of sense.  So he got the neighborhood organized and we strongly lobbied the city.

It took a few years, but Pete had the patience and tenacity to hang in there.

Eventually the city and the Urban Drainage And Flood Control District did make the necessary storm water improvements and we were removed from the flood plain.  My flood insurance premiums have come down a couple hundred dollars a year and I could not be happier with Pete.

Since then I have noticed he has gotten involved in other collaborative projects either as the instigator, leader or just plain foot soldier.  I hear he was involved in saving O’Connell Middle School, bringing the Boys and Girls Club to Lakewood and getting the City to renovate Ray Ross Park.

Seeing what he did for our storm water drainage problems, I believe it and I’m sure he could do a lot more for our community if he were elected to City Council.  Go Pete, Go!