Boulder Community United
Boulder City Council Candidate Questionnaire 2009
Dear Candidate,
Boulder Community United is a union of organizations working for social justice in Boulder. It includes the following and is open to all organizations working toward this goal:
Anti-Defamation League
Bias Incident Hotline
Boulder Pride
Community Action Program
El Centro Amistad
New Vista Equity Cohort
Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center
Strategies to End Oppression
YWCA
As a prospective Council member, we would like to understand your position on the following questions, and to extend an invitation to speak at our forum at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct 4th at the YWCA, 2222 14th St., Boulder. David Thielen has graciously offered to post this questionnaire and your responses on his website, www.davidthielen.info. Please respond to bcu.detre@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 15 to be included on the website and in our email blast to constituents. Thank you for your attention to these issues, which are so critical to our community sustainability.
1. As the City Budget tightens in response to the economic downturn, and in response to a projected long-term revenue gap, which programs and services should receive the highest priority?
2. The current City Council has identified as one of its priorities creating a welcoming, inclusive and safe community for all. How can our police department best support this vision?
3. The City has made many fine efforts to solicit input from underrepresented communities, such as the “Meetings-in-a-Box” component of the last community survey. Participants often feel, however, that they do not know what happens as a result. How can the City do a better job of following up with those underrepresented communities on their input?
4. What is your position relative to the City’s diversity initiative and what more can or should the City do to support expanded leadership representation for underrepresented communities on Boards and Commissions and on City staff? Would you, for example, support a City Charter amendment to allow resident non-citizens to serve on Boards and Commissions?
5. Mobile homes provide some of the most affordable housing in Boulder, but mobile home residents are quite vulnerable because landlords control pad rent and park management. What should the City's role be in preserving this form of housing and protecting mobile home residents?
6. Many in the community feel that the contamination issue at Valmont Butte, a sacred Arapaho site and home to an historic settler’s cemetery, remains unresolved. How would you propose to address this issue?
7. Would you consider ensuring access to recreational and sports activities for children and youth of all backgrounds a priority? If so, how would you accomplish this?
Thank you again for your time and thoughtful answers. We look forward to understanding you better.
Sincerely,
Boulder Community United
