By the time this campaign ends, we'll have knocked on over 12,000 doors. Let me tell you some of the stories of Arvada that we heard on the campaign:
A UAW worker making $500 a week, on strike for better wages in the Aurora automaker facility. He's lived in Arvada for years, and is glad to know his elected officials by name.
A retired environmental activist, who almost cried on hearing our plan to make sure our city is climate forward and is part of the solution to the climate crisis, while protecting everyone from environmental disasters.
A mom who is afraid to take her kids downtown, because of how homeless folks at the library have shouted at her family in the past. She's hopeful that we can help people get services so we can live in community without conflict.
A local business owner who is giving his enterprise his all despite facing heavy competition from franchises. He's glad to know that small business owners like him are the backbone of our community and will be supported more in the future by the city.
A senior couple who is afraid to use the stairs in their home, wants to move to a place that will take care of the snow, but doesn't want to move and waste their children's inheritance. They really like the idea of a 55+ community that they can afford.
A teacher who feels so grateful to live here, because if he hadn't of moved here 6 years ago there would be no way he could afford his home now. He likes the idea of public banking to help everyday Arvadans like himself deal with the rising cost of housing.
The elderly homeowner who wishes she could transform her lawn to a xeric landscape so that she didn't have to use water so much, but knows she can't afford to change it and can't change it over herself. She's excited by the idea of the city tapping into state funds to help homeowners like her change over her lawn and be a more responsible steward with city resources.
Mom and Pop construction business owners who had their entire business put on hold with their truck and trailer was stolen three months ago. They had an extremely rough time getting back on their feet with two small children and filing with insurance companies to get their business back up and running, and managed to find their truck by checking the doorbell camera (ring) network. They need the city to be more robust in preventing crime and finding stolen property.
A nurse who makes $120,000 a year, but can't afford a place to buy a home in Arvada to start a family.
A city volunteer who fought hard to bring the rail line to Arvada, and is constantly working to make sure it brings income to the city more than it brings problems.
The people who are upset about the loss of their view on Grandview, and the overbuild that is ahead of our city's infrastructure.
The parents who love the many parks that they can take their kids to after school.
The UberEats driver who knows exactly when he's driven back into Arvada because he can feel the road change to a rougher texture under his tires.
The Southeast Arvadan resident who really needs the light at 52 & Sheridan to have a yellow arrow because it's impossible to turn left when going north on Sheridan at that intersection.
And so many more. It's an honor to be entrusted with all of these stories to know what is really going on for the average person in Arvada and what we can do to help our neighbors. I've been shown the kindness of this city time and again, and despite the challenges, people love this place and would never live anywhere else. On city council, I promise to represent all of these stories, change them for the better, and represent your story in Arvada!
