KEY ISSUES
TRAFFIC SAFETY
HOMELESSNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
THE RAIL
METRO TAXES
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
THE PEDESTRIAN AND SAFE STREETS ACT
On August 30th 2022, Tony Umile, an 84-year-old Longmont resident who routinely walked the sidewalks in his neighborhood, died Tuesday morning at the intersection of Third Avenue and Pratt Street after being struck by a car.(Daily Camera Article,By DANA CADEY and MITCHELL BYARS | mbyars@prairiemountainmedia.com, August 31, 2022) While campaigning over the last several months, I have heard from members of our community consistently about pedestrian, cyclist and driving safety throughout Longmont, even prior to the tragic death of Mr. Umile. This ranges from people driving too fast on Mountain View Avenue to drag racing on Airport Road or a lack of crosswalks all over the city, resulting in a failure for drivers to stop for pedestrians. It should not take the loss of a beloved member of the Longmont community to snap us collectively into reality. On my first meeting after being sworn into office I would propose, The Pedestrian and Safe Streets Act.
5 STEP PLAN FOR HELPING THE UNHOUSED
Working to end homelessness and substance abuse
Installation of safe sharps drop boxes at all shelters and sides of city buildings
Clean needle distribution at police stations, city centers, and shelters
Installation of community fridges at city centers
Lobby Congress to allocate funds for HOPE
Provide document storage with scanning and data drives to store important personal files for the unhoused
5 STEP PLAN FOR THE RAIL
Bringing the trains to Longmont
Form an exploratory committee to look into Amtrak and other means of getting the rail
Hire grant writer(s) to pursue all valuable interests
Lobby Congress to allocate funds from the annual budget for the rail, similar to other construction projects such as bridges and other structures
Start construction. Bring in jobs!
Bringing overall new development and economic growth to Longmont
METRO TAXES
Where do I stand on Metro Taxes?
"My stance on Metro Districts is that they are special taxing districts that hurt the community by forcing members of certain areas and municipalities to pay for a percentage of the building cost within their pre-established deed and taxes. This creates a difference in taxation throughout the city. This difference eventually makes community members feel that they are being treated unfairly. The developers get off without paying their fair share. This ultimately diminishes the communities ability to support and create affordable housing in the future."
5 STEP PLAN FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Making homes affordable for all!
Affordable housing must be affordable for those that are single parents and/or single income households. Acquire apartments and condominiums that can be purchased as well as affordable rental units throughout the city
Increase the percentage that the Longmont inclusionary housing ordinance required from 12% to 15% in order to meet demand and to make up for past reductions
Council needs to review the application process and review limitations to see if they meet community expectations and ethical standards
Consider tiny-house community options and other alternative housing options, as seen in other communities
Bring accessory dwelling units into compliance with city regulatory requirements, in order to make them legal rental units while making it affordable for property owners to be in compliance