The Source sent questionnaires to District 6 incumbent Charlie Brown, who is running unopposed, and the four District 7 Denver City Council candidates running in the May 1 election. Districts 6 and 7 include the University of Denver and its neighborhoods. Their responses follow.
CHARLES V. BROWN, District 6 incumbent (unopposed)
Experience you consider most relevant to Denver City Council service:
I have served as a Colorado state representative, president of an award-winning public relations firm, chief lobbyist for a statewide medical society, assistant public affairs director for an international trade union and a teacher at the secondary and college levels.
The University of Denver describes itself as a “private institution for the public good.” If the University were to ask you for suggestions as to how this could be accomplished in the years ahead, how would you answer?
Continue the community-oriented education programs that draw local citizens and business community members to the University for continuing education, and encourage students to learn about and become a part of the community.
What are the top issues facing District 6 that you intend to tackle after being re-elected to City Council?
Continue supporting public safety and economic development.
JULIE CONNOR, District 7 candidate
Experience you consider most relevant to Denver City Council service:
My current position as aide to Councilwoman Kathleen MacKenzie makes me the only candidate with exactly the experience and knowledge needed to represent District7 residents. Additionally, my stint in Peace Corps provided community development experience in an especially challenging atmosphere.
The University of Denver describes itself as a “private institution for the public good.” If the University were to ask you for suggestions as to how this could be accomplished in the years ahead, how would you answer?
First and foremost, get students out of their cars. (And the city can work on getting non-students out of their cars.) The tree-planting program in conjunction with the Park People is a stellar community service. A couple off-the-cuff ideas for enhancing the public good using university resources would be to find ways to incorporate into the curriculum students serving on city task forces, and establishing citizen academies (dealing with topics such as urban design, small-business planning, legal workshops, etc.) that could be facilitated by students.
What are the top three issues affecting District 7 that you intend to tackle after being elected to City Council?
I’ve got four: 1) Focusing on zoning as it pertains to keeping stable neighborhoods stable and directing investment to neighborhoods that desire it; 2) Enhancing public safety vis-à-vis police technology, infrastructure improvements and code compliance enforcement; 3) Fostering local business and neighborhood schools; and 4) Promoting environmental principles.
CHRIS NEVITT, District 7 candidate
Experience you consider most relevant to Denver City Council service:
The previous five years I spent running the Front Range Economic Strategy Center, a public-interest nonprofit focused on the Denver municipal economy and dedicated to creating better jobs, more affordable housing, and facilitating more robust community participation.
The University of Denver describes itself as a “private institution for the public good.” If the University were to ask you for suggestions as to how this could be accomplished in the years ahead, how would you answer?
I would challenge DU to: a) Strengthen DU’s relationship and deepen its involvement with Denver Public Schools. The expertise of DU’s faculty and staff and the wealth of DU’s facilities could help make DPS the stellar urban school system it can be. b) Bring DU’s intellectual resources more directly to bear on the policy debates and policy development taking place in the public/private arena — among policy nonprofits, in the business community and in government itself.
What are the top three issues affecting District 7 that you intend to tackle after being elected to City Council?
1) Promoting responsible, quality development and protecting the character and quality of life of our neighborhoods from the opposite; 2) Making Denver a better partner with Denver Public Schools; 3) Making Denver a national leader in clean energy and sustainability.
DENNIS SMITH District 7 candidate
Experience you consider most relevant to Denver City Council service:
Member (since 2005) Denver Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, teacher of immigrant and inner-city high school students, citizen advocacy: increasing hours of Denver outdoor pools, getting a disc (Frisbee) golf course built in Denver, slowing down traffic in my neighborhood.
The University of Denver describes itself as a “private institution for the public good.” If the University were to ask you for suggestions as to how this could be accomplished in the years ahead, how would you answer?
Continue DU’s community outreach programs under the “service learning” class requirement. As a South HS teacher, I have 15–20 DU graduate and undergraduate students visit my classroom for immigrant English tutoring every week. I know these tutoring sessions help my students and I suspect the DU students are enriched as well. DU academics should weigh in more on issues confronting Denver and the metro area via editorials, TV and radio interviews, and other mainstream media. Challenge the various government entities and planning boards.
What are the top three issues affecting District 7 that you intend to tackle after being elected to City Council?
1) Making pedestrian crosswalk lights responsive. Push the button and the light should switch to walk within 90 seconds; 2) Add crosswalks (with lights) on busy pedestrian-oriented streets (Evans, for example); 3) City services should accommodate working citizens: pools, libraries and rec centers open on evenings and weekends.
SHELLY WATTERS, District 7 candidate
Experience you consider most relevant to Denver City Council service:
I have lived in the district for over 30 years and have raised a family here. I have been active on my neighborhood association and have served on the board for the last four years. I have been a council aide for seven years to two city councilwomen — Carol Boigon and Joyce Foster. I believe I have the most experience in understanding the issues of the district and city and have a record of bringing people together to find solutions.
The University of Denver describes itself as a “private institution for the public good.” If the University were to ask you for suggestions as to how this could be accomplished in the years ahead, how would you answer?
I would like to see more DU departments and schools working with city departments to offer students more hands on training. A lot of projects around the city could also benefit from the expertise of the faculty and should involve more of them on more taskforces and committees.
What are the top three issues affecting District 7 that you intend to tackle after being elected to City Council?
1) Safety: Fighting crime, from graffiti to gangs, to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods; 2) Neighborhood character: Maintaining our neighborhoods while allowing for thoughtful redevelopment; 3) Transportation: We need to make Denver more bike and pedestrian friendly and improve access to light-rail stations.
Denver City Councilwoman Kathleen MacKenzie weighs in on the election.
This article originally appeared in The Source, April 2007.