Questions for Council Candidates

Help Us · Questions for Council Candidates

I would like this to be a forum to provide questions and concerns for potential City Council Candidates.

Question · Question to the candidates

Question:
Given your experience with this community, convince me that you are running to serve the people, and what this community holds dear, and not running to further your own goals and dreams.

Question2

Question (not a statement):
Given your experience with this community, convince me why your own goals and dreams will serve the people, and what do you believe the community holds dear?

Ed G Waters

What the hell are you going to do about the damn skunks in town? No I ain't talking about the people skunks, I mean the damn skunk skunks.

Guest · Skunks

Grill 'em Eddie. Little green chili and a Colt or two and you'll be golden, that worth a vote?

Ed G Waters

You can use CDBG money to buy Colt? Damn I shouda run fer office myself. Jest think of what I could do with some of that there federal stimulated funds. Hell yes!
So how about it candidates, ya'll goin to take care of old Ed if you get yourself done elected?

Guest

Question:

How will you stop the wasteful spending such as paying monthly rent to Sloan's Bar for a Police Building that the City sold?

Movie Buff

Why do I have to visit the Highlands or LoDo for good food and fun? We have pizza and fast food..........How would you promote the night life around here?

Devon Barclay · I'll bite.

I'm running for Council because I want to see youth programming funded for our kids, recycling for our community that comes WITHOUT the ridiculous PATY idea, the Tree Plan implemented, and a Council that wants citizen input...

...And by that I mean real citizen input. Through strong boards and commissions that have real power to do things and give Council proposals to vote up or down on. Our citizens know what they want. And, frankly, the citizens OWN our city government. Our City staff need to be directed by the citizens who hired them.

Honestly, I'm surprised none of the other candidates appear to be reading the 'Stick, or posting on it. I'm here. I'm listening. And I'll fight for you.

gingerellie · A ? for Devon Barclay

I have read your last two posts in this city gov. section. I am in support of what you say in regards to youth programs,etc. As a grandmother, (and mother of 3 adult children), I know there is a need for these. Also, as a grandmother, I am curious about any ideas you might have for reaching out to the older adults in our community. Thank you.

Voter · You'll do what?

"...And by that I mean real citizen input. "
As long as those citizens agree with certain Harlan residents, right?

Our new parks and rec director is handling the kids programs very well without the need for council to manhandle his department. He has already formed an alliance with the schools, is putting out a school newsletter, is working with Wheat Ridge and Lakewood on sports programs, and has done more in his short time than our last one did the whole time she was here.

Recycling is great! I want to see it too. But the PAYT program has its definite merits. You would see that if you thought for yourself and stayed away from that Harlan corner. Come on Devon. You're a smart guy. Use your own smarts. Show us that you are running for all of us, not just to be the sounding board for a few of your friends.

As for giving commissions 'real power'....weren't you on the charter board? Didn't the voters already have a say in that matter? Commissions are great for the brainstorming ideas, implementing the approved ideas and generally helping the community to function. Let go of the Lydia complex and know that the charter has its function. It already speaks to the job of commissions.

Our city staff has a director. Another one of those little things the 'government owners' voted on. He's called a city manager. What is his job if not to direct city staff? He seems to be doing a fine job of it.

Devon - the councils job is legislative, not administrative. It's time that everyone started to remember that. There are good reasons for the separation of powers. But then, I'll bet you already knew that.

Guest

Talk with Devon for a couple of seconds and it’s easy to see he has no clue. The kid’s got great looking campaign material, but no substance.

Guest · Re: I'll bite.

Guest · To Devon

Devon, NOW you know why the other candidates aren't posting here. It's kind of like asking to be humiliated. These forums are like the National Inquirer.

Guest

It’s okay, he supports the idea of people being ‘brought to their knees’. What’s good the goose is good for the gander.

Shoot the messenger? · Elevate the debate then!

Guest · Adam’s arrogance is out of control

At least Devon isn’t telling everyone (and I mean everyone) how to do their job. Adam on the other hand used the back of his flyer to preach about what he thinks makes a good council person. It’s like he assumed we are all too dumb to figure it out. I can’t stand Adam’s behavior on council and I won’t be voting for any one who buys into Adam’s drivel. I can’t help but believe that Laura bows to his every suggestion since they are campaigning together. Every candidate should define for them self what they can do to be a good council person. Every voter should vote for what they want in a council person, not what Adam wants.

The candidates don’t need Adam to tell them what to do. The voters don’t need Adam to teach them how to vote. What Adam needs is to get over him self. We are not all as dumb and lost as he thinks we are.

Not the judge · Get a grip on reality

If you are going to judge Lauras actions on council by her joining with Adam on a simple thing like getting flyers around, then you are seriously losing out on a fantastic candidate.
Laura has put in more time on council issues, committees, community work and working with our businesses than any of the candidates or current council members.
Just because they are helping each other deliver flyers doesn't mean she agrees with all of Adams actions. If you recall, the last election had all the candidates working together and helping each other out. Bonnie and Joan had their flyers delivered by the other candidates because they couldn't physically do it. Do you really believe that the current council is in total agreement with whatever those two do or say?
If you have actually seen Laura on council then you wouldn't even be questioning her ability to serve.
If you have a grudge against Adam then take it up with Adam and don't use Laura as one of your stones.

Only a Voter · Re: Get a grip on reality

Guest

Yea, Sarah has a lot of people helping her, and it looks like she is putting a lot of money into it. Lawyers can do that. Most of our candidates don't have that kind of money to put into a campaign. Not sure who put her flyer on my door but not someone who was willing to knock and speak on her behalf. (And I was home)Looks like Laura is knocking on doors. That tells me that she is not afraid to have a face to face with the residents she will be working for.

Guest

Looks like election time, the assasins are out. I like the fact that a candidate can organize a good campaign that gets people motivated to help. It shows leadership.

Guest · Not biting?

OK - so the candidates aren't biting the stick lure. That's a plus for them.
Why don't we turn this into a positive forum and tell us what you do know about the candidates. Let's try to keep speculation and the nasties out of it.

Dexter

The times are a changin’, and I think this is a positively change. We all need to sit back, take a break and let the city manager do his thing. Any candidate that insists on continuing to control anything other than our code book will not get my vote. The manager is in charge of making the city’s resources like staff, departments and budgets work. Council’s of past have tried to run the city from chambers, but those days are gone - thank goodness. We finally have an administrator that is qualified to take care of our business. I’m looking for a council that considers policy based on the wants of the citizens. Not a council that quibbles over the logistics of the administrative affairs of the city. We have blurred the boundaries between legislative and administrative powers. I’m looking for candidates that understand the role of council, and respect the roles of others. Council needs a new mindset. I like that Sarah and George haven’t been a part of past councils boards or commissions. New perspectives might be just what we need.

Guest

I think Sarah and George may be very good on council. George seems to be very concerned about his neighbors. That's a good sign.
Sarah has a legal background, and despite what some folks think of lawyers, council is legislative. A thorough knowledge of the legislative process may be a good thing.
I also think Laura is a very good candidate. She hasn't been on council very long. She was just appointed this spring. But already she has taken an active role in the Recycling Committee, the local businesses, the parks and rec department, as well as being a leader in the non-profit group that brought Edgewater the free presentation of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. It shows she cares about our community. She speaks her own mind on council. She was a little shy getting started but I think she has found her voice in this community and we are better off for it.

Guest · a vote of confidence

Laura brings many assets to City Council. First and foremost I find her to be open minded, she doesn't seem to harbor hidden agendas either political, professional or philosophical.
She genuinely wants to help improve the little town she has lived in and raised her family in for many years.
She is intelligent, thoughtful, compassionate and a good listener. She is capable of collaboration and finding common ground and yet quietly fearless in exercising her independent vote.
She honors her responsibility to represent her constituents and has demonstrated that during her time on Council. In so doing she has earned my trust.
She listens to anyone who shares their ideas with her and seems to judge them for their merits and not who is presenting them.
Edgewater has been Laura's home for many, many years. She understands Edgewater residents; our history and missteps, our foibles, our needs, our concerns and our desire to become an excellent place in which to live. These are complex and multi-sided issues that one only learns over time. She is a valuable and capable member of City Council who is in a position to move Edgewater forward without missing a beat. I hope the voters return her for another term.

Guest

Devon,

First thanks for reading here. I do have a question for you though. You state you want strong boards and commissions, however you also state you are agains PAYT, which came directly from a board and commission. So do you really mean you only want boards and commissions that come to the conclusions you want?

Guest · How do you see Council as best working with the Cty Mgr?

What do you see as Council's role, now that we have a manager?
Do you think that council should be more or less hands-on with the day to day of the city than they have been since the manager came on board?
Do you think the manager needs to provide council with more information than they are getting from him now?
Do you think council needs to re-examine its role under the new charter and give the manager more room, or less room?

To all of you readers and posters - this thread was started by someone who wanted citizens to ask candidates questions. That's a great idea. Please don't turn it into another of last summer's mean, nasty tea-bagger events where ugliness and volume are everything. Please ask questions, listen thoughtfully to answers, and then ask follow-up questions, and let each person decide for themselves what they think of candidate answers, rather than trying to influence others' opinion with your mud throwing. Edgewater is better than that, and its people and the Stick deserve better. They deserve your politeness.

Thanks for listening, and candidates, thanks for any answers you provide here.

Devon Barclay · Recycling

I was asked a direct question, and I'll give a direct answer.

When the recycling committee formed, their goal was to give our community curbside recycling. They figured out how to do it. As far as I can tell, everyone liked what they were proposing. I like it, and I'll support it. It looks a lot like those purple tubs you see in Denver, Wheat Ridge, and everywhere else that recycles.

Later, SOMEONE become chair of the recycling committee and decided they should use their role to overhaul trash collection in Edgewater. Next thing, recycling got combined with PAYT. Now the City can't pass it in Chambers. For good reason.

We all agree - Edgewater should have recycling. Let's get that done, NOW. We can debate PAYT later, if there's desire. Fact is, most people here in town don't want it. And it's been a nightmare in Thornton, which is now facing the down-sides of the scheme we were promised wouldn't actually happen (and they get bigger 'trash' cans than we would under the current proposal).

I back curbside recycling without PAYT.

I hope that's simple enough.

Guest · Re: Recycling

The truth please · Re: Recycling

Guest · Facts, please

The Recycling Committee was a Mayor's committee and I don't remember ever seeing a specific mission statement from this committee that specifically defined what they were going to research.
They were informal, the membership fluctuated, they met in homes and coffeehouses so there are no minutes, to my knowledge, so there is no official history but there is a researched study that was presented to Council and that is on the record.
Not long ago I read the Payt plan was going to be included on a Council agenda (from the City Manager's office via the Town Cryer)
sometime this winter. It is an on-going process. Some people are in favor of it and some people have reservations.
Let's talk about the substance as most people are concerned about recycling and waste management. We all live on the same Earth and this is too important of a topic to make personal. Please.

Admin · Questions for Candidates

As this topic is "Questions for Candidates" let's honor the original posters intent and keep it, residents asking questions and candidates replying.
For those wishing to comment on what the candidates say, start a topic for that. You can always use the quote function to refer to what you want to comment on.

Guest · Question for Candidates

Is there anything the Edgewater City Governmet and City Council can do to help improve Edgewater schools?

Guest · Re: Questions for Candidates

resident comments · comments and critiques of candidates replies to questions

http://edgewatertalkingstick.myfreeforum.org/sutra8527.php#8527 This is a link to the resident comment area
As I'm sure you have noticed the candidates seem to be unwilling to post their positions on the Talking Stick, understandably because they are frequently followed by a post that is critical of what they say. In an attempt to diffuse this dynamic of cross talk, let's try having residents respond here. This is not a rule, only a suggestion to help the topic from going off topic and to give everyone a place to write without confusing candidates from residents not running for office.
This is all "Honor System" because the posting on both topics are, as always, anonymous.
So, state your comment or critique here and back it up with information. Let's see if we can't have a little more scholarly conversation than usual.

Guest · to Guest of 9:47 am

Guest,

Your post is, legally speaking, slander and could get the Talking Stick served with a notice to provide your url information and get you sued. The Stick is not the place for your obvious personal vendetta against Devon Barclay. If you continue to post slander please at least use your own name so the Stick doesn't have to get tied up in attempts to find and sue you, sicko!

Shocked

Admin
Please remove the slanderous post on Mr. Barclay. You might also block that poster. This is beyond the pale, even for the Talking Stick.

To Shocked, The post has been deleted. I have made my views on this issue well known in other areas of this forum. -Admin

Ballot 1

Mr. Barclay has slammed the police department for not calling out a crime lab and dusting for prints to captured the culprits who "broke into his car" several months ago.

I looked into this claim and read the police report. Mr. barclay had left his car doors unlocked and somone opened his glove box. The Officer indicated that there was no damage and Mr. Barclay said nothing was missing. My question is . What would you have the police do when there is no damage and nothing was taken? Seems like they did an excellent job even writing a report because you left your door unlocked. Lucky you.

Frankly his claim that the police did not do thier job is disturbing to me and shoulld be to you also.

Guest

that happened to me once. i inadvertently left my door unlocked and someone rifled through my glove box - it's scary because you don't know if your identity has just been stolen - i called the EWPD and reported it, they came out and took my report - i did it so there would be a record of the break in and so the PD knew it was happening on my street - i think it's important to keep the PD informed of these incidents - i just about never leave my car unlocked but it only takes once
i didn't feel Mr. Barclay was slamming the PD, it sounded to me like he was casting around for ways we can make our streets safer what's the harm in that?

Kate

In my opinion it seems as if he was doing some typical journalistic spin in which he tried to sensationalize something minor into something major like Glenn Beck. Listen he's only 28 years old and really has not got a grip on his life yet. If you want to play journalist that's fine but don't play politics unless you know what your doing.

Guest

That’s why politicians talk about personal stuff during a campaign. How long you’ve been married, how many kids they got going to which schools, professional achievements and the like all paint a picture of how you make decisions. I got nothing against the kid, god knows I made lost of decisions I’d rather not talk about, but until he can show a long run of good decisions in his own life, I don’t want him making decisions for me, or anyone else in this town.

I like the Kid

Classic reverse age discimination. The Kid (as you call him) is thoughtful and well educated. Even his big mistake was a selfless act to help another person. I trust him.

Guest

Never trust anyone accept yourself unless your a fool.

I like the Kid

Accept or except. Sounds like a McCloskey thing to me. I accept the Kid as worthy of my literate vote.

Guest

I'd choose "The Kid" over "The Old Lady" any day. Sure he isn't perfect but none of the candidates are. At least he is open to new ideas.

Guest

"The Kid" has done a good job on any board or commission he has been on. I say give him a chance at the Big League.

Boochee

I would vote for John any day over Devon. Look at there "records" and you will know the truth.

Boochee=JM · Duh

John - Of course you would vote for yourself over someone else. Who would put their name on the ballot and then not vote for themselves?

Oh, and it's a little scary talking about yourself in the third person. A little too BobDoleish!

Boochee=JM=Admin

Okay....enough....we all no its campane season. Can we stop with all the accusations? (unless the admin really does know who these posters and just likes outing them)

Guest

I like Mac! He's a good guy and a loyal Obama supporter. It's kind of ironic that his own kind are turning on him. Mac should change his affiliation to Republican.

Devon Barclay · Political suicide

Hey, I've been told by not more than 20 people that it's silly to post here. But I read the 'Stick, and I've got people beating up on me for reporting a break-in to my car.

During a crime spree in which roughly 30 cars were broken in to in my immediate 4 blocks, I came out to my car and discovered that it, too, had been broken in to. My car is a beater. I don't lock it. Why? Well, frankly, if you want to steal my stuff, I'd rather you just take it, not break my windows and THEN steal my stuff, leaving me with a repair bill. I don't leave anything of value in my car.

Finding that my car had been broken in to one morning, I called the cops. They came out, looked at the car, and explained that there was probably no chance that whoever broke in and rummaged around in my glovebox would ever be caught. That's jake, as far as I'm concerned. (I do wonder, however, how information I've never shared with anyone outside of the police department can now be read here on the 'Stick.)

Though - I have to wonder. Why didn't anyone want to take prints? 30 or 30 cards got busted into, within a few days. Logic alone lets me think there's a CHANCE whoever did this has a record. The cops don't have to dust my car.

Did they dust ANY car? I don't know. I'm asking.

Devon Barclay · my own worst editor...

Just re-read that as :

"I have to wonder. Why didn't anyone want to take prints? 30 or 40 cars got busted into, within a few days. Logic alone lets me think there's a CHANCE whoever did this has a record. The cops don't have to dust my car.

Did they dust ANY car? I don't know. I'm asking."

Next time, I SWEAR, I'll re-read before I post and not engage in the 'Stick while I'm chatting in two other windows...

Guest

so when do our cops have to stop spending their shifts posting on the talking stick and instead start patrolling this community?

Questions for Council Candidates

Question to the candidates

Skunks

I'll bite.

A ? for Devon Barclay

You'll do what?

Re: I'll bite.

To Devon

Elevate the debate then!

Adam’s arrogance is out of control

Get a grip on reality

Re: Get a grip on reality

Not biting?

a vote of confidence

How do you see Council as best working with the Cty Mgr?

Recycling

Re: Recycling

Re: Recycling

Facts, please

Questions for Candidates

Question for Candidates

Re: Questions for Candidates

comments and critiques of candidates replies to questions

to Guest of 9:47 am

Duh

Political suicide

my own worst editor...