PITKIN INDEPENDENT
I see beyond "Left" and "Right", and Democrat and Republican; this is a community of independent thinkers with differing views and interests, that needs a respectful and courteous representative. I will put LOCALS FIRST by respecting and learning from all of the many differing views of the members of this community. I will not allow labels to shade my view of ideas.
AS WELL AS WE HAVE DONE - WE CAN DO BETTER
ENVIRONMENT
Everything we do impacts the environment and the environment must be considered as a TOP priority when making political decisions. I am committed to making choices and implementing programs that ensure our environmental sustainability.
I believe that the scenic views of the natural environment, easy access to public lands and a range of recreational opportunities are among our greatest assets and the reasons many people choose to visit or make Pitkin County their home - and why Locals love this place.
Maintain and build Pitkin County water rights. Maintain minimum instream flows for our rivers and their tributaries. Maintain and preserve existing riparian habitat and wetlands.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
We are one of the wealthiest Counties in the country, hell, the world, and I believe we should set the standard at the HHS level, particularly when it comes to providing incentives to facilitate the transition from care to self sufficency.
Ensure that residents of all ages and abilities have access to a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse system that addresses acute and chronic mental health needs and we have the facilities for those services.
Where there are gaps in the system that good people fall through, there are amazing Locals who try and fill those gaps. I believe the County can take a more proactive lead to faciliate inter organizational communication that will help all of the entities out there able to work together more efficently and collaboratively.
It isn't laways about adding dollars to the budget, often taking a step back and looking at the situation from another angle is helpful. I am a big believer in rewarding postive behavior and incenitvizing productive, self sufficent lifestyles.
TRANSPORTATION
Momentum continues to mount for "non asphalt" solutions to local, valley wide and even state wide transportation. We need to better understand the segments that make up traffic and adopt capital and operational policies to address each segment. However, I enter into the conversation with an open mind on solutions, and solutions we should seek. I do not accept traffic as a "solution" to getting people out of their cars. I think the traffic is an unnecessary waste of time for Locals and an embarrassment to visitors.
Promote alternative modes and perspectives of transportation to help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote public health and reduce our dependence on carbon based fuels.
Improve the convenience, reliability, efficiency, comfort, accessibility, affordability, safety, capacity, and quality of the regional transportation service experience, while ensuring physical improvements are consistent with community character and real concerns around noise.
We are a community of "recreationalists", find recreational alternatives that help reduce gridlock. Let's take an OBJECTIVE look at connecting our mountains with gondolas / trams as one small part of the solution that would be zero taxpayer dollars and great for skiing /mountain biking / hiking.
ZONING - LAND USE
Facilitate the sustainability of essential businesses that provide basic community needs and encourage a commercial mix that is balanced, diverse, vital and meets the needs of year round residents and visitors.
The City seems to be dropping the ball on promoting retail and commercial services that Locals need and want, the County should investigate opportunities and programs that would help us sustain and grow a useful retail and commercial base - likely in the "Urban Growth Boundary", but let's think out of the box. We must work better with Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt.