CANDIDATE Q&A

ALEXIS BARRERE

Profession: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Biography: I was born and raised in Littleton and now I am raising my 2 children here. I love to rock climb, play soccer in the park, and take my kids to swim lessons at our local rec center. I am lucky enough to live in the same community as my parents and my brother and his family. Our local SSPRD park is very much a part of our lives and serves as a place where many memories are created between generations.

Website: votealexisbarrere.com

Why are you running for the South Suburban board?

I am running for a seat on the SSPRD board because our parks, open spaces, trails and recreation programs are integral to the quality of life that we enjoy, most important, they are crucial to our health and well-being regardless of our age. As a nurse practitioner, I understand the need for recreation and outdoor activities for the physical, mental, and emotional health. As a board member, I want to make sure to build on the great things SSPRD has already created and ensure that future endeavors are done with consideration for environmental sustainability and more voices from residents.

When it comes to serving on this board, what are your top three priorities?

We’re good stewards of the District’s 4,000 acres of parkland, 100+ miles of trails, and 4 recreation centers for the enjoyment of people of all ages and abilities.

We ful ll the 2023 Master Plan goals and objectives in scally responsible and sustainable ways.

We make certain that the voices of all residents in the district have equal voices in the future of SSPRD.

What needs to be done to address those priorities?

I hear from citizens that they are concerned that active recreation facilities and activities for which SSPR collects fees are prioritized over maintenance and enhancement of parks and open spaces. I want to ensure that the lands SSPRD is stewards of are getting the attention and funding they require for ALL to enjoy and this is done through increase transparency and engagement with community members and community partners. ere is a lack of voting participation from di erent parts of our community and SSPRD needs to do better through more robust voter participation.

With continued growth in the region and call for more rec centers and youth programs, how does the board keep property taxes from going up and meet budget obligations?

I am not sure I agree there is a call for more rec centers; after a cursory review of the SSPRD Master Plan 2023 draft, it looks like 85% of respondents use SSPRD for walking, hiking, or jogging on the trails, 72% use the playgrounds, and 62% use nature themed playgrounds. Given this information, I would argue SSPRD resi- dents are seeking more support for parks and open spaces. I have serious concerns about why there is a new rec center being built in Lone Tree, what South Suburban is committing to nancially, and how that compares to what residents would like to see.

If elected, how would you improve community outreach to educate all eligible voters about upcoming elections, property taxes and South Suburban business?

Since less than 2% of the 150,000+ residents of the SSRPD voted in the last election, I believe there is a lot of work to be done to increase community involvement and decision transparency in SSPRD. If elected, I am going to push for at a minimum of a more widely accessible election through measures like using already established SSPRD monthly catalogs to engage voter for the elections and a increasing visibility through instituting streaming for SSPRD board meetings.

PAM ELLER who own property but don’t live in the district, so we would be mailing ballots to each and every one of those individuals… It’s a pretty signi cant cost.”

Requested absentee ballots will begin being mailed out on April 3, according to South Suburban’s website.

How to vote

Absentee voters can mail ballots to South Suburban Park and Recreation District at 4810 E. County Line Road in Littleton, CO 80126. To ensure votes are in on time, South Suburban asks residents to mail their ballots by April 28.

Alternatively, voters can drop o completed ballots at the Goodson Recreation Center or South Suburban Sports Complex. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on May 2. In-person voting will also be available at the Goodson Recreation Center in Centennial from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 2.

At 6 p.m. on April 12, South Suburban and the Littleton Business Chamber are holding a candidate forum at Shift Workspaces on Main Street, with a meet-and-greet hour preceding it.

ere will also be a candidate forum at 10 a.m. on April 15, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties at the South Suburban Sports Complex.

I actively participated in PTO at Wilder Elementary School, Goddard Middle School and Heritage High School.

I served on the Burning Tree HOA for several years as Pool Director. I am a golfer and tennis player. I walk and bike the trails of SSPRD and am a regular at the Buck Community Recreation Center (individual workout and tness classes).

Website: www.SSPRD.org/BoardElection

Why are you running for the South Suburban board?

Profession: I retired from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center after 27 years as a Research Associate.

Biography: I was born in Denver and graduated from South High School. I received my BS (Biological Science) from Colorado State University and my MA (Physiology) from the University of Colorado, Denver.

My husband and I and our two daughters moved to Burning Tree in Columbine Valley 37 years ago.

Serving on the SSPRD Board comes with challenges and opportunities. I was a dedicated board member for eight years, from 2010-2018. I believe my experience and relationships with the leaders of the cities, counties and organizations that partner with South Suburban will serve the District over the next four years. I understand the commitment of time and energy required to be an e ective board member, and I am prepared once again to meet that commitment. I have a passion for SSPRD and a demonstrated work ethic that is acknowledged by those who support me.

When it comes to serving on this board, what are your top three priorities?

SSPRD has the responsibility to safeguard all facilities in the community — nancially, physically and with attention to preserving and maintaining our natural resources.

1) e condition of District facilities, parks, and trails is always a top SEE priority. Beyond the responsibility of maintaining clean recreation centers, the District must address cleanliness and safety in parks and on trails. is issue has gained prominence with the increasing challenge of overnight camping and drug use in parts of the District. 2) Water conservation is an increasing concern in Colorado. SSPRD has implemented several excellent measures to ensure smart use of water throughout the District. But water costs will continue to increase, and South Suburban must meet the challenge of keeping our outdoor spaces as green as possible while carefully managing the water budget. 3) All costs to operate a park and recreation district as diverse as SSPRD are increasing substantially. ese include costs for sta , utilities, and materials. Managing these costs without compromising quality of service will be an ongoing challenge.

What needs to be done to address those priorities?

Facility managers and park rangers need to have the resources to deal with safety and cleanliness issues quickly, securely, and e ectively. Employees at every level must be trained to know how to respond to speci c incidents that might impact the safety of patrons and themselves. Much of this is already in place throughout the District, but policies and training should be updated regularly. Ongoing education of employees is key. New policies for resource conservation have been implemented throughout the District over the last few years. ese include water use, management of utilities, and changes in vehicle use to reduce gas consumption. ere continue to be new developments in resource conservation. e District should encourage employees to research innovative methods and suggest ways to implement them across SSPRD. e Board of Directors must be proactive in managing the District budget with a view toward continued changes in the cost of maintaining current facilities. Additional facilities and major upgrades to older ones need to be closely monitored to ensure that the pace of construction does not outpace the capability of the District to manage expenses.

With continued growth in the region and call for more rec centers and youth programs, how does the board keep property taxes from going up and meet budget obligations?

It is important to note that property taxes cannot be increased without voter approval. is requires the Board of Directors to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money. Managing the nances must continue to be a top priority for all future boards. In 2017, voters approved a measure to remove the sunset clause on the District’s two separate mill levy assessments. is has allowed the District the security of a xed mill levy, so the revenue from property taxes is a known entity. Personally, I see no need for any discussion asking voters for a property tax increase. Also in 2017, the voters approved a $46M bond issue after the District presented to the community a list of the priorities that would be covered by this bond. True to its reputation, South Suburban has applied those funds to every item on that list, and most of those projects are completed or nearing completion. ese include the new South Suburban Sports Center and replacement of the tennis “bubble” at Federal and Bowles. If major projects were to be identi ed in the future that would require additional funding, voters would have to approve these projects in a November election. e South Suburban Youth Commission and Public Art Committee involve numerous residents. A live voice always answers the District’s main phone number, 303-798-5131, to answer questions and direct calls to sta for additional information. Board members and managers could improve community outreach by frequently attending the regular and district city council meetings and the many community events sponsored by local governments and organizations. is would better facilitate exchanges of information and ideas. Finally, as a previous Board member, I consistently sought and welcomed direct contact from constituents, encouraging them to attend our twice monthly board meetings to meet the board and sta , to ask questions, and to learn much more about all aspects of South Suburban. If elected in May, I pledge to continue my outreach.

If elected, how would you improve community outreach to educate all eligible voters about upcoming elections, property taxes and South Suburban business?

South Suburban maintains an excellent website—www.ssprd.org—with current information on elections and much more, as well as a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and a YouTube presence. Each quarter, sta mails a catalogue of classes and programs to every District household.

Michael Edwards

Profession: Retired from a publicly traded energy company. Biography: Born in Greeley, raised in Denver. Graduated from John F. Kennedy HS. Graduated from CSU with BS in Business Administration, Concentration in Real Estate. Independent landman in Denver and Durango. Moved to CA and worked for a start-up energy company. Attended law school at night, received a JD and passed the CA Bar (still an active member). Last 14 years in Investor Relations for two publicly traded companies, responsible for interacting with top Institutional Shareholders (like Fidelity, Blackrock, T.Rowe Price) and explaining nancial and operational information to stock analysts with top commercial banks (like JPMorgan, Citi, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America).

Why are you running for the South Suburban board?

I learned to swim at the South Suburban Harlow pool when it opened in 1969 and learned to ice skate at the seasonal ice rink o Arapahoe and University in the early 1970s. When we moved back to Centennial in 2007, my children

SEE Q&A, P22 bene ted from activities at South Suburban facilities - my son took karate lessons and golf lessons and my daughter took ballet and ice skating lessons (40 years after I learned to skate with SSPRD!) I’m running because I want to contribute to this organization and make sure that current and future generations can enjoy the programs, facilities, trails and open spaces.

When it comes to serving on this board, what are your top three priorities?

1) Financial - making sure that the diverse set of properties and programs are well run, well taken care of and that tax dollars are invested in a responsible manner.

2) Listening to taxpayers to hear their wants, needs and for ways to improve existing programs and properties.

3) Finding ways to connect more residents to nature and wildlife experiences.

What needs to be done to address those priorities?

1) Diving into the nancial information to understand xed costs, variable costs, cost saving measures, contingency planning for various economic conditions.

2) Visiting as many of the facilities, parks, trails and programs as I can and engaging in conversations with participants.

3) Talking with sta to understand current outreach and to look for ways to collaborate with the District’s municipal and county partners. Also, asking residents for ideas.

With continued growth in the region and call for more rec centers and youth programs, how does the board keep property taxes from going up and meet budget obligations?

Taxpayers get to make the decision on tax increases at the ballot box. So, outreach and interaction with taxpayers is vital to understand if there is a desire to add rec centers and youth programs AND if a tax increase is needed and, ultimately, something taxpayers would approve. New urban developments will add residents, so increased revenue from adding those residents should be part of the calculation of any tax increase.

If elected, how would you improve community outreach to educate all eligible voters about upcoming elections, property taxes and South Suburban business?

I have read about the process and procedures used in writing the Master Plan to solicit feedback from residents about what they think the District’s priorities should be in the future. I do not know how community outreach is handled for elections, property taxes and South Suburban business, so my rst need it to understand how it is

Profession: VP - Health Plan Operations Colorado Access

Biography: I am currently the Vice President of Health Plan Operations for Colorado Access. Colorado Access is a non-pro t, healthcare payer that manages contracts on behalf of the State of Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. I have been with Colorado Access for 10 years, and prior to that I had an extensive career in the Telecommunications and Technology sectors. My MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Accounting is from the University of Washington, Seattle. My undergraduate degree, in Finance is from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and I am also a Certi ed Project Management Professional (PMP). I am a candidate for the SSPRD Board because of my desire to serve the community and the value my family and I have received from South Suburban programs and facilities over these past 24 years.

Website: https://www.linkedin. com/in/johnkpriddy/

Why are you running for the South Suburban board?

Most mornings I start my day with a work out at the Lone Tree Rec Center. We have been members since the day the Lone Tree facility opened. My son worked at the Sheridan Rec Center and I can pinpoint the spot on the Goodson Center Basketball Court where my daughter made her rst basketball shot. ese facilities, the people that work there, the community we’ve built and the friends we’ve made there, are all an integral part of my family’s life. We have bene ted from our access to the facilities and programs of the SSPRD District for over 20 years. I am fortunate in now being able to support the community by serving on the Board.

When it comes to serving on this boardwhat are your top three priorities?

1. Plan for Growth;

2. Preserve & Maintain our Parks and Facilities;

3. Connect with our communities and its diverse set of priorities.

What needs to be done to address those priorities?

As I review the Guiding Principles set out in the 2022 Master Plan and the 2022 Strategic Plan my top 3 Priorities are aligned and integral to the work ahead of the District. e recognition that the District has to e ectively Plan and manage growth is a recurring theme in the Planning Document. As a Parks and Rec district that is over 60 years old it is imperative that we continue to maintain and improve these facilities. Finally, the district serves a broad and increasingly diverse population - residents across six cities, and both Unincorporated portions of Arapahoe and Douglas counties. To successfully meet the needs of residents and stakeholders across this diverse set of constituencies is a skill and one I hope to be able to contribute to as a Board member.

With continued growth in the region and call for more rec centers and youth programs - How does the board keep property taxes from going up and meet budget obligations?

Fiscal responsibility is a Guiding Principle of the district, and in my interactions with the Executive Leadership of SSPRD and review of their publicly available nancial material, I believe the team is as committed to prudent and judicious use of the public dollar as I would be as a Board Member. My top priority is to Plan

SEE Q&A, P23 for Growth - erefore I view my role as a Board Member, in planning for growth in the region, to be a voice for disciplined scal management of the resources we steward, and not to re exively reach to increase property taxes to fund growth.

If elected, how would you improve community outreach to educate all eligible voters about upcoming elections, property taxes and South Suburban business?

Without a doubt, there are improvements we can make to engage a broader electorate about the elections, taxes and the business of the SSPRD district. My intent is to rst listen and learn. With that skill and with the expertise of the district’s professional sta , I will seek and advocate for ways to increase participation in the election process.

ELIZABETH WATSON

Profession: Owner, Watson Marketing & Public Relations, LLC

Biography: ree members of the South Suburban Board will be serving their second term. Working alongside these dedicated and experienced community members would be a privilege. is election is an opportunity for taxpayers to decide if there is value in electing Board members who will bring an additional renewed focus on serving the in-District taxpayers and contribute fresh, new ideas.

Work/Career: I have over 15 years of experience as a marketing professional for architectural and engineering rms, including CH2M Hill, GEI Engineering and DHM landscape architecture. As a marketing manager I have led multi-disciplinary teams preparing proposals, presentations and client-focused events. I graduated from Colorado State University, Pueblo, with a Mass Communications degree with a double major in journalism and public relations.

In December 2022, I started my own marketing company, Watson Marketing & Public Relations, LLC. Instagram @watsonmarketingandpr Board experience: I have served as a volunteer on Boards, but those were not elected positions. I am not a politician. I am a small business owner, a homeowner, a Colorado native and an active user of South Suburban’s amenities, both rec centers and open space and trails.

Past and current service to volunteer organizations:

I have nine years of experience as an in-classroom volunteer in Littleton Public School classrooms. I have volunteered as the Marketing Co-Chair for the Denver Arthritis Walk and have also volunteered as the Public Relations Committee Lead for the Colorado chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services.

Recreation interests:

I enjoy several sports at the recreational level. I play tennis, sand volleyball, and pickleball on a fairly regular basis. My most regular recreation is walking our dog, Newt, on South Suburban trails.

Personal interests:

Reading and writing are high up on my list of personal interests. And while I don’t consider myself a “foodie,” I like to cook. I have three children. My daughter is 19 and away at college. My two boys are at a LPS high school. And my husband Matthew still loves his job that he’s been at for 31 years.

City of residence: Centennial

Number of years you’ve been a resident of the District: 19

Websites: Facebook - Elizabeth Watson, Instagram - watsonmarketingandpr ere are simple changes that could help address transparency. One example is broadcasting and recording all board meetings. But an even more signi cant shift needs to happen within the board itself. Currently, this board seems to be focused on being representatives for South Suburban. I believe that needs to change so that board members truly represent the in-District taxpaying community. at is impossible to do if there is no public engagement. South Suburban is legally required to hold three public meetings for input on their budget. In 2021 there were zero in-person members of the community at those meetings. In 2022, two people attended.

Why are you running for the South Suburban board? If you are running for reelection, please say how long you have served.

I believe that South Suburban board members should be committed to transparency and providing their in-District community with an active, inclusive public involvement process. South Suburban is a taxpayer-funded organization that will receive almost $30,000,000 from property taxes paid by in-District residents in 2023 alone.

I am running for the board because I believe in-District taxpayers should know exactly how their taxes are being spent. And I believe South Suburban’s focus, its mission and vision, should be providing services that bene t their in-District community.

When it comes to serving on this board, what are your top three priorities?

Transparency, public engagement and outreach, providing a renewed focus on services to South Suburban’s in-District community.

What needs to be done to address those priorities?

With continued growth in the region and call for more rec centers and youth programs, how does the board keep property taxes from going up and meet budget obligations?

SSPR’s 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan details the Ridgegate East Inclusion (page 8). “Planned development for the District includes a recreation center, 65 acres for a regional park, 100 acres of neighborhood parks…” e District has included $4 million in 2023 for development of the regional park in Lone Tree, east of I-25. SSPR’s 2023 budget is $128,253,646. If SSPR continues to focus on regional services and new construction, your taxes will go up.

It’s important to note that in the 2023

Draft Master Plan, page 50 shows results from a 2022 Community Survey “Community desires - improve aging and well-loved parks, trails, and facilities over new facilities”

If elected, how would you improve community outreach to educate all eligible voters about upcoming elections, property taxes and South Suburban business?

Currently SSPR’s communications seem to focus on informing the community about services, programs and classes. Operations and nancial information should be provided to the community as well. If elected, I will work with SSPR to have nancial information included in the catalogs mailed to our in-District community. Speci cally, I would like to see an end of year Financial Highlight and a statement showing if the board voted to raise your taxes. Participation in this election and public input on the budget has to be increased. A more meaningful relationship with local media and a focus to involve and inform local organizations are both opportunities to increase awareness.

KEN LUCAS

Why are you interested in becoming a candidate for the Board?

I am currently a member of the SSPRD Board of Directors and have throughout my tenure seen SSPRD expand and provide the increasingly wider variety of premier services and amenities to the more than 150,000 residents in the six cities/towns that they serve. I have also experienced having a great working relationship with the very profes- sional sta members while serving on the board. Many new milestones have been accomplished by the board; i.e. the opening of the new Sports Complex in Douglas County, Dave Lorenz Regional Park, City of Lone Tree’s expansion Ridge Gate and their planning of a new regional park. Pickle Ball courts are being built and more in various planning stages. Other projects that are in progress is a new club house being built at the Littleton Golf & Tennis Club and the replacement of the bubble at the Family Sports complex with a permanent building. It has been a great experience to have been part of this growth and would like to continue my role as a board member and treasurer if re-elected.

Biography

I am now retired from over 30 years of senior level nance and accounting positions as well as owning several businesses that were heavily involved in venture capital, private equity, securities, and publicly traded companies.

U.S. Navy combat veteran with three tours of duty in Viet Nam.

City of Centennial where I served for 8 years as a city council member and mayor pro tem.

Education:

BA - Public A airs - Drake University MPA - Master’s Degree in Public Administration - Drake University

MBA - Master’s Degree in Finance and Accounting - Regis University

Board experience:

Currently serve on South Suburban Parks & Recreation District Board of Directors and serve as Treasurer and member the Audit Committee as well as liaison to the City of Centennial.

Over the years I have also sat on many boards in both the public and private company sectors during my years in venture capital and private equity investing.

Past and current service to volunteer organizations:

Senior Men’s Golf Club @ South Suburban Golf Course. Many committee’s when I was serving as a council member with the City of Centennial.

Personal interests:

Staying physically t, lots of reading, staying abreast of local and state politics, and improving my golf game.

City of residence:

Centennial

Number of years you’ve been a resident of the District: 22 years.