Sharon Davis, Kathleen Kennedy compete for Arvada City Council at-large seat

BY LILLIAN FUGLEI LFUGLEI@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With fall just around the corner, election season is about to begin. In Arvada, that means several City Council positions are up for grabs, including an at-large seat. Kathleen Kennedy and Sharon Davis have both led for candidacy in the atlarge race.

e seat is currently held by Bob Fifer, who is term-limited out of the at-large seat. Fifer is running instead this year in District 4.

Davis said she is running as a way to give back to her community. Raised in a military family, Davis said she grew up learning the value of serving her community and making a positive impression.

“I have always lived a life of service,” Davis said. “So I’ve wanted to be on city council for a long time…I retired last May and I just said, ‘Here’s my chance to give back.’”

Kennedy said she realized she wanted to run as she saw new developments pop up around Arvada. Kennedy said she found herself wanting more opportunities for community input as the city approved new projects.

“How does that a ect homeowners who are trying to live in (Arvada) and have good lives?” Kennedy said. “So these are the things that really kind of enticed me to run for o ce.”

Background

Kennedy believes that her work as a real estate agent gives her a unique understanding of the issues facing Arvada. She also noted her leadership experience as a manager at IBM, saying that both careers have helped prepare her for work in city council.

“(Work at IBM) I think, transferred into real estate for me,” Kennedy added. “ ose are the skills that I think were transferring me to really want to get into government, you know, a little bit more. So I think those things help.”

Davis highlighted her experience working in government; she spent 25 years working for the cities of Aurora, Federal Heights and the City and County of Denver, as well as Metro Water Recovery. She also emphasized her experience within Arvada — Davis previously served on several committees, including the Arvada Park Advisory Committee and Capital Improvement Plan

Committee.

While working with city council in various capacities, Davis feels she gained insight into how council works, as well as the areas of council that need improvement.

“So many people, you know, government has failed or they feel left behind,” Davis said. “ ose are the communities that I really am connecting with, to make sure that they don’t feel that way. I want everybody’s voice to be heard and being recognized, which is the beauty of the at large position.”

Housing development

Both candidates mentioned the need for a ordable housing in Arvada, though their views di er on how to address that need.

Davis spoke to the need for affordable housing, emphasizing the power housing has to build community. She mentioned the benets of being able to live near family, as well as working where you live.

“You even have (people) who are having their children and they don’t have that familiar infrastructure to help them with babysitting or (their children) having an illness,” Davis said.

Davis added that without a ordable housing, “we have kind of that loss of family.”

Kennedy also mentioned the need for a ordable housing but noted that development should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure that new developments matched the density of existing neighborhoods.

“I do think that we can do a variety of things so (new housing) ts well in the neighborhoods because we have to have housing for everybody,” Kennedy said. “We have gentri cation that is happening in these neighborhoods also, I think that’s a good thing. Some would say that that’s not a good thing, but we have to have viable neighborhoods, you know, for everybody.”

Other priorities

Kennedy said that addressing homelessness in Arvada was important to her. While organizations like e Rising work with homeless people in Arvada, Kennedy wants Arvada’s city council to take a more direct approach.

“I would really like to see the City of Arvada take the lead on that. I think that we have an opportunity to make a di erence because it’s not overwhelming yet. So let’s handle it right now,” Kennedy said, in reference to homelessness in the city. “We need truly a wraparound service for everybody here. I’d really like to see Arvada take the lead on that.”

Kennedy also emphasized building transitional housing for homeless people and nding a “new area to build, so that the homeless are away from Olde Town.”

Davis noted that public safety was a priority for her, saying that she did not believe in defunding police, but rather giving them more resources — such as social workers or mental health professionals — to ensure communities are getting the help they need. She also emphasized the importance of building strong communities to reduce crime.

“(Neighbors) see something happening at your home, or they see a car parked or circling the neighborhood, they’re going to be the ones that are going to be your rst line of defense,” Davis said. “I think building those healthy, strong community connections is very important for crime reduction.”

Closing statements

Davis added that she’d like to use the at-large position to create change in a community she cares for.

“I love Arvada, I love the people and I’m ready to a ect change,” Davis said. “And to a ect change, you have to have a seat at the table, and I’m the people’s voice at the table.”

Kennedy said she’d like to be a moderating presence on council.

“I think we need that moderating voice, and I’m one of those moderating voices. I’d like to be that moderating voice of city council to help that process,” Kennedy said.