VOLUME 27, NUMBER 2
LYONS, COLOR ADO
PAGE 9
CANDIDATES Q & A Trustee Candidate Leigh Williams 1. Find funding for projects? I agree that the outlook is grave for federal, state and county assistance in the short-term. Fortunately, our infrastructure needs are medium to long-term. So, I suggest we pursue grant funding right through these political and fiscal ups and downs. Even so, since these awards are unreliable in any environment, we should never bet our Town on them. Instead, we should be more and more careful with discretionary spending, safeguard our earmarked funds, use fees to tie capacity building to capacity utilization, gradually broaden our tax base, and be prepared to issue bonds only if necessary. 2. What project/program do you want to implement? Since our Town government is only responsible for a fraction of what happens here, I think the BOT should take a hard look at our role and others’ roles. For example, the Arts and Humanities Commission and the Creative District are rationalizing their overlapping roles. And the Economic Vitality Commission’s role should be open to discussion while business leaders consider rebuilding or replacing the Chamber. Let’s think carefully about what our community truly needs from the Town government, and what should be led by the special districts, by non-profits like LEAF, by business coalitions, by HOA’s, and by individual businesses and residents. Let’s point our limited BOT authority and Town expenditures at our core functions (like infrastructure), and support others’ leadership where they’re better positioned (like fire safety and business promotion).
Trustee Candidate Mariah McCreary 1. Find funding for projects? We cannot rely solely on outside funding. We will need diversified strategies such as regional partnerships, phased capital plans, and careful prioritization. For a really out-of-the-box solution, we could position the Town of Lyons as a ‘demonstration site’ for climate-resilient infrastructure, etc. By transforming vulnerabilities into showcase projects, we could attract, rather than reach for, investment and partnership with research institutions and state/federal agencies. 2. What project/program do you want to implement?
I’d love to accomplish more integrated solutions. Our town’s issues are not isolated. For example, rather than tackling the wastewater treatment plant, then affordable housing, then the development initiatives on Main St, we should look towards an integrated infrastructure & economic resilience plan that ties infrastructure investment to business vitality and environmental protection. Projects are increasingly being designed to meet both economic AND sustainability goals. Lyons is in a unique position right now to jump onboard and help lead the municipal transition to sustainability and deliver long-term well-being to our residents.
Trustee Candidate Julie Jacobs 1. Find funding for projects? Now that the federal government has severely cut infrastructure funding to Colorado and that State, County, and Lyons’ budgets will likely be drastically cut as well, how would you recommend obtaining the financial resources necessary to fund critical infrastructure projects? In this time of (hopefully temporary) cuts to federal funding, Lyons will be competing with other municipalities for very limited funds. Prioritizing our infrastructure needs will be a necessary initial step; we must identify the urgent issues and focus on those first, then chip away at other important needs over time. First priority - the wastewater treatment plant, which is not only a vital infrastructure project but also an essential component of our economic vitality as a community. Lyons has historically been able to rely on grant funding at both the state and federal levels, and now we need to be creative and find additional sources of funding. Applications are open now for Congressionally Directed Spending opportunities – federal funding for economic development, infrastructure, and other community investments – and we need strong support from Rep. Neguse and Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper to apply for this funding. We benefit greatly from town leaders like Paula Stone Williams who have existing robust connections that they can leverage to move this forward. Finally, we must continue to seek low-interest loans and consider municipal bonds to fund this major project. 2. What project/program do you want to implement? What is the one biggest either project, or program, or change you would like to implement while in office and how would you go about accomplishing that? Wastewater treatment plant aside, when it comes to my
personal goals, I believe that we must do a better job of listening to all of the voices in our community and basing decisions on what provides the most benefit to the most people. Over the last 9 years in my work with HHSC, the IGA Task Force, and the PCDC, I have repeatedly watched a relatively small, well-organized group of community members mobilize quickly to participate in processes related to issues that concern them. However, I have not often heard from an economically and ideologically diverse group of community members, and I worry that relying on emailed surveys and in-person comments at evening meetings may exclude the voices of people directly impacted by the decisions we make. I will work to increase the town’s engagement with a wide range of community members, including business owners and our middle and working-class neighbors. Quarterly meetings with business owners, listening forums in different parts of the community, or identifying community ambassadors who will volunteer to engage with their neighbors and provide input to the Board are all ideas to consider. We need sustainable processes for communication and listening that will outlive any one Board and create space for collaborative, inclusive conversations and decisions for a long time to come. Otherwise, we may not be truly representing the interests of the town residents in our decision-making.
Trustee Candidate Douglas Matthews 1. Find funding for projects? While there are a variety of options for funding large infrastructure projects, such as grants, low-interest state loans, and even bonds, the most important action for Lyons will be to focus on our “needs” over our “wants” when facing constricted resources. Prioritization of expenditures of funds, staff time, and energy will help to meet our obligations as a community. 2. What project/program do you want to implement? In my view, in addition to the critical Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades, the most urgent action is the repair of the stormwater culverts on the north side and under the town. The Lyons 2016 Stormwater Master Plan illustrated the high (and perhaps unappreciated) risk of severe stormwater runoff events from Steamboat valley, which flow into the area between Fourth and Fifth Avenue of Old North Town. This risk seems to grow with each passing year due to the increased frequency of severe weather events, such as seen by the recent mountain flooding in North Carolina.
L E T T E R •T O •T H E •E D I T O R Let’s welcome and appreciate, our neighbors and colleagues. At the March 4th candidates’ forum, one speaker noted that her very identity is a subject of debate in today’s national discourse. I echoed her call for all of us to treat one another with decency, but I want to make a stronger and broader statement here. I fundamentally believe in her right to be who she is—as a matter of self-determination, self-expression and basic civil rights. Extending this principle to less personal questions, I also think we’ll be best served if we elect a board with varied backgrounds and areas of expertise—choosing broadly from among the lawyers, therapists, businessowners, environmentalists, and teachers. Someone I deeply respect said once that I bring my whole self to being a trustee. I don’t know if she meant I focus on what I know (housing and fire), or that I’m okay looking undecided until my mind’s made up, or something else. Whatever she meant, it is easy for me (as an unremarkable middle-aged white guy) to be myself in Lyons, and I want the same acceptance for others. I vote that we unequivocally welcome and appreciate our candidates’, colleagues’, and neighbors’ whole selves. Where I Stand on Major Town Issues
Leigh Williams, Lyons, CO
Communication/Transparency – The Town needs to do better at communicating with residents and businesses before even initial Board discussions of things that impact them – for ex., events in neighborhoods, contractor rules, property restrictions. Once citizen and business input (like survey responses) is received, it should get great weight in decisions. Infrastructure – We must fix the wastewater treatment plant and do it right this time. We need to shore up the collapsing culvert through North Lyons. And we need to fix failed streets. We should try to pay for those things without raising taxes by using grants and low-interest state loans, plus carefully prioritizing what's really essential. Fire Risk Mitigation – Just adopting a new State code applying only to new buildings won't do much for Lyons fire safety, with less than 10 vacant lots left. We need to add some limited retroactive steps (like cutting junipers within 5 feet of houses) based on citizen input. The Town should share costs with residents. It should also mitigate its own properties. Economic Vitality – The Town should work with, not against, business and property owners. No unnecessary property restrictions. Offer incentives (reduced fees & taxes) to fill vacant spaces. Shorten development review time. Promote business sectors (music/wedding venues, restaurants, shops). Engage with Boulder County to boost outdoor recreation. Housing – With the 224 Seward property, Lyons has met its 10% local affordable housing goal. We're #1 in Boulder County! Citizens have said more AH at big cost to local taxpayers shouldn't be a Town budget priority. Future efforts (including any “middle housing” in the Eastern Corridor) must make economic sense to be successful.
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utility bills, and the Redstone Review. We hope to see you there. No Kings National Call to Action Day
LYONS – The National Call to Action demonstration will be held on Sat. March 28 at the Third and Third and Main (Freedom Triangle), from noon to 2 p.m. Sponsored by LN4D, Lyons Neighbors 4 Democracy, locally supporting and defending American Democracy with weekly Saturday rallies since Feb. 2025. All peaceful participants welcome. Register: www.nokings.org Note: LN4D Saturday rallies will be moving to start at 11a.m. beginning April 11. Snow Fencing installed Third and Main
Visit MarkLyonsMayor.com for more information. (Or use the QR code)
LYONS – After several conversations with the Town, Sheriff, and Lyons Neighbors 4 Democracy members regarding safety concerns, it was agreed recently that installing
a snow fence along the eastern tip of the triangle would help keep ralliers at a safe distance from the curb and traffic, while allowing for ease of movement for participants, as long as needed. Senior Bus Trip
LYONS – The next bus trip is coming up quickly and there are a few seats left. While the date of the event is April 22, tickets must be purchased in advance. The Last Day to Purchase Tickets is March 20. Here are the details: Sr Bus Trip to the Musical “Come from Away” Please join us for what’s sure to be a moving trip to the Arvada Center. The musical “Come from Away” is based on an extraordinary true story and, as described by the Arvada Center, “chronicles how the isolated town of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an Continue Briefs on Page 13