Election De-Brief

The Boulder Chamber wants to know your thoughts on the election outcome and what you are hoping – or worried – may be on the horizon. Please contact Dan Powers, Community Affairs Manager at 303-442-1044 xt 122 or email dan.powers@boulderchamber.com with your concerns.

The Chamber is finalizing the 2010 Legislative Agenda and Public Policy Agenda and your input is appreciated.

Comments from the Winning Candidates – George Karakehian

I asked the five victorious candidates to provide a short comment to the business community; I’ll post them as they reply.

George Karakehian: ”Thank you to all Boulder Chamber members who supported me in my successful run for Boulder City Council.  My first official council meeting is Tuesday Nov 17th.  I am honored and humbled with the support I received in part from the Boulder business community. You will now have a voice on City Council. Let’s find more qualified business-oriented citizens for the next election in 2 years…..”

Comments from the Winning Candidates – Suzy Ageton & Macon Cowles

We asked the five victorious Boulder City Council candidates to give us a brief comment on their outlook following their successful campaign. I’ll post more as I receive them.

(Note: Mayor Matt Appelbaum is traveling in Japan on official business; we’ll hopefully hear from him next week.)

Suzy Ageton: “My main priority will be to get our fiscal house in order. I am eager to see the recommendations from the second Blue Ribbon commission, and believe they will help the Council to focus on where we might trim and re-align our budget given reduced revenues.”

“I have other issues I want to advance such as moving forward on our zero waste initiative, improving the quality of our governance and addressing the growing need for affordable housing.”

Macon Cowles: “I am committed to working with the business community to protect the environment, take care of people and create the conditions for a strong and healthy economy. In particular, I want to work side by side with you to map out and implement the steps needed to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will result in the creation of new, skilled green jobs, new green businesses and new investment. It is to this end that I conceived of the Carbon Utility, to bring $600 million of private capital to the renovation and renewal of buildings in the City of Boulder. It is available at http://www.cowlesforcouncil.net/downloads/C4C_Carbon_Utility.pdf.”

Who Will Be Mayor?

There’s no 2-month delay in Boulder like there is following Presidential elections – the newly elected Boulder City Councilors are sworn in on November 17 and vote amongst themselves who will be Mayor.

Who should be our next Mayor? Current Mayor Matt Appelbaum has said he’d like to remain; highest-vote-getter Suzy Ageton is also interested. Read more in the Camera.

Final Election Results: Your Take

See the full official results of the the Boulder City Council election.

 

Final Election Results Online

Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall will begin releasing election results online at 7:00 PM sharp Tuesday night.

Check here for results.

Congratulations to the victors; we look forward to many projects and policy discussions with them in their roles as City Councilors, School Board members and supporters of successful ballot issues.

Thank you for visiting our site during this election season, let us know what you thought of this effort by emailing Dan Powers, Community Affairs Manager.

Why Do YOU Vote?

“You only get one vote on local policy issues . . . So use it!”

- John Tayer, Roche Colorado and 2009 Boulder Chamber Board Chair.

We asked several local community leaders what causes them to participate in elections and make informed votes. Read their remarks and submit yours as well to this forum.

DID YOU KNOW? Since this site was announced on October 12 we’ve had over 1000 visitors. Thanks for reading and telling others!

County Expects 40,000 Votes Today

Are you participating in today’s election? We urge you to drop off your mail-in ballot early today. Drop off locations.

Election officials have said they expect voter turnout to top 40 percent in Boulder County. So far almost 35,000 ballots County-wide have been submitted.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Don’t Be Part of the Predicted Low Election Turnout

Boulder County election officials have received almost as many ballots marked “undeliverable” as they have voted ballots.  Read more in the Colorado Daily.

We are in the final stretch, if you have not voted please check our informational posts and links and make your choices! Your vote is very important.

Ballots must be received at the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Office by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Locations and details.

Voting Is Cool

Chamber members are looked to by their friends as interested, involved and savvy citizens.  You know better than many others just how Boulder City Council decisions ripple out into the community. Your efforts to constantly help your company thrive earn you deserved credibility when you let your opinion be known on local leadership and policy issues.

In other words, you’re influential.

Take the time to vote and help influence the shaping of Boulder this election. Nudge your circle of friends to vote as well. When you tell people to vote, they know it’s cool. 

(Voting ends 7:00 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Details.)

Candidate: KC Becker

Planning Board member says she’ll bring experiences from public, private sector to city’s problems.

Read the Camera interview and see her answers to the Chamber questionnaire. Check back as we’ll be adding different candidate info every weekday.

Website: kcbecker.org

Candidate: Suzy Ageton

Council incumbent wants to get ‘fiscal house in order’; touts bringing balance, experience, character to Council.

Read the Camera interview and see her answers to the Chamber questionnaire. Check back as we’ll be adding different candidate info every weekday.

Website: suzyageton.com

Candidate: Rob Smoke

Candidate says reservoir top priority; insists his campaign is serious despite inclusion of cat in campaign.

Read the Camera interview and see his answers to the Chamber questionnaire. Check back as we’ll be adding different candidate info every weekday.

Website: robsmokeforcouncil.blogspot.com

Business Community: Your Voice Matters!

Please plan to vote!

Your vote will shape the policies and regulations that help make this the best place to locate and grow your business. Please stand up and speak out for the issues and candidates that share your vision for a thriving economic atmosphere.

See our full announcement.

Candidate: Valerie Mitchell

Boulder gardener wants to represent renters; says Council lacks diversity.

Read the Camera interview and see her answers to the Chamber questionnaire. Check back as we’ll be adding different candidate info every weekday.

Website: mitchellforboulder.com

Votes Are Coming In

Boulder County elections officials have started to receive ballots for the November 3, 2009 election. Have you sent in yours? 

We strongly encourage you to read more about the candidates and issues and to comment about your opinions on this site.  Check more information on County-wide voting details in the Camera.

Candidate: Jyotsna Ray

Candidate’s priorities include strengthening CU ties, alternative energy.

Read the Camera interview and see her answers to the Chamber questionnaire. Check back as we’ll be adding different candidate info every weekday.

Website: www.citizensforjyotsnaraj.org.

Candidate: Macon Cowles

Council incumbent says passion for environment, people drives him.

Read the Camera interview and see his answers to the Chamber questionnaire. Check back as we’ll be adding different candidate info every weekday.

Website: cowlesforcouncil.net

Candidate: Seth Brigham

Local activist says council focuses too much on concerns of wealthy, business interests.

Read the Camera interview. Mr. Brigham chose not to answer the Chamber questionnaire. Check back as we’ll be adding different candidate info every weekday.

Website: notesfromthequietroom.com

Chamber Board Takes Positions on 3 Ballot Issues

The Boulder Chamber Board of Directors has voted to support City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2A and Boulder County Ballot Issue 1B.

They have also voted to oppose City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2D.

They have remained neutral on the rest of the ballot measures.

See an overview of the measures on the Ballot Issues page.

A detailed press release will be forthcoming.