Today Arvada faces many challenges:

· the rights of voters to undertake self-government is threatened

· the city is unethically, irresponsibly and unprofitably subsidizing labor and other costs for private businesses and corporations

· the city is wantonly disregarding the sanctity of private property...especially in the expansion of public roads and transportation.

· the irresponsible allocation of City resources towards golf courses and other unessential services when the basic needs of many citizens are unmet is nauseating

· the mismanaged and unprotected natural resources poses a danger to the public's health and safety in the City of Arvada

Within one year, I will secure the rights of all Arvadans to participate and administer their Government, ensure 100% registered voter turnout at elections, and revitalize our democratic Republic in Arvada; I will improve the ability of all Arvadans to achieve financial independence; I will improve the public's health, safety and education; I will protect our natural resources.

These challenges are easily met!

Most of these reforms will cost the taxpayer nothing. For the rest, cutting unessential City services (such public golf courses) and the increased revenues from these reforms (especially the elimination of subsidies for private businesses and corporations) and the higher tax revenues from the economic development that will result can be easily applied to cover their minimal cost.

Arvada already has the laws, the infrastructure and the funding to do great things: all that is required is the will of the People and City Council of Arvada. Elect me, Mary Choate, to City Council!

MY PLATFORM

I. Secure the Rights of All Voters

Within one year, I will secure the rights of all Arvadans to participate and administer their Government, ensure 100% registered voter turnout at elections, and revitalize our democratic Republic in Arvada. This will have wide-spread positive impacts on the economic welfare of Arvadans, and the public health, safety and education in Arvada.

How will I do this?

1) Require all employers in Arvada to allow employees two days off per year: one on Election Day, and the other months before elections, in time to register petitions with the State, County and City.

>While polls are already kept open late to accommodate the working citizens, no provision is made to secure the rights of Arvadans to publicly debate with their fellow citizens, discuss issues and candidates and educate themselves on the important decision they will make. With many Arvadans working more than one job - sometimes two or three jobs - it has become necessary to set aside two days to ensure Arvadans can undertake their civic duties.

> Costs and Funding: Citizens will lose two days of income per year. One of the first issues to be debated after this reform is initiated will be the question of compensation: voters will be asked to decide whether to provide compensation to all, or just the neediest, citizens and businesses for lost income. Many potential solutions exist, but cutting unessential City services (such public golf courses) and reallocating the resources is one of the most practical. Additional revenue gained by no longer allowing special tax districts will also help. It is also reasonable to presume higher tax revenues from the economic development undertaken by AURA and the reforms I propose: these revenues and the savings from the decreased expenses could be applied towards programs such as this one.

>The City should allow - and then facilitate through trained and certified volunteers - voter debate and education to ensure the democratic process is undertaken. Precinct by precinct, district by district, every person should be allowed to evaluate with their neighbors the best way to administer their Government, from evaluating issues and candidates already on the ballot, to developing new issues.

> Costs and Funding: City Council can train, certify and supervise volunteers from every precinct with no requirements for additional funding.

2) Increase the minimum wage in Arvada to a living wage, and adjust that living wage by inflationary rates every year. Employers who do not pay their employees enough to live upon pass the living costs of that employee to the City.

Not Raising the Minimum Wage Costs Taxpayers More

>Employers who do not pay their employees enough to live upon pass the living costs of the employee and the employee's family onto the City, County and State. A person who cannot afford to eat requires food stamps and other welfare.

> Costs and Funding: As a business owner, I know that the City should not subsidize labor costs for any private company. This will reduce the burden on taxpayers and place it back where it belongs: on employers.

Raising the Minimum Wage is in the City's Vital Interests

>It is in the City's vital interests that all citizens be paid not only enough to live upon, but enough to raise their children upon. A child whose parents cannot afford to raise them is a child whose birthright of a democratic Republic is in jeopardy.

>It is in the City's vital interests that citizens are able to afford the time to participate in their governance. A citizen who cannot afford to participate in government is a citizen who has been stripped of their right of self governance.

The City should not subsidize labor costs for private businesses and corporations

>While some may argue that raising the minimum wage hurts the consumer, not raising the minimum wage hurts every taxpayer. Raising the minimum wage will not raise total costs for the consumer because the consumer is already paying the high price of a too-low minimum wage: the consumer pays for the employee one way or another, either through increased crime, decreased property values, increased costs of healthcare and higher taxes...or else through slightly more expensive goods!

>Inflation will not necessarily increase: the employees must eat one way or another, they must live indoors one way or another. The money they require should come from their employers in exchange for labor, not from the State or County as welfare.

>Raising the minimum wage improves Arvada's economy: while large companies that expect the City, County and State to subsidize their labor may avoid Arvada, natural market evolution, with the help of the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority (see number 3), can ensure that the void is filled by Arvada-owned small businesses...which can easily provide the same (or better!) goods and services at competitive prices. As a small business owner, I know that businesses (large and small) can compete while paying living wages to their employees.

3) Direct the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority to fulfill its mission (online at http://www.arvadaura.biz/mission.asp) through not only the development of the physical infrastructure of Arvada, but the financial infrastructure necessary for Arvadans to establish their financial independence through self-employment.

This can be done by redirecting the existing resources of the AURA at no additional cost!

>Backing the citizens of Arvada as they apply for small (under $10,000), first-time low-interest loans for start-up businesses (businesses under 2 years of age).

> Economic development: besides securing the democracy of Arvada, this will lead to more taxable revenue, decrease unemployment and empower citizens to improve their community.

> Funding: Many potential solutions exist, but cutting unessential City services (such public golf courses) and reallocating the resources is one of the most practical. Additional revenue gained by no longer allowing special tax districts will also help. It is also reasonable to presume higher tax revenues from the economic development undertaken by AURA and the reforms I propose: these revenues and the savings from the decreased expenses could be applied towards programs such as this one.

>Helping citizens who rent their homes or business locations to purchase existing homes and businesses by loaning money for downpayments.

> Why encourage the construction of new homes and business locations when existing homes and business locations lay idle? Besides securing the democracy of Arvada by allowing the unpropertied citizens a stake in their community, this would result in more tax revenue for the city as otherwise vacant homes and offices are occupied.

> An ever-expanding program: interest charged on the low-interest loans would be used to expand the program and provide other services.

4) Require all businesses to provide paid maternity and paternity leave to employees, and provide paid sick leave to all employees.

The City should not subsidize labor costs for private businesses and corporations

· By forcing employees to work while sick, companies increase healthcare costs for the City, County and State, increase the risk of infection and decrease the quality of life for all citizens.

Small companies will experience no hardship

· Small companies (less than 10 employees) that can demonstrate hardship from complying with this requirement will be eligible for assistance in the form of reduced taxes or stipends.

Employers who do not provide maternity and paternity leave jeopardize the future of Arvada

· Instead of raising the next generation of citizens, a parent who cannot afford the time to raise their children risks raising the next generation of criminals.

· The principle obligation of every citizen is towards the raising of not only their own children but all the children in their democracy. It is the obligation of every employer to care for their employees.

5) Provide stipends to small business owners (less than 10 employees) to attend classes at local Universities and Colleges. This would not only improve the productivity of private businesses in Arvada, but would facilitate the continuing education of financially free voters.

> Costs and Funding: Many potential solutions exist, but cutting unessential City services (such public golf courses) and reallocating the resources is one of the most practical. Additional revenue gained by no longer allowing special tax districts will also help. It is also reasonable to presume higher tax revenues from the economic development undertaken by AURA and the reforms I propose: these revenues and the savings from the decreased expenses could be applied towards programs such as this one.

6) Provide financial assistance to "independent" citizens (those who belong to no political party) to participate in City and other elections. This will improve Arvada's representation in County, State and National government.

> Costs and Funding: Many potential solutions exist, but cutting unessential City services (such public golf courses) and reallocating the resources is one of the most practical. Additional revenue gained by no longer allowing special tax districts will also help. It is also reasonable to presume higher tax revenues from the economic development undertaken by AURA and the reforms I propose: these revenues and the savings from the decreased expenses could be applied towards programs such as this one.

7) Encourage senior citizens to contribute their experience and knowledge to younger voters and minor citizens (in preparation for their suffrage) by facilitating pre-election educational activities conducted by seniors for junior and minor citizens.

> Costs and Funding: City Council can train, certify and supervise volunteers from every precinct with no requirements for additional funding.

8)Change the City Charter to require the direct election of the City Manager and City Judges.

> A separation of the powers, an independent Executive and Judiciary, is essential to the liberty of citizens.

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II. Secure Rights to Property and Encourage Arvadans towards Financial Independence

Within one year, I will improve the ability of all Arvadans to achieve financial independence, allowing all parents the freedom to raise their children into law-abiding, law-making citizens. This will not only secure the interests of our democratic Republic, but will improve the quality of life, and positively impact the public health, safety and education in Arvada, while increasing the amount of taxable revenue in the City.

How will I do this?

1) Secure the rights of all Arvadans to participate and administer their Government, ensure 100% registered voter turnout at elections, and revitalize our democratic Republic in Arvada (see section I above). A strong democratic Republic results in a good economy.

2) Protect the rights of private property. There is rarely a need for the City to use the laws of Eminent Domain to obtain private property. I will protect Arvadans not only from Arvada's use of Eminent Domain, but will work with the County, State, RTD and other districts and governments to protect the rights of all private property owners in Arvada. No one needs to lose their home or business so that someone else can commute by train or automobile...or any other reason!

3) Eliminate special tax districts that place most businesses at a disadvantage so that a few may be at an advantage. As the City should not subsidize labor, and it should certainly not subsidize operations of private businesses and corporations.

4) Improve public transportation for travel within, to and from Arvada. I will work with RTD to ensure that busses best serve those who rely upon them most (those who cannot afford or cannot use automobiles) and that the Gold Line is constructed without requiring the City to use the laws of Eminent Domain to obtain private property.

5) Reduce the air, noise and water pollution from Arvada by

· Directing police to undertake stricter enforcement of existing laws and providing the police with the resources to undertake the stricter enforcement, and by working with County, State and other Municipal governments.

> Costs and Funding: Many potential solutions exist, but cutting unessential City services (such public golf courses) and reallocating the resources is one of the most practical. Additional revenue gained by no longer allowing special tax districts will also help. It is also reasonable to presume higher tax revenues from the economic development undertaken by AURA and the reforms I propose: these revenues and the savings from the decreased expenses could be applied towards programs such as this one.

>Besides reducing the costs to the city, law enforcement can, until the criminal problem is resolved, temporarily raise City revenues through assessed fines. These revenues can be used to improve city services.

· See also the sections on Public Health, Safety and Education, and Natural Resource Management.

6) Reduce the maintenance required for roads by constructing roads of better, longer-lasting materials. Europe and South America still benefit from roads constructed thousands of years ago: Arvada should enjoy roads that last through more than one particularly wet winter without requiring many repairs. Roads, especially roads that are not always under reconstruction or repair, are essential to the commerce of a city. Well built roads decrease the long-term costs of the City.

* * *

III. Improve Public Health, Safety and Education

While securing voter's rights and developing the economy of Arvada goes far to securing the public's health, safety and education, they do not completely accomplish the quality of life that every Arvadan should be able to expect. When the public's health, safety and educational needs are not met, the increased expense robs the City of resources that might be allocated towards the betterment of all Arvadans.

Besides the reforms listed previously, within one year, I will:

1) Eliminate all City taxes on food. A city should not tax things upon which its citizens vitally rely upon. Reducing the cost of food, however little, allows citizens to purchase more and higher quality food, improving their own health and the health of their children.

2) Providing free food to the citizens of Arvada. Whenever new trees, bushes, flowers or other plants are planned by the City in parks, along roads or in other unnatural areas, I will require that they be edible so that the poor and wealthy alike may enjoy lower or eliminated food costs and a beautified city. During harvest times, volunteers will be coordinated for the harvest and donation of the food that has not already been picked by private individuals. As a farmer, I know that some of the most delicious plants are wonderful in landscaping, beautiful in all seasons of the year.

3) Make the city more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

· Require the immediate construction of sidewalks where they are required.

· Direct stricter enforcement of existing laws that require sidewalks are kept passable, and free from overgrown hedges, etc. Landowners have an obligation to the safety of their fellow citizens.

4) Reduce or eliminate jail time for most non-violent crimes, replacing the punishment with fines (which will be annually adjusted for inflation) or community service. Locking a person away not only robs Arvada of a citizen who could otherwise be contributing to the common interests, but has direct costs to the city.

5) Increase the number of police officers and improve the capacity of judicial facilities. A speedy, well-funded justice system is essential to the safety of the citizens.

> Costs and Funding: Many potential solutions exist, but cutting unessential City services (such public golf courses) and reallocating the resources is one of the most practical. Additional revenue gained by no longer allowing special tax districts will also help. It is also reasonable to presume higher tax revenues from the economic development undertaken by AURA and the reforms I propose: these revenues and the savings from the decreased expenses could be applied towards programs such as this one.

6) Train and certify volunteers for disasters and other emergencies. When disaster strikes, it usually overwhelms the abilities of existing resources to cope. The founders of our country relied upon "minutemen" to be ready in a minute whenever their fellow citizens required them. Though today we face far different challenges of terrorism, global warming and disease epidemics, the solution is still the same: an able, ready and well-trained citizenry that can be called upon with a minute's warning to help, in an auxiliary role, the regular emergency resources. Other cities have volunteer firefighters. Arvada should have volunteer disaster resources.

* * *

IV. Protect Natural Resources

The natural resources of Arvada are precious not only to Arvadans, but to all people downstream and downwind, they are important not only to today's Arvadans, but to Arvadans who will live many generations from now. Poorly managed resources are expensive to the City, and the savings that come from better management can be reallocated towards the improvement of Arvada.

Within one year, I will:

1) Require all city offices to use recycled paper.

2) Make potentially dangerous pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers illegal for use on public property in Arvada. These chemical and natural agents - whether organic or conventional - threaten not only the wildlife, not only the children, but the adults of Arvada, increasing the costs of securing the public's health and safety.

> Costs: This will reduce city expenses for land maintenance by thousands of dollars every year

>As a farmer, I know that many of the pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers that are legally available for use are dangerous, and I also know that there is never a need for any pesticide, herbicide or fertilizer.

3) Provide incentives to convert private landscaping into xeriscaping. This will reduce the amount of water used by the city. Xeriscaping is recommended by Jefferson County: Arvada should be the leader of Jefferson County in implementing these recommendations.

4) Within four years, convert 100% of the non-xeric landscaping into xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is recommended by Jefferson County: Arvada should be the leader in Jefferson County in implementing these recommendations.

5) Require all City property to run on power generated by renewable resources, and provide incentives to private property owners to convert their buildings, automobiles and other property to run on power generated by renewable resources.