Article Contributed on: 6/24/2009 3:42:50 PM
ARVADA _ Longtime Arvada resident Mike McHugh has announced his candidacy for the Arvada City Council's District 3. McHugh has been active in the Arvada community for more than 15 years, serving on the planning commission for 10 years and working on a variety of key transportation projects.
"I love Arvada. It is the quintessential home town - small and friendly with a great quality of life. We are especially lucky because our residents are active in the community and the government process. Their investment has helped create an incredible city."
McHugh served on the planning commission from 1994 and 2004 and in that time, played an integral role in the development of residential communities including Wyndom Park, Wildflower Ponds and Fieldstone. He supports Gold Line, Fastracks and a northwest beltway that will mitigate traffic congestion and spark additional economic development. Attracting new businesses, including "green" industries, is also a priority.
In addition, McHugh is committed to revitalizing some of the city's older shopping areas and enhancing Old Town Arvada.
Mike is married and has three children. His oldest son and daughter, both 24, graduated from Arvada West High School and his youngest daughter is a senior there. As a family, they have been actively involved in a variety of volunteer opportunities through Rotary, Jefferson County Public Schools and a host of nonprofit organizations. McHugh is a Paul Harris Fellow with the Arvada Rotary Club and served for many years on the Rotary's board of directors. He served as Arvada Rotary Club president in the 2004-2005 Rotary year.
McHugh has worked in municipal government for more than 25 years. As a geologist and permitting coordinator for Aurora Water, he is involved in numerous professional associations. In previous years, he worked for Boulder's Open Space and Real Estate Department, the Colorado Department of Natural resources and the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site.