Article Contributed on: 10/15/2008 4:30:24 PM
Susan Beckman is running for Arapahoe County Commissioner District 1 and answered a questionnaire for YourHub.com. To read all of the candidate questionnaires,
click here.
Name: Susan Beckman
Seat you are seeking: Arapahoe County Commissioner District One. That District represents the citizens of Littleton, Englewood, Sheridan, Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Glendale and the western portion of the City of Centennial.
Age: 48
Family: My husband Bruce Beckman is a Commander at the Littleton Police Department and a retired Colonel for the Colorado Army National Guard. I have two teenage children. Jesse who is attending Colorado State University studying Bio Medical sciences and Mallory who is a senior in High School.
Occupation: Chairman of the Board of Arapahoe County Commissioners.
Hometown: Trinidad, Colorado
Your Web site: www.susanbeckman.com
Favorite local place to hang out: South Platte River, Lee Gulch trail, Highline Canal trail, Big Dry Creek Trail.
What do you like most about living here? Like? I love my district and feel fortunate to have been able raise my family here. Arapahoe County district 1 has healthy communities. In many ways we are the envy of the Denver metro area with strong economic development, excellent schools, responsive local government, involved citizens and beautiful safe neighborhoods. We also boast some of the most spectacular open space along the South Platte River corridor and a network of award winning masterfully planned parks and open space.
Interests & hobbies: Public Service, running, reading, kick boxing.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite Web site: video.google.com
People who inspired you (and how): My parents. I was raised in a family business; my parents were successful entrepreneurs and small business owners. They lived the American dream and taught me many lessons, the value of a dollar, the importance of hard work and the respect that comes from being self-reliant
How you have contributed to the community: I am a long time community volunteer, community activist and a local elected official. I have been very fortunate in my life and believe very strongly in giving back to the community and serving the public. Through the years, I have delivered Meals on Wheels to seniors in Littleton, belonged to the Littleton Rotary as an Honorary Member and served on the Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Board. I have worked tenaciously to bring funding for transportation projects throughout my district, and have lead many efforts for environmental cleanup and preservation of some key parcels of open space throughout the community and along the South Platte River corridor.
What are the biggest issues facing your constituency now: The number one issue today facing the citizens of my district is the economy. The concern surrounding the national economy impacts Arapahoe County's citizens and businesses. County government needs to remain the safety net for citizens that are negatively impacted by the downward shift in the economy. County government is mandated to provide human services, senior services, and public health and general welfare services to the community. We also need to maintain a low tax structure that is business friendly, community friendly and fiscally conservative. Arapahoe County's involvement and support of economic development is more important today than ever before.
There are other issues that impact our quality of life in this district including traffic congestion, jail overcrowding, and environmental clean up along the South Platte River. I will continue to lead and coordinate fiscally responsible, innovative solutions for those issues.