Metro District of Highlands Ranch Board of Directors candidate Nancy W. Smith -Incumbent
My age:64
My family:My husband of 37 years, Henry Smith Jr., who is a patent attorney, and our son, Eric, who is working on a PhD in Computer Science at Stanford University
Education:B.A. from Vassar College
What I do:A combination of volunteer and recreational activities. I volunteer for various organizations including the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA), the Highlands Ranch Metro District (HRMD), Team Highlands Ranch, the Littleton Newcomers Club, the Highlands Ranch Senior Club, and the Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center in Castle Rock. I also attend, and sometimes plan, the various recreational and service activities of these groups.
My favorite place in town to hang out:My home and Tattered Cover Bookstore
What I like most about living here:The Rocky Mountain views, the dry, sunny climate and the community of Highlands Ranch
My interests and hobbies: With my husband I enjoy mountain sightseeing trips and walks on the great Highlands Ranch trails. Using the computer, I enjoy helping organizations with their publishing needs such as newsletters, flyers etc.
I also enjoy many kinds of crafts. The Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center has a Greeting Card Sales Project, and I chair a group of Littleton Newcomers that makes the cards for them. In addition, I volunteer at the Crisis Center office to coordinate for the sales events.
My favorite thing to cook:Thanksgiving Dinner. I love the foods and flavors but most important, Thanksgiving is just about family, being together, and being thankful.
People who inspired me (and how): My parents, who taught me the value of education, and continued learning, the importance of community service, how to work hard for a cause that you believe in, the importance of family and good friends, and how to manage money.
How I have contributed to the community:Since moving to Highlands Ranch in 2000, I have served:
•5 years on the Metro District Board, both before and after consolidation.
•6 years as a Delegate to the HRCA Recreation Advisory Committee (RAC).
•3 years and a Charter Member of Team Highlands Ranch As part of this, I created and was the driving force behind "Who Does What in Highlands Ranch from Animal Control to Zoning - An A to Z Guide to Services" which is now posted on the Team Highlands Ranch website,
www.teamhighlandsranch.com
•As a member of Douglas County's Senior Services Strategic Planning Committee I suggested, and then worked with the County and the Metro District to create, a new part-time staff position, to coordinate the available resources for seniors.
•5 years as a Charter Member of the Board of the Highlands Ranch Senior Club since its beginning in January 2003. I have been the Treasurer and the Membership Chair. I also write grant applications, and I am the Editor of the monthly newsletter.
•5 Years on the Board of Littleton Newcomers including 3 years as Editor of the newsletter
•3 years as a volunteer at the Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center coordinating their Card Sales Project
•As a member of many HRCA committees including Mansion Vision I, Mansion Vision II, the Future Facilities Committee for Southridge, the RAC Bylaws Committee, and several RAC Board Candidate Questions Committees.
The biggest issues facing Highlands Ranch now:Maintaining a quality level of service for all aspects of our community including the public and common areas, street repair, parks, open space, traffic control, street lights, parkway landscaping, fencing, the Rec Centers etc. This is especially important as our infrastructure begins to age and as our community reaches buildout. The Metro District, Douglas County and HRCA must work together to ensure that Highlands Ranch remains a quality place to live.
Why I am running: As a member of the Highlands Ranch Metro District (HRMD) Board for the past 5 years, I have gained valuable knowledge about the workings of HRMD and our community including many taxation and budgeting issues.
I am committed to cost effective delivery of quality services, asking the tough questions and helping to make the tough choices to avoid the need to raise taxes.