Centennial Candidates At Large
by Anne Streeter

JANUARY 2001

The crowds are growing and the questions grow more serious and lengthy. This was the case at the public forum of Centennial public office candidates on December 16. Held at the Koebel Public Library, Centennial residents heard from candidates for mayor, treasurer, city clerk and city council.

Citizens were able to participate in a question and answer session where they asked, and asked, and asked. Due to the massive numbers that turned out, room was scarce Saturday morning as citizens listened to the candidates, hearing their platforms and their concerns.

Claudia Cygnar, currently the Lakewood deputy city clerk, is running unopposed for city clerk.

The three candidates running for treasurer are Mel Emeigh, Lloyd Wicke and Doug Milliken. Each spoke about what they plan to do if elected, then answered rapid-fire questions, many of which focused on the proposed 1.5 percent sales tax. The citizens of Centennial had many opinions on the issue and were especially concerned if the tax rate was a legitimate and realistic goal for the city.

"We can live with 1.5 percent sales tax, depending on how much the mayor and city council want to spend," said Milliken. The consensus among the candidates was that it was best to deal with the issue sooner.

Wicke saw office of treasurer as one that might eventually become a permanent paid position of leadership and administration in city finances. He felt that whoever took the office should work closely with the city council. Milliken also saw the position as an administrative one as well as a resource to help the council by making recommendations to it. Emeigh agreed with both his opponents' views on the role of the treasurer.

The three candidates running for mayor are Randy Pye, Jim Loomis and Paul Laux. Laux did not attend the forum. The mayoral candidates spoke both individually and collectively, addressing the many questions the audience had for them.

Randy Pye hosted more that 100 town meetings over the past two years and is considered by many to be the front-runner for mayor. He began by thanking the onlookers for the good turn out and encouraging citizens to stay involved in their government. Commending those gathered for all the work that had taken place thus far, Pye also asked them to recognize the work that still needs to be done.

Pye said he envisions a friendly city run on low taxes and went on to say that there is minimal time to get the foundation of the city laid. He favors a "part-time" government. Among the issues Pye focused on was that of "inclusion." He wants to see that areas originally left out by law in newly formed Centennial are included within the city if they so desire.

Regarding the sales tax, Pye would like to form a committee to reveal what the citizens want their sales tax to be. He said that the 1.5 percent sales tax does and will work. Additionally, Pye said he would like to see the city use more technological advances to its advantage. He said that the technology enabling the citizens of Centennial to interact on the Internet with each other, their city council and the mayor; regarding city issues, is available and functional.

"This technology," Pye said of the Internet, "is the way of the future and should be the way of Centennial."

Pye would like to see unobtrusive government, and added that he feels citizen involvement is crucial in that regard. He advocates home rule so that the city can write it's own constitution and would like to keep the government small, with businesses helping citizens and citizens helping businesses. He believes that the city's growth issues are actually infrastructure issues that can be improved through planning and zoning committees. Citizens should have a role in the creation of a growth plan, he said.

Pye does not promote a city hall.

James Loomis, a software and management consultant, originally opposed the Centennial incorporation effort. He felt that his concepts of governing did not differ very much from Pye's and said he likes thinking "outside the box." An unaffiliated, independent voter, he is not part of the Democratic or the Republican Party. Loomis is in favor of small government and does not advocate the hiring of a city administrator.

If elected mayor, Loomis would like to build a team to get the statutory requirements done quickly. He said citizens should be able to have readily available contact with the mayor and city council people. Loomis likens giving power to politicians to giving cars and alcohol to teenagers. He says that he would insist on full disclosure statements of all city contracts.

Loomis does not agree with Pye's support for the annexation of consenting neighborhoods that were left out of the original city plans, saying that the city should proceed as is.

One citizen asked what involvement homeowner's associations would have in the new city. Loomis feels that the associations need to be directly involved and encouraged to give input about city government. Pye believes that neighborhood organizations should interact with the council and are a vital part of the city.

After the mayoral question and answer session, city council candidates were each allowed thirty seconds to introduce themselves.

Up until the election, candidate and election information will be on display at four libraries in the Centennial area, one in each ward. These libraries are Southglenn, Koebel, Castlewood and Smokey Hill.

More information on the candidates is available from the original Centennial website www.centennialcolorado.com and the C-Watch website www.c-watch-news.com. C-Watch was designed by a non-partisan group of Centennial citizens "dedicated to the idea that a firm foundation for a strong city is built upon an informed and involved public." Both Internet sites provide information on all the candidates as well as upcoming campaign meetings, events and issues.