Michael Gifford Has a Forward-Thinking Vision for Lakewood

To most voters, off year elections feel like sleepy affairs. Candidate signs spring up, but quietly, unsupported by the TV and radio ads that battle for mindshare during even years. Ballots go unreturned because it takes time to research the candidates. It's even possible to pretend that off year elections are less partisan, less important. That it really doesn't matter who gets elected.

If this was ever true, it isn't anymore. The outcome of this year's city council election will determine the future of Lakewood, and there are candidates with starkly opposing views.

In Ward 3, which includes Belmar and much of downtown Lakewood, the race to replace outgoing council member Shakti is a perfect example. 

Michael Gifford is the candidate with the most forward thinking vision. He talks about environmental stewardship, jobs and career program for young people, and smart growth-- taking the growth that is coming to Lakewood and channeling it into well-designed spaces (like Belmar) while preserving the feel of existing neighborhoods. 

Gifford is opposed by Michael Bieda, who sits firmly in the Lakewood-should-be-preserved-in-amber camp. Bieta equates the development of high density urban areas like Belmar with increased crime, traffic, and "longer waits at the super market."

To me, the idea that smart design like Belmar is somehow responsible for all that ails Lakewood is ludicrous. If Bieda has his way, the blight along Colfax will sit crumbling forever, awaiting the magical return of 1950's car culture retail. Businesses and development that could revitalize Lakewood's aging inner core will go elsewhere. Traffic will increase as residents drive elsewhere to work and play.

Gifford's vision is clearly the superior one, but there have also been questions about Bieda's temperament-- ColoradoPols has the details, but the gist is that Bieda was formerly a District Judge who was voted out of office after receiving a "Do Not Retain" recommendation from the Office of Judicial Performance.  

So yes, I understand that off year elections are sleepy. But the best way to keep them that way is to elect quality candidates like Michael Gifford-- candidates with proven track records and a vision for the future.