Here's the Truth About a Last Minute Mailer and Property Taxes

Lakewood Residents and Neighbors,

It saddens me to have to come to you on Halloween, when many of you are dressing your children up for the night’s festivities and preparing to hand out candy to ghosts and goblins. But unfortunately, I need to address what many of you received in today’s mail. Yet another expensive mailer from my opponent containing more misleading information about both me and how government works.

In the mailer he claimed he would freeze property taxes for seniors. A mayor does not have this power. Property tax rates are set by the voters and councils. Property values are set by the County. Still, even if that could happen, why has my opponent used this as a campaign issue rather than attempting to move this forward during his tenure on city council? I, like you, am sick and tired of empty campaign promises at election time.

I’ve spent months on the campaign trail talking about my concerns about our seniors, and affordability, and I'm certainly not the only one in our county. Mayors of other cities would have used a power like that, in every case, if it existed. It doesn’t and is a Halloween trick, just in time for Election Day.

Our next mayor can do a lot of good for Lakewood's seniors, for working families, for local business, and our environment. We can do more for affordable living in Lakewood. We will do so by using tools which actually exist, and having an honest dialogue with residents.

That's what I have prioritized throughout this campaign, and what I will continue to prioritize. This latest mailer is total nonsense, and that isn't how your time should be used. As a member of city council for all of Lakewood, I will provide you transparency about how government actually works and how we can reach real solutions.

I will also work on bringing our community together with a positive vision of inclusive, respectful, honest government. On Tuesday, voters can make a clear choice for this kind of government.

I respectfully ask for your vote, to help begin a more positive future for Lakewood.