Our national and local economy have changed dramatically over the last several years. Longmont has seen its share of job loss. I have several ideas that can help us regain our advantage in attracting new primary employers that can provide jobs to our city.

First, the City of Longmont needs to undertake a comprehensive review of its impact and development fees. The fees we now charge for development need to be updated to make certain they are in sync with the programs they support. Our philosophy towards impact and development fees should be reevaluated as the successful cities in the future will need to be competitive by creating incentives and assistance programs for business expansion and retention. We need jobs and the way we will be successful in gaining them is by creating an environment that is more competitive with other communities along the front range. For example, the practice of evaluating annexations by “exceptional benefit” is unique to Longmont and sends the wrong message to businesses that their annexation will be judged subjectively and this will certainly not influence job growth in a positive direction.

Second, Longmont needs to evaluate and revise its development review process to make it more timely for a business to get through our system. It is now an extremely cumbersome process that needs to be streamlined. For example, filling vacant commercial or industrial space is often subject to a “change of use” review where current development regulations and zoning standards are applied retroactively to existing properties. These properties often have physical space limitations that would not allow for more parking, more landscaping or bigger setbacks. The process can take months and this often prevents a business from moving into a vacant space. The purchase of the old Chevy dealership by Pacific Auction took months longer than it should have because of this process.

Third, increased investment in public infrastructure where that infrastructure is absent, deficient, deteriorated or where it supports specific City economic programs should be a priority. Public infrastructure can be used to prime the pump for private investment. For example, if some aspect of public investment at the Twin Peaks Mall could lead to an increment of redevelopment which included a new state of the art movie theater, that could drive further development. This is just one example of how the City can spur economic growth.

Fourth, we need to ask our current primary employers what could be done to encourage them to add new jobs. We need to also ask those businesses from whom they get their goods and services and invite those companies to relocate here. This could create a unique synergy among employers in our city and provide more jobs for its citizens.

The City Council of Longmont needs to send a positive, consistent message to the business community and to prospective businesses. Council members who have been openly critical of organizations who promote the economic growth of Longmont and are even openly critical of their existence do a great disservice to job growth. This denigration undermines efforts to grow our local economy and sends a negative message to businesses looking to locate here. Council members who publically demean other Council members, citizens or city staff create a sad parity of our highly partisan federal government. Leadership and civility would be an encouraging and constructive contribution by Council. City Council needs to set an example of explicit team work to demonstrate why Longmont is the exceptional place we know it to be.

Business decisions regarding relocating or expansion are made on a number of factors which include the stability and the encouragement of local government, access to a qualified, educated workforce and overall quality of life. Longmont has much to offer in the way of its natural beauty, exceptional parks, recreational opportunities, viable downtown and cultural history. We have an educated workforce. We are located in the perfect spot: close to both the mountains and to Denver. The conditions which make Longmont a great place to live also make it attractive to potential employers. We just need to put the whole package together to compete with our neighbors and encourage job growth. I know we can accomplish this goal with dedicated team work by City Council. I’d like you to help me be a part of this renaissance of my home town by voting for me for City Council.

Dear Friend,

Many of you were surprised when I, once again, threw my hat into the ring for City Council. My desire to serve Longmont by using my 30 years of public policy experience has not diminished. I am passionate in wanting to move our city forward.

We need to reset how we talk about issues. We need to renew our commitment to do what is best for our community. We need to redesign our policies to work for a common positive vision for the future and we need to restore civility to the process.

Ward 3 and City Council need a leader who understands how the world has changed. We can no longer continue to draw the old lines in the sand. That time has passed. We can't continue to debate things like chickens in the back yard when our people don't have jobs.

How do we begin? The most important thing we can do is to provide our city with a positive message that we are employer friendly. A nice slogan doesn't do the trick. We must illustrate that we are united and serious about wanting to expand our job/tax base in Longmont. Businesses only expand when they feel secure about the environment in which they operate. They cannot feel secure when good public policy toward business in Longmont hangs on a 4-3 vote in City Council.

We need to focus on increasing jobs. How do we do that? We make our city more attractive. We ask our current employers what it would take for them to expand here and then work with them to provide those things. Whether it is reduced red tape, a tax incentive or workforce education, we need to be willing to redesign our policies to accommodate increased employment. We need to find out who our primary employers are using for goods and services and recruit them to locate here, creating a sustaining synergy among our employers.

The election is Nov. 1st and it is a mail ballot only that will go out mid-October. I ask for your help now. Campaigns are made up of time and money. Donate both before Oct. 1st so we can make the most of it. Come join us! Please go to my website at www.bonniefinley.com and click on donate or any other button and volunteer today. Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Bonnie Finley

Bonnie Finley announced her candidacy for City Council Ward 3 today. "I am eager to give back to my hometown by serving on the City Council." said Finley. "There is a need for a more positive energy. We can no longer afford to complain about moving forward and how we are going to do that. Treading water does not work in today's economic environment. The surrounding communities are leaving us in the dust. We have to immediately create a well-thought out vision and action items that will propel us into the future."

"We need take a proactive approach to providing more jobs for our citizens. We need to ask our current primary employers what it will take to expand in our community. We need to find out why there is growth and new location all around us and create an environment that lets it happen here in Longmont not in surrounding neighborhoods. We need to create a positive environment for business to thrive in Longmont."

"We need to solve the issue of Twin Peaks Mall and other underdeveloped/blighted areas of town. Let's figure out what we want and then develop a strategy to get it. We can't continue to sit around and wait for better economic times. That doesn't work."

We must take control of our future. I believe our community is looking for leadership and civility. We will simply get more done in the long run by respecting all individuals and organizations, whether we agree with them or not. Unfortunately this hasn't always been the case."

"I may not have all the answers for Longmont's problems, but I do have the sincere motivation to serve and over 30 years of public policy experience to bring to Council."

Bonnie Finley is a 56 year old native of Longmont. She attended local public schools and graduated from the University of Colorado in 1977 with a BA in Political Science. She works for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the State Chamber of Commerce, as Manager of Member Involvement.