Yellow Scene Magazine Endorsement!

Yellow Scene Says:

" Chris Cameron is composed and considerate as mayor. Despite the city’s economic challenges (the number of vacant big-box spots continues to grow, including a soon-to-close Albertsons), the city has fared fairly well in this economy. And this current council, with Cameron at the helm, has made several strides in community events and projects, including improvements on South Public Road. With her experience in local initiatives, her unruffled toughness and her institutional knowledge, Cameron is working hard to take Lafayette into the future—finding a balance between small town charm and economic success."

Vote!

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Open Space Day

It was a beautiful morning to join my fellow community members in improving trails and reseeding at Kneebone Open Space. The picture at left is obviously Thomas Open Space, but a camera this morning would have made it hard to shovel and rake, so no picture today.

Today we spread crusher fine on trail segments that make it possible to walk or bike from Arapahoe through Kneebone to Rothman both on the east and west ends of Kneebone Open Space. The Open Space and Trails themselves have natural beauty and a great view of the front range and the trails provide a much needed north-south connection. This is particularly important as we think about children going to and from school and the increasing emphasis on Safe Routes to School.

Today I met a couple who have a second home here in Lafayette and many Cub Scouts and their families, as well as LOSAC volunteers and Open Space staff and other local residents who wanted to help out.

It is always a great feeling to get out in the community and be part of making a tangible and visible difference. Being on City Council or the Mayor of Lafayette means far more to me than attending meetings and saying "aye" or "no." I am a part of Lafayette.

My first Open Space Day was four years ago on the property east of Exempla and I have since worked on Rothman, Bullhead Gulch, Thomas Open Space, and the Outdoor Classroom on either Open Space Day or Arbor Day.

Many thanks to our Open Space staff and Open Space Advisory Committee volunteers who made today happen (and provided awesome snacks from Curious Cup and Indulge!). They really make the Open Space Program Shine.

Economic Sustainability

Of course we have to have funds to support everything that we do. But what should that revenue structure look like?

I believe that our downtown area and our small local businesses should be thriving and that the City can work toward providing the infrastructure like streets and utilities and ambiance that create a space where businesses have a chance to succeed. We also have opportunities to collaborate with local businesses during festivals or other events, when businesses can provide sponsorships, market their businesses or offer specials. When local businesses are successful, they perpetuate other successes as well as bringing revenue to the city.

We also need the larger "economic engines" of our grocery stores and larger retail businesses because they provide the "bread and butter" of our economy and make sure we can pay the bills. Economic conditions are harsh right now but the City is positioning itself to make successul movements even on incremental improvements in the economy. We admittedly have a number of buildings to fill, but also have long term visions that should not be sacrificed for quick fixes.

We also have land that is planned for development that will contribute to our long-term sustainability and our ability to balance the rest of our community with open space and park land as well as appropriate residential development.

We are prepared to prosper as the economy recovers and as always, Lafayette's future is bright.

Celebrate Lafayette

What a great day in Lafayette. Many thanks to those who joined in the parade and took time to talk with me throughout the day.

Today was a small town day in Lafayette. There was an apple-pie baking contest, a true community parade and the Centaurus Warriors will finish out our day with a home football game. We can't wait to be there and especially to see two local heroes toss the coin.

Pancho Hansen and Karen Logan are known to just about everyone over the age of three in Lafayette for their soccer coaching skills. They truly deserve the honor of tossing the coin and will be recognized by so many!

It was great to spend the day hanging out and walking up and down Public Road seeing friends and meeting new people.

I will finish my principles posts ASAP...

Thank you to all for the ongoing support and enthusiastic response to my desire to serve you for four more years.

Civic Engagement

I'll be adding a picture Sunday afternoon after I help out over at Simpson Mine Park with some mulching.

Civic Engagement has two meanings to me: (1) participating in the governmental process, and (2) being an active and contributing member of the community at large.

First, I am always eager to hear from you about the things you love about Lafayette or the things that concern you. I often hear "I know this isn't the right time..." but there usually isn't a wrong time. It is always OK to email (cameron4council@gmail.com) or call, too (303.926.6751). Come on down to the City Council meetings and speak during "Items from the Public" if you want your issues to be shared more publicly. Whatever you do, make your voice heard!

Second, Lafayette is amazing because of the community involvement we see in our schools, faith-based organizations, business organizations, and non-profits as well as our City departments. Celebrate Lafayette next weekend will include a huge book sale by Friends of the Library. Selebration in the spring, is a community-wide service effort sponsored by Project YES. Many volunteer opportunities exist for people of all abilities and interests. The City has advisory boards ranging from Historic Preservation to Open Space, from Cultural Arts to Senior Services and more! Becoming an active volunteer makes a better Lafayette, and it feels good, too.

Quality of Life

Quality of life is something that everyone wants, but is hard to define. What I hear from people in Lafayette is that they like living here because they really feel that they are part of a community.

Each person is different, but for some it means having good schools and lots of opportunity for recreational activities both indoors and outdoors. For others, they want to be involved in the Senior Center and find new and exciting opportunities through the Library. Still others just want to know that their neighborhoods are safe and that they have economical opportunities to spend time with family and friends. Surely safety and comfort are a minimum expectation for quality of life, but Lafayette is able to support so much more.

We have had to be creative in the ways that we work to maintain quality of life in tight budgetary conditions, but have managed to continue to expand programs in the Library, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Arts. Insurance, grant, and bond funds have enabled us to rebuild our boathouse, build a new Festival Plaza downtown, and add on to our Recreation Center.

It is likely that the next four years will provide us with greater economic opportunity.

I am excited about spending my second term turning economic opportunity into community advantage for Lafayette.

Guiding Principles

As you will see when my brochures hit the streets, there are three principles that guide my decision making as an elected official:

• Economic Sustainability
• Quality of Life
• Civic Engagement

I will touch on each of these in more depth in separate posts, but they are intertwined. People tell me they love living in Lafayette because of the "small town feel" and the quality of life available here. Much of what we appreciate about Lafayette depends on maintaining a level of economic vitality that we must constantly strive to meet. The other part of the quality of life equation is the level of involvement of residents in our community. We have incredible volunteerism and community service in Lafayette, but increased participation and greater connections between community sectors will only serve to enhance life for all. More to come.

Everyone Loves a Parade, Right?

People frequently ask "Does the Mayor get to be in lots of parades?"

Not really, but the Celebrate Lafayette parade is definitely one not to miss!

I will be walking (not going to have a "float" this time since part of the goal is to keep the parade "green!") and would love to have my supporters join me in walking and handing out candy, etc.

I'll provide the bagels and coffee/juice to give you the proper amount of energy! Let me know if you would like to join the fun, I'd love to have you.

Parade is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 26. Starts in the old Albertson's parking lot. Will post more when I have final details!

I definitely appreciate the support my husband and two sons are providing during the campaign and all they have done over the past four years. Serving on City Council requires a commitment of time and energy, both on the part of the public servant and his or her family. I am fortunate in that my family has been willing to eat a little more take out food, go along with me to meetings and community events, and rearrange schedules to accomodate my work for the people of Lafayette.

They have also gained a lot by learning about municipal government and, especially, building stronger ties to our community through interactions with so many people and organizations here in Lafayette. I am grateful that they said "yes, let's do this again!"

We are ready to continue serving the people of Lafayette!

Vote for #2!

On Thursday the City of Lafayette held its first candidate meeting and drew names for ballot positions. I am number two on the ballot. There are seven candidates running for City Council this fall. Think TWO!

More on Peaches

Promise, this is my last blog about peaches. I know we don't have peaches in Lafayette, but I am thrilled that we have become known for our Peach Festival over the last ten years. Events like the Peach Festival and Quaker Oats Oatmeal Festival are part of the fabric of our small town quality of life. They also stimulate our economy and encourage pride in the community. Nope, we don't grow oats here, either, but our Festival helps promote a healthy community through consumption of oatmeal, participation in our 5K race, and attendance at our health fair. It is important that we continue these traditions.

Petition Certification

I became an official candidate on Monday when my petition was certified by the City Clerk. As of Thursday, only two people were candidates. Eleven additional residents had pulled packets and have until Monday, August 24 at 5pm to turn them in. Thursday afternoon there will be a candidate meeting and ballot position will be determined.

I am eager to start getting out and talking to people about what we can do in the next four years!

Please feel free to contact me at cameron4council@gmail with your ideas!

Lafayette Peach Festival

Spent a great day at the 10th Annual Lafayette Peach Festival. The weather was perfect and the turnout was amazing. I've heard estimates between 20,000 and 30,000 people in attendance today.

I served smoothies and cobbler at the Festival Plaza for a couple hours. Truth be told, I didn't serve smoothies for long because we ran out shortly after 2:30 and by 3:00 we had used up all vanilla and peach ice cream in Lafayette and also a couple gallons of chocolate chip. I will admit that it tastes better than it sounds! We did make it all the way until four o'clock with the cobbler.

It takes a lot of volunteers to make this event, and all of Lafayette's events happen. We are lucky to have such an active community!

Election Season is ON!

As of this morning, four Lafayette residents had "pulled packets" to run for the four open slots on City Council this fall. For anyone else who is interested, packets are available from Susan Koster, City Clerk, at City Hall. Completed packets must be returned prior to August 24, 2009 at 5 pm.

Relect Chris Cameron to Lafayette City Council

Hello Friends and Neighbors!

The last four years have been full of exciting challenges for the City of Lafayette, and it has been an honor and pleasure to guide the City through these times. Despite tough economic conditions, we have been able to continue moving forward as a City and to lay the foundation for the bright future I know we have ahead of us.

Balance is the key to the high quality of life we enjoy here in Lafayette. We must stay economically healthy so that we can sustain the services and activities that keep Lafayette vital. Health and Safety, Library, Recreation, Parks and Open Space, and Cultural Arts all support and enhance our daily lives.

I am proud of our accomplishments over the past four years, including:
- revitalization of Old Town with Red Rocks building, improved streetscape and building facades
- brand new Festival Plaza at Public Road and Chester Street
- named among 100 Best Communities for Young People
- rebuilt/upgraded Waneka Lake Boathouse
- cost and energy saving upgrades to city facilities through performance contracting
- addition and family changing rooms at the Recreation Center
- increasing Library and Cultural Arts offerings
- ever-expanding Recreation programs
- Open Space acquisition and Thomas Open Space organic farm improvements
- increased fire and paramedic services

We have more work to do, particularly along South Boulder Road and in continuing to secure our financial status.

I am excited about Lafayette's Future and would be honored to continue to lead us toward our dreams.

I will continue to work hard for you if you elect me this November.

Our future is bright!

Chris