The Erie Economic Development Council and the Erie business community thank voters in advance for their interest in these important issues.
The EEDC also thanks the candidates for choosing to serve the Town of Erie and its residents by running for public office. This survey contains questions gathered from EEDC board members on behalf of our investors and the larger Erie business community.
Election day is Tuesday, April 5th. If you have any further questions, please directly contact the candidate themselves or visit their website for more information.
Why do you desire to serve as Trustee, and how would your personal strengths benefit the Town of Erie?
Emily Baer's Response
It’s important to me that we are building a culture in Erie where people feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. I think this is important for ensuring that we can work collaboratively and innovate to problem solve. I am the Chairman of the Board for The Front Range Center for Assault Prevention and have served on that Board for 17 years. I will bring my experience leading and organizing diverse groups to the Trustee table. Our local business owners are the authority on their experience here in Erie, engaging with them is important to understand what’s working, what’s not, and how we (the town) can better meet their needs.
Jeff Haverkate's Response
As an Erie small business owner with a degree in Finance and an MBA, I feel that I can provide valuable insight from a unique perspective. I am also raising my own family here and I care deeply about our kids and families and way of life. I'd love to be a part of continuing Erie's growth and driving prosperity for all.
Ryan Kenward's Response
I am running to be a trustee because I believe we are at an important point in our town. We have had tremendous growth, with more projected. Erie needs a new board majority with realistic and fiscally responsible solutions to address it’s impacts. I have heard from numerous business owners and developers that Erie town government is incredibly hard to work with compared to our neighbors. The processes, costs and politics advanced by our current board majority have redirected prospective business to our neighbors. We must get out of our own way and look to our neighboring towns to understand the keys to their success so we can implement them in Erie. Our local government continues to increase taxpayer spending across numerous fronts, but it has not properly diversified our economy. I worry about the implications this spending and fiscal irresponsibility will have on the tax burden each resident must carry in the future.
Our leaders are not being considerate to those living on fixed incomes or those that have lived in the town for decades prior to the skyrocketing costs. In my day job I am focused on strategic growth of my business. I work in the defense/space industry and deal with the government and third parties on a daily basis looking to identify opportunities and find win-win solutions. I have a proven track record of success generating millions of dollars in revenue. I've also managed diverse, cross functional teams of highly skilled engineers at all points in their careers and know how to drive the best performance and be a supportive and empowering leader. I have an MBA in international business, and an undergraduate in computer information systems.
Christiaan van Woudenberg's Response
My two teenage daughters and I have been in Erie since 2007, where we enjoy the mountain views, the small-town feeling, and easy access to all that Denver and Boulder have to offer. I have been a Trustee for the Town of Erie since 2018; public service has been an incredibly rewarding, yet challenging endeavor. I am running for re-election as Trustee to see a number of crucial in-progress initiatives to fruition, from the Town Center and Westerly projects to housing affordability, multi-modal transportation options, and doing our part to address the climate crisis.
Since I am the only official seeking re-election, the remainder of the Board will only have two years of municipal experience at best. I feel my 4 years of service bring a depth of experience and knowledge that will serve the Board, Town staff, the local business community, the residents of Erie, and all those who interact with them well. Complex topics such as housing policies, metro districts, and land use authority require years of understanding; I’m always learning more about these topics (and more!) to serve the residents of Erie and relish the opportunity to continue serving Erie in this role.
Andrew Sawusch's Response
As a resident, Planning Commissioner, and a Comprehensive Plan Amendment Steering Committee member in the Town, I have seen firsthand that the proper planning needed for Erie’s future has been overlooked for years. Previous actions taken by the Board of Trustees on our behalf, have created negative effects for the Town’s residents and future. These decisions have grown the Town to a population of over 30,000, without addressing a plan to properly facilitate or manage this rapid growth. I am a solutions driven problem solver by nature. I wonder how things work, why they work the way they do, and how to make them better. This means seeking different, outside-the-box methods to figure out solutions to various issues. Accordingly, I am always open to learning new ideas, different ways of doing things, as well as constantly learning from others' experiences to make better decisions. When I see an issue, I view it in a holistic fashion, and then dive into specific areas to remove deficiencies and create efficiencies. I believe the Town of Erie needs leaders from the business world who are like this – solution-minded individuals that address issues in a positive, effective, and efficient way.
Dan Hoback's Response
Having lived in Erie for 20 years, I've been a part of the growth and maturing of the town. I see how far we have come, and understand the complexities involved in leading the town to what its residents envision it to be in the future. I want to help maintain the solid base the town has in finances, infrastructure, and staff. My 40 year history in accounting and finance, in both private and governmental sectors have helped me develop the knowledge and skills to accomplish this. My involvement with the schools, town government, and HOA boards has helped me cultivate relationships to build on.
What is your vision for the development of the I25 & Erie Parkway project, and how would you advocate for that vision to become a reality?
Andrew Sawusch's Response
I envision the I25 Gateway location comprising of a symbiotic mix of office, retail, and residential use types. I envision the Town attaining a wide variety of businesses in this area - ranging from large to small, service to retail, and everywhere in between. The location fits well to not only draw passers-by and residents from other communities, but as well to be a place where Erie residents have a place to work, shop, and play. The front would be perfect for various retail establishments of all types, as well as commercial office buildings for primary-employment providers. The area behind this would then be able to include various types of residential buildings, providing the resident-base to support the commercial and retail establishments. As well, the location would provide an excellent transportation gateway, acting as the mass-transit hub for our community.
To make this a reality, the Town will need to play a prominent role in the development of this area. Currently, the Town has said that the developer(s) will be reliable for almost all aspects. But if we really want to see this area activated in the way that we know it can be, almost all aspects of Town Hall should be involved. This includes alternative funding mechanisms, outlining a plan for the infrastructure required, as well as to identify ways to decrease the amount of time it typically takes for applications to move through Town Hall. For this to be a priority, the Town’s leaders must truly act like they want to make this a priority – which I would.
Ryan Kenward's Response
With my professional background, I understand the intersection of technology and business. If elected, I would investigate the possibility of an Erie Tech Center. Such a project would attract high quality, mid-sized employers who bring high paying jobs to the town, increased revenue and help keep more of our residents in Erie as opposed to commuting out. Having people that live and work in Erie will reduce traffic congestion, keep dollars in Erie and combat crimes of opportunity that have been on the rise with crooks knowing most of our people aren't home during the day. I also believe Erie needs to get competitive with its neighbors. There are numerous areas we can improve, and the first is getting out of our own way. We need to reduce the red tape and adversarial relationship the town has with developers and business. When we strive to create partnerships and work together, everyone wins.
Dan Hoback's Response
AKA the Gateway project, I would like to see it become an attractive and financially viable entry to Erie, bringing in visitors and tax dollars to that very accessible point. I think the town needs to be creative in working with developers and potential businesses in creating a unique mixed use (commercial and residential) project as efficiently as possible. This is an opportunity to create an amazing anchor for Erie north of Denver. Erie has the financial wherewithal, staff and leadership to get this done. It needs to be done with an eye on character consistent with what residents want to see Erie become with Old Town, Town Center, and Gateway all playing a vital part.
Jeff Haverkate's Response
I25 is the perfect location to drive commercial development. We can do bigger projects there that would bring in lots of revenue but not interfere with our neighborhoods or town environment. I envision a mix of industries - services, retail, primary employment, and perhaps lodging. I would strongly support a healthy mix of local small businesses as well.
Christiaan van Woudenberg's Response
Trustee Bell and I met with Town staff and the Weld County Commissioners last week to resume negotiations about extending an Urban Renewal planning area at the Erie Gateway project with very positive results. I look forward to public-private partnerships as a key to bring primary employment, mixed use development, and the extension of the RTD N line to the Erie Gateway project.
Emily Baer's Response
The Erie Gateway Project is an exciting opportunity for the town. I like that the plans that have been discussed include mixed use, retail and commercial developments as well as a variety of housing density options. With this project, we have the opportunity to increase services and build on the quality of living for residents, drive revenue to the town that can be used to invest and improve the core of Erie. One of my goals for this project would be to include Transit options to connect Erie to Denver and surrounding communities. Transit is something I often hear about from residents as being a gap in Erie that needs to be addressed and would add to quality of life. The Gateway project can help us negotiate for services to serve our community and support those new businesses by creating greater access. I think we can learn a lot from looking at developments along I25 that have a lot of empty retail space and seem to not be appealing for businesses to locate there or keep their doors open. I want to see Erie be innovative and open to new ideas to create a vibrant, thriving development at I 25.
As the town grows, what do you consider the role of "Old Town Erie/Downtown Erie" in our community?
Christiaan van Woudenberg's Response
It's the heart of Erie; we need to acknowledge the history, character, and tenacity of Old Town in all future development efforts. For example, we intend to incorporate Briggs and the rest of Old Town in a local bus circulator to tie together the Erie Community Center, Town Center, and Old Town. We updated the plans for Coal Creek Park to include more parking, recreation, and entertainment options to support Old Town businesses.
Dan Hoback's Response
First, I consider Downtown to be the business district of the larger Old Town, which is largely residential. I think both are the focal point of what Erie should look and feel like as we build out Town Center and Erie Gateway (I-25). I want to continue to revitalize Downtown with businesses that attract foot traffic during town and Chamber of Commerce events, as well as everyday evenings and weekends. Partnering with the Chamber, the Downtown Business Association and residents to keep it accessible without frustrating Old Town residents when it comes to parking and crowds plays a key role. Old Town residents need a strong voice in that regard.
Ryan Kenward's Response
Old Town is the cornerstone of Erie. It's our past and represents our unique identity. As such, Old Town must be protected and supported. It is vital that the town works with business owners as valuable partners in our community to ensure they have what they need. With two key staples of Old Town going out of business in the past year, it is clear to me there is room to improve. It's easy to point to COVID, or supply chain as the problem. The reality is, other towns have similar businesses that are still here today. Increasing costs are eating into profit margins making businesses less and less viable. Overreach of town government also has hampered business growth – especially how current leadership-imposed Boulder County mandates into Weld County. It is vital for the town to have its own unique identity and not merely be treated as an extension of Boulder. This sort of egregious lapse of judgement must not be allowed to happen again.
Jeff Haverkate's Response
Old Town is one of the best parts about living in Erie. It has a rich history and is a lovely area to spend time in. I envision that it continues to be the hub for Erie as a community. We should preserve the identity of Old Town and support the little businesses and events there that make it so fun.
Emily Baer's Response
The people of Erie are our heart and soul. Old Town is the magnet that pulls us together. I have spent the last couple of weeks knocking on doors and connecting with residents in Old Town. I wanted to hear their stories of the history of Erie on those streets before they were paved, and ask what they think about Erie today. While many shared concerns about how things have changed over the decades, nearly all of them shared their feelings of pride for living here. They are happy with the services and improvements to Old Town. Nearly all of them were relieved to hear that parking was included in the Coal Creek Park improvements. These sentiments are true for all of the neighborhoods I’ve been visiting these last few weeks. We are proud of our Old Town and excited for what’s next. The businesses that have opened along Briggs, Wells, and Cheesman and the events that are held in Old Town, including the Parade of Lights and the Concerts in the Park and the Town Fair and the Farmers Market are all experiences that set the town of Erie apart and create the desire to come be a part of it. I want to see the investment in Old Town continue, and I know from talking with residents, they do too.
Andrew Sawusch's Response
As is the case for the historic downtown areas of other surrounding communities, Erie’s Old Town historic Downtown district will remain a centerpiece within our community. No matter how much the Town grows, this area will still be able to maintain its small-town charm for years to come. Additionally, I do also see this area itself growing with more businesses entering of various types as additional commercial buildings are built. Knowing that this is the inevitable future for the downtown area, Town Hall must expect, anticipate, and prepare for this. Whether that be parking, infrastructure needs, or a plan that helps to enable this evolution of Old Town – Town Hall must create a strategy now that allows for this future redevelopment. The current Downtown redevelopment plan is limited in that it looks at this area in its current state – instead of looking at what its future state might become. This is the vision aspect that has been lacking by Town Hall – as well as the strategies surrounding what happens when this vision becomes a reality.
What policies/practices would you like to implement that would support existing business in Erie, while also attracting new business and primary employment to Erie?
Jeff Haverkate's Response
I would like to see the Town work to protect the small town feeling while simultaneously opening up to the brilliant entrepreneurs and investors that will bring great services and employment with them. Right now there is too much bureaucracy in Erie. If we treat it as a team effort and always focus on what's best for the people of Erie we can get a lot done. We can be more proactive in recruiting businesses, and more willing to bring various groups to the table for consideration. If we show our support and cut back on some red tape, they will come and they will thrive, to the betterment of us all.
Ryan Kenward's Response
The businesses in Erie today need just as much help and support as the new business we want to bring in. We need to be fair in how we approach our relationship with all business – new and existing. I believe we need to look at incentives, especially the incentives our neighboring municipalities and cities are using to attract business that keep them competitive. We need to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge we still have a long way to go. 9 Mile, for example, did not produce favorable results we expected even though we won the lawsuit. We need to negotiate aggressively with an “Erie First” mentality and exercise patience and restraint going forward.
Emily Baer's Response
This is where building a culture in Erie where people feel safe, seen, heard and respected is foundational for moving our community forward. I have had some conversations with business owners to try to understand some of the challenges and some of the benefits of operating in Erie. I’ve heard from some that they have had no issues and have a wonderful working relationship with Town Hall. I’ve heard from others that there are duplicative and excessive permits and costs. I want to make it easy for businesses to open and operate in Erie. We need to take a hard look at our policies, identify road blocks, and streamline processes. I am hopeful we are on the right track by hiring a new Planning and Development Director. It will be important that the town invest in keeping a good, working relationship with business owners, who are the authority on how things are going in Erie, to understand what we can do to better support them. At a population of 30,000, we have hit a threshold that makes Erie more appealing to larger businesses and primary employers. I want to see us strategically preparing for these opportunities while preserving the character and quality of our town.
Andrew Sawusch's Response
There are two specific practices that I would implement: 1.) Monthly round-table meetings with local business owners. These recurring events would be designed to create a forum for open dialogue between Town Hall and the local business owners. They would not only help to understand the current issues that are most important to address, but would as well assist in staving off any future or unseen items before they become an issue. Then, the strategies to quell these issues could be discussed during these meetings – allowing those who are experiencing these issues firsthand to say the way that they believe these items can be resolved – instead of leaving it up to the Town to figure out on their own. 2.) Address the barriers to entry for businesses looking to enter the Town. The barriers to entry that prohibit new businesses from entering the Town are the same ones that prohibit businesses from being able to expand and stay within our Town as they grow. Besides for the already limited office or retail spaces available, these barriers include the tap fees, impact fees, infrastructure fees, permit fees, the UDC municipal codes, the amount of time that it takes, the roadblocks from Town Hall staff, parking requirements, and the list goes on and on. To bring businesses to Erie and help them expand as they grow, the town must become more “business friendly”. We must work with the developers, current business owners, community members, local organizations - and most importantly, the residents – to do so. Then, the Town must address these exact reasons which are hindering businesses and commercial development from being able to do business within the Town. This means redeveloping and instituting very specific initiatives at Town Hall to address and alleviate these barriers to entry.
Dan Hoback's Response
We need to continually look at what we are doing in comparison to what our neighboring communities are doing, and listen to businesses that either exist in Erie, or want to come to our community. What challenges are you facing, and how can we help? Erie no longer has to be the younger sibling, getting hand-me-downs from Lafayette, Louisville or other communities, which is the perception some have. We can attract businesses if they are confident that the startup process and costs won't be an impediment. Investing in businesses means partnering with them financially. It does not mean handouts and there are so many ways to do that.
Christiaan van Woudenberg's Response
I'd like to turn the planning and permitting process on its head, and work with the new Planning Director Sarah Nurmela to have champions in the planning department to shepherd new applications through a burdensome and complicated process. We've already simplified our UDC to eliminate PUD and focus on PD developments, and look forward to innovative project proposals that bring unique, elevated, place-making experiences to Erie. Between the makerspace, the EEDC and the Chamber, working with the Town's economic development staff, I feel we have a well-rounded set of capabilities to offer businesses of any size the best opportunity to succeed. I'll continue to work with Town staff to reduce fees to lower the barrier to entry, while using the success of our diversified tax base over the last 5 years to encourage local entrepreneurship.