Fort Collins City Council District 5

by Blaine Gallup

Fort Collins City Council District 5 encompasses the Central West section of the city. Its boundaries are basically from College Avenue west to Overland Trail and south from West Prospect Road to West Swallow Road, both with exceptions. It’s understandably the largest population district in Fort Collins with Colorado State University in its northern section. Right now, I’d like to summarize my view on the candidates who are running in District 5 and, in my humble opinion, state who I believe will do the best job for Fort Collins.

The Incumbent: Kelly Ohlson

Mr. Ohlson has held this District’s seat for the last four years. During this time, he has been one of the more divisive members of the council. He tends to praise the students of CSU on one hand, yet on the other, he single handedly pushes to have the Three Unrelated ordinance strictly enforced. He opposes the Glade Reservoir project despite the fact that water is a precious commodity here in northern Colorado and needs to be stored for future generations. It seems he opposes anything that will move Fort Collins forward. His anti-growth and anti-business policies have ambushed the small business community in Fort Collins.

After personally reviewing several different city council sessions that dealt with the ‘three unrelated’ ordinance, I was troubled by the fact that Kelly wants to restrict the rental properties in Fort Collins. This adversely affects the students who we have asked to come and attend our university, live in the community, and spend their money to support our economy, yet we want to dictate who they live with and where. How can we ask for them to support a community that treats them as a leper colony? The Three unrelated ordinance is wholly unenforceable unless neighbors are willing to turn into brown shirted, jackbooted, goose stepping tattle tales. If it would have been up to Mr. Ohlson, he would have built a moat around Fort Collins thirty years ago so it wouldn’t change. That ideology is not feasible and it is unrealistic to say the least. Not to grow is to die. Fort Collins needs to move forward, and move forward responsibly.

Kelly states on his website that he has spent more than 2 decades protecting open space. Does that include the open space that Fort Collins has purchased totaling almost the same acreage as the city itself? In this economy, is it prudent for Fort Collins to purchase open space near the Wyoming border; open space that cannot even be accessed by its citizens? I think there are more important issues like maintaining the parks “inside” our city limits rather than spend money on property we cannot even utilize.

It’s time for Fort Collins to bring on a new Council and Mr. Ohlson has no place on the new team.

Theodore “Teddy” Gates – Challenger

Mr. Gates is one of Kelly Ohlson’s opponents. Currently, he is a student at Colorado State University pursuing a degree in History. Teddy, as I call him, hails from Gunnison, Colorado, but is a transplant from Texas. I have two major concerns with Teddy.

One is that, while driving around town, I have noticed Teddy’s political yard signs, but Teddy did not account for the yard sign expense in his state finance reports. Or at least I couldn’t find any. From working on numerous campaigns, I know the cost involved with yard signs and I find it troubling that in his first campaign, it appears that he has not accounted for contributions or in kind contributions appropriately. I’d feel much better if he could shed some light on this for me.

That aside, the second concern I have is where Teddy’s interests will lie during college breaks. Are we to believe that as a student, he will be fully dedicated to the needs of this community? I have met Teddy and while I support his decision to pursue this particular office at this time, I believe he believe he should wait a few more years. His ambition to do so now is a bit premature.

Andrew Boucher – Challenger

Mr. Boucher entered the race late, but has made his presence known in District 5. Andrew has championed the repeal of the Three-Unrelated Ordinance, declaring it a poor example of rental management. Additionally, Andrew has brought focus to issues such as the open space purchases, possible ways to stimulate the Fort Collins economy, and how to bring jobs back to the area. As a small business owner, husband, and father, Mr. Boucher understands the needs of this community and has a plan to help foster those needs.

Mr. Boucher and his family have been part of the Fort Collins community for the last 8 years. He has a true commitment to the university and feels the students have been dealt a major injustice with the Three-Unrelated Ordinance. Regarding jobs, why should graduation day mean moving day for our seniors? We need to bring in new fortune 500 companies to Fort Collins to bolster a thriving economy. We should be looking for ways to help our graduates stay, build businesses, and grow families.

Because Mr. Boucher wants to see Fort Collins and its citizens reach their highest potential, I believe he is the one best suited for District 5 Council member.

Conclustion

In summary, we currently have a city councilman who “claims” to have Fort Collins’ best at heart; however, his actions speak louder than his words as he continuously strives to keep our under privileged and college students from thriving. He has no vision for growth and, as stated, has been one of the most divisive members on the council.

Teddy Gates is to be admired for taking up the challenge to run for office at such a young age and I hope that he continues the good fight and stays involved in local politics.

Andrew Boucher has a vision for the future of Fort Collins. He wants to retain our students and grow our city responsibly. The job development plan that Mr. Boucher has provided is not only forward thinking, but also unique in its scope.

Stand with me for Andrew Boucher. Support District 5 and support Fort Collins. Ballots need to be returned by Friday April 3rd. Remember it is YOUR CITY, it is YOUR VOTE, and it is YOUR COUNCIL.