1. Ward 4 Special Election Endorsement: Bill Fisher

2. Two Important Pandemic Response Needs in Golden

3. Some New and Updated Resources

4. The View from Here

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1. Ward 4 Special Election Endorsement

The mail-in ballots for the Ward 4 special election should be landing in everyone’s mailboxes right about now. I am supporting William Fisher (known to many as Bill) and encourage other Ward 4 voters to join me in voting for him.

Bill and I served together on the Council during my time as mayor and I’m pleased to offer my endorsement as he asks the voters for another term. Bill is whip-smart, understands how the city works, and is not afraid to ask hard questions in his role as an elected representative. We didn’t agree on everything, but we agreed on quite a bit, and I always knew he would take my thoughts and concerns seriously, and those of his constituents, before making a decision.

I’m proud of what we accomplished during that time, not least of which was successfully navigating the 2008 economic crash. Bill was a key part of the team that led Golden out of the recession with higher bond ratings and a stronger reserve fund than we had started with (which was already strong) while protecting all of the city’s programs and amenities. Those skills and experiences will be especially crucial now as we once again navigate a significant economic crisis.

I will also note that public health issues were a priority for Bill back then, so much so that he was recognized as a Jefferson County Public Health Champion because of his commitment and effectiveness. That background, combined with his professional background as a nurse, makes him especially well-suited to serve on Council as we work our way through and then recover from the pandemic. Moreover, the fact that he will hit the ground running feels especially important right now.

We are fortunate to have two candidates who are both connected to and clearly care about Golden. For the Ward 4 readers of this newsletter, whomever you support please be sure to vote.

You can mail your ballot by April 24 (be sure to use adequate postage).
You can drop your ballot at Golden City Hall (911 10th St.) by 7 p.m. on April 28.

And you can watch the video of the candidate forum earlier this week hosted by Golden United and Leadership Golden.

2. Two Important Pandemic Needs in Golden

Fabric. If you have extra fabric lying around that might be useful for face masks, it sounds like some of the folks in town who are making them are running out. To my understanding, the key is that it be a tightly woven cotton fabric. Email me and I’ll connect you.

Sewing. If you are able to do some sewing, there is also a need to make more masks. The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum and the Golden Civic Foundation have been coordinating an effort in Golden that is quite easy to plug in with.

Bill Fisher also has a really nice run-down on his website about the how and why of wearing and making masks.

3. Some New and Updated Resources

Golden Emergency Loan Program. The Golden Civic Foundation just launched an emergency loan program for businesses and nonprofits in downtown Golden. There are more emergency loan programs in development, so if you aren’t downtown you may still have opportunities. And for all of the challenges with the rollout, it sounds like the federal SBA programs can be really helpful as well.

StayAtHomeColorado. A new Colorado site which includes free resources to support Coloradans while they are at home, from wellness, to services, to education, to entertainment and more.

Golden. The City updated its resource page.

Jeffco Public Health. Another useful site for Golden folks.
 
4. The View from Here

It goes without saying that this has been a challenging time for everyone. Many have lost jobs and income or are at risk of losing them. Anyone whose economic circumstances were tenuous before the pandemic is likely facing daily struggles to hold the pieces together now. Quite a few folks in Golden are sick, and the actual COVID-19 infections are almost certainly higher than the official counts indicate given how few people are able to get tested. If we haven't been directly impacted by the virus then we probably know people who have. I feel very grateful that my family remains healthy, but while one close friend recovered after more than two weeks of running fevers her kiddo remains quite sick. Terrifying for everyone involved. For me, John Prine's death was a particularly hard gut punch, and most everyone I know has been deeply impacted by the deaths of other people we might not know personally but who have been intensely important to our social and cultural fabric.

In the face of all that, it’s been deeply heartwarming to see our community’s response. Nothing reveals a person’s or community’s true character quite like a mortal crisis, and Golden’s character is shining through. We know our most immediate challenges right now are to protect people from the virus, get the best care possible to those who need it, and to take a wide range of emergency measures to help individuals and businesses keep their head above water for a while longer. The federal relief legislation should help (hopefully to be followed later by actual stimulus legislation after we turn the economy back on), along with all of the high intensity efforts by local organizations like the Golden Civic Foundation, the Backpack Program, and the City of Golden. And there is some evidence – with a lot of folks doing their part and a bit of luck – that we might be nearing the infection peak in Colorado. If that’s true, then we’ll be able to breathe a small sigh of relief while understanding that we’ll need to sustain our response as we navigate subsequent (although hopefully smaller) infection resurgences and then pivot to what is likely to be a difficult period of stabilization and then a lengthy and also quite difficult period of recovery.

I am deeply grateful that I’ve been able to make a home and a life in a community as exceptional as Golden. I hope you are all able to take care of yourselves through this mess, since we still have a long way to go, and thank you all for taking care of your families and your neighbors as well.

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