Lakewood Election 2017: Meet Jacob LaBure - City Council Ward 2

LAKEWOOD, CO -- In Lakewood's City Council race for Ward 2, current council member, Scott Koop, first elected in 2011, is term-limited. Jacob Bruce LaBure is running against Charles K. Davis.

Candidate Questionnaire Jacob Bruce LaBure (Ward 2)

Age: 30

Previous political experience: I was a board member of Metropolitan State University of Denver, I managed a 120 million dollar budget, was involved with strategic planning, performance audits, and stewardship of shared resources. I worked on some working groups for the Colorado Commission of Higher Education. I also advocated for numerous initiatives and referendums over the course of the last 15 years to help complete infrastructure projects, and to protect public education in Colorado.

Previous community experience: I have worked in numerous community forums. I have also been passionately involved with community issues on many different levels for the past 15 years. I've worked to get under-served people registered to vote. I've worked to ensure funding for infrastructure projects, and assisting local organizations in my home town like the Women’s Crisis Center. I worked on improving permitting processes, traffic policy, and infrastructure issues.

Occupation: Civilian Public Safety Professional

Education: B.A. with studies in Political Science & Public Administration

Website: www.JacobforLakewood.com

What are the three biggest advantages Lakewood has today?

• The community
• Location
• High desirability

What are Lakewood's three biggest challenges?

• Managing the growth
• Public Safety
• Environmental/Livability

What’s the best way for Lakewood to manage growth?

We have to manage the growth of our community in a way that does not diminish the character of our neighborhoods. I want to continue the revitalization of our major corridors without damaging the great quality of life we have in our residential areas and the natural beauty of our parks. The key to addressing this issue will be bringing the voices of North East Lakewood closer to the planning process. My neighbors deserve a greater say in where and how changes occur, and I think we can continue the great strides our city has made if we are better advocates for the needs and interests of our residents.

Are there areas where Lakewood could be providing better service to residents? How?

I think we can always improve on listening to the concerns of the neighbors, being a better advocate for the people, and making sure that the policy of the city reflects the best ideas learned in the community. I believe that we can always work to be better stewards of public resources, takes seriously our fiduciary responsibilities, make tough choices and work harder to ensure a fair process of decision making. We can do these things by being more accessible. Having the website and other forums to engage better with citizens. We ensure performance audits are telling a real story about each agency, their needs, their goals and ensure that those needs are met where appropriate and restrained where they are not.

What other issues do you feel will be important for the next Council to address? How should they be addressed?

We need to be proactive about crime prevention. That starts with addressing blight and trouble spots, it includes the manpower and training required for effective response, and we must foster a strong community policing model. The community itself, and not just law enforcement, has to be part of the solution. Cars speeding down residential streets and a lack of community patrols leave people feeling isolated and insecure. We want families to feel safe in the parks and on their blocks, because when we interact and know each other, we spot problems faster and address them more effectively.

Lakewood should support special enforcement teams, with the training and equipment to address the exploitation of seniors, the abuse of children, and make a real difference in the fight against human trafficking. And if we couple modern techniques in law enforcement with the buy in of an engaged community, we could lead the nation in public safety.