Golden Good Government League
GOLDEN, COElections & Endorsements
(October 2023)
The Golden Good Government League (3GL), founded in 1987, is an organization committed to fostering good representative government for all Golden citizens. In our efforts, we invited all candidates for interviews and conducted interviews with all except two who did not respond. As we approach the November 7, 2023 elections, we urge the active participation of Golden residents in shaping the future of our community. It’s worth noting that Heather Schneider, a 3GL member, did not participate in the interview or endorsement process, except for her own interview, due to her candidacy for mayor.
In the spirit of our commitment, 3GL endorses the following candidates:
Heather Schneider for Mayor
Matt Duncan for District One
Ben Moline for District Two
Also on the ballot are three referred measures for the citizens of Golden to decide on:
NO on Ballot Question 2K, which pertains to a property tax increase to fund the capital needs and operational costs of the Golden Fire Department. There is no doubt that our fire department provides highly essential services, but we have concerns about the lack of information and whether or not the additional monies would suffice to take our fire department into the future.
Yes on Ballot Question 2L, which pertains to retaining and expending revenues received by the lodging tax in 2022 to be used as originally approved by voters.
Yes on Ballot Question 2M, which pertains to describing City officials with generally applicable terms.
2021 Golden City Council Endorsements
(August 2021) Elections for Golden City Council Wards this Fall are uncontested, with only one candidate running for each of the four seats including:
- Ward 1 – Rob Reed
- Ward 2 – Paul Haseman
- Ward 3 – Don Cameron
- Ward 4 – William (Bill) Fisher
Also on the ballot are three referenda asking citizens to approve a 6% lodging tax, to allow City Council to permit and regulate cannabis dispensaries, and to establish a tax on the dispensaries if they are allowed. This is a very important election and everyone should return their ballots!
The Golden Good Government League (3GL) recruits and vets candidates for City Council each cycle. We have interviewed each of the Council candidates and support them all. Three candidates are incumbents (Reed, Haseman and Fisher) and all are well known in the Golden community. All four candidates are capable, knowledgeable and, above all, interested in making Golden the best it can be. Information and statements from each candidate can be reviewed in the October edition of the Golden Informer. The 3GL supports approval of the lodging tax and urges City Council to use the funds to cope with challenges arising from the growth of tourism in the City over the last decade. We take no position on the cannabis dispensaries, but urge voters to consider impacts relative to revenue generated when making their decisions.
That the Council election is uncontested does not mean that the City of Golden does not face serious challenges. Over the next few years Council will have to make difficult, even contentious decisions concerning the Heart of Golden project, affordable housing, approval of new building codes, management of the Clear Creek corridor and rising impacts from increased tourism. City Council functions best when it knows that citizens are interested, involved and paying attention. Let Council know that you care about what it does in coming years by voting!
2019 Golden City Council Endorsements
The following represents our endorsements for the Golden election that occurred in 2019.
After interviewing all candidates for seats in the 2019 Golden City Council election, the Board of the Golden Good Government League (3GL) endorses Laura Weinberg for Mayor, Kim Brock for District 1 Councilor and Casey Brown for District 2 Councilor. All were found to be well informed, highly qualified, and professed similar positions on preserving Golden’s small town character, the primacy of City Council in setting City policy and the need for preserving and promoting affordable housing and open space. Leadership style and civic experience became the primary basis for our decisions.
A majority of the 3GL Board feels that Laura Weinberg has the experience on Council and leadership style best suited to accomplish this by governing inclusively and efficiently.
A majority of the 3GL Board feels Kim Brock’s passion for serving Golden and long-term community involvement, especially with Jefferson County Schools, gives her the best background and perspective for making decisions as District 1 Councilor.
We look forward to Don Cameron and J. J. Trout playing a positive role in Golden’s future.
Incumbent Casey Brown is unopposed in District 2 with good reason. He has been an excellent, responsive Councilor.
The Golden Good Government League seeks to promote good representative government for the City of Golden by recruiting and promoting high quality candidates for Golden City Council. Board members are Marv DeSelm, Marv Kay, Bill Robie, Greg Holden, Dixie Termin, Frank Young, Vicki Wagner, and Heather Schneider.
2017 Golden City Council Endorsements
We have discussed each candidate in depth and have selected one candidate for each Council Ward seat to endorse. We are pleased to endorse the following candidates.
Ward 1
The 3GL Board of Directors endorses Rob Reid for the Ward 1 City Council seat. Both candidates are thoughtful and would champion preservation of downtown character, but we feel that Rob Reid brings a greater depth of familiarity and experience with the issues Golden faces and with city government in general. Rob has an understanding of growth concerns based on long term residence in Golden and direct involvement in development organizations.
Ward 2
The 3GL Board of Directors endorses Paul Haseman for the Ward 2 City Council seat. Four strong candidates are running for this Council seat, all well qualified and all with similar positions on affordable housing, growth and preservation of Golden’s character. 3GL feels that Paul Haseman is the best prepared candidate and will bring strong, specific positions to Council based on his experience and understanding of Golden and its institutions.
Ward 3
The 3GL Board of Directors endorses Jim Dale for the Ward 3 City Council seat. Jim brings great experience and both the City and County level and is dedicated to what is best for Golden. He will be a strong, outspoken presence on Golden City Council.
Ward 4
The 3GL Board of Directors endorses incumbent Councilor Laura Weinberg for the Ward 4 City Council seat. Laura has a solid understanding of City operations and has been a champion for setting reasonable fiscal priorities. She is active in regional and national governance organizations and pursues solutions to growth and housing issues at those levels. Golden needs to preserve Laura’s experience by re-electing her to City Council.