What makes you most qualified to be commissioner?
Four years experience as the current county commissioner. This experience also enabled me to gain a great deal of experience in water issues, airport issues, government finance, government performance management, economic development, transportation issues and regional planning. Please go to www.bockenfeld.com for more information on my qualifications.
Given the scarcity of water, should the county increase restrictions on unincorporated growth without water district guarantees of non-well service?
No. Such restrictions are unnecessary at this time. The restrictions would hurt the local economy and stability in the job market. There are three main water providers that serve the unincorporated areas of Arapahoe County that have high density developments. They are the East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District, Rangeview Water District and the Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority. All three of these districts have implemented plans for conservation measures, new infrastructure development, new renewable water resources and water re-use programs in order to meet the long term needs of the communities that they serve.
A great deal, if not most, of criminal court cases are generated in Aurora. Should the county seek to support the county and district courts in expanding Aurora services?
We currently have adequate county and district court services to meet the needs of Aurora. Building and servicing additional courthouses is expensive and unnecessary at this time. The Arapahoe County Courthouse is less than 12 miles from Aurora. If the people who live on the Adams County portion of Aurora would have to go to criminal court, they would have to drive at least twenty-five miles. I am also reluctant to provide superior services to people who commit crimes in Aurora at the expense of their law abiding citizens.
Is the county’s open space program on target?
Mostly yes. Our open space program is guided by an open space board appointed by the county commissioners. The largest majority of these board members live in Aurora. I have advocated for most of these open space dollars to be spent in the urbanized areas and not in the rural, eastern plains of Arapahoe County. The urbanized area is where the majority of these dollars is collected and they should also be spent in these communities.
What one thing above all would like to see the Legislature change next year to facilitate the job of the county?
The State needs to adequately fund the improvement and maintenance of state roads that run through Arapahoe County. I-225 is one of the most congested highways in the State. This would be a change because it is well known that they have not been keeping up with these transportation needs.
Given the size of the county and the fact that commissioners are full time, is there a need for five commissioners, or are three commissioners adequate?
Arapahoe County is one of the largest counties in the state. In order to adequately represent the constituents, commissioners must sit on a number of boards and commissions. Please go to www.co.arapahoe.co.us. You can review the various boards and commissions that the commissioners sit on. I believe you will quickly see that a reduction in the number of commissioners will also lead to a reduction in representation for the community. I believe five commissioners is an adequate number for Arapahoe County.
Should the county completely ban the use and sale of fireworks?
No. Certain types of fireworks are legal in the State of Colorado. There has not been a demonstrated need to ban fireworks in the unincorporated parts of the county. Some cities have decided to ban fireworks in their cities. That is their prerogative and it becomes their responsibility to enforce their own ordinances.
With so many aging residents, transportation is becoming a growing concern for all area government agencies. What should the county do, if anything, to provide more transportation options for elderly residents?
Senior transportation is very well funded through city, county, RTD, Denver Regional Council of Governments and state and federal Medicaid programs. The state, cities and the county need to better coordinate these programs amongst themselves in order to better meet the needs of the seniors. The Colorado Department of Transportation currently has a board working on improving this coordination. I was an original member on this board representing Colorado Counties Incorporated.
How has the price of fuel affected your philosophy on zoning and development characteristics for communities far from the urban core?
Not at all. Approximately one-third of the jobs today have the ability to tele-work either full or at least part time. As an executive officer of the Denver Regional Council of Governments, I’m a big promoter of tele-work solutions to our transportation needs. We do not have a road capacity problem but a peak hour, congestion problem. Tele-work reduces vehicle miles traveled, saves gas and gives people more time to spend with their families. Other alternatives such as synchronizing stop lights, improving RTD Station Parking to enhance transit ridership and straddling work hours can also go a long way to address these issues.
Should the county promote increased activity at the airport in the county at the risk of prompting noise and other complaints from nearby residents?
Airports support huge economic engines that keep everyone’s property taxes low. This is especially true in Arapahoe County. Airport noise must constantly be monitored and mitigated. Older and louder aircraft are now being phased out and newer and quieter aircraft are becoming the norm. We need these airports and since they are funded by the volume of fuel they sell to pilots, we must continue to promote the airport. |
