The Partnership for Age Friendly Communities in Larimer County with Larimer County Office on Aging and their Advisory Committee, and Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University presented the candidates forum in October at the Fort Collins Senior Center. Over 80 citizens of all ages listened to the candidates running for the various county or state offices.
The Forum presented issues pertinent to the County’s growing senior population such as affordable senior housing, transportation, health care access, long term services and support, senior services funding, Colorado’s strategic plan for aging, legislative initiatives relating to seniors and awareness about culture of aging issues.
LCOA Advisory Board Members (l-r)
Myles Crane, Deni La Rue, & Crystal Bloemen
Introductions were made by Myles Crane, co-chair for the forum committee, and Moderator Deni La Rue presented election candidates for the offices of County Commissioner, State Representative, and State Senate.
The candidates included current county commissioners Steve Johnson and Tom Donnelly, candidates Bill Wright and Karen Stockley running for county commissioner; candidates for state representative included Jeni Arndt, Perry Buck, Joann Ginal, Hugh McKean, Jody McNally, Buzz Sweeney, and Donna Walter running for State Representative; candidates T.J Cole, Hans Hochheimer, John Kefalas, & Vicki Marble for State Senate.
Each candidate was given several minutes to introduce themselves, then the moderator asked each candidate specific questions on handling different senior issues. The questions included issues on regional and local transportation, low cost transportation for seniors, affordable housing, overcoming housing shortages, senior employment, strategic planning for senior programs, elder abuse, and public safety issues.
The public met with many of the candidates prior to the forum. The forum committee thanked all the candidates for their presentations. Please vote on November 8 for your preferred candidate.
Featured Image: Larimer County commissioner candidates (l-r) Steve Johnson, Bill Wright, Karen Stockley, & Tom Donnelly