Candidate Profile: Suzie Schuckman For Arvada City Council

ARVADA, CO — Six City Council candidates are running for Arvada's Nov. 2 municipal election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Suzie Schuckman is running for Arvada City Council.

Age: 37

Family: Mom, Olivia. Dad, Scott. Brother, Michael. Partner, Jeff.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Yes. Mom works for the US Dept. of Labor. Brother works for the City of Kansas City, Missouri.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Northwest Missouri State. Master of Science, University of Central Missouri. Master of Public Administration, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Occupation: Development Director. 15+ years experience in nonprofit leadership and management.

Campaign website: www.suzieforarvada2021.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for Arvada City Council because I truly know what the daily lived experience is for Arvadans. I understand the highs and lows of our hard working families. I also represent a diverse perspective that is inclusive of Arvadans who value welcoming all families to our community.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are many complicated issues facing Arvada, but attainable housing is one of them. I would like to see two strategies implemented moving forward that will elevate residents' voices. First, I would like to expand the membership of the Planning Commission. As of today, this commission does not represent the growing community we must serve. Secondly, I would advocate for a resident advised Community Land Trust model to be adopted. This would provide residents with the empowerment to determine how we best utilize our land resources. Residents’ voices and values are the priority.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Residents want their City Council to advocate for them in a more proactive manner that demonstrates a full understanding of how we can efficiently invest in our future. Current Council has taken a hands off approach that residents are not comfortable with. They want to see their City Council provide solutions for our future which is exactly what I will bring to Council.

As a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Residents do not feel their values are being advocated for through current council representation.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I do believe local officials have done what they think is best. I would have and would still advocate for more outreach to our marginalized communities that have historically been under-resourced in the healthcare arena. I would like to have seen more outreach to our neighbors who have deep mistrust of the healthcare system. I would also advocate for more active outreach to our minority and women owned businesses as they tried to attain PPP loans to sustain their businesses.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Supporting and funding the techniques within the City of Arvada’s strategic plan to preserve, protect, and sustain our parks system is a priority. We need to be making future-facing decisions that will ensure our children and their children have spaces to play in in the future. We also have to find ways we can bring our community together to discuss how we are building an inclusive community. Arvada does welcome families of all walks of life, but we must ensure that message is clear and authentic.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served a variety of nonprofits organizations that provide health and human services. In my past I’ve either been on a team or led teams that generate revenue for these organizations to provide direct services to women, children, and families in need of support. This experience has afforded me the necessary experience to build authentic relationships with those facing their most challenging moments and those who have the capacity to help change lives. Every day I build relationships and connections between individuals, civic leaders, and business partners. Being able to create connections has led to solutions. That is the exact experience I will bring to Arvada City Council.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never leave for tomorrow what can be done today.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I researched and studied where I would like to move in order to establish my future. Arvada is everything I was hoping to find in a home. I know I wanted to be in a smaller suburban area that has walkable school routes for my future kids. I found out how many incredible small businesses are represented in Olde Town and across the City. I was thrilled to see how the community comes together to celebrate through festivals, gardens, and the arts. Through getting involved, I was blown away by how quickly I was able to build relationships with neighbors and establish new friendships. All of this and more made the decision so easy to say this is where I want to grow my life and my family. Arvada is home.