Candidate Profile: Jeslin Shahrezaei For Lakewood City Council

LAKEWOOD, CO — Twelve City Council candidates are running for Lakewood'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.

Jeslin Shahrezaei is running for Lakewood City Council - Ward 1.

Age: 39

Family

I have been married to my husband, Eugene, for 10 years and we have three children (a high schooler and two elementary aged children)

Education

M.S. International Affairs University of Denver

Occupation

Nonprofit Director-15 years experience

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

(Appointed) Commissioner-Denver Immigrant & Refugee Commission

Campaign website: www.jeslin4lakewood.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I feel strongly about the direction our community is headed. Reflecting over the last year and a half, I have felt frustrated with a lack of representation for my experience amongst our elected officials. In the recent history of Ward 1 there has not been someone elected to council who shares my lived experience of a young family putting down roots in our community. My kids attend our local schools, play in our parks and recreate in our open spaces. I believe it is long past time for us to widen the lens of who represents us in our community.

Our world is changing. Our climate is changing. We have an affordable housing crisis. We have an increased homeless population that needs care and consideration. We cannot keep applying the same thinking to solve for these new and nuanced problems. We need new energized leadership to support our community moving forward.

I sit on the board of directors for the Mid Lakewood neighborhood association and I am a charter organizer for the City of Lakewood’s Sustainable Neighborhood program. I have had countless opportunities to work with my community through these experiences. I am running for City Council to increase my capacity in representing Lakewood. I believe that my skills in building partnerships and community organizing from my 15 year career working in the nonprofit sector will be critical in supporting what comes next for Lakewood. I am committed to celebrating all that is great about Lakewood now while encouraging us to lift our heads up and look further down the road at what comes next.

I am invested in the success of this community. This is my home, it is my kids' home and I want to support ensuring that everyone has the access and opportunity to get ahead in Lakewood.

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

I believe there are numerous opportunities for Lakewood as we look to the future. In the trailing 12 months before the pandemic, Ward 1 had a 45% increase in homes sold. We know the community has new members moving in as well as older members looking for a right-sized housing option to allow them to age in place. I understand that we have to balance meeting the needs of a growing population in a responsible and measured way. My willingness to work with all sorts of viewpoints is exemplified with the confidence and endorsement of so many individuals and agencies listed on our website. We can disagree and still find common ground through our shared commitment to community.

I am committed to celebrating what is great about Lakewood now and recognizing the potential we have for our future. Most importantly, I am running to represent the constituents of Ward 1 and advance the interests of the many and not the few. I am not beholden to anyone in this work. I am a fresh, new voice who will step into this office with no conflicts of interests, ready to get to work on Day One.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

West Colfax revitalization. I want to support the momentum that is happening on West Colfax and encourage it west through Ward 1. The West Colfax BID and 40 West Arts District have done great work to begin the revitalization of West Colfax. The Westland shopping center provides one of the biggest opportunities for us to keep the revitalization going through Ward 1. We need elected officials willing to work together and in partnership with community leaders to keep this momentum going. The leadership in Ward 1 has to recognize and honor the rich history of this transit corridor while imagining how that translates to meet our current and future needs.

Increase sustainability as a top priority. We are out of time in making this a top priority and I am ready to advance this as a lens for decision making in the city. We need elected officials who understand this means more than recycling. This should be basis for our city planning and goal-setting, we cannot wish these problems away. We have a responsibility to protect our open spaces, clean air and water for our kids and grandkids.

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

The operation of a large nonprofit agency functions in many ways like a municipal government. I have experience in creating multi-million dollar budgets, that draw from multiple sources of revenue. I understand what goes into this process. As part of a small directors team I work with colleagues from different expertise to ensure the function of our agency on both the day-to-day and also in large strategic measures. I understand how you monitor the progress towards measurable goals and have experience in correcting and refining the process continuously as needed.