Candidate Profile: Rebekah Stewart 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.

Rebekah Stewart is running for Lakewood City Council - Ward 3.

Age: 35

Family

Husband Logan

Education

MA, Music Therapy from University of Missouri- Kansas City

Occupation

Chief Operations Officer (3 years), Internship Co-Director (5 years), and Board-Certified Music Therapist (8 years) at Rehabilitative Rhythms

Campaign website: https://rebekahforlakewood.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Lakewood needs fresh voices as we look towards the future. We all have a stake in the future of our city, and I want to represent my community as we make decisions that will affect the next generations. I deeply believe we need more leaders in local government from professions that put people first— leaders who approach every individual and issue with nonjudgement, are willing to listen and make decisions with empathy and compassion, and who consider all voices in our community. We need local government to work for ALL of its citizens and neighborhoods. I want to see Lakewood continue to be an inclusive, safe, and welcoming community. People from all walks of life ought to have the opportunity to earn a good life here. Lakewood should be at the forefront of innovation when it comes to sustainability, protecting green space, improving affordability, creating safe communities, and supporting small and local businesses. Ward 3 needs a fresh, positive voice as we move forward and make decisions that will affect the next generations.

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

I am running because Ward 3 needs a fresh, positive voice as we look towards the future. We cannot prescribe 1970’s solutions to 2021 issues, and we should not fear monger about the future of our community simply because it’s changing. Former Mayor Steve Burkholder once said, “A city either moves forward or backwards; it doesn't stay the same.” The choice in this election is clear: let’s not move backwards; let’s push forward for the city we all love.

Accessibility to constituents is also incredibly important to me. I represent you, so you should be able to get in touch with me easily. You deserve to be part of the conversion and I will work to do outreach, host neighborhood meetings, and continue to engage in our incredible business/neighborhood associations.

I have experienced firsthand how my opponent continues his patterns of treatment of women by belittling my experience and profession, but I believe the people of Lakewood can see through that and want a City Councilor who treats others with dignity and respect, and seek to understand and learn rather than diminish and dismiss.

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

The City of Lakewood as a whole has done a great job trying to reach people where they are at. They have given away over $600,000 in grants to small businesses and nonprofits over the course of the past year and a half. As city councilors, we need to work to connect our constituents with resources like that, and we have a responsibility to make them accessible to everyone by providing information in multiple languages and modalities so that our recovery can be as equitable as possible.

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

As Chief Operations Officer of a nonprofit organization, I work with people every day to provide the kind of compassionate leadership that our community in Lakewood deserves. Navigating the events of the past 18 months as a healthcare organization and with the loss of income and multiple challenges keeping our doors open while continuing to serve our clients and our staff without having to lay off a single employee is something I'm incredibly proud to have had a part in. I have a master’s degree in music therapy, and have spent my career working with and advocating for individuals with disabilities, so I care deeply about giving all people a fair shot at a great life. I serve on the Colorado State Music Therapy Task Force working to increase access to music therapy services for our most vulnerable Colorado residents through state policy. My work requires me to listen carefully, think critically, and work to address the challenging issues my clients face, and these skills are incredibly important for elected officials to have when approaching decisions that affect our city and residents.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Take a deep breath!

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

I believe in a bright future for Lakewood, I am ready to truly bring forth your voice as we move forward, and I’d be honored to have your vote in November.