Candidate Profile: Rich Olver 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.

Rich Olver is running for Lakewood City Council - Ward 4.

Age: 67

Family

Baxter my attention hound. He's 7, and goes to the only Lakewood dog park most days.

Education

BS Geology. MS Geophysics.

Occupation

Geophysicist - 41 years

Campaign website: enrichlakewood.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

As a long-time resident (over 40 years) I know this town and this community. As a Geophysicist and business owner, I’ve been problem solving since back in the dim time. I can look at problems, analyze the implications of all possible scenarios and devise logical solutions. After living a full life and a having a long productive work career, I’m hungry for more. I understand the complexities of diverse issues and will focus on what I can actually change, rather than debating issues that are beyond the scope of City Council. I’m at the stage in my life where I can now give back to the community that has given me some pretty damm nice decades.

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

I have learned that You Catch More Flies With Honey Than You Do With Vinegar. My opponent was a principal in the Green Mountain Water Board Recall. While I believe there was no reason for a recall, others believe there was. That’s fine. What’s not OK is to call the former Colorado Secretary of State “Some Blowhard (expletive deleted)” in a public meeting. Or insult other elected officials. I’d hate to see that in City Council meeting.

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

Officials, local, State, and National have been responding to the pandemic panic rather than to covid. We should be following actual science in our responses, instead of having knee jerk reactions that look a lot more like performance art than well thought out planning and responses.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

More dog parks, safer 2 wheeler streets, a fair short term rental ordinance, high tech red lights to move traffic smoother, keep an eye on 5G towers, keep Soviet Style Apt blocks from being built willy nilly around Lakewood

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

I play well with others, and test high on the grown-up spectrum

The best advice ever shared with me was:

You can't make an informed decision without information

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

If you want to follow the science, elect a scientist.