Denver’s mayoral and City Council elections are less than a month away. The city’s first all mail-in election is May 1st. As a candidate for City Council in district #7, which includes all of campus west of University Boulevard, I seek your vote.Growing up in Denver I attended Regis High School, graduated from CSU, where I studied economics, and later UC-Denver, where I earned a master’s in political science. Living just a few blocks west of the Ritchie Center for the past 14 years I am very familiar with the dynamic role DU plays in the neighborhood, the city and the state. Furthermore, as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher at nearby Denver South High School, I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a few DU students who have tutored my immigrant students at South High School through DU’s service learning program.My practical agenda for City Council takes into consideration the continued prosperity of Denver University:1) The re-calibration of pedestrian crosswalk lights in district #7, especially near schools, to be user friendly. Denver paid billions for light rail and enhanced bus service to get people out of their cars and onto busses, trains, and ultimately, the sidewalk. Crosswalk lights need to be responsive. This is especially true along Evans Avenue near campus. Pedestrians should wait no longer than 90 seconds for a crosswalk light to change in their favor. 2) Expansion of bike lanes, bike paths, and assisting Cherokee Denver Development, developer of the former Gates Rubber Co. property at I-25 & Broadway, with their ambitious plans to span Santa Fe Drive and the Platte River with a pedestrian/ bike bridge. The strategic connection between the east and west sides of the Platte River will require the collaboration of many public entities. I want to help Cherokee get the bridge built in an early phase of the massive project’s timeline.3) Defeat of the proposed apartment tower on the tiny lot adjacent to the University Light Rail Station.4) Continue the collaborative relationship between the university and the city on issues of parking, traffic flow, campus construction and noisy parties. As a long time Pioneer season ticket holder for basketball and hockey, and a frequent spectator at soccer games and tennis matches, I support the Pioneers. I wear my Pioneer hats and shirts and I make a point of visiting the Stadium Inn a few times per year to keep that fine tradition going. Denver University is a marvelous institution that makes this city a better place to live. Please help me become a strong advocate for Denver University on the Denver City Council by voting for me in the May election.

Thank you!!

Dennis Smith303-722-9011charlie.connor@hotmail.com