City candidates discuss housing and transportation needs

Two candidates for Longmont mayor said Wednesday night that the city must work together with other local municipalities to bring commuter rail to the northwest corridor. 

“The L towns have to come together...and send a clear signal to RTD” that commuter rail is needed in the area, mayoral candidate and city council member Tim Waters said during a virtual candidate forum hosted by the Longmont Area Democrats. Waters was referring to Longmont, Lafayette and Louisville.  

Fellow council incumbent Joan Peck echoed Waters, saying at the forum she has worked on partnerships – including Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad – in an effort to usher in commuter rail.

Mayoral candidate Greg Harris chose a different route, saying “commuter rail is pie in the sky.” Longmont instead should concentrate on fixing local transportation congestion including fixing the time of lights. “Let’s take care of our traffic problems,” Harris said. “Let’s have action, not words.”

Candidates for mayor answered questions during the two-hour forum which also included the six candidates for two at-large seats on the city council. Council incumbent Marcia Martin is running unopposed for the Ward 2 seat on the council. 

Martin, who also answered questions at the forum, said Longmont’s most critical challenge is to transition to renewable energy to help abate the effects of climate change. The city’s most urgent challenge is to balance its housing inventory to help struggling families find stable housing.

Other candidates agreed more housing options for low-and-middle income families are needed as Longmont grows and its workforce surges.

Tiny homes need to be added to Longmont’s housing stock, said council candidate Sean McCoy, while incumbent Aren Rodriguez said the role of the Longmont Housing Authority needs to be expanded. 

Council candidate Tallis Salamatian said it is a “travesty” that the city’s Envision Longmont!  – a long term guide to the city’s growth – does not mention attainable housing.

Most candiates also said more funding for the Longmont Library is needed and the option of creating a library district was broached.