Guest Post By Daphne Greenwood
Professor of Economics
Director, Colorado Center for Policy Studies
Former Colorado State Representative
Co-author of the Upcoming Book,
The Future of Local Economic Development: Quality of Life and Sustainability

This year, we citizens of Colorado Springs face many economic challenges along with the rest of the nation. Unfortunately, the problems here at home are going to be even worse if we embark on some of the unwise policies proposed by current local leaders.  These leaders are well-intentioned. I respect the hard work that many of them do. But “business as usual” has been the mantra for too many for too long. Dave Gardner on city council will mean a new voice for a change in direction.

One of the important jobs council members have is serving as the citizen elected board for our city owned utilities department. As we struggle through an economic crisis without a definable end, Colorado Springs Utilities proposes to double the debt it owes. Just to pay the interest on the new debt will mean sharply higher water rates for utilities customers - -about 50% more next year alone.  Of course, a massive new water project like the Southern Delivery System (SDS) is expensive — it literally plans to make water flow uphill!

We don’t need to spend the money to bring water uphill for people living here today, who have already been conserving. It is plans to double the size of Colorado Springs that create a “need” for this new water source and delivery system. Current customers will pay more for water to subsidize more growth in housing developments. In your last utility bill, was an insert explaining that rates are going up more than expected this year because there haven’t been enough new hookup fees from new homebuilding lately.  As Homer Simpson would say… DUH?  Rates have been going up for several years to pay for the water projects for new housing, but now when there isn’t enough new housing built rates go up even more????  Could somebody please dig us out of this hole?  Dave Gardner’s run for city council gives me hope that help is on the way!

The bursting housing bubble had been coming for a long time, but our council members and the folks they listen to thought it wouldn’t affect us.  It was clear that banking on homebuilding as a sustainable source of prosperity was a big gamble. Now that the bubble has popped, these same leaders have gotten behind a  special tax increase to lure new businesses here and revive the housing market. But repeated studies have shown that tax rates and incentives are not cost-effective ways to lure businesses.  Good schools, safe neighborhoods, clean air, our wonderful park system, good roads, affordable water rates – the list of what it is more important to preserve for both quality of life and a sound, sustainable economy could go on and on.

Dave Gardner will be a top notch addition to our city council because he takes the time to learn the facts and study the issues. You won’t find Dave getting his “analysis” from a developer or site consultant/lobbyist. Common sense, along with the experience of running a successful small business, show in Dave’s understanding of the true sources of economic vitality and prosperity. Dave understands the importance of quality of life to attracting high quality jobs.  Dave has read the research and seen the evidence — special tax breaks or other so-called incentives to businesses just don’t pay for themselves over time.  Ever.  Raising our taxes now to turn the money over to businesses that come and go makes no more sense than compromising the very quality of life that makes us special. Unfortunately, our city leadership is starting down this path right now (despite the economic crisis).  Higher water rates, higher taxes – both for things we don’t need. If we aren’t careful, we will all pay the bill.

 I am endorsing Dave Gardner for the city council of Colorado Springs because he speaks for sustainable economic development that preserves quality of life. Dave wants to make sure the costs of growth are addressed as well as its’ benefits – and that we don’t see the benefits flowing to a few while the costs are paid by the rest of us. There has been far too much of that coming from Wall Street. Let’s bring a voice to “Main Street” here in Colorado Springs by electing Dave Gardner to our next city council.