Today we wrap up our series profiling the candidates running in contested races for Glenwood Springs City Council. Kathy Williams is running for an at-large seat. Her big issue is the heavy traffic moving through downtown. Aspen Public Radio’s Marci Krivonen reports.
Kathy Williams has had a difficult life. In the 30 years she’s lived in Glenwood she’s dealt with cancer and divorce. She’s held a variety of jobs and currently works at a drugstore downtown. With her life experience, she says she brings a unique perspective to local politics.
"I feel like I can really relate to people," she says. "I don’t know if some people think you need to be an engineer or a real estate developer, or what they think is necessary as a prerequisite for sitting on the city council. I just think as a citizen and a human being, I have a lot to bring."
She’s upset the heavy traffic problem through downtown wasn’t solved years ago. And she doesn’t believe a new Grand Avenue bridge is the answer.
"It’s going to be a big, beautiful brand new bridge crossing the Colorado River but it hasn’t alleviated the problem of Grand Avenue and the commuter and commercial traffic running through the center of town."
She sides with a segment of the public who spoke out against the bridge replacement and feels their voice was ignored. She fears it sets a poor precedent. If she were on council, she says citizen involvement would be key to every project.
"I don’t think people feel like they’ve been heard. And I would like to see more community involvement in all of these “what if” situations. That takes a consensus of hearing from people and listening to the people who vote the city council in."
Affordable housing for the employees of Glenwood is something she says she would focus on if elected.
"It’s getting harder and harder for your average middle class family to live in Glenwood Springs. Do we want to continue to build more million dollar homes and push our employees and young families to Parachute, Rifle and New Castle? To me, I don’t think that’s right."
Williams’ challengers are Kathryn Trauger and Tony Hershey. You can hear Trauger's interview here. And, Hershey's interview here. The ballots will be counted April seventh.
Kathy Williams' entire interview: