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Aspen Public Radio's news coverage, interviews and public forums on the issues and the candidates of the 2016 elections in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Want to learn about everything that will be on your ballot this election? Click here.

Glenwood City Council Race: Russ Arensman

Marci Krivonen

Our series examining the candidates running for office in Glenwood Springs, continues. Our focus is on the contested races. Today we introduce you to the second candidate vying for the Ward One seat on City Council. Aspen Public Radio’s Marci Krivonen reports.

Russ Arensman wants to get back on city council. The former foreign journalist served a four year term that ended in 2011. He ran again and lost by four votes.

He thinks the city’s on the cusp of an economic rebound and believes local government can bolster growth.

"I’d like to see the city strengthen the economy. One of the things we can do is streamline the approvals processes for projects. But, we really need to protect the existing residences and neighborhoods as well," he says.

Another opportunity will come after the Grand Avenue Bridge is replaced. Right now, he says Sixth Street, where the hot springs and Hotel Colorado are, is a nightmare for pedestrians and traffic. It will be ripe for change.

"We’ve got an opportunity to dress the place up with improved street-scaping, sidewalks, planters and landscaping and hopefully some additional parking as well."

One area in need of TLC is the south side of town, where roads are in poor shape. Arensman says the city should realistically plan and budget for maintenance there. He also believes the $40 million South Bridge project should move forward. He thinks it’s a safety issue.

"What we saw back in 2002 during the Coal Seam Fire was, when everyone tried to evacuate from that area at once, the traffic just ground to almost a standstill. It was a scary wake up call. That’s a big reason why we need to, one, widen and improve south Midland Avenue down to the Four Mile Road intersection. Secondly, we need to find a way to make the South Bridge Project work."

He says his time spent on council and several public commissions separates him from his opponent.

"Experience is what I bring to the job. My opponent, he talks about bringing strong business leadership. That’s good and important. I think we have five of the seven current city councilmen who have businesses of one sort or another. So, I don’t think we’re lacking in any kind of representation for the business community."

An interview with Arensman's opponent, Steve Davis, can be found here

Arensman's entire interview:

RUSS_TWO_WAY.mp3