Edgewater City Council Candidate Spotlight: Mercedes Valdez

Mercedes Valdez, Candidate for Edgewater City Council

Over the next week, we will be spotlighting candidates for Edgewater City Council and Mayor. All candidates were sent the same questions. We do not edit the answers and post them as they were sent.

Mercedes Valdez, Candidate for Edgewater City Council

Occupation

Financial Accountant

What do you love about Edgewater?

I love Edgewater’s resiliency to continue to operate as its own city; although it is a small city with limited resources it has managed to continue as a stand-alone city. I love this city’s uniqueness; it has the perfect location, close to the mountains and at the same time only minutes away to Downtown Denver. Being a small city provides a lot of opportunities to its residents such as running for city council without the big city overwhelming feeling.

What do you view as the role of Edgewater City Council? 

In my view, Edgewater city council members are public servants of its community. Council members should serve as liaisons for all stakeholders, keeping the wellbeing and success of the city and its residents as the top priority, while maintaining an unbiased mindset. Equally important, council members should be fiscally responsible and transparent with the city’s assets when considering adopting or amending new ordinances, approving the city’s budget, and establishing goals and objectives for the City. Since Council is also responsible for appointing city manager, city attorney, and municipal court judges, it is also important for council to practice due diligence for appointing officials.

Which of Edgewater’s recent legislative actions is your least favorite? Which is your favorite?

My least favorite legislative action was resolution 2023-01, which I believe was the first ordinance passed in 2023. This ordinance amended sections 12-2-410 pertaining to the water system rates and charges and section 13-3-10 pertaining to the sewer system rates. Although, this amendment was probably necessary I believe it could have been approached a little different especially since Edgewater homeowners have been hit with a massive increase in property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance cost, not to mention, an unprecedent (in recent history) inflation rate of approximately 9% affecting everything from the cost of groceries and other essential items to the cost of rent. It is my understanding Edgewater will be receiving revenue from the new implemented 10 cent plastic grocery fees, therefore, perhaps this newly forecast revenue could have been allocated towards water and sewer rates to offset the water and sewer cost and pass on the savings to the residents (please note, that I do not have all the details and facts on this subject, this is solely my opinion from an Edgewater resident point-of-view).

On the other hand, my favorite recent legislative action is ordinance NO. 2023-07, which establishes a local minimum wage requirement of 15.02 per hour (starting January 1, 2024) with an increase of approximately 10% per year for the next five years (City of Edgewater, 2023). https://www.edgewaterco.gov/your-government/your-city-council-mayor/-folder-181#docan786_972_157 I believe this increase was necessary to keep up with the cost of living and give all residents the opportunity to earn a decent living wage, compensate Edgewater workers properly to be able to provide for themselves and their families.

What role can Edgewater City Council play in supporting current small businesses and attracting new ones?

Small businesses are important to the well-being and success of our city. Small businesses bring in revenue either through sales taxes or renewal of licenses, which benefit the community. I believe City Council can support small businesses by supporting a system which makes it easy for businesses to renew and apply for licenses easy, convenient, and fast with competitive rates. City council can also advocate for small businesses rent prices. Last, council should also keep and active conversation with the Edgewater police who can patrol businesses parking lots to promote a safe environment for all stakeholders.

Why should Edgewater residents vote for you?

First, I want to express my gratitude to the city and the residents who signed my petition, it is an honor to be in this year’s ballot for Edgewater City Council. I believe Edgewater residents should vote for me because I have a combination of good skills and qualities, which can benefit the city.

I have a master’s degree in accounting and finance, and over 20 years of experience in this field (including restaurants, subsidized housing, large apartment buildings) including compliance with government agencies. I have also been an interim employee for the Federal Voting Rights program (a nonpartisan program) where I have learned the importance of protecting voter’s rights and how to leave my personal views out and focus only providing unbiased service where is needed. If elected I will listen to the opinions and concerns of all Edgewater residents without incorporating my personal beliefs.

Furthermore, I am a person, who likes to do extensive research, weight the pros and cons and look at the whole picture prior to making any decisions. If elected I will incorporate this skill to all city council discussions, including the following: adopting and amending ordinances, approving city budgets, approving resolutions, and establishing goals for the city.

Edgewater residents should vote for me because I care for this community and when someone cares they will bring their best to the table.

Joel Newton

Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.