Meet the Home Rule Commission candidates running in Nov. 7 election
The Town of Superior is considering moving to a municipal "home rule" form of government based on a charter written by residents instead of one that derives power from state statutes. This change would allow the Town and its residents greater local control, but voters must approve it first.
Residents will be asked to approve or deny the formation of a home rule commission on the Nov. 7 ballot. On that same ballot, voters will be able to choose a nine-member commission from the 11 candidates running. If the formation of the commission is approved, the nine elected commissioners will be tasked with drafting the home rule charter. Over the following several months after the election, the commission will prepare the charter for residents to approve or not approve in the 2024 election.
Get to know the candidates by reading the information below! Candidates are listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.
Home Rule Candidates
Dalton Valette
How long have you lived in Superior?
Since 1995, homeowner since 2022
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
I am a lifelong Superior resident who has seen the town change and grow over the course of more than two decades and I want to help Superior continue its maturation through the home rule process. Professionally, I am a legal consultant who reads statutory and municipal regulations regularly for work. I have also hosted educational presentations on home rule and its impact and I am an active member of the Superior Historical Commission.
|
Heather Cracraft
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
Currently in Downtown Superior in a rental as I rebuild my forever home in Original Town
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
I was honored to lead the Superior Chamber of Commerce for 13 years and we talked about the potential of Home Rule. Now over four years later, I want to give back to this town and be a member of the commission. I want to create an overall charter that’s in the best interest of the community. The charter needs to focus on support of our businesses, a common sense land use code, and a government and staffing structure that’s as effective as it is efficient. Then we will see if the residents want to transition to a Home Rule community.
|
Ryan Hitchler
How long have you lived in Superior?
11 years; 5 in Rock Creek, 1 in Sagamore, and 5 in Downtown Superior
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
Downtown Superior
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
I co-led a successful petition run in 2022 that resulted in the trustees unanimously overturning the massive HLS campus proposal in Downtown Superior. Superior is currently a statutory city, and governed under the state of Colorado rules. The petition rules are archaic, difficult to understand and follow, and must be updated. I want to be part of the Home Rule Commission to make citizen-led efforts clearer and easier to understand. In addition, self-governance under the town will allow the citizens of Superior to create and lead their own path, not bound by the state rules, which are difficult to change. Home rule will allow us to control our destiny and avoid oil and gas drilling scares like in 2018. Superior should follow its peers and neighbors like Louisville and Boulder (as well as 93% of municipalities in Colorado) and operate under Home Rule. See my website www.ryanhitchler.com for more!
|
Claire Dixon
How long have you lived in Superior?
I have lived in Superior since 2011
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
I live in Rock Creek neighborhood
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
In the time I have lived in Colorado, I have been active in the Superior Chamber of Commerce, served as a volunteer for the Cultural Arts and Public Spaces Committee, and served on the PTO Board for Eldorado Pk-8. I have also had children attend schools at Eldorado, Superior Elementary and Monarch High School. My husband and I have also been small business owners in Superior Marketplace since 2015. With the transition to Home Rule, the Town of Superior will change how taxes are collected from local businesses. I would like to represent this segment of the community on the Home Rule Charter Commission, to ensure that the process is smooth, transparent, and easy to work with, so that the benefits are felt both for the Town and for business owners. I would also like to ensure our continued sense of trust, preservation of natural resources, and high level of ethics as our Town grows.
|
Ryan Welch
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
My interest in the Home Rule Charter Committee is in the process of a town converting to Home Rule and not one specific issue. I want to play an active role in shaping the town’s governance structure. Superior is a four-square-mile town with different needs and desires than a large city or a rural area. Home Rule gives our local government the flexibility to listen to and meet the unique needs of the residents in Superior. I value listening to my community and working together to find solutions. As chair of the Superior’s Open Space Committee, I lead the evaluation of open-space-related components of land-use proposals. This work involved listening to residents and collaborating with the town’s planning commission, staff, and board. My experience serving Superior and my passion for community engagement make me an excellent candidate to serve on the Committee.
|
Jeff Chu
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
We live in North Rock Creek near Superior Elementary
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
I will bring three things to the Home Rule Commission to ensure the best interests of all citizens while creating the new Charter. First is a deep understanding of how the town operates. Having served eight years as Town Trustee, I am well positioned to assess potential benefits and impacts to the residents of Superior that items in the Charter may bring. Second is a track record of keeping the big picture in mind and doing what was right for the town as a whole and not succumbing to special interests. And finally is a passion for efficiency and responsibility in government. As a Trustee on the finance committee I worked to ensure we were efficiently providing town services today while always focused on the long term future of the town. With a new Charter we need to understand, explain, and justify the financial impacts that it may bring.
|
Sean Maday
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
Rock Creek (near the South pool)
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
I'm running for the Home Rule Charter Commission because I love Superior and believe I can make a difference. I've lived in Rock Creek for over 11 years, and my wife and I are raising our three daughters in this community.
My military service, business experience, and commitment to public service make me uniquely qualified to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission. I have a proven track record of teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving. I'm also a good listener who will work with others to find solutions that benefit the entire community.
The beauty of the Home Rule process is that the voters have the final say. The Charter Commission is just one step in the journey, but if this group does their job well, they will set Superior on a path for long term success.
|
Clint Folsom
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
During my years serving as Mayor of Superior, I learned about the advantages of the home rule and advocated for its adoption. I’m pleased that our current Board of Trustees has moved this idea forward as Home Rule is long overdue for the Town of Superior. Adopting our own Home Rule charter will allow Superior to make decisions locally that are in the best interests of our residents. During my 25 years living in Superior, I’ve been honored to serve as a Planning Commissioner for 6 years and 8 years as Mayor. These experiences provided significant insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by our local government. I look forward to working with my fellow residents on the Home Rule Commission reviewing and drafting the best home rule charter for our town.
|
Chris Hanson
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
Creekside Neighborhood of Rock Creek
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
I strongly believe Home Rule is the most favorable path forward for our town, and my two-term experience as a Trustee would add value to the commission. While serving the town as a trustee, we studied the benefits of Home Rule and realized it was the direction the town should go as the town continues to develop. Statutory towns are required to follow state statutes that are limiting to local decision making while Home Rule allows municipalities to govern and create policies that are specific to the local needs more effectively. Our town will continue to grow and having the ability to decide, as a town, how we evolve is better achieved as a Home Rule town and having experience and historical knowledge will be important in drafting a charter that is best suited for the Town of Superior.
|
Stephanie Schader
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
I live in Downtown Superior
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
Currently I am responsible for drafting and interpreting regulations and policy guidance for a federal agency. I bring experience with the process and language of government regulations, guidance and group charters, as well as the ability to drive consensus among stakeholders.180 days may seem like a long time, but it really isn't when it comes to producing a document like a Home Rule Charter. I believe my background and skill set will be very helpful in developing a thoughtful and comprehensive charter that will serve the Town well.
|
Mike Foster
How long have you lived in Superior?
What area/neighborhood of the Town do you live in?
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as a home rule charter commissioner?
I have been the Chair of the Town’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) for the past three years and have been actively involved in Town activities since moving to Superior. I regularly attend Town Board meetings and am familiar with much of the business taking place across our community.
I’m running for the Home Rule Committee because I believe in local control. Having the residents and Town Board establish land use codes and zoning that work for our community, while being more in control of local tax revenues, is important for Superior as we continue to grow.
I’m looking forward to collaborating with fellow Home Rule Charter Committee members to set the Town up for a superior future. Please vote for #11 on this November’s ballot!
|
Please visit the Boulder County Elections website to learn about election information, key dates, and FAQs.
Click the image to go to Boulder County's ellection webpage.
|
