I grew up in Lakewood, Colorado.  I was embraced and encouraged by a community that sought continuous improvement and required personal responsibility from everyone.  No exceptions were allowed.  Our community held elected officials in great respect.  Public service to our community was expected of our elected officials and they were held to a very high standard. 

As I grew up, I was inspired by all the adult roles models around me.  I remember the unselfish sacrifice that adults made to our community.  I clearly remember the challenge of John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you, - ask what you can do for your country."

The ethic of sharing the task in making a better Life, Society and Country was fulfilled by nearly everyone.  Many of my friend's dads served in World War 2.  Mothers and wives and WACs and WASPs and Rosie the Riveters did their parts.  There was the man who had worked at the Remington Ammunition Plant surrounded by pounding machines.  You had to speak loudly to him to make up for his hearing loss.  My neighbor, who drove with me so I could take the driving portion of my driver's license test had been an Air Raid Warden in Lakewood.  Imagine telling people to pull their blinds, as if there had been any serious way for enemies to bomb Denver.  But he did the job of being an Air Raid Warden conscientiously. 

I went to college for Science and for Service.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army.  

As I progressed thru adulthood, I became a less naive and more cynical.  Our Heros had "clay feet".  Our History had been redacted.  Conducting retail business is tough and missteps in finances could be devastating. 

Then, one day, I got old.  I thought about what I would leave to the people who came after me, be they my grandchildren or someone else's grandchildren.  That's when I revisited the inspiration I was given when I was young. Regardless of how naive or sanitized those stories were, be they stories of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Eisenhower, or FDR, the stories we told each other had the theme of building a better society for everyone.  To be an American is to seek Faster, Better, Fairer, Cheaper.  

I asked Charlene, my spouse, what she wanted most in our retirement and she said:  to enjoy our grandchildren and our life together.  She asked me what I wanted and I said:  in addition to what she wanted, I want honest government.  I have no way to bring honesty to National government, nor in State government, but there is a chance in city government.

I've run five times and been elected twice.  A .400 batting average in baseball would be outstanding.  But city elections are not baseball.  Winning a place on City Council promises a chance at correcting and improving city government.  

So once again, regaining my baseline optimism, I am running for elected office.  I believe there is a realistic way for Westminster to receive smart, honest government.  Westminster can have courageous, tough, thrifty public service from our council.  

This time I am running for Mayor.  This time I am eager to carry the burden and embrace the opportunity of leading the council and the city to better, smarter, fairer, cheaper city government.