Since this interview aired, The Coloradoan has published some additional information on this candidate: City Council candidate is linked to extremist posts. Adams says: ‘I strongly disavow it’
Welcome to another episode of Dear Fort Collins. The Election 2023 series aims to introduce Fort Collins’ City Council candidates in their own words, providing you with insights on their character and leadership abilities. This episode features an interview with Alexander Adams, a hopeful for the District Six seat. Alexander, a young professional and a renter, shares his unique viewpoint and talks about his goals and vision for the district.
Passion for Fort Collins and Motivation to Run for Office
Alexander moved to the city in 2017 to attend Colorado State University, and he quickly fell in love with the quiet neighborhoods and the charm of Old Town. He shares an interesting tidbit that Old Town served as the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Disneyland, making it not only significant to the local community but also a cultural landmark for the entire United States. His motivation to run is fueled by his desire to maintain the charm and opportunity of the town, focusing particularly on sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
“Affordable housing is one of the biggest issues in the district. I’d be the only renter on City Council. I’m the only renter in the race. I personally experience how difficult it is to live in Fort Collins on a single income as a young professional having to rent.”
Tackling Key Issues: Affordable Housing, Land Use Code, Homelessness, and Environmental Protection
Alexander emphasizes the need for more affordable housing and the importance of ensuring that developers are held accountable for building it. He also highlights the significance of the land use code and the need to involve neighborhoods in determining their own look and feel. Alexander believes that the proposed land use code may lead to unintended consequences such as increased pressure to densify and sprawl, negatively impacting affordable housing and the environment.
Alexander’s plan to address homelessness centers around non-punitive enforcement and a holistic approach that involves social workers, mental health professionals, and police officers working together to address the root causes of homelessness. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment, particularly the Poudre River and the legislative intent of the Hughes Stadium initiative.
“It’s exceedingly important that the Poudre is protected from overdevelopment. Clean air and livable neighborhoods. Those are going to be my priorities.”
Uniquely Qualified to Represent District Six
Alexander believes his experiences as a young professional, renter, and a public policy analyst position him well to represent the interests and challenges of his constituents in District Six. He emphasizes listening to and incorporating the community’s desires and concerns in policy-making.
“I’m a public policy analyst by trade. Fundamentally, I am trained to look at public policies, look at the data, look at the research, harmonize various points of view, and produce evidence-informed policy.”
Role Model in Public Service: Theodore Roosevelt
When asked about his role model in public service, Alexander looks to Theodore Roosevelt. He admires Roosevelt’s progressive conservation and environmental platform, which aligns with his own values and priorities. Roosevelt’s determination to stand up against big trusts and special interests resonates with Alexander, and he aspires to emulate that same grit and unwillingness to yield when it comes to serving his community.
“Roosevelt is inspiring because he has a certain grit or gumption, the ability to stand for what is right, and his intransigence and unwillingness to yield to big trusts.”
The Superpower of Representation and Outreach
Alexander metaphorically chooses clairvoyance or omniscience as his ideal superpower, symbolizing the optimal representation and understanding of community’s desires and concerns. He emphasizes the importance of reaching out to and incorporating the viewpoints of underrepresented groups.
“To get closer to that utopian ideal of a certain clairvoyance or omniscience when it comes to representing people, I think a good start would be to elect a representative who actually commits to holding a weekly listening session.”
Embracing Risk and Taking Bold Action
Reflecting on the advice he has received, Alexander shares that he wishes he had embraced the mantra of “just do it” earlier in life. Alexander shares his journey of overcoming risk aversion and emphasizes the importance of taking bold actions to bring about meaningful changes in the community.
“Running for city council is a risk. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes money. I want to put the public policy knowledge that I have to good use and what was the way I could do that? I threw my hat in the ring, and it’s been a fun ride.”
Conclusion: A Vision for Fort Collins’ Affordability and Environment
Alexander Adams is a candidate with a deep passion for Fort Collins, focusing on key issues like affordable housing, environmental protection, and community engagement. This article is part of a series interviewing each candidate in the 2023 Fort Collins City Council election and does not endorse any candidate. We encourage residents to engage with the viewpoints of all candidates to make well-informed decisions for the future of the city.
Stay tuned to Dear Fort Collins for more episodes as we continue to explore different candidates and the issues critical to our community.
Learn more about Alexander here: https://www.adams4fc.com/
Note: This article is based on a podcast interview with Alexander Adams, a candidate for District Six City Council in Fort Collins. All quotes are verbatim from the transcript of the podcast episode.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author as an individual and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or organization.
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