Endorsements

I attended the September 17 Chamber's "Community Impact Forum" where City Council candidates were present. As an owner of the Five Parks Investors' shopping center, and as an inbound member of the Chamber's board of directors, this forum was important for me to attend. 

I strongly support the candidacy of Michael Griffith for the At Large opening for Arvada City Council. When listening to the candidates, it became clear that Michael Griffith, through his experience as a member of the Arvada Planning Commission, and his professional experience as an architect and planner of major developments understands the process that will shape the future development and quality of life challenges Arvada faces. He intimately understand both the Zoning Ordinance as well as the Land Development Code that largely dictate Arvada's future growth. Michael also understands the challenges of affordable housing based on his professional experiences in helping investors create thousands of affordable apartments through the nation. 

I came away from the forum and mentioned my surprise to Kami Welch at the apparent lack of understanding several candidates had regarding the development process, and who spoke from a somewhat esoteric perspective, or with a view toward regional and national issues that are not central to the governance of the City of Arvada. Michael stood in stark contrast to several candidates. Please vote for Michael P. Griffith for the At Large position on the Arvada City Council. 

-William Sheridan, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, September 30, 2021

 I am a veteran and a long-time resident of Arvada, CO. I own my own business as a general contractor and have raised my family in this city. Traffic has always been a problem and capacities are not being met in most parts of the city. Recently this problem is getting even worse. If only there was someone prioritizing infrastructure on the City Council that understands transportation.

I am tired of politicians with no background in infrastructure or engineering having the final say on my ability to get to the job site, get the kids to school or go to the grocery store without destroying the front end alignment of my truck with potholes, or spending too much time in traffic.

Michael P. Griffith has been my neighbor for 7 years. Not only is he a good guy, his background and professional experience are the essential way forward for Arvada’s roadway and traffic needs. When Mike tells me that growth is an opportunity I believe him because I know he intends to prioritize infrastructure in order to accommodate growth.

My family and I are going to vote for Michael P. Griffith for Arvada’s City Council At-Large in November. He is the right choice to keep us moving in the right direction.

- Chad Kingsbury, Arvada 

 Published by the Arvada Press, September 16, 2021 

I have been an Arvada resident for 25 years. My husband and children were all born while living in Arvada. We love Arvada!

I am the owner and operator of a small business in the childcare industry. I am writing to voice my support for City Council At-Large candidate Michael P. Griffith. Mike supports local business and is clearly invested in the success of our community. For example, in the first few weeks of the pandemic Mike sought out and worked with members of the Olde Town Arvada District to explore options for street closures and outdoor space so that businesses could continue to operate safely. Wow! What a great success!

There is a new trend in our local election where partisan groups are trying to force national issues into our city charter. This in not the right direction for Arvada. We need representation in city government from regular people that aren't trying to launch political careers. We need people to run for office that will strengthen our community rather than try to build a new one. We need candidates that will seek common ground instead of pushing one extreme or another. We need someone like Mike Griffith. 

We have never had a better choice for City Council. On Nov. 2 let's tell these outside special interest groups to stay out of our local elections, let's send Mike Griffith to City Council!

-Beverlyn Hovey, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, September 9, 2021

I wanted to write today about City Council At Large Candidate Mike Griffith. I've known Mike for years now. Mike possesses a special quality that earns respect in the community and encourages people to collaborate with him: honesty. Mike is honest about who he is and what matters to him. He's honest about why he's running and the goals he'll work towards. Rarely is a candidate with honesty, like Mike, seen these days in politics, even in local elections. 

Mike isn't a politician. Mike has no interest in turning this local council position into a springboard for a national political career. Mike isn't taking special trainings to learn how to be a politician. He just wants to make Arvada a better place. 

Mike already has a successful career designing urban outdoor spaces. Mike understands the value of working together to achieve a common goal. Mike inspires others through collaboration and encouragement.

Mike understands that clear communication and humility are required to organize many voices into one mission. Mike's mission is to make Arvada a better place, to do so through guiding growth to support all of Arvada's people, especially children. 

Mike Griffith is the leader we need now and in the future. It is going to take more than just good character to make a difference in our city. We need values, experience and vision. I'll be casting my vote for Mike Griffith in November. Let's send Mike Griffith to Arvada City Council this fall!

-Daniel Williams, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, September 2, 2021

Arvada is becoming a heat island, part of the greater Metro Denver heat island. I think the local weather impact is far more immediate than any other possible causes of climate change. 

This issue first caught my attention at Planning Commission meetings, Commissioner Mike Griffith frequently asked about tree plantings in parking lots, as well as around proposed developments, to mitigate the heat island effect. The first thing I noticed were the stunted, often dead trees, in parking lots and along sidewalks. There are not enough trees to mitigate the extraordinary heat emitted by buildings, pavement, and rocks around the trees. 

I've noticed that many storms now split around Arvada, typically to the north or south. Thirty years ago, the storms came through Arvada. Also, a local weather forecast showed ground level winds across Colorado. The winds swirl around the Denver Metro area, like the eye of a hurricane. Especially on hot days, my patio wind vane shows the winds from the east or northeast, consistent with the eye of the hurricane wind pattern. I grew up in Arvada, and the winds were consistently from the west or northwest. 

Development has affected our local climate. Replacing green surfaces with impervious surfaces raises local temperature by as mush as 10 degrees, according to an American Meteorological Study. It's time Arvada acknowledges the heat island impact of development and takes action. We need more trees and plants and less impervious surfaces. 

-Nancy Young, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, August 26, 2021

I am a senior citizen, a combat Navy veteran of Vietnam and a new resident of Arvada. I am writing to voice my full support for Mike Griffith, City Council At-Large Candidate. He is a true patriot that loves his country and appreciates the service of all veterans. Mike is a free thinker who doesn't follow trends and seeks truth in every endeavor. He is a family man and simply wants the best for his children and everyone in our city. I can't wait to cast my vote for Mike Griffith on November 2, and I am telling everyone I know to do the same!

-Robert Jay DuVon, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, August 19, 2021

To address growth in Arvada, we need a design expert on City Council. I am writing to express my support for City Council At-Large candidate Mike Griffith. I have lived in Arvada, District 2 for 15 years. Growth and change is significant throughout the front range and Arvada has seen it's fair share. 

As a licensed and practicing architect, I know we need diverse expertise on City Council to make informed decisions. Today and in the past, Arvada hasn't had the benefit of an urban designer, architect, planner, landscape architect or engineer on City Council and that has led to some less than great building and missed negotiation opportunities. Mike Griffith is a leader with experience in all areas mentioned above, and specializes in sustainable building practices, affordability and public realm design. He is also Vice Chair of our Planning Commission. 

Mike is a family man and believes people are the priority when placemaking. I have seen his design leadership up close on mixed use developments like Sloans Lake, where he piloted new green infrastructure solutions for stormwater management, achieved a LEED Gold certification for sustainability, and integrated 850 (with 20% affordable!) new homes into an existing neighborhood without destroying the scale and character. 

My wife and I recently decided to start a family of our own and we will be supporting Mike Griffith for City Council to ensure that thoughtful and informed design decisions are made for our children's future in our community. 

-Tom Wiener, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, August 12, 2021

I first met City Council At Large Candidate Mike Griffith in 2014 as a co-worker and fellow Arvada resident. After getting to know him, I learned that he was interested in getting more involved in the community. He brought a lot to the table, especially his passion as a sustainability expert and his talent as a skilled urban designer. 

My husband, Eric Smeltzer, and I share Mike's passion for sustainability. At that time, Eric has already established himself as a member of the Sustainability Committee for the City of Arvada. He is the one who suggest that Mike look for opening on the various boards and commissions at the city. Mike was excited for the opportunity and, after researching the positions, he decided to apply to the Arvada Planning Commission. He was overjoyed to be accepted in 2017!

 Since joining the Planning Commission, Mike has encouraged others to take a more active role in local government. He has become our go-to contact for any update on what's happening in Arvada. We need more people like him to take an interest in local government and to lend their professional insight for the good of the community. He is a true leader with a clear vision to preserve, protect and prosper our great city.

We like Mike and you should too! 

-Cara Smeltzer, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, August 5, 2021

 My husband and I are in the process of moving to Arvada in the not-too-distant future.  We are very excited about living in this wonderfully beautiful and diverse city.  We’ve enjoyed Olde Town, many of the parks, and activities that are available.  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention an event we attended rather spontaneously recently.  It was the campaign kick-off party for Mike Griffith who is running for Arvada City Council this year.  It was such a pleasure and truly a fully American patriotic filled afternoon with kids, dogs, neighbors, ice cream and BBQ. We were touched by how authentically motivated Michael was when he spoke.  He talked about things that any citizen would support, plus he is professionally educated in many things that a good city representative should know.  And he’s so easy to talk to and interested in hearing from others.  We will definitely be supporting Mike in the next City Council Election, and we invite others to meet him and hear how he can be a huge asset to our council.  We look forward to meeting many of you when we move to Arvada. 

- Marilyn DuVon, Evergreen

Published by the Arvada Press, July 29, 2021

Last weekend City Council At Large candidate Michael Griffith volunteered his time to help my family install a large shade tree in our front yard. Our brick house gets full sun on the western side and becomes a pizza oven in the summer. We typically run the A/C on full just to keep us from melting. Mike is always talking about the benefits of tree canopies including cooling and energy savings for the home. I asked if he would help us source the right tree. He not only help us find the tree, he helped us install the tree and irrigation needs that will keep the tree alive for years to come. 

Having people like Mike in our community that are always willing to lend a hand and be a good neighbor brings a community closer together. He makes friends everywhere he goes and will not hesitate to share his insights on the future of our city and why he cares so much. 

I have seen Mike gain the trust and respect of our community members through his daily interactions. To install our tree one friend lent Mike a trailer, another loaned him a tractor and we picked out the tree together. Mike is a team player, often quoting John Maxwell "teamwork to make the dream work." My Husband and I agree there is no better candidate than Michael Griffith. We encourage everyone to get to know Mike and why he is the best candidate running!

-Sarah Williams, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, July 22, 2021

I'm writing today about how much I like Mike Griffith for Arvada City Council at-large. I am glad I took the time to get to know him and his family at his campaign kick-off party, and I encourage all interested citizens to reach out to him. He is very approachable and will freely speak his mind on the complicated issues affecting our city.

Mike adores trees and open space and loves to talk about innovative ways he can improve the growth and development of Arvada, to not harm the environment and enhance affordability and our quality of life.

After speaking with Mike, it is clear to me that he is the best candidate running to serve in the at-large position on the Arvada City Council. 

- Mary Bennetts, Arvada

Published by the Arvada Press, July 15, 2021

 I want to invite all Arvadans to come to the kick-off party for my husband’s campaign for Arvada City Council At-Large. Come and meet Michael P. Griffith, hear him speak, and you will know right away that he is a different kind of candidate than the others. Michael and I have owned a home in Arvada for 7 years and have started our family here.  We intend to stay here and grow old together.  Michael is the kind of person who is always available to help a neighbor or friend.  He is simply an all-round nice guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.  Because he loves Arvada and understands a great deal about city planning and has served on the Arvada Planning Commission for 5 years now, he is ready to step into another position to serve in a more comprehensive way as councilman. Professionally, Michael is a licensed Landscape Architect and Urban Designer so he has a unique set of skills in his toolkit that will enable him to make wise decisions on the council. He knows a great deal about how cities grow and what makes a great community. Come to the kick-off party and meet “Mike” and see the difference only he can make in our city. 

Thank you,

Abigail Griffith