Ward 1 Longmont City Council candidate Ethan Augreen. (Courtesy Photo)
Ethan Augreen filed to run for the Longmont City Council Ward 1 seat the day after the council voted to change the rules of procedure concerning public comment at its meetings.
On June 20, the council voted 6-0 to only allow Longmont residents, who provide an address, or city employees to speak during “First Call – Public Invited To Be Heard.”
Nonresidents must wait until “Final Call – Public Invited To Be Heard,” which often does not occur until after 9 p.m. Tuesdays, to address the council.
For Augreen, that council decision was the “final straw.”
“I think that’s a grave mistake on so many levels,” Augreen said. “It’s exclusionary; it’s close minded; it’s isolationist.”
Originally from New Jersey, Augreen, 43, has lived in Longmont for six years and in Boulder County for eight years.
Augreen received a bachelor’s degree in history, political science and Middle Eastern studies from Rutgers University. He also has a master’s degree in environmental leadership from Naropa University in Boulder.
If elected, Augreen would prioritize fostering a sustainable energy future for Longmont, according to his campaign website (ethanforlongmont.com).
The city already has a goal of using 100% renewable electricity by 2030. However, Augreen thought local officials needed to be more specific as to how they actually planned to achieve such an ambitious goal.
“For this to be achieved, it’s going to take some hard work and focus to get there,” Augreen said. “At the rate that we’re moving, I don’t see it being possible unless there really is some … major thought put into how we’re going to do it.”
The city currently has more than 20 projects under “development review,” according to its active development log.
Augreen said he supports reasonable development that “protects the conservation values of the community.”
“Nobody wants to see Longmont turn into Denver, but there are opportunities for … denser infill,” Augreen said.
Ward 1, which Augreen hopes to represent, includes the northeast and far eastern portions of the city. Current Ward 1 Councilman Tim Waters has announced that he will not seek reelection during the Nov. 7 election.
Harrison Earl, who is the chair of Longmont’s Airport Advisory Board, has announced his candidacy to represent Ward 1 on the City Council too.
Longmont council members earn $1,000 a month for their service to the city.
“I don’t support … extremism that would take away people’s freedoms,” Augreen said. “I think there are ways to implement … clean energy … that actually enhances people’s freedoms and the wealth of the community.”
