ANDREW JOHNSON
Party: Republican
Website: www.andrewjohnson4commissioner.com
Biography
Andrew Johnson was born into an Air Force family in 1971 and grew up in Colorado. He graduated from Wheat Ridge High School before attending Brigham Young University, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in History. At BYU Andrew met and married his wife, Rachel, then moved back to Colorado in 1999 to raise their three children in Aurora. Andrew has been very active in scouting, his children's school and teaching employees for his company.
What do you consider to be the four most important issues facing Arapahoe County?
- Reduced County Revenues - As tax-paying citizens and businesses leave the county, revenue drops and vital services are cut.... leading to more people leaving.
- Needs of the People Ignored - Long lines for government assistance and longer drives to get help with employment come as a result of elected officials ignoring the needs of the citizens.
- Government Waste - Welfare fraud, inefficiency, under-performing departments, and old-fashioned corruption rob funds that are badly needed elsewhere.
- Irresponsible Land Development - Too many homes are being built in dangerous locations (airport flight paths) or where facilities don't already exist (water, roads).... at taxpayer's expense.
If elected, how to you plan to address such issues?
- Reduced County Revenues - Think California Gold Rush: Gold=People=Growth=Prosperity. Arapahoe's "gold" must be our investment into the people and communities already here, in order to bring the people back.
- Needs of the People Ignored - Return or rebuild the Arapahoe-Douglas Works in Aurora! Streamline social services processes.
- Government Waste - Everyone has an idea for cutting waste and improving efficiency. Encourage and reward ideas, then act to implement them. Elect officials with fresh ideas.
- Irresponsible Land Development - We must be more selective in choosing future development locations and apply more responsible building guidelines!
What do you see as the County's role in the future?
Arapahoe County has the potential to be the envy of every county in the nation - a place where every aspiring entrepreneur, family, student, business and working American would love to call home. We need to work toward making our county something much more than just a governing body, responsible for infrastructure and basic services. It should be the driving force behind an explosion in technology and scientific research; behind a flowering of cultural arts and identity; and behind an overall bettering of our citizens in personal growth, financial security, and moral responsibility. All it takes is vision, leadership and work.
Are there other items you plan to address if elected?
I will promote finding new ways to conserve and procure water resources for our communities. I will promote volunteerism as a means to save money and build the character of our citizens. I will support measures to ease the tax burdens of young businesses as they struggle to get started. I will support English classes for immigrants who want to become successful, productive, and proud Americans. I will revisit the needs of our seniors, our disabled, our unemployed, and our indigent. Finally, I will begin holding monthly local cottage meetings to encourage open communication between citizens and their County Commissioner.
