Loveland - November 24, 2014
If you are considering running for Loveland's City Council in 2015 you may need to start now. Political
factions, special interest groups and individuals have already begun selecting and grooming their
candidates in preparation for Loveland's November 2015 election. The good news is these non-partisan
offices are open to anyone regardless of your political experience or affiliations so there is still plenty of
time for anyone to consider running.
Five of nine Loveland City Council members are up for re-election in 2015. Loveland is politically divided
into four wards that each can elect two representatives to the city council. Each representative serves a
four year term that is staggered so one representative of each city ward is up for election every other
year. The Mayor of Loveland runs in all regularly scheduled city-wide municipal elections and serves for
a two-year term. Considering political affiliations, two Republicans and two Democrats of the four whose
seats are expiring plan to seek re-election.
Below is an accounting of each Ward and how we see the races taking shape.
Ward 1 represented by Chauncey Taylor not running
Ward I encompasses mostly northwest Loveland around Lake Loveland and Country Club Estates. Ward
I is populated by many HP and Kodak retirees who live in areas surrounding two municipal golf courses
and tend to vote conservatively. Ward I is the home of former Loveland Councilman Daryle Klassen, Jan
Brown and others who would self-describe as fairly conservative. Mayor Cecil Gutierrez got his start on
Loveland's City Council representing Ward I after first losing to then Councilman Daryle Klassen then
running again a few years later.
Ward I Councilman Chauncey Taylor's first four-year term expires in 2015 but he is not expected to seek
re-election. Taylor inherited Johnson's Corner on I-25 in Johnstown after his mother married the original
owner many years ago. As their sole heir, Taylor recently sold the business he has successfully run and
expanded over the years following the passing of his step-father and mother. Taylor has been fairly
inactive during council meetings while predictably voting with staff majorities and contributing very little
during city council meetings.
A registered Republican, Taylor is the swing vote Mayor Gutierrez and other Democrats would seek on
controversial issues. Taylor's wife identifies more closely with that faction often leaving the councilman
between his wife and more conservative colleagues. He is not expected to run for re-election in 2015.
Irene Fortune, who was defeated in a bid to represent Ward I in the 2013 election against Councilman
Troy Krenning, is said to be preparing for another run to represent Ward I in 2015. Councilman Ralph
Trenary has claimed credit for recruiting Fortune as a candidate and appears confident she will run again
on behalf of the Democrat minority on the council. Fortune brings a strong resume, good campaign skills
and strong backing by local partisans who will likely rally behind her. She also is a self-described
"Independent Political Organization Professional" according to her LinkedIn page.
No other candidate has yet emerged as interested in seeking the opportunity to represent Loveland's
Ward 1 on the city council to date except Fortune.
Ward II represented by Phil Farley - not running
Central west Loveland is the largest area of Ward II which like Ward I is populated by prosperous
retirees from local high tech companies like HP and Kodak. While a large number of its residents
populate the newer neighborhoods around Mariana Butte Golf Course, a growing segment of Ward II's
constituency includes the swath that reaches into Loveland's older downtown areas.
Incumbent Councilman Phil Farley lives on perhaps the most prestigious street in the Mariana Butte
development area on Rossum Drive in a half a million dollar home. Councilman Farley is retired from a
career at HP, IBM and later Regis University. Given his advanced age and declining health he is not
expected to seek re-election. Farley often requires assistance from colleagues to stand-up from his city
council seat at the conclusion of meetings and struggles with the physical and mental requirements of the
position. Well respected by his peers and in the community, Farley votes consistently with his fellow
Democrats on Loveland's City Council and never voted contrary to any staff recommendation that we
have recorded.
On November 6, 2012, Loveland voters sent then former Councilman David Clark back to council in an
expensive and hotly contested special election between Clark and city new-comer Paul Mueller to fill a
council vacancy. Mueller, who also maintains a personal residence in Estes Park, moved his Loveland
address into Ward II's downtown section with the intention, according to political insiders, to replace
Councilman Phil Farley when he retires in 2015. Mueller owns a TEDx franchise for Loveland and
helped to create the now defunct "creative sector" city commission. In addition, he serves as Chairman of
the NCEDC (Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp.).
Mueller will not have an easy run as the Chairman of Loveland's Planning Commission, Buddy Meyers, is
also rumored to be preparing a run in Ward IV. Last year, Meyers stepped-aside for Republican
candidate Carol Dowding to challenge incumbent Councilwoman Joan Shaffer; a race Dowding lost.
Partisan politics will divide this race as Meyers is an outspoken local small business owner and gun rights
advocate while Mueller is an environmental activist who leans heavily to the left. Mueller is said to be
relying on the growing population of Loveland's downtown as shifting the demographics of this already
mixed Ward into one that he believes will be voting more for candidates from the left.
Ward III represented by John Fogle / Running
Loveland's Ward III covers south Loveland where current councilman John Fogle's father operated the
Fogle GM dealership for many years. That dealership was mostly sold (Councilman Fogle retains some
ownership) and was renamed to King-Fogle Inc, operating as King Buick Pontaic Gmc now in Centerra.
Mostly blue collar working people populate Ward III who are fairly conservative but can swing left on
occasion. Ward III elected and re-elected outspoken conservative Councilman Walt Skowron who lives
off South Taft Ave. and is currently represented by Councilman Hugh McKean on council along with
Councilman Fogle.
John Fogle, a former Democrat, registered as an "unaffiliated" shortly before seeking election to
Loveland's City Council in 2010 and more recently registered as a Republican. Thought by many to be
among the Loveland City Council's slight Republican majority, Fogle has split ranks with his more
conservative colleagues on a number of occasions.
Ward III stood out in the last general election as the only Ward in Loveland to reject Colorado
Amendment 64 (legalization of recreational marijuana). So far, no candidate has yet emerged as a
potential challenger to incumbent Councilman Fogle but two of his colleagues, Councilwoman Joan
Shaffer and Ralph Trenary, are said to be fighting over whose choice should receive the local Democrats
backing.
Ward IV represented by Ralph Trenary / Running
A Democrat Party activist, Councilman Ralph Trenary represents Ward IV along with Councilman Dave
Clark, a conservative Republican, making the Ward among the few divided in current representation.
While most Loveland residents prefer non-partisan municipal elections, Ward IV has seen its share of
partisan divides as the Clark/Mueller race of 2012 (special election) and 2013 Clark/Hallett race
appealed heavily to voters based on party affiliation from both the Republican and Democratic candidates.
Incumbent Councilman Ralph Trenary lives (both literally and figuratively) just across the railroad tracks
from Mayor Cecil Gutierrez's more affluent Alford Meadows development in Ward I. Up for re-election
in 2015, Trenary may be having second thoughts over previous attempts to politicize voters in his Ward
to defeat Republican colleague Dave Clark; both times without success.
Ward IV is defined by the dichotomy between the largely working class neighborhoods of north 287
where Trenary currently resides and newer upscale homes of Centerra in east Loveland populated
largely by newcomers from Southern California, Chicago and Denver. Trenary's appeal to his Loveland
"roots" may be a difficult sell to the Centerra crowd.
Councilman Trenary, whose only resume item and political talking point is a career working full-time for
the Colorado National Gaurd, worries revelations regarding his dismissal from the Guard can be
detrimental to his credibility as a candidate. This is because his repertoire is filled with National Guard
stories which constantly remind people about his military experience. Trenary, like many locally elected
officials with no private sector experience, has become active on the Colorado Municipal League and
National League of Cities organizations even prominently displaying the participation certificates awarded
to attendees at seminars provided for at city expense. Like many of the other attendees, Trenary has
started his own consulting company borrowing from his city council experience. Colleagues report he
has yet to identify a single paying client.
While Republican councilors have been interviewing candidates to run against Trenary, none has been
endorsed among the few they have considered leaving the seat open for a challenger from outside the
usual political circles. Trenary's challenge will be finding a new identity (outside National Guard) if voters
learn of his ousting from the state military organization.
Please feel welcome to dispute, ad or comment on anything in this article on our news blog
If you are considering running for Loveland's City Council in 2015 you may need to start now. Political
factions, special interest groups and individuals have already begun selecting and grooming their
candidates in preparation for Loveland's November 2015 election. The good news is these non-partisan
offices are open to anyone regardless of your political experience or affiliations so there is still plenty of
time for anyone to consider running.
Five of nine Loveland City Council members are up for re-election in 2015. Loveland is politically divided
into four wards that each can elect two representatives to the city council. Each representative serves a
four year term that is staggered so one representative of each city ward is up for election every other
year. The Mayor of Loveland runs in all regularly scheduled city-wide municipal elections and serves for
a two-year term. Considering political affiliations, two Republicans and two Democrats of the four whose
seats are expiring plan to seek re-election.
Below is an accounting of each Ward and how we see the races taking shape.
Ward 1 represented by Chauncey Taylor not running
Ward I encompasses mostly northwest Loveland around Lake Loveland and Country Club Estates. Ward
I is populated by many HP and Kodak retirees who live in areas surrounding two municipal golf courses
and tend to vote conservatively. Ward I is the home of former Loveland Councilman Daryle Klassen, Jan
Brown and others who would self-describe as fairly conservative. Mayor Cecil Gutierrez got his start on
Loveland's City Council representing Ward I after first losing to then Councilman Daryle Klassen then
running again a few years later.
Ward I Councilman Chauncey Taylor's first four-year term expires in 2015 but he is not expected to seek
re-election. Taylor inherited Johnson's Corner on I-25 in Johnstown after his mother married the original
owner many years ago. As their sole heir, Taylor recently sold the business he has successfully run and
expanded over the years following the passing of his step-father and mother. Taylor has been fairly
inactive during council meetings while predictably voting with staff majorities and contributing very little
during city council meetings.
A registered Republican, Taylor is the swing vote Mayor Gutierrez and other Democrats would seek on
controversial issues. Taylor's wife identifies more closely with that faction often leaving the councilman
between his wife and more conservative colleagues. He is not expected to run for re-election in 2015.
Irene Fortune, who was defeated in a bid to represent Ward I in the 2013 election against Councilman
Troy Krenning, is said to be preparing for another run to represent Ward I in 2015. Councilman Ralph
Trenary has claimed credit for recruiting Fortune as a candidate and appears confident she will run again
on behalf of the Democrat minority on the council. Fortune brings a strong resume, good campaign skills
and strong backing by local partisans who will likely rally behind her. She also is a self-described
"Independent Political Organization Professional" according to her LinkedIn page.
No other candidate has yet emerged as interested in seeking the opportunity to represent Loveland's
Ward 1 on the city council to date except Fortune.
Ward II represented by Phil Farley - not running
Central west Loveland is the largest area of Ward II which like Ward I is populated by prosperous
retirees from local high tech companies like HP and Kodak. While a large number of its residents
populate the newer neighborhoods around Mariana Butte Golf Course, a growing segment of Ward II's
constituency includes the swath that reaches into Loveland's older downtown areas.
Incumbent Councilman Phil Farley lives on perhaps the most prestigious street in the Mariana Butte
development area on Rossum Drive in a half a million dollar home. Councilman Farley is retired from a
career at HP, IBM and later Regis University. Given his advanced age and declining health he is not
expected to seek re-election. Farley often requires assistance from colleagues to stand-up from his city
council seat at the conclusion of meetings and struggles with the physical and mental requirements of the
position. Well respected by his peers and in the community, Farley votes consistently with his fellow
Democrats on Loveland's City Council and never voted contrary to any staff recommendation that we
have recorded.
On November 6, 2012, Loveland voters sent then former Councilman David Clark back to council in an
expensive and hotly contested special election between Clark and city new-comer Paul Mueller to fill a
council vacancy. Mueller, who also maintains a personal residence in Estes Park, moved his Loveland
address into Ward II's downtown section with the intention, according to political insiders, to replace
Councilman Phil Farley when he retires in 2015. Mueller owns a TEDx franchise for Loveland and
helped to create the now defunct "creative sector" city commission. In addition, he serves as Chairman of
the NCEDC (Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp.).
Mueller will not have an easy run as the Chairman of Loveland's Planning Commission, Buddy Meyers, is
also rumored to be preparing a run in Ward IV. Last year, Meyers stepped-aside for Republican
candidate Carol Dowding to challenge incumbent Councilwoman Joan Shaffer; a race Dowding lost.
Partisan politics will divide this race as Meyers is an outspoken local small business owner and gun rights
advocate while Mueller is an environmental activist who leans heavily to the left. Mueller is said to be
relying on the growing population of Loveland's downtown as shifting the demographics of this already
mixed Ward into one that he believes will be voting more for candidates from the left.
Ward III represented by John Fogle / Running
Loveland's Ward III covers south Loveland where current councilman John Fogle's father operated the
Fogle GM dealership for many years. That dealership was mostly sold (Councilman Fogle retains some
ownership) and was renamed to King-Fogle Inc, operating as King Buick Pontaic Gmc now in Centerra.
Mostly blue collar working people populate Ward III who are fairly conservative but can swing left on
occasion. Ward III elected and re-elected outspoken conservative Councilman Walt Skowron who lives
off South Taft Ave. and is currently represented by Councilman Hugh McKean on council along with
Councilman Fogle.
John Fogle, a former Democrat, registered as an "unaffiliated" shortly before seeking election to
Loveland's City Council in 2010 and more recently registered as a Republican. Thought by many to be
among the Loveland City Council's slight Republican majority, Fogle has split ranks with his more
conservative colleagues on a number of occasions.
Ward III stood out in the last general election as the only Ward in Loveland to reject Colorado
Amendment 64 (legalization of recreational marijuana). So far, no candidate has yet emerged as a
potential challenger to incumbent Councilman Fogle but two of his colleagues, Councilwoman Joan
Shaffer and Ralph Trenary, are said to be fighting over whose choice should receive the local Democrats
backing.
Ward IV represented by Ralph Trenary / Running
A Democrat Party activist, Councilman Ralph Trenary represents Ward IV along with Councilman Dave
Clark, a conservative Republican, making the Ward among the few divided in current representation.
While most Loveland residents prefer non-partisan municipal elections, Ward IV has seen its share of
partisan divides as the Clark/Mueller race of 2012 (special election) and 2013 Clark/Hallett race
appealed heavily to voters based on party affiliation from both the Republican and Democratic candidates.
Incumbent Councilman Ralph Trenary lives (both literally and figuratively) just across the railroad tracks
from Mayor Cecil Gutierrez's more affluent Alford Meadows development in Ward I. Up for re-election
in 2015, Trenary may be having second thoughts over previous attempts to politicize voters in his Ward
to defeat Republican colleague Dave Clark; both times without success.
Ward IV is defined by the dichotomy between the largely working class neighborhoods of north 287
where Trenary currently resides and newer upscale homes of Centerra in east Loveland populated
largely by newcomers from Southern California, Chicago and Denver. Trenary's appeal to his Loveland
"roots" may be a difficult sell to the Centerra crowd.
Councilman Trenary, whose only resume item and political talking point is a career working full-time for
the Colorado National Gaurd, worries revelations regarding his dismissal from the Guard can be
detrimental to his credibility as a candidate. This is because his repertoire is filled with National Guard
stories which constantly remind people about his military experience. Trenary, like many locally elected
officials with no private sector experience, has become active on the Colorado Municipal League and
National League of Cities organizations even prominently displaying the participation certificates awarded
to attendees at seminars provided for at city expense. Like many of the other attendees, Trenary has
started his own consulting company borrowing from his city council experience. Colleagues report he
has yet to identify a single paying client.
While Republican councilors have been interviewing candidates to run against Trenary, none has been
endorsed among the few they have considered leaving the seat open for a challenger from outside the
usual political circles. Trenary's challenge will be finding a new identity (outside National Guard) if voters
learn of his ousting from the state military organization.
Please feel welcome to dispute, ad or comment on anything in this article on our news blog
| LovelandPolitics.com |
| Candidate Selection For Loveland's 2015 Election Already In Process |
| Facebook message by Loveland Ward IV Councilman Ralph Trenary to fellow Democrats March 17, 2014; "In the same spirit I am working to get the next round of school board and city council candidates ready. We must all do our part." Councilman Trenary served as Mayor Cecil Gutierrez's campaign manager when he first ran for City Council and actively recruits local Democrats to run for city council with party backing. Up for re-election in 2015, Councilman Trenary, like his Republican colleagues, is actively recruiting candidates to run in Wards where his party does not yet have a candidate selected. |
