October 24, 2008

LIFT hopes to give Longmont businesses clear voice

LONGMONT – Concerned about Longmont’s business direction, a group of business people have formed Longmont Investing for Tomorrow, known as LIFT, a nonprofit grass-roots organization.

Rick Samson, president of the board of directors, said LIFT “is an alliance of business leaders who believe our community thrives when we support and promote business and job creation in a healthy business environment.”

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Samson, an attorney with  Samson, Pipis and Marsh LLC in Longmont, said LIFT advocates for policies that help support what businesses want, on a nonpartisan basis. “We address issues, not individuals.”

In the works for several months, LIFT’s mailing list grew by word-of-mouth to more than 100 likeminded business people. LIFT hopes to raise $100,000 in tax-deductible donations by the end of the year, with $35,000 already pledged.

LIFT formalized its organization in August by selecting board members, including Prime Real Estate’s Lori Miner as director, and Mike Kirkland of Kirkland & Company CPAs as treasurer. Volunteer staff includes a communications director and an IT/Web developer. Other LIFT board members listed on its Web site are Judi Supplee, Forrest Flemming, Mike McDonough, Stacy Cornay, Biff Chrisman and Paul Kelley.

LIFT filed for a 501 c (4) exemption, a designation for nonprofit organizations operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare, according to Kirkland. Net earnings are devoted exclusively to charitable, educational or recreational purposes.

LIFT board meetings include discussions on ways to educate the city council – “the only forum where we can change policy – with a unified voice to speak about business development issues,” Samson noted. “The new city council is stalling a number of matters, and we hope to have a positive influence so the city doesn’t hear just one side.” LIFT volunteers review the council’s agendas and groom volunteers to speak at council meetings.

For example, “We select an issue critical to Longmont,” such as the Twin Peaks Mall redevelopment by Sacramento, Calif.-based Panattoni Development Company – the first issue the organization will tackle. “We decide how to investigate the issues objectively, what action to take and how to educate city council.”

In the mall redevelopment case, the council hired a consultant to do a study. “But we’re concerned that they’re going too slow,” Samson said, “and they don’t have enough factual information.” If necessary, he said donations would pay for LIFT to hire an expert to review financial proposals and get opinions of the business community.

Kirkland, a former board member of the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are supportive of getting parties together and facilitating when possible. But LIFT can respond to issues sooner than the chamber; you can’t get a consensus of 900 members quickly. And there’s always a risk that the council doesn’t represent the business community. We need to make things happen. We have to ensure business has a positive action on schools, hospitals and other areas of the Longmont community.”

 “Things used to be simpler and less confusing when there weren’t 85,000 people,” Kirkland said. “Before LIFT, we weren’t able to get a cohesive voice to take action. We now have a stronger voice, one that has been rising for years.”

Kathy Weber-Harding, president of the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce said LIFT is looking to make this community more aware. “But it’s all talk now; nothing is moving. It’s a combination of the city council needing a lot of information – they are gathering and fact-finding now – and others wanting quicker results.

“My board hasn’t endorsed LIFT’s direction, and it hasn’t asked to give us a presentation. We can’t endorse them unless they’re a member, and they’re not,” Weber-Harding said.

While LIFT is involved in political matters on a local level, “the chamber will take positions but will not endorse candidates,” she said.

LIFT might endorse city council candidates and ballot issues that fosters business and will encourage residents to vote, Kirkland said.

 “We inform, mentor, educate and influence an outcome, but we won’t bring forth candidates to run for office. We’ll evaluate their stances, hold forums, and present positive and negative implications. We’re a small enough community that we can get the word out.”

LIFT’s one-year goal depends on its first successes, Samson acknowledged. But now, “We’re picking our battles carefully.”

 

LONGMONT – Concerned about Longmont’s business direction, a group of business people have formed Longmont Investing for Tomorrow, known as LIFT, a nonprofit grass-roots organization.

Rick Samson, president of the board of directors, said LIFT “is an alliance of business leaders who believe our community thrives when we support and promote business and job creation in a healthy business environment.”

Samson, an attorney with  Samson, Pipis and Marsh LLC in Longmont, said LIFT advocates for policies that help support what businesses want, on a nonpartisan basis. “We address issues, not individuals.”

In the works for several months, LIFT’s mailing list grew…

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