Press & Media
The Colorado Way: What Coloradans are Saying About the Historic Housing Plan that Will Create More Affordable Housing Options
“Addressing the housing crisis requires state and local governments to come together to create effective change that will allow more affordable housing to be built, faster. By breaking down barriers and building the most affordable type of housing options, more Coloradans will be able to find the home they deserve, and our communities will continue to flourish,” said Westminster City Councilor Obi Ezeadi.
Letter to Editor: we need entitlement programs
Some elected officials have signaled they want to eliminate so-called “entitlement” programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veteran’s Benefits. These programs are not gifts; look at your paycheck and you will see that you pay for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid each time your employer pays you. Even if you have your own business, you have to pay into the program.
More options needed to solve Colorado housing crisis
As a Westminster City councilor, I have an ongoing opportunity to connect with my community frequently, and I understand their needs because I also suffered through rent insecurity as a youth. My constituents include seniors, firefighters, young families, nurses and Uber drivers. To think that these folks might not be able to continue to afford living in their own community is part of the reason I chose to run for office.
Ezeadi Facebook Post
Facebook post from Westminster City Councilman Obi Ezeada, pushing a slate of candidates for the Senate District 19 central committee. Eleven of his 12 preferred candidates won seats on the central committee on Feb. 11.
CBS Colorado News: Interview Announcing BIPAC
On the first day of Black History Month 2023, Westminster City Councilman Obi Ezeadi announced the launch of his new organization called BIPAC. It's one of the state's first political action committees dedicated to providing financial support and guidance to Black, Indigenous and people of color running for state and local office. BIPAC is a play-off of the acronym "BIPOC."
"Candidates of color don't have a support system. They don't have the same access to funds, to strategic guidance that white candidates have," Ezeadi said. "BIPAC's mission and purpose is really to be the great equalizer, to level the playing field."
Councilman Obi Ezeadi Launches BIPAC: A PAC to Provide Strategic Funding And Elevated Access for Minority Candidates For Office
On February 1st, Obi Ezeadi, the second Black councilor in all of Westminster’s history, announced the launch of BIPAC, a Political Action Committee (PAC) designed to provide resources for minority candidates in future elections across Colorado politics.
BIPAC is a PAC created to provide not just funding but also a network where underrepresented candidates can gain access to funds, volunteers, and strategic guidance, elements often hard to come by for people of color. The greater representation will yield the inclusion of unique perspectives on issues of labor, employment, healthcare, education, immigration, and more.
Opinion: Social-studies standards should retain instruction on LGBTQ+ families
All students should receive a diverse learning experience inclusive of cultural context and understanding of all identities. We should be reinforcing the importance of these lessons and continue adding more age-appropriate lessons throughout high school. The argument that including LGBT content in school curriculums is ‘inappropriate’ is ignorant at best and fear-mongering at worst. Teaching an inclusive, factual version of history to kids is not teaching them about sex; it is about showing them that love, identity, and family structure exist on a continuum and not in binary molds.
CBS Colorado: Interview about message of Hope
"When I put my hat in the race, some people told me 'Don't do it, Westminster is a conservative city,' is what I was told. It's only 4% Black," said Ezeadi. "So my odds were low."
But Ezeadi believes when the odds are low, "that's when we need more people trying to break that."
The last Black councilor to serve on the city's council was Butch Hicks nearly 20 years ago. Hicks served from 1999 to 2005. The city of Westminster is a predominately white area. The actions during the Jan. 6, 2020, insurrection is what motivated Ezeadi to run for council, because he wanted to bring move equity and inclusion to the city he lived in.
Westminster's co-responder program off to a busy start
“Councilor Obi Ezeadi expressed interest in expanding the program through the next budget at the Dec. 21 council meeting.
Ezeadi hosts councilor office hours
“Westminster City Councilor Obi Ezeadi will host office hours for residents to voice their concerns and learn about city council’s affairs.
The office hours will take place at City Hall every Monday from 4:30-5:30, and Ezeadi said they will last “forever.”
“These office hours came about as one of many new ways that I hope will help to inform and engage our residents,” Ezeadi said.
Before heading on the campaign trail, Ezeadi said he knew the council needed to earn back the trust of residents, and much of that work starts with communication.…”
Westminster approves Uplands project on century-old farmland following grueling deliberations
“Ezeadi said he didn’t think the Uplands project would help bring truly affordable housing, grocery stores or other amenities to a part of Westminster that has struggled economically compared to other parts of the city.
“I would feel I was ignoring public comment if I were to vote yes,” he said.” (12/22/21)
Interview with Whats Up People News
Todays episode we have an awesome Interview with City Council Candidate Obi Ezeadi out of Westminster, CO. So, sit back relax get a drink and enjoy the show.
Candidates weigh in on public safety tax, debt
“The will of the people on the ballot will dictate my position on the Public Safety tax increase. As a pro-union champion endorsed by the Westminster Firefighters, Pipefitters, and the Denver Area Labor Federation, I am passionate about fighting for the safety of all working families, including our first responders, as this will yield a higher quality of response for all residents. I’m also passionate about eliminating partisan politics from the council and focusing on problem-solving for our residents - and that starts with listening to the preferences of all constituents.”
Divide between north metro city council representation and population
“The council has been all white, all upper-middle class,” Ezeadi said. “So, it’s not just race. When I think about equity, I think about race, income class, sexuality, gender.”
Ezeadi acknowledges that current council members promote the idea of diversity, but said that’s not the same as a council member who has, “...experienced what they (working-class residents of color) have gone through.”
Letter to the Editor: All space to grow
“I’m running for Westminster City Council as a voice for change - to bring hope, dignity, and opportunity for everyone.
I’m heavily involved in the community and I’m a small-business owner and experienced professional with leadership across multiple industries (transportation, healthcare, real estate, technology). But, despite those credentials, many folks care more about one characteristic: I’m black…”
Could the recall have been avoided? Candidates respond.
“If elected, I will work with the council to rebuild the trust between residents and city council from the bottom up and middle out. We must continue to preserve and protest the right of our residents to recall officials they perceive as not properly discharging their responsibilities. However, we should raise the required threshold for recalls to ensure that they are only reserved for forcing out officials accused of misconduct, crime or ethics violations—-to align the purpose of a recall with its desired effect.”
Candidates talking taxes, marijuana and revenues
“I’m opposed to any tax increases until we ensure that our families and businesses have recovered from the pandemic. For this specific topic, residents need to first vote to allow the sale of cannabis in Westminster (retail sales are currently illegal within the city), and then tax it.”
Westy candidates weigh in on New Downtown
“I support the completion of the new downtown because it will help our economy with the influx of new businesses. Additionally, it would be a waste of taxpayer money to leave it incomplete.
However, there are two changes I would have advocated for: 1) Lower-priced rental units - fixed at 40% AMI, not 60% AMI; and 2) more culturally diverse restaurants and entertainment.”
Candidate thoughts: Should Westminster vote by wards?
“The will of the people will dictate my position on how council elections should be organized. Westminster must prioritize a citywide ballot question asking our residents to vote their preference. I can tell you that there are several benefits to an all-ward system, including local representation for key issues (e.g. new housing development) and increased representation from lower-income and racial minorities. We may also want to consider residency districts as a transitionary compromise between our current at-large system and an all-ward system. But, our city is unique, so we should trust in democracy to prevail-and simply ask the people what they want.”