Reach Michele by email at rousselmichele74@gmail.com

How long have you lived in Central City? 14 years. 

What post-secondary schools have you attended? SUNY Adirondack 1997-1999 

What specific training or education have you received relevant to the position? 

Briefly describe your current career and home life. I currently manage and curate the Gilpin County Arts Association since 2017

List the local boards and civic or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the dates of service. Various volunteer work throughout my lifetime, but have served on the Gilpin County Arts association since 2017. I’ve been secretary, maintenance and Vice President in my time with Gilpin Arts. 

Have you attended Central City Council and/or other local government meetings? I have. 

How would you improve the professional experience of Central City staff? Focus on operational resilience, professional growth. When we support our staff it leads to better public service which benefits our community and residents. 

What do you see as the major issues facing Central City? How would you begin to address them? I would help to maintain and find balance for the historic and modern facets of Central City, the growth, our needs and the preservation that we do and potentially can/will benefit from for our residents and visitors and City. 

As an elected official, what would be your top three goals for the city and county in the next year?  Infrastructure, Financial stability and maintaining a balance between our casinos and our beloved 501c3s in Central City which directly affects tourism in every way.

What would you prefer regarding the location of sexually oriented businesses in Central City – Main Street, or presently zoned Industrial area? Other suggestions? 

What is your opinion on G3 gaming development in Central City? My opinion is that we depend on them for revenue and I would continue the work relationships the city has had with them. 

How would you collaborate with other Central City or Gilpin County departments and organizations? 

Why do you want to hold the office for which you are running? Have you run for/held political office before? If so, where and when?  I want to give back to a community that has been so much to me. I have tried for a City council seat 2 times prior. 

Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office? Yes 

How have you, and/or how will you, operate with transparency and honesty in your role? With Integrity 

How will you handle conflict resolution, if elected? By actively listening and depersonalizing these issues.

Please disclose any current personal and/or professional relationships with the City of Black Hawk, City of Central, or Gilpin County. I work with and for the Gilpin County Arts Association. Who has received funding in the past from both the City of Central and the County. 

If you could ask one other candidate one question, who is it and what would it be? Given that Central City's long-term economic resilience depends on diversification, what is one specific, non-gaming industry or creative public-private partnership you would champion during your first 100 days in office to revitalize our historic downtown storefronts?