Country Side HOA

Answers to your questions

1. Do you think that the majority of citizens benefit from Broomfield becoming a City/County? If so, why -- In what way do they benefit?

Well, one obvious benefit I can think of is an increased tax base--that's what pays for services. Broomfield won't have to share property taxes with the counties like other cities do -- they will get to keep everything for themselves. The citizens will benefit by living in a community with nice parks, plenty of police officers and an up-to-date public works department. Look at Northglenn -- because it lost the mall which was its major tax base -- it has been struggling for years. Northglenn cannot even hire enough police officers because they don't have any money to pay for them. Broomfield is booming and on top of property taxes, Broomfield is getting a new mall which will generate more revenue via sales tax. If their housing values weren't going up so high from so much prosperity, I would buy a home there myself.

2. How much money did Interlocken and neighboring corporations contribute to the campaign for City/County - and why?

I'm sorry, I can't help you here. But if there was corporate money, so what? You obviously have suspicions, so enlighten me how the corporations benefit from Broomfield becoming a county. Do they get property taxes? As far as I know, unless they are a governmental entity, they pay lots of property taxes, too. Maybe they wanted Broomfield to become a county so Broomfield would be sure to stay a desirable place to live and could continue to provide the maintenance to streets and greenways and maintain a community that attracts employees to the area and other corporations to Interlocken.

By BC

Gee

You guys are really paranoid. I can't believe you think Anonymous is out to get info from you. Quite frankly, I think he/she has some great points. You should answer them instead of getting all huffy.

And I think you continually insult Broomfield's residents. Just because Broomfield Anon didn't attend them all doesn't mean they didn't happen. Talk about becoming a city and county started years ago -- in fact I remember a year when the theme for Broomfield Days was "The Broomfield County Fair." And there was a lot of talk about it during the Master Plan meetings which started (I think) two years before the Master Plan was adopted in 1995. And believe me there were lots of Master Plan meetings. Then this group of citizens put together a strategic plan. That group had some city council on it, but it was mostly citizens, and there was a lot of talk about a city and county. Unfortunately, everything that occurs doesn't get a lot of newspaper space, and everyone doesn't always know everything that happens in every meeting.

I think it's a stretch to think you can throw out accusations of unethical actions and get somewhere unless you have concrete evidence that can be proven beyond a doubt. I don't think you have it. If you did, the newspaper people would have a hey day.

By Another Anon

To BC

BC: no offense to your initials; but BC sounds like Broomfield Council or Broomfield County. Sorry; couldn't help but noticing. Interlocken pushed over 220,000 to the county; CoalitionParkway (part of Interlocken); another 30-50 grand; Developer of Broadlands (remember the Parade of Homes) 15 grand,Broomfield Economic Development committee 20,000. Add it up.

Property taxes from Interlocken; this is the land of perks; Estimates are it will be 10 to 15 years before we start seeing income in the city from all the businesses building there. I don't have the article anymore; but within the last 5 or six weeks there was information on payment made to City of BF from Interlocken. The total was less than a 800000 and at least 65-70% was returned to Interlocken directly for perks and improvements (roads, utilities, etc). Since the mall is under similar contract; I believe the estimate there is 8-10 years before anything is directed to the city coffers.

What is driving housing prices? Development of the area; mostly Interlocken. What was the purpose in pushing through the county; Interlocken wanted the NW Parkway; donated one million to the NW Parkway Project formed with two from BF, one from Interlocken; one from Lafayette, one from Louisville. Note the block vote; that was the purpose. And, most inportantly, Interlocken wanted to work with one government. Jim Long, head of Interlocken; confirms that buying the city was cheaper than a stoplight; this story is in the Denver Post the Friday or Saturday (October 28 0r 29 1998) under something like the cost of a company town. Interlocken got the road, the city council got a county; and the citizens get the bill. Simple.

By Br Anonymous

To Anon

Wrong. there were 35 total meetings on the Master Plan. And the few who mentioned this were just a few; not a majority. And guess what; some were well attended; depending on the ward; some were poorly attended. One ward had almost eighty people at one; the next ward meeting right behind had 13; the next ward had 18; the other two wards I do not remember but it was less than 25. One session of five wards had less than 60 people total. Tell me again that I was not involved. What you bring up is important; in this community there were ward meetings and information meetings and committees; and very hard hard workers. There were over 200 volunteers; often honored by the city at special events; given certificates for participation, and this was a truly unified community. Because it seemed that on almost every block there was a volunteer for the city doing something. That spirit no longer exists. It is unfortunate; but the council no longer needs the volunteer base that made this city and the council strong. So much for sense of community.

By Br Anonymous