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Adrian
Your comments are all true. Yes, even the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post questioned this whole referendum process. They questioned that the legislative process needs an overhaul to prevent this type of thing happening again. Why did the Post and RMN endorse it later? Because papers are funded by big businesses and it is highly suspect that somewhere up the corporate ladder, that someone was told to be quiet and endorse it. This could be proved as it was later discovered that major reporters were not allowed to break this story! Please do not believe everything you read in the paper. Sensationalism is alive and well and these major papers will print what ever corporate wants.
By Joan
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What volume........issue/no.?
I just read BBW's letter stating the senate and house hearings regarding referendum status for Broomfiled County was advertised in the Broomfield Enterprise. I was just wondering what volume and issue/no. that was.....
By "Q"
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Desperation indeed!
I think Chris has painted an accurate picture of the Broomfield mayoral race. Desperation is truly the term that describes it. Now ask why?…
In glowing editorials for both candidates, Berens and Cooper, some residents have reported working with them for years and holding their integrity in high regard. I will gladly give this notion the benefit of the doubt. However, it is clear that such integrity has recently abandoned both candidates. Why would two formerly respectable men discard all common courtesy, respect, and sense of fairness at this particular point in time? Why has such ruthlessness just now begun to dominate the race for Broomfield mayor? Why are these men biting and clawing for every possible vote that could place them in this position? The answer, I am certain, coincides with the eve of forming the combined city and county of Broomfield. Only the dream of money and power turn normally respectable men into such unscrupulous cowards.
Whichever candidate is serving as mayor in November 2001 stands to become one the most powerful men in the Denver metro area. By unconstitutionally combining the roles of county commissioners and city council and appointing "elected" officials, these men are in fact battling for the greatest stake in a booming suburb. No wonder corporations and land developers wanted these men to control the new county. No wonder these men were so willing to let them make it a reality. It stinks. Unchecked control of zoning, property assessment, roads, building permits, etc. is exactly what these corporations and lands developers want. Forming the county was never really for the people of Broomfield, no matter what vague, utopian pictures are painted in our imaginations from the promises of Broomfield officials. Some residents of Broomfield still think they will have lower taxes. Broomfield officials have even gone so far as to "promise" a reduction in the mill levy. This may happen, but then the APPOINTED assessor need only inflate the value of their homes to make that money back and more. The assessor would answer only to Broomfield officials. That is scary. Simply stated, no effort that has so many clear violations of the Colorado constitution is EVER good for the people it is meant to protect. The candidates for mayor of Broomfield have dedicated themselves to forming the combined city and county of Broomfield. It is becoming more and more evident why they did so. Their petty actions show us just how desperate they are to have control over the county formation and just how undeserving they are of our respect. What scares me more than the process that created the county status, is that one of these two men will wield the power they have so unconstitutionally forged under the guise of improving quality of life for Broomfield residents.
By Adrian
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For Adrian
With all due respect, much of what you say is pure fiction and a prognosis of future events based on erroneous thinking. The first feasibility study concluded that a combined city/county would be financially feasible. This was the conclusion of the consultants who prepared the study.
The possibility of a new school district was discussed, but was not included in the proposed constitutional amendment that we all voted on. Revenues from the new mall are not overstated, but are conservative estimates.
Regarding an appointed assessor, do you believe that elected assessors do not pay attention to the needs of or get pressured businesses and others? They run for office and they are politicians. A professional appointed assessor will not be subject to these types of political pressures. If an appointed assessor were to do something wrong, he or she can be removed immediately. What do you do with an elected assessor who has gone afoul. Recall him or her? When was the last time you heard of a county assessor being recalled? All county assessors are supposed to conduct assessments consistent with the requirements of applicable state laws. This is not always being done. For example, the Boulder County assessor attempted to assess land on the basis of zoning rather than actual use. He eventually lost in court. This is just one example of the myriad of inconsistencies in the practices of elected assessors.
Recent financial projections for the city/county show that the necessary property taxes will be lower than originally estimated. Why? Because none of the mall revenues were included in the feasibility study and, in addition, Broomfield's retail base is expanding as is its property tax base.
You want to make a big deal over the contributions Interlocken and other businesses made to the city/county campaign. Since when is it wrong for businesses to support the community in which they are located or to support projects in which they believe? It is their constitutional right to do so. Your thinking seems to be along the lines of the larger the business, the fewer rights they should have. Responsible businesses should have an interest in local government and its policies and in the betterment of government. What form of local government will best take us into the next millenium? How can local government services be more effectively provided at a lower cost? I ask you who is addressing these subjects in Colorado besides Broomfield? Broomfield may or may not succeed. But at least Broomfield is willing to try. Adrian, if my memory serves me correctly, you are a scientist. I ask you to rise above the maze of "who said what or who didn't say what" and look at this as an experiment. I believe it is an experiment that needs an opportunity to occur. If the experiment never occurs, we will never know if the combined city/county approach will result in better local government services at lower costs. If Broomfield fails, then we will know its something to stay away from. On the other hand, if Broomfield succeeds, then there may be things that could benefit all of Colorado.
By BBW
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