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BRF2
The discussion had to do with the campaign - radio ads, tv ads, newspaper ads, etc. A campaign does not officially begin until the title board sets the ballot title. Prior to that time, cities can spend public funds to consider election matters on issues and many cities do. Your reference to Council directing the staff to prepare a draft constitutional amendment falls in this category as does some of the preliminary work of Mr. Paulson. No City funds were spent on the campaign - radio, tv, newspaper ads, etc. It's my understanding that notes regarding where to send contributions was done at the employees' request and was done for both the group supporting the constitutional amendment and for the group opposed. As far as the City Bulletin is concerned, it is your opinion that it was an advertisement to vote for Ref. C. I disagree.
You seem to confuse providing information with campaign funding. There is a difference. The City did not spend any funds for the campaign.
By BBW
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To Joan
I don't believe the process that was used is much different than the process that is used for any other initiative or referendum. I'm not saying that the process is perfect. It is not. But, you use the process the state says you need to use. Of course, it is easy to be criticized for any process that is used. You do your best.
Creation of the City and County of Broomfield has nothing, whatsoever, to do with the Northwest Parkway. Segments of the Parkway will also traverse through Lafayette, Louisville, and areas of unincorporated Boulder County. You may be interested in knowing that Boulder County and the cities of Broomfield, Lafayette, and Lousiville have entered into an intergovernmental agreement regarding the Parkway and requirements for open space along the Parkway corridor. This is for the segment of the Parkway that extends from I-25 westerly to US 36 and SH 128.
By BBW
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Guess what?
First, men collide in their quest to be mayor in every city in every state. Few, however, paint themselves to be such unethical charlatans. Why suddenly are Berens and Cooper acting this way when even some opponents describe them as normally very respectable men? Why is Cooper, who is one of the most active of all Broomfield officials in pushing the county formation, suddenly so desperate to be mayor? Residents who are growing wise to the behavior of these officials are sure to know better.
Second, Broomfield officials openly discussed how they must use "clever wording" in the new charter to avoid "pitfalls" presented by the Colorado constitution. It seems that any such consideration shows a lack of concern for the single greatest public safeguard that we citizens have as protection from runaway local government. Apparently the citizens were not their primary concern.
Additionally, it is not the pay for the position that is so desirable. Appointing personnel to key county positions or directing other county tasks presents unique situations in which Broomfield officials could help corporations and land developers save countless MILLIONS of dollars in the first years of the new county. I seem to remember a $330,000 campaign that these corporations and land developers so generously provided to form the county. I also seem to remember Cooper chairing the committee that ran the campaign. Interesting, wouldn't you agree? No, probably not. This is most likely not news to you. You seem well informed, yet you openly (albeit anonymously) support the county status. I am almost afraid to ask your stance on domestic violence and drunk driving.
Finally, I hate to discuss these things about myself, but I felt it necessary after your amusing reply. You mention the scientific community as a means to discredit me. Guess what? I am a Ph.D. engineer with advanced degrees in Astrophysics, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. I am one of the most well published scientists you will ever meet. So, you can imagine how hard I laughed while reading your last message. Thank you for brightening my day. I could go into my annual budget or mention my customers and end-users by name, but I hate playing such games of politics. My point, BBW, is that the vague rhetoric you use to support the city and county of Broomfield and to attempt to discredit those who don't is running dry.
By Adrian
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The horse is dead!
Well, now that you have beaten the dead horse beyond all recognition, I don't know if we can reply without making this a disgusting mess. But I will make one point. You already know what I am going to say. You avoid it again and again. Broomfield voters voted 62% in favor of a consolidated school district and lower taxes. You deny these promises, but we have the original campaign flyers to prove it. No one opposed the process because they were all under the impression that they could trust Broomfield officials. We all believed the campaign promises. And who would oppose such wonderful promises? Too bad they were not going to be kept. I wanted to help out my neighbors as much as everyone did.
Broomfield officials backed away from the promise of a consolidated school district a few months before the election and did not make any significant effort to inform voters of the changes. Is that really so surprising? No, it is not. Again, they did just enough to claim they were being honest. I can not begin to estimate the number of people each week who are surprised to find out that Broomfield is not going to get the consolidated school district. They believed it when they cast their vote and they still believed it up until they were informed of the truth behind the campaign.
Likewise, the original feasibility study outlined how taxes would have to be increased to cover the expenses of forming and operating the smallest county in the continental United States. But that feasibility study was thrown out and not made public because it told the truth of the process and not what Broomfield officials wanted it to say. Fortunately for Colorado voters, we have a copy of that feasibility study as well.
Just between friends, BBW, your broken record approach to saturating this discussion board with your election results rhetoric is starting to prove our point instead of yours. To be honest, voting only 62% in favor of the county is not a good result when you consider how many of those voters were misled by the campaign promises of Broomfield officials. Let's take the question to Broomfield residents again. Let them give us the true bottom line. I doubt Broomfield officials will do that. That would show sincere concern for those residents above other agendas.
In closing, I want to discuss your repeated derogatory remarks toward CVELG and our intentions. Let me spell it out for you. All we want is for Colorado voters to choose the fate of our great state knowing the truth. The state of Colorado needs them to cast a vote knowing the real purposes and effects of forming the combined city and county of Broomfield. They did not get that chance last year. They will get it next year. Anyone who opposes that effort opposes democracy. Where do you stand? Why am I even asking? We are not hiding behind anonymous acronyms. We are proud of our convictions. Why aren't you?
By Adrian
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