Comments and Discussion on the Repeal of the City and County of Broomfield.

By CVELG

To BBW

I agree that it was the placement of the jail and the lack of input BEFORE the announcement of the chosen site that created interest in the formation of BF county.

Once the city did acknowledge the group and hold public forums; it did appear that the decision was made. I am not saying that it was; I am saying that it appeared to be done.
However, I only attended one session; and that was the public discussion on the night of the vote of the city council. I have to say this about the city: they made every reasonable accommodation to ensure comfort for all those who attended; there were COMFORTABLE chairs; an extra large TV with feed from the council chamber; an offering of drinks and cookies; all to make a welcoming effort to those who could not find seating in the chambers. My disappointment: after six hours of testimony from both sides; and a petition of 3200 signatures from CS; the council did not have the courtesy to acknowledge the efforts of the CS residents and table the measure even for a couple days or a week. There was an obvious plea from CS to talk some more; this was dismissed by a unanimous vote. It was after this that I recognized another step in the council process that had been taking place in BF. The diminished value of citizen input.

You and I possibly disagree on the impact of streamlined government. Duplication of functions for the sake of a title; such as finance or human resources positions; I am totally in favor of consolidation. But to ignore citizen input before a vote of the council; and to leave the only alternative for disagreement with the council a petiiton drive is indeed questionable. In discussing local issues only (not a state amendment); According to the home charter an action cannot be challenged for six months; than a petition drive may be begin. However, the second roadblock is the fact that this can only be voted on in a MUNICIPAL ELECTION year; which is every other year; thus, to challenge the council is a two-year project. This is no longer in my mind; participatory government; this is dictorial government.

Are you familar with the term "it is no accident"? It is no accident that for some reason CS was the group that got involved with the jail issue. Something drove them to find something more; something said it was worth the effort. You see, BBW, BROOMFIELD created this search by CS themselves; they are the ones who decided to build a county without citizen input; BROOMFIELD decided to go to state assembly without public forums on the feasibility study. And for a while it worked; until something led CS to realize "it is no accident" that they are now involved.

BF will have the chance to argue their points during the campaign, assuming CS gets all the signatures for the ballot. There will be no need for a third election issue orchestrated by BF.
What BF will have to defend; "Why are we visiting this issue again; why did we try to bury this in court; why are we unable to convince the Secretary of State and the court system that we were totally honest in our presentation in 1998. Those are the questions.


By Br Anonymous

Petition Drive

I am meeting some of the coolest people through our petition drive. There are people who feel passionate about what we are doing .... and they didn't know we even existed before meeting us at the door of King Soopers. People from Broomfield AND surrounding areas.

BBW, a message you could take to the BF CC (if they would care, or maybe they already know)- BF has some very disenchanted citizens. It may be that BF CC believes they are listening and responding to their citizens adequately. But there are definately citizens who do not feel they've been listened or responded to. Today, at least 4 cars of people drove to Louisville from Broomfield only to sign our petitions. They gave us great words of encouragement. It may be time for BF CC to do some real serious PR work with the locals.

It seems that publishing our locations is a good idea and we will be doing that from here on.



By WW

Br Anon

I have been reading the comments of those running for mayor and city council in Broomfield. Many of them speak about the challenges of Broomfield becoming a city and county and seem very excited about it, even those who have never run for office before. I have not heard any of the candidates say they are opposed to the city/county or think it should be put to a second statewide vote. If I am incorrect here, please correct me. One of the candidates was a member of the opposition. He said Broomfield voters voted 60% in favor of the city/county and that's what they want. It seems to me that the candidates for office are a good cross section of the community and represent what they hear from Broomfield citizens.
You mentioned you do not believe that Broomfield's representatives were truthful at the state senate's and house's hearings. I would appreciate knowing who you believe was not telling the truth and about what.


By BBW