Continue the Broomfield C/C debate

By CVELG

Response to BBW

In my 11-11 post, I stand corrected. I should have clarified it was BFCC's representative style of government, not just representative government in general. Numerous examples of BFCC's style are evident. Condensed: citizens learn of the decisions made for them, in their 'best' interest, after it is all said and done.

You see, there is representative government via our US Constitution, and there is Broomfield City Council's streamlined representative government. They are NOT the same.

Yes, the citizens of the great state of Colorado voted for BF C&C. AND they did so with incomplete information. The repeal effort gives the citizens the opportunity to reconsider their vote with ALL the facts known.

Benefits to Interlocken: It is not necessary for CCACCC to make a public announcement as to how Interlocken benefits. Jim Long did that for us in the Denver Post, 10/30/98:

"Interlocken chief Jim Long Acknowledges his company will benefit if Broomfield is its own county. He regards the $200,000 as pittance, comparing it with what his company might spend on a traffic light. 'It's an investment,' Long said, 'I want better bus service. I want better highway service. It's just that much easier if I'm dealing with one local entity'."

The articles goes on to state "the first segment of the NW Parkway would link Interlocken to DIA with four lanes of pavement. It would also significantly boost the park's value."

"Long said there is no doubt the company will benefit from a new tollway. Putting $1 MILLION into the effort reflects the company's willingness to help the community, and help pay its way for development."

Direct from Interlocken's top man himself. The County campaign and NW Parkway were/are receiving majority funding from Interlocken. While Long attempts to project it is out of the goodness of his heart, everyone knows he is in business to make money. A direct link to DIA makes Interlocken highly attractive to future tenants and significantly adds to the value of the park.

You stated CCACCC has never been able to rise to the level of debate of others on this board. CCACCC has posed many questions to BBW with zero response. Wouldn't you agree it is impossible to debate when questions are ignored?

Care to debate Jim Long's own words published in the Denver Post?

By CCACCC

Home Values

One of the reasons the appraised values of homes is lower than the before may be the Colorado law regarding equalization between commercial and residential properties. This law has had the effect of lowering the rate at which residential property is assessed. Prior to this law, commercial and residential property were both assessed at about 30% of market value. Now, commercial property is assessed at about 29% and residential property is down to about 9% of market value.

By BBW

In Parallel

Br Anon, I just read your last post on the last board and it prompted me to put up a question that is weighing heavily in my head.

In parallel to the activities associated with petitions for repeal, I am thinking of what CVELG (or any one) can/should be doing to increase public awareness and participation in local government and administration.

I am of the impression that ALL of the information CVELG has gathered and organized over the last few months was common knowledge to the "Vote No" group during the county campaing in '98. And the "Vote No" group worked hard to make this info available to the less involved public. For example, BBWs list of 10 reasons and Br Anon's (and Adrian's) responses are all info published in local newspapers during the '98 campaign. When I read these things I think "NO" to the county is the obvious answer. So I ask myself why a majority of BF voters voted "YES". The fact we all know is that to small a pecentage of citizens vote. And WHO is that small percentage of people who actually do vote? - I know this is trite, but it's REALLY bothering me. I think it is the very reason this new brand of "representative" government is able to prosper.

How can we make local politics more interesting to the public? How can we encourage the public to think the issues through carefully and make smart decisions - and actually voice their ideas on issues?

If the public continues in this apathetic state of mind ... we might as well hand our cities over to the Interlockens of the world. If more citizens don't talk, money will.

I am considering things like ways to educate the public on the institutions and processes of local government, newsletters with clear two sided arguments on current local issues, discussion boards (much like our own, here), and presentations to High School students on the values of community involvement.

Any input, folks? Ideas? Is it a lost cause - tried and failed before? Or maybe a VERY meaningful thing to pursue?

By WW