STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 33
Dianne Primavera
Like
most of the candidates, Don Beezley wants to create jobs and economic
opportunity. But he says the “legislature has shown it is sorely
lacking in basic common sense in these areas,” and wants to pursue
legislation that “sets the foundation for creating real, lasting jobs
so we can create opportunity for Coloradans while watching our budget
and growing our economy.”
So,
once again, we have a Republican who insists we need to cut even more
from a state budget that has been slashed by millions already and is
barely able to fund minimal public services. Granted, it may be
tempting for those who are cash-strapped in this economy to be
attracted to the idea of keeping more in their pockets, but how about
roads, education, prisons and health care? We are already scraping bone
here, people.
Dianne Primavera is
a seasoned veteran who has already supported a jobs tax credit for
companies and recently sponsored a job fair in the district. She claims
to have saved taxpayers $140 million by eliminating corporate tax
giveaways, and as a four-time cancer survivor, she’s been tough on
insurance companies, passing legislation that bans them from handing
out bonuses for denying claims.
Our pick is Primavera.
Yes
The Fourmile Fire Protection District currently receives an annual mill
levy of 7.292 for general operating expenses. The district wants to
increase that annual mill by 4.708. One mill amounts to $1 for every
$1,000 of property value in the district. The district encompasses 22
square miles that include the towns of Orodell, Crisman, Salina,
Summerville, Wallstreet and Sunset, with a total population of 2,200.
There
are four fire stations in the district that are staffed by 40
volunteers and house seven emergency vehicles: three engines, three
water tenders and one Humvee brush truck.
During
the recent Fourmile fire that burned more than 6,000 acres, the
district exhausted its resources within the first couple of days of the
fire and required assistance from neighboring districts and eventually
state and federal support. The district also lost one of the four
stations in the fire.
This is a no-brainer. Vote YES.
LYONS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 4A
Yes
The Lyons Fire Protection District wants to spend up to $870,000 on a
structural/wildland urban interface engine and water tender truck to
replace outdated vehicles, as well as a quick-response vehicle and
firefighting and fire protection equipment, including a portable diesel
pump and a portable generator. There will be a maximum repayment of up to $1.5 million and an annual tax increase of up to $150,000 in the district.
With
the recent wildfires in the area, we think this is a worthy cause to
invest in. It’s not a question of whether there will be another big
forest fire here in Boulder County, only a question of when. Vote YES.
SUGAR LOAF FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 5B
Yes
The Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District is asking for the mill levy
that was approved by voters in 1996 to be extended. The levy, which is
used to cover basic fire prevention capabilities and replacing capital
equipment, is set to expire at the end of 2010. The Sugar Loaf Fire
Protection District covers 17 square miles and includes parts of
Colorado Hwy. 119, Sugar Loaf Road, Magnolia Road, a water treatment
plant for the City of Boulder, Boulder County Open Space, City of
Boulder Mountain Parks and several thousand acres of Arapahoe-Roosevelt
National Forest. Thirty to 40 volunteers staff the district year-round,
using three stations and 10 emergency vehicles. The Sugar Loaf Fire
Protection District also helped in fighting and containing the Fourmile
Canyon fire.
Considering that fire and its impact, who wouldn’t vote to extend this useful tax? Vote YES.
JUDGE RETENTION
As
usual, there will be a whole slew of questions on the ballot about
whether to retain state and local judges. None of the judges deserve
the boot. The Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation, which
monitors judges in the state, has ruled that all of the judges and
justices that are on this year’s ballot in Boulder County merit
retention, and we’ll go with their recommendation.
PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 3C
Yes
Ballot Issue 3C for Park School District R-3 asks voters for a $2.5
million total debt increase for the district, with a repayment of $2.7
million and no increase in property taxes.
But
this measure would only go into effect if Amendment 61 passes.
(Amendment 61, as you might know, is one of what is being called the
“Bad Three” and could have disastrous consequences for school funding.)
Measure
3C would basically give the school district authority to borrow extra
funds if needed, providing a safety net in the event that the state’s
no-interest loan program is suspended. If Amendment 61 fails, then it’s
business as usual and the school district doesn’t have to borrow any
extra money. Not only is this measure a good idea in and of itself, but
we also have to applaud the district’s forward thinking. Better to have
a plan and not need it than to be caught with your pants down. Vote YES
on Park School District Ballot Issue 3C.
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT, DISTRICT L
Bob Wilson Bob Wilson and
Lorraine Anderson are competing for the RTD Board of Directors for
District L. The directors are elected to terms of four years. District
L includes portions of Arvada, Broomfield, Louisville, Superior and
Westminster.
A
major focus for both candidates is kick-starting the FasTracks program,
specifically the Gold Line, which would run from Denver to Arvada/
Wheat Ridge. Both Anderson and Wilson say that while a tax increase
will almost certainly be needed to help pay for the project’s
completion, grants, loans and other “creative” sources of funding need
to be found as well.
Lorraine
Anderson has worked with local government for 24 years and has
represented Arvada on the Denver Regional Council of Governments for
17. Anderson says she has good relationships with local and regional
leaders and will be able to build strong coalitions with a variety of
groups.
Wilson
stresses that he is a candidate, not a politician. A professional
engineer registered with the state, he says he will use his experience
in power systems engineering, along with his understanding of
infrastructure engineering, project management and land use to finish
the FasTracks project quickly. He also stresses the importance of
making FasTracks and other projects “green,” and says he has the
expertise to help make this possible. We’re going with Bob Wilson.
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT, DISTRICT O
John Tayer is running unopposed.
