You’re The Mayor...What Would You DO???

Commerce City Mayor Paul Natale took a stand on the CSAP tests when asked what he would do if he was the School District 27J Superintendent for a day.

Now it’s your turn. You are the Mayor, what would you do? You can choose to be mayor of either Brighton or Commerce City.

The Gateway News wants to hear about all your ideas, your opinions and which issues you would address in your new role as mayor. We would to hear from as many of you as possible. Therefore, we will also be asking individuals for their responses when we are out and about. So give it some thought...you can post directly, or email us at dustin.mcintyre@yahoo.com or call and tell us at 720.221.7352 or fax at 720.221.8317 or just come up and tell us in person.

Those with the best ideas will be encouraged to run for city council this fall!
We have a deadline of May 20th, so we can also do an article in the print edition of the Gateway News. So don't delay.

Does Brighton need a new detention center?

As The Brighton City Council prepares to review plans for a new detention center at Sable & Bromley, local residents are questioning whether it's really needed. The location is close to stores, homes, and the rapidly-developing new economy of Brighton.

Is this the right time? The right place? What about issues of safety and management?

What do you think?

Ref: See Gateway News Vol.5 Issue 3 page 21 April 3, 2009

Guns At Commerce City Council Meetings???

The issue of guns at Commerce City council meetings was brought to light after a report to the Mayor of Commerce City Paul Natale.

It was reported that a fellow council member, Jim Benson had the idea to bring a concealed weapon to city council meetings after receiving a concealed weapons permit. When confronted by the Mayor, Jim Benson denies that was his intent.

It was the direction of the Commerce City Council to have the city staff draft an ordinance that would not allow any guns into Commrce City council meeting, with exception of the Police and Security officers.

What do you think?

I-70 East Corridor and Commerce City

The purpose of the I-70 East Corridor EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) is to improve transportation along the I-70 highway corridor from I-25 to Tower Road and to explore potential rapid transit options from Downtown Denver to Denver International Airport.

An EIS is typically a three to five-year decision-making process required before any major federally-funded transportation project can be built. The EIS ensures that issues affecting the community and the environment are identified and considered before making a final decision. The process is conducted by local, state, and federal agencies and is a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

To make a complicated situation easier to understand, part of the project could have a major impact on the city of Commerce City. There are two “BASIC” situations, one of the alternatives is to bring I-70 north blocks into Commerce City. The other keeps the alignment on its current path. To learn much more detail about the matter at hand please visit http://www.i-70east.com/. Also, read the comments Commerce City's on the I-70 East Draft Environmental Impact Statement (pdf to the left of this article).

What do you think?

Commerce City Full Time Council, Full Time Pay???

Commerce City Derby resident Robert Romine has brought forth the idea that the Commerce City council should receive more money for the service they do. Romine states that they are “Now that you are a full time council...you deserve full time money.”

The council currently receives $817.05 per month and the mayor receives $933.75 per month.

Citizen Romine purposed to increase the pay to $1400-$1500 for council per month.

What do you think?

Commerce City General Issues April 2009

Another month has past and once again it has been a very interesting education of your thoughts and concerns. Thank you to all that have posted and we look forward to hearing more of your comments and concerns.

If you are confused about how to post on the blog or feel more comfortable e-mailing me your comments and concerns, please do so and we will post it for you.

E-mail: dustin.mcintyre@yahoo.com
Dustin McIntyre, Gateway News and gatewaynews.org

Colorado Student Assessment Program, What do you think?

Recently, the Mayor of Commerce City Paul Natale made his opinion of the CSAP clear during a joint city/school district meeting. Hearing many opinions of the matter, we want to know what you think.

The Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) is an assessment required by the No Child Left Behind Act administered by the Unit of Student Assessment in the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The CSAP is designed to measure how well students are learning material from the Colorado Model Content Standards, the established content standards that all Colorado public school students should learn. The CSAP only tests four (mathematics, reading and writing, and science) of the thirteen subject areas in the Colorado Model Content Standards.

Starting in 3rd Grade, and continuing until 10th Grade (Sophomore year of High School), all students are expected to take their grade level's version of the CSAP, testing for which typically occurs during the Spring semester from early February to late March. The 3rd and 4th Grade versions of the CSAP are also available in Spanish to accommodate the high number of Spanish-speaking students in Colorado public schools who concurrently learn English. In 11th Grade (Junior year of High School) students are required to take the COACT (a Colorado specific version of the ACT) in place of the CSAP.

Commerce City Weed Ordinance

This issue has been ongoing since the Gateway News started. Currently it is illegal to have weeds on your property that exceed six inches. The council now is looking to possible change the weed ordinance to weeds not exceeding eight inches within twenty feet of the property line or within twenty feet of any public road for private properties larger then one acre.

What are your thoughts?