Another month has passed 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.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 www.gatewaynews.org
398 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 398 of 398I would have loved a Target too.
Since there is one in Prarie Center and Northfields, planned years ago, I certainly can't see Target building one in the CC also.
Plus I heard they are both struggling.
I was surpised to hear that councilwomen Kathy Teeter was supporting extra access for a liquor store.
Some conficting ideals I guess
*She has talked about traffic concerns many times.
*but goes against traffic dept recommendations
*she mentioned that the road in question wasn't that busy to have a problem.
*then said 13 accidents aren't bad
for such a busy area.
Makes more sense,now I find out the liquor store owner is a financial supporter of hers.
Todd, that makes no sense, have you looked at the names people use when blogging any web site? These are for social intercourse, nothing else. Can you discern from names like “pro city”, “king of olive street” “todd..not from cc”and lots of others on this site. Do you get to go into a voting booth to see how someone may vote on an issue that may be sensitive to you? In other words “Todd…not from CC, Don't criticize under the veil of secrecy…
C_City Voter
I agree! who the hell is (Todd, not from cc), that narrows it down to maybe only a million people.
This blog is no different then any others out there. I have learned so much and had so many ideas.
I do not agree with everyone but that is the way it should be. I have to say that the discussions here are more intelligent then most other sites.
Happy Mothers Day CoMmErCe CiTy!
what do you all think of a strong mayor format of city gov.?
just a question nothing more.
Good timing Casper,
To be clear: while I don’t agree with the 72K given to Jerry this has nothing to do with him. I would love the idea of a strong mayor format in our city with our continued growth. Why have a city manager and two assistant city managers? There should be a full time mayor with a city manager and eliminate one position. This is no longer the small town from roughly five years ago that many of those belonging to groups like the carz club, tbcc, the bullock recall committee can’t seem to let go of. I’m sure businesses considering our city would like to see a strong leadership position as well. Is it time to get this to the voters??
C_City Voter
I will start a separate area for the question about the weak mayor v. strong mayor.
Deal Breaker was on channel 12 in Denver. Just so you guys know.
Nothing new, same thing Post Editorial Board said.
Thank you for the information.
the horse fire was awful! I really hope they catch and charge the persons involved.
I still think Mile High Market Place is a good deal.
Despite the Foster Factor.
I think Mile Hight Market Place is a good thing.
And why so negative about this Foster guy. Is he not doing his job?
Is this not the type of law and area he works in?
your right, the foster factor is a GREAT thing to have.
He gave money to a campaign and knows he will get an favorable outcome.
Great way to do the city business.
so council are saying the 2009 reviews are not even done yet? What is the date today?
Why would anyone go to council for citizen communication, it is to frustrating, they can even talk to you? So stupid.
Commerce City Horse incident made me sick to my stomach too. I hope they catch someone.
I miss old days when you could talk and the council could talk back.
I say bring back those days.
suncor audit is a nightmare, can you imagine a Mile high Market Place audit, if it was not a flat fee.
Staff did a good job on Flea market deal.
I liked the responses too, but also found that that part of the meeting could go on for hours and business wouldn't get done.
Some like to talk & talk & talk council and citizens both.
see again a "number of audits" in the process.
Just again points to the fact that a flea market audit would be unrealistic.
Good Job City Staff
I thought city settled with suncor.
So Benson is asking for an explanation?
YES some of them talk and talk just to hear themselves talk
Sounds like Benson is fishing to stir up something again.
He wastes so much valuable time that does no good.
bob should start his own blog.
A BOB BLOG!
GREAT GATEWAY, you got free advertising.
I believe some developers business has domino effects with the city plans.
If a land owner is selling property and word gets out of the developers plans...the price jumps.
So the city hurts and sometimes ruins the chance of a new business/development.
Its not so much about deals behind closed doors as not letting the "cat out of the bag"
so attorney doesn't want the council to answer the media.
okay, that is finally out in the public.
gateway news is black balled to speak to the council.
remember council, Whereas bob only advises you. he is not the end all be all.
COUNCIL DO NOT ANSWER MR. MCINTYRE'S EMAIL! IT IS THE BAD THING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by the way, what email are they talking about?
okay Dustie,
What email are they talking about?
DAMN I wish I knew what Developer they are taking about.
city council will learn to stop talking about the gateway news eventually.
Dustin,
You will only get this response if you ask the right questions.
Keep up the Good Work.
Shea homes owns the shopping center that the Liquor Store owner wants to change the traffic flow in.
Liquor store owner came to council last week to try ang get changes.
Shea must have wanted to discuss their side.
Some of council only wants to listen to one side.
Truth Test was prepared by who again?
benson, if EVERYTHING has to go before council for a vote, why is there a need for staff and management??
got to love commerce city!
so truth test is a opinion?
truth test clarified mis-information?
lets hear it.
by charter rules Mr Johnson is correct!
see bob already explained it all.
see contract is legal and binding. CASE CLOSED!
I think Tony Johnson is right, Benson thinks he runs the city.
bob said 20% to 30% decrease in value in AZ house, Bought for 216, sold 305. What is the decrease in Value.
JERRY DESERVES HAZARD PAY! IT IS COMMERCE CITY!
So the no votes by Teeter and Benson were not on the relocation money or the house loan. Only on the taxes/insurance.
Benson implied he didn't like any of it.
Interesting!
benson okay with house value in beginning. that is interesting
yes that it is interesting.
yes lets put this to BED! by the way, Denver and Brighton is scooting by us.
If everything goes to committee's for discussion, nothing will EVER get done in this city.
Why do we have a council.
I don't agree with all of their decisions, but come on people!! This city can never move forward if everything has to be discussed to death.
This meeting is an example!!!
great discussion. I think this is finally coming to an end.
WHEW! City Wins!
Gateway News is the 10th council member!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen Tracy.
Amen Mr Bullock!
Benson, in open council meeting you said that you were opposed to the insurance/taxes and therefore would not vote for it.
Bob can't address this, So hire another lawyer!
Stop wasting city time Benson!!
This is a dead horse and you are a bore!
see even council member didn't agree with deal with city manager.
just let it go!
jadie carson brought this all up.
An outside new council member listens to the meeting and tells the real truth about Mr. Benson!!
Yea!
governmental transparency. not in commerce city.
If you don't get the answers you want, does asking over and over change the answer??
relocation policy:
companies do this, not governments.
Sans....says who. You know all the governments around this country and how they function?
I know Brighton WHERE I SHOP!
I would suggest you move there too!
You won't be missed!
Gateway, holding blog comments and placing them so in between others already posted.
Great little trick!
Blog is time sensitive that wold be a impossibility.
Citizens needs to sit down ans shut up. Let the council run the city.
what is the deal with suncor? What can't it be public?
Deal Breaker is WAY ABOVE the city council's heads. They looked stupid.
No one ever said the city had a conspiracy.
Since the council can't handle a big plate of food, I will start by breaking it down into bit size pieces.
Here we go!
City Attorney says $72,000 is for a decrease in value in the AZ house. Fact house bought for 216,000 and sold for 305,000, where is the decrease in value as far as the tax payer are concerned?
city doesn't want to acknowledge the Gateway News blog, I have a crazy idea, STOP TALKING ABOUT IT IN COUNCIL MEETINGS!
Gateway News is keeping bob out of court. MY GOD! who are you people!
I challenge the Council to NOT talk about the Blog or the Gateway News for one week.
They really are looking like the 10th council member.
I have a blog issue, it has nothing to do with your opinions, but rather an explanation. The issue would be the Commerce City Cable Channel 8. Is it Free? Does the city pay for it, if so, to who? What is the plan for it in the future? Would you consider a possible Multi IGA with the city, 27J, D14, water and fire for coverage.
My email to council:
I would like to apologizes, it was not at all my intention to cause a stir by asking your opinions about a blog comment. I now understand where my boundaries are as part of the Press... when it come to the Commerce City council.
With that being said...I would like to make a suggestion. In the celebration of governmental transparency, the city of Brighton holds a "Media Meeting" every 2 weeks, where we the media can ask any and all open ended questions to the city staff. Further, we as the Press can request any Department Head to attend 24 hours prior. These "Media Meetings" only run about an hour long.
It would be my suggestion, that the city of Commerce City replica something similar to this, maybe once a month or even once every two months.
To be clear, this is just a suggestion, none of you need to give me feedback.
I love this BLOG, No wonder council doesn't come here. It is TOO HOT for them to handle.
Good idea Gateway for the media meetings but Commerce City has way too much to do, like go to court and get a grocery store and get their stories straight.
WHAT THE FFFFFFFFFFF!
Is this RUSSIA!
Screw BOB and the Council, Dustie can ask any question he wants!
for deal breaker I will take the opinion of a third outside person that has NO HORSE IN THE RACE.
I agree with Denver POST editorial board opinion.
I would like to second that challenge to council. I do not want to hear the name gateway news or blog or channel 9 for the next council meeting.
give the citizens a break, work on getting a store in the north.
I thought new council would mean less DRAMA! I don't see this happening. Different council, all the past drama.
Yes lots of dramatics, but I ask you this. What is in common with old and new council?
answer is JIM BENSON.
you know, obama tried to shut out fox news. it didn't work out well for him.
council should embrace the media, not attack it.
just my 2 cents
Dustin you misspelled apologize.
Yes I did, I apologize.
great if deal breaker is over what the hell is everyone going to talk about?
I would love for the"deal breaker" talk to be over. It is old, more than run its coarse and its distracting to running the city correctly.
Casper...Sans...Gateway let it go.
Lets move forward!!
You can't put the milk back in the bottle!
I would let deal breaker go, I really would knowing the fact that the council will not do anything like this again.
I have a question to EVERYONE!
Let the "will work for house story go" and lets move forward. I am not stupid I know this whole thing did not go down well for the city or the city council.
It was not right for the staff and council to attack the media or put Dustin on the commerce city "no fly" list for questions.
But I think it is over and we have a conclusion,
The city council will not do anything like this in the future.
They know people are watching them and will hold them accountable.
I am with you PRO CITY!
I will be willing to let it go. The city is creating a relocation committee, that will be a good thing for the future.
I would pay CASH MONEY to see a media meeting with Commerce City STAFF!
CASH MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!
dusty, can you post the email that got you in trouble that council was talking about last night:
EMAIL SENT TO COUNCIL:
from our blog, I don't know if you can answer, but I would appreciate it if you would at least look at it.
promote discussions said...
Gateway News ask cc council this:
Please explain yourself for the following scenario:
cc Section 7 Acceptance of Gratuities Prohibited
It shall be a violation for any City elected or appointed officer or any City employee to accept gratuities, favors, or gifts in connection with or relative to any contract or business of the City, or to accept a substantial economic benefit tantamount to a gift of substantial value.
"We did not want to make a profit off of him," City Attorney Robert Gehler said. "That was the interest rate the city was receiving on its investments, so it was a wash."
Gift definition: Property, money or asset that one person transfers to another while receiving nothing in return.
Did City Council violate one of its adopted rules?
I feel really dirty living in a city where the media can't ask questions.
It feels unAmerican.
I am glad that the city is getting past this, it will be nice to get a fresh start.
I will agree to get past this deal breaker, I still have questions, but I know when a horse is dead.
Yes, really this is a dead story now. It needs to be put to bed.
City will be better and lessons were learned.
You better believe lessons were learned!!!!!!!
SUBJECT CHANGE!
something positive. I suggest that the city embrace the fact that their birthday is on May 5th and it happens to be on Cinco de Mayo.
A city celebration for both would be great!
City has a large Hispanic population so a celebration of both cinco mayo and city birthdya would be good.
so thats it, thats it it took for the issue to go away!
what happened to that 60s protest spirit!
this ain't the 60s, it was a story about a guy would took a deal that ANYONE of you would have taken.
That my friends is the real story.
hey, how come no one noticed the union guy last night at council?
Just a comment. I am troubled by a city manager who signed a contract with the city five days before he closed on his house in Arizona for a profit. Even if he took a sweet deal, is his brand of ethics one we want for the top nonelected executive of our city? Everything else aside, he knew that his house in AZ was under contract and most likely would sell when he signed the contract. What else is he not telling council or the community?
The union guy said he had met with the city manager and with most members of council. What is up with that?
SUCH BS! I would have dropped this WEEKS ago if I would have gotten answers.
I will create a list and post them AGAIN.
Media Meeting is Not a bad idea, I don't think council will go for it. Gateway Questions are pretty difficult.
It would be a game of "who can stump the chump"
I Love it, WHO CAN STUMP THE CHUMP!
I can see it now!
If council does do the media meeting, they have to sell tixs.
The Media Meeting is for all of the media, not just the Gateway News.
I support media event, a good idea, let them ask any question. City should not be afraid of anything that comes their way.
Nothing to hide, nothing to be afraid of.
I can't imagine one reason that the city or council would want to meet with the media.
After the constant attack from the Gateway/K. McIntyre, I wouldn't share the time of day. Somehow that info would be under question.
I for one (of obviously many) think this topic should be put to bed.
Lets move into the future.
I think moving forward it a good idea too. Gateway should move on to other topics like Bison Grill fiasco.
it is almost like a completion of who has more drama, council or school district 14
Hey don't count out district 14 school board, they have some great moments.
we should have awards for our politicians
Best rant, Best grand stand, Best excuse for not talking to citizens, Best call out.
I like local politics. I am kind of a political junkie. I find this Blog fascinating.
It is true that the city attorney did tell council member Benson that the could get him a offer letter in less then a half hour.
And then the city gives out letter to the news that there is no letter.
These are the kinds of things I love about politics.
It is like a big chess game.
I have a question about access to the PAD SITE area that everyone is talking about. The liquor store.
I don't know what the cons would be.
I can see that the pros are to get more people in the area, so what are the cons?
I can start with one huge reason not to do the proposed access. It cost money and someone has to pay for it.
Why did the latest communications officer quit? how many have there been in the past 3 years and why?
One major concern is the high potential for accidents. That area of the city has numerous driveways into businesses.
When this shopping area was designed (relatively recently) it was actually planned, rather than just "happening".
It was designed to keep minimal entrances and exits into the already busy area.
The owner of the center is
Shea and they along with the city took a great deal of time setting up a safe access.
Changing this for one potential owner (who appears to have ties to two council) creates some major questions.
Wes, I like your idea, but will twist it a bit.
How about awards for the
best ranting citizen(who does nothing but complain)
the best self serving media person
the best anonymous blogger
the best phoney named blogger
the best newspaper editor who rehashes old news, over and over
I bet others can come up with great awards.
Flannery's Contract Part 1
When City Manager, Jerry Flannery was hired on May 31, 2007, he was given a generous 42% salary and car allowance increase and a 52% increase on a new home. Commerce City paid for all moving and relocation expenses and from his Flagstaff salary, 2006-07 to his Commerce City salary 2009, Mr. Flannery received a $57,800 dollar a year increase. $115,000 to $172,800. Commerce City with out any home loan was more than generous to Mr. Flannery.
When a person sells a house, the process occurs over a period of months not over a period of a few days. One has to be actively involved in the process. First, one gets a Buyer and appraisal for the house and then the Buyer makes an offer. Contracts are then drawn up and a closing date is set, perhaps just a few days or weeks in advance. A Seller knows when a Closing is eminent and the price that they all have agreed on.
On or about, Sept. 1, 2009, City Council met to discuss another extension on the taxpayer's home loan to Mr. Flannery. At that time, as far as we know, nothing was mentioned about the eminent sale of Mr. Flanney's Flagstaff home. However, something was mentioned about the house in Flagstaff not being sold yet and that Mr. Flannery was not able to get a loan to pay off the Reunion home. The contract with Mr. Flannery was then modified and the language changed so that the wording pertaining to the sale of the Flagstaff home was taken out of this new contract after having been a part of said contract for these past two years. This new contract is to be paid in full, Sept. 1, 2011. Furthermore, it is my understanding that Mr. Flannery signed his sale agreement papers on the Flagstaff home on Sept. 5, 2009 just four days after the City Council meeting. (In papers given to the Gateway News.)
In Mr. Flannery's employment agreement with the City of Commerce City, dated June 11, 2007, it is stated under paragraph 11 Moving and Relocation Expenses
C. That Commerce City shall pay Flannery an interim housing supplement of $1,500 per month for a period of 3 months (or) until Flannery ceases to incur dual expenses of maintaining his residence in Flagstaff, Arizona and a residence in Commerce City which ever date shall first occur...... the said period for payment of a Housing Allowance may be extended upon mutual agreement of Commerce City and Flannery, if circumstances justify such extension." This June, 2007, agreement discusses a Housing Allowance not the purchase of a Reunion home or a $450,000 taxpayer loan.
Flannery's Contract Part 2
Personally, we could not find any written agreement that discusses the purchase of a home as part of Mr. Flannery's recruitment plan in the Gateway News papers. Moreover, we found nothing in writing that Mr. Flannery would live in the Reunion home for free as if he already owned the home for these past few years. The cost to an average citizen to live in Reunion is about $4,000 a month and is one of the most expensive areas to live in, in Commerce City. Not the agreed upon $1,500 per month Housing Allowance. It would have cost the average citizen about $212,000 to live there for four years. My understanding is that the actual Deed to this Reunion home is currently in Mr. Falnnery's name even though no money has ever been exchanged between the city and Mr. Flannery.
According to a letter from City Attorney, Bob Gehler, to the Gateway News, "shortly after Mr. Flannery was hired the Real Estate Market failed," but, not within that first or second 6 month contract and both the Flagstaff house and the Reunion house "decreased in value by 20 to 30 percent." "The loan was to provide short-term support." Then, the Real Estate Market failed, 2008-09? and City Council extended and added "addendum's to the contract to protect the interests of the city, while providing Mr. Flannery with compensation consistent with Industry standards." "It was felt that absorbing one-half of the loss resulting from the Real Estate Market was a fair solution." Thus, $450,000 minus $292,000 appraisal 2009? left a deficit of $164,525 so, the city paid half of that deficit which amounted to a $72,000 Bonus. Please note: the Flagstaff house was sold for a $89,000 profit in Oct. 2009.
Finally, Mr. Flannery bears the distinction of being the only home owner that I am aware of across this United States to receive a Bonus for the loss of home value during the fall of the Real Estate Market. During this Real Estate crash, Millions of home owners across America and here in Commerce City lost Millions and Billions on Market values of their homes. Builders lost up to $100,000 each on a new home built at that time. No property or home owner escaped this deadly crash. I have no idea, how City Council considered that a "fair solution" when no money has ever been exchanged and no Mortgage has been paid.
Estelle, one comment. STOP!!
We are sick & tired of this.
Too much time has been devoted to this.
The focus needs to be NOW!
deal breaker should be translated into spanish
not so fast, I would like to see a time line.
a rush to sweep this under the rug tells me we need to really take a look at this.
commerce city council: 90% drama 10% city business.
I suggest the council try to reverse this.
This is the United States, not mexico learn the language and stop being a burden
hate to point out the obvious, but why is the coffee with the cop the same day and time as state of the city.
breakdown in communication?
look at that, yes cop coffee and state of city are the same time.
The same Day yes, but Coffee with the Cop starts at 8am and the state of the city is at 730am.
So not the same time.
I think coffee with a cop is just a standard Tues thing.
I doubt anything intentionally was done to create a conflict.
Over 200 American citizens from 27 states have filed a legal action that will greatly benefit your readers. The Defendants are officials of the Federal Reserve System, Wall Street Banks and individuals of the six bank regulators.
One basis for the action is The FED is NOT an independent government agency. The complaint, filed in Charlotte , NC , proves the 12 Fed Banks, lending us paper money they illegally create, are owned by Wall Street banks. Citizens have paid 7 trillion dollars to borrow their own money. Its recovery will be distributed to the states. A million seconds is 13 days, a billion are 31 years, a trillion are 31,688 years.
Commerce City Communications Manager/Public Information Officer Kim McCarl resigned on Tuesday May 11th.
dustin,
Why did she resign?
GATEWAY, Did you put this information about C3PIO through a TRUTH TEST?
I smell another truth test coming on!
did kim quit over 9 news thing?
I think you guys should do a truth test on kim mccarl quitting
Why did the city's information officer quit?
Is kim still at city now, 2 week notice or did she quit quit.
how many PIOs has the city had in the last 4 years, that is the real question.
The Deal Breaker story is about city council and city officials lying. As soon as they tell the citizens the truth, then maybe the story will go away. They lied about the house in Reunion being part of the offer for Flannery's job, everyone knows that is not the truth. And now they cannot find the offer letter, really??? Maybe someone should check out the original contract that the Gateway has on their website here dated June 11, 2007. NO MENTION of a house loan anywhere. Step up and have some integrity - anyone on council integrity and TELL THE TRUTH. Then get our money back!
Just a note to taxpayers in School District 27J, you have until June 1, 2010 to protest your tax amount if you feel your taxes are not correct.
A new group has just been formed in Commerce City. The EEOC. (Ex Employees Opposition Club). Meet in the back of council chambers next Monday night at 6:30 pm. Bring all your stories.
The city has had three Public Information Officers since 2007, Heather Rule, Tim Carroll, and Kim McCarl. Who will the next victim be?
obviously pio is a hard job. can you imagine the pair you have to have to mock NBC channel 9 News in a BS truth test.
Re: Resignation of the C3PIO
Wait, as a Manager of one of the City Departments I am sure she is giving 2 weeks notice to train someone, right?
so who is the public information officer presently for the city of commerce city?
hey gateway,
how do you even know that PIO quit?
Nice timing, Commerce City State of the City is May 18th at the civic Center at 7887 E. 60th Ave.
Time: 7:30 a.m.
I have a comment to all of those who just want to get past deal breaker.
I am interested, I don't care if your not, I am, so if you are not interested, don't deal with it. Leave it up to us who actually care.
Now for the offer letter, Bob did tell Jim Benson that there is a offer letter, and the gateway news has a PDF saying there is no such a thing.
Until things like this stop happening I will continue to be interested.
there, now I feel better.
If you were told what to write for a 'truth test' by the mayor and city manager, would you stay? She'll have some professional reason but PIO in CC can't be a fun job.
PR world is pretty tight knit. it will be difficult to get a good person in cc. people talk.
one more thing,
great site.
fine if the marketing person leaves, what city will not be able to handle is if other key players leave.
who is the pio of commerce city?
Who are the key players?
key players are the city managers
Commerce City Police arrested Jason Randall Webb a Campus Monitor @ Adams City High School for Sexual Assault on Child In Position of Trust.
Commerce City Police Department is asking for Public’s Assistance in Locating a Missing Endangered Adult, See Crime Page.
gateway news, are news on cc mayor going to turkey?
The Republic of Turkey? In what capacity?
is it me, or is there a LOT of bad news about Commerce City Lately.
I am still getting over the horse fire and now we have a guy accused of sexual assaulting a HS girl.
SO bad!
Commerce City PD are very busy.
Still the BEST pd in the entire metro area.
The Mayor going to Turkey was apparently discussed during a council meeting.
Paul will most likely come back with a report upon returning.
so i guess city is now in the restaurant business?
r taxpayer going to see anything off this most recent revenue venture?
or r they going to just take a loss like golf course?
I am so glad that this deal breaker story in now over!
It is Time to Get Back on Track!
bob says there is offer letter, then gives gateway letter saying there is none.
what gives?
As far as the restaurant at the golf course goes. I heard that it is running much better.
The person who rented the space before was a lousy business man.
Why not try supporting it rather than AGAIN putting the city down for what they are doing.
Are you the type that would have complained that the city DIDNT run it, when it was rented out, I THINK SO!
OK commerce city council meeting a city staff person says that homeowners should know that on Fridays you can use Fast Lane Fridays and get superb service, what do they treat you badly the other four days???
Is the offer letter ever going to be shown? Did Commerce City send Flannery a text message offering him a job? Maybe it was a twitter?
Nice try Commerce City, have Flannery get up and brag about a whole lot of things that are still NOT bringing business, jobs or revenue to our city. Get a clue. Look at your list of priorities and maybe do something about them.
Since the only info about city employees wanting a union.....is from the union guy??
Seems a tad interesting.
Figures Jadey would be supporting and knowledgeable about it!!
cc incentive package
If you hire an employee and pay them over $41,000 you will get a check from the city for $500 (total) if the position is still there after two years and after you are "audited" by the city about that position that created a job. If you go under $41,000 then it is for $250 after two years.
Also, they will give you a 10% discount on your fees if you build an improvement.
Councilwoman Teter asks who holds title to taxpayers Reunion house now.
A good Question.
Who and Why?
I am not sure Commerce City Workers need a Union, It will change things too drastically.
if city can get into real estate and now the restaurant business, why not just go for it and get a grocery store?
Call it Mile High King Soopers!
I like the blanket incentive program, it might work, only time will tell, at least they are trying something.
ps I am against the union idea. City will have to go to table to negotiate everything. Not a good idea.
city will have to get a union lawyer to specifically just deal with city employees if council allows union to come in.
I like the idea that the city is willing to give out little incentives. But I say they look at the sales tax, Lower to just under Denver and Brighton.
That might get things cooking in Commerce City.
Summer Food Program
Adams 14 Nutrition Services will again offer summer food programs for the community. Children age 18 and under eat for free. Prices for adults are $1.50 for breakfast and $2.50 for lunch. The locations and times are as follows:
Kearney Middle School
6160 Kearney Street
Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.; Lunch - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
June 1 to July 30 (closed on July 5 for the holiday)
Adam City Middle School
4451 East 72nd Avenue
Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:30 to 9 a.m.; Lunch - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
June 14 to July 1, and then again July 12 to July 24
Hanson Elementary
7133 East 73rd Avenue
Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:30 to 9 a.m.; Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
June 7 to July 2
Monaco Elementary
7631 Monaco Street
Serving times are: Breakfast - 8:30 to 9 a.m.; Lunch - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
June 7 to July 2
With questions please call Cyndy Veney, Manager of Nutrition Services, 303.853.7950.
Zeek, I doubt that businesses are concerned with what the consumer pays in taxes. That will rarely effect sales.
Incentives are often the ability for the new business to keep some of the sales tax, to help defray costs to build.
Lower taxes really don't benifit the business.
Nice idea though for us.
City employees in a union, will be jobs lost.
The unions are notorious for high demands. They only way for the city to cover such will be by cutting jobs.
A sad state of affairs if they go union.
why is it okay for the police to have a union, but not the regular city workers. I am for the union movement.
so it starts, I hope the council really get educated on the effects unions have on businesses and cities.
All you have to do is look how much damage unions do to the business community and the community as a whole. What car companies are struggling (GM, Crystler), and which ones are flourishing (Honda)? What Grocery stores are opening new stores (Wal-Mart), and which ones can't keep their doors open (Albertsons, Safeway)? The teachers union is doing a great job of teaching our kids as well (sarcasm).Maybe we shouldn't be looking at the City council for union answers, but maybe we should look at our State Rep. Casso. He seems to be in the union pockets. Unions worked in the 20's, they do nothing but damage now.
Dusty, thank you for posting the sales tax comparison. I learned now that business really is not tied to sales tax, if anything, I think Commerce City should raise to at least Brighton level.
The piece that does not fit ...
If, we take the 8/5/2005, house appraisal on Mr. Flannery's Sandstone residence in Flagstaff, Arizona of $480,000 and subtract the $300,000 appraisal on 8/7/2009, one gets a difference of $180,000.
In a letter to The Gateway News, City Attorney, Bob Gehler explains the process of discussion by City Council in which they discounted the losses on both the Flagstaff house and the new Commerce City house on August 31, 2009. Mr. Gehler said, " Every extension and addendum to the contract was executed with the singular purpose of protecting the interests of the city while providing Mr. Flannery with compensation that is consistent with industry standards." Even though, the Commerce City house loan had never actually been repaid to the taxpayer and no money had ever been exchanged on said property, Mr. Flannery was still claiming a loss on house(s) value to the city. On August 31, 2009, the Flagstaff house was in the process of going under contract to sell and was sold October 5, 2009 just one month after City Council discounted both residents to Mr. Flannery and awarded a $72,000 bonus for monies lost in the Real Estate Market fall. Mr. Flannery purchased his Flagstaff house on Jan.18, 2002 for $216,600 and sold the house for $305,000 for an $89,000 profit. The Commerce City house was never actually sold to Mr. Flannery and yet the city claimed a loss for him on the sale of that home which is currently recovering in value and may actually be down only $32,000 in value at this time. When, Mr. Flannery pays his house loan in 2011, the taxpayers need another appraisal completed. So, Mr. Flannery used City Council and Commerce City taxpayers to bail him out of the Real Estate Market fall even though his house in Flagstaff was selling at the time and he has never really purchased the home in Commerce City. We have no idea how that missing piece of the 8/5/2005 Flagstaff appraisal fits in.
If, we use our house as an example in 2005 our market value was $233,000. We paid $191,000 in 2001, when the market fell, we lost $42,000 and the house went back down to the original price of $191,000. But, we can not expect any kind of a "Bail Out."
Move on Estelle!!
80022 Zip Code
In the May 23rd, Denver Post, there was a two page article about unemployment in the State of Colorado by zip codes. Commerce City has the highest number of unemployed by the thousands of any Colorado zip code. All of this unemployment is intertwined in our current financial crisis with having one of the highest paid City Managers in Colorado who the old City Council, except for Council members Benson and Teter, has voted to offer over $522,000 in additional financial perks in the form of a $72,000 relocation allowance that "follows industry standards" and taxpayer loan.
Furthermore, we are beginning a "Build Out" of the E-470 Corridor to 2035. Somehow, in all of this, we seem to have lost our sense of rightness and vision in our rush for "Quality of Life." Currently, we have a BAT team made up of local business owners and leaders who are developing a plan of action to attract any industry that will and does hire the unemployed at below minimum wages with no benefits of any kind by offering Rebates and Interest off incentives. But, the biggest incentive Commerce City and City Council has to offer Industry is the thousands of unemployed immigrants that live in the 80022 zip code and will work for any wage just to stay in our area. This really is one step removed from Serfdom.
Commerce City is dangling these thousands of unemployed immigrant workers like so much bait on a hook to see if we can catch any industry ready to invest in Commerce City. Which in turn, will result in keeping thousands of workers in a cycle of poverty for generations to come. Is this the Quality of Life that City Council wants to build for the future? Is this the plan that our City Manager is bringing to our city? Other cities such as Brighton have managed to attract good paying industries, why can't we do the same?
Estelle, THINK
The zip code story didn't mention us because it was realizing that the area of the zip code must also be considered.
Our area is huge compared to many.
To give you an idea of what that means:
If Denver has 2000 unemployed and Fredrick has 2000 unemployed it wouldn't be the same.
They were looking at the area versus the numbers.
A small zip code with large numbers is a story....a large zip code with the same numbers is not.
too many comments, can you start another section!
If you’re a Commerce City resident, most likely you know what happens on Memorial Day. If you’re new to the area, Memorial Day is something you don’t want to miss.
Commerce City’s 46th annual Memorial Day Parade, one of the largest in the country, will start along its nearly 2-mile route around 10 a.m. The last parade entry, the last of nearly 115 entries, will be put on display in front of the grand stands some time after noon.
This year’s them, Home of the free, because of the brave, is a tribute to the many men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend America’s freedoms.
This year’s grand marshals are Gary Drotar and Robert Otis. The parade will be emceed by Aristea Brady from Channel 9 News.
Don’t miss the fun, and help honor United States military veterans.
Post a Comment