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
323 comments:
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City income is down by millions. CSAPs are hurting badly in core city. No delevopment in north. Commerce City has no where to go but up.
Gateway please post in October too. Thank you.
Leon, did you know that the city employees got an average wage increase of 2% given to them recently.
City's can always improve, but ours must be doing some things right.
P.S. the schools are not in the city's control....sadly!
To Lean,
Also the city has not have to participate in a furlough day as other cities have.
In May 2007, Jerry Flannery earned $115,000 as a Lobbyist for Conconino County in Arizona. In June 2007, Flannery was hired at a Masters level salary and given a yearly raise of $45,000 and a new house to live in for free. On July 5, 2008, with the third Amendment, Flannery was given the second salary raise of $12,800 for a total raise of $57,800 in two years of employment. In Aug. 2009, with the fifth Amendment, Flannery was given a $72,000 Relocation Expense on the combined loss of value on homes in Reunion and Flagstaff, AZ.
From the very beginning, City Council knew that Flannery did not have a Masters Degree but counted 10 years of Urban experience as if it were at a Masters level. One can count 10 years experience as a Masters level, if, that experience is at the same level one is hired for - say, as a City Manager or Deputy Manager for ten years.
Some long-term employees who have worked for CC for ten to twenty years and have completed a Masters Degree have questioned why their salaries did not reflect their level of education and experience. At this point, these employees, both men and women, would have been eligible to be hired from within city administration as City Manager. However, city council did not consider any of these qualified employees. Later, new city staff and some city council members allowed these long-term employees to be belittled (Eye Candy.) for their years of service to this community. Hence, long-term employees felt they had to bring in a union to protect their jobs.
City Council needs to recognize that a mistake has been made on Flannery's qualifications and decrease his Salary more in keeping with his B.S. Degree and years of lower level experience. Seminars, certifications and trips to Germany do not count towards a Masters Degree. Flannery's name needs to be taken off of the city house deed so he can no longer live there for free. Flannery needs to pay back the $72,000 or it needs to come out of his monthly salary. No one holds anything personally against Flannery except we just want him to make this right with the taxpayers and see those members of city council that voted for this are put out of office and perhaps investigated for Sun Shine Law violations.
I fully agree, that if the Northern Range is going to grow and thrive we need a different Zip Code and perhaps a new suburban area name.
About the walmart letter, shouldn't our economic director (Brittany Morris) have written it? Why would the city manager write it?
IMPORTANT COMMERCE CITY COMMUNITY MEETING
WHERE: Otho E. Stuart Middle School 15955 E. 101st Way
WHEN: Wednesday, October 6, 2010 6:30pm to 7:30pm
WHY: Due to the recent and dramatic Increase of vehicle trespasses in your area the Commerce City Police Department would like to hold a public meeting to discuss the current criminal activity and provide crime prevention information.
Presentation by the Commerce City Police Department.
I am glad to see the Commerce City Police Department being proactive on this situation in the North Range.
News Flash!!
Our ex mayor Sean Ford, basically told those at the Historic Society meeting that he will be running for mayor next year!!
Oh happy day, back to the gold ole days of free family meals,deals for exchange benefits etc!!
Our prayers go out the the Mayor and his family
I wish the best for our Mayor Paul Natale and his family.
What is wrong with the mayor?
Jerry gets to go to Germany as a treat trip because of hard time he went through with Sweet Heart Deal story cover by channel 9, channel 7, Denver post, Gateway News etc.?
Mr. Flannery went to Germany as a great opportunity for our city as a whole.
Best of luck to the mayor and his family.
I heard Mayor is not doing well, I hope he will be okay.
Arrests have been made regarding accusations of wasting public funds, negligence, fraud, conflict of interest and breach of fiduciary duty against at least 8 officials from ????? could be Commerce City, but it was Bell, California. California Attorney General Jerry Brown put a motion in to sue Robert Rizzo, former city manager of Bell, California. Where is our district attorney and where is our Colorado Attorney General? Someone please call them.
@ Anonymous - are you kidding FREE FAMILY MEALS!!! how about free houses, insurance, taxes, cars, international trips!!! GIVE ME A BREAK ALREADY!!!
School are not the "city's" responsibility? Who the hell is the "city" anyway? I thought the "city" was the people or am I wrong? And yes it is the "city's", the people's responsibility that our children receive the best education available. Give me a break. Somebody take some responsibility.
Mayor ran the meeting last night, so he can't be too bad off, can he?
The mayor's health issue should be private.
I completely agree with you, the mayor's thing should be left private. The problem I have is that it is not because they made it public by talking about it in a council meeting.
If you want something left private, then don't talk about it in a council meeting.
Mayor's health accident was talked about last week too.
I wish the mayor the best and his family too.
Me too, I hope the Mayor will be okay. We need him to keep Jim under control!
I have in the past disagreed with the Mayor and some of the Council of Commerce City. I think we have some major issues in our city.
But I do wish the Mayor the best when it comes to health.
wes, you really sound like you are going to run for office. Are you?
Stellattos Deli awarded economic incentives at city council last night. So hopefully will be at 104th and Chambers if all goes well.
too bad the deli guy last night didn't have the foster factor.
maybe he could have got what he was promised.
Congratulations to Alpine Waste, the CC Business of the year!
You got to love how city attorney has to tell council how to play nice. I guess city does have issues.
Thoughts and prayers to Natale and his family
Leave the mayor alone. He will be fine, he was able to run the meeting and is walking just fine. He is a tough guy. It is just simple back surgery. Nothing at all like what poor Tracey Snyder is still going thru. And China trip is soon too.
hope mayor is ok.
Dusty,
thanks for update on deli on 104th and Chmbers.
I would have been okay if city gave them the incentive they originally asked for. If it helps out a small business I think it would have been okay.
at least they got some incentive.
I am too all for helping out small businesses. But we have to be fair and give out the incentives equally.
This may not have always been the way things were handled in Commerce City. But it is the way things are done now.
Talk to any of the ole politicians and you will find out that Commerce City back in the ole days did have some "dealin" for certain businesses.
This is no longer the case. Too many people and Newsy types watching!
Should be nice to have a semi-grocery store in the North.
Hope all does go forward with Deli in the north.
Gateway News,
I heard that council members, or should I say SOME council members are wasting out tax dollars by booking trips and then not going, sticking the city with the bill. Maybe this is done with dinner events too. City pays for a table, and then some council don't even show up?
Can you verify and report back?
About time this comes to light! yes! Curious in Reunion is right on.
Didn't you hear...the China trip is off?!
It was said at the end of the council meeting Monday night.
Mayor said he is unable to risk his health situation on a long flight.
I was talking about NLC. I don't think city has purchased China tixs yet, regardless, if it is a legitimate reason, like health then that would be excusable.
Old Commerce City dealings for certain businesses. Really!!! How about the current Mile High Marketplace deal and several other "deals" where David Foster is always the lawyer. Give me a break. I wish we could back to the old days in Commerce City.
FROM WIKIPEDIA - "Most delicatessens in the United States have a sandwich menu, most of which are made to order behind the counter at the time of sale. Delicatessens sell cold cuts by weight and prepare party trays.
In addition to made-to-order sandwiches, many U.S. delicatessens offer made-to-order green salads. Equally common is a selection of prepared pasta, potato, chicken, tuna, shrimp, or other variety of "wet" salads, displayed underneath the counter and bought by weight or on a sandwich. Precooked chicken (usually in roasted and fried varieties), shrimp, cheese, or eggplant dishes, (possibly fried or parmigiana style) are found frequently, though they do not constitute the mainstay of a delicatessen.
In order to provide an opportunity for a complete meal, delicatessens also offer a wide variety of beverages, usually prepackaged soft drinks, coffee, teas, milk, etc. Chips and similar products are available in some variety, though they rarely rival the selection of small package cookies and snack foods; some pre-packaged, others store-made and cellophane wrapped."
SO A DELI IS NOT A GROCERY STORE! WE NEED A GROCERY STORE IN THE NORTHERN RANGE! If this was the case then we should have stopped building retail when Sonic showed up. Give me a break!
The China trip is off not because of the Mayor's health but because of extreme embarrassment because everyone in Adams County is laughing at Commerce City. If the China trip was so damn important then why doesn't Nanette Neelan go by herself or with another city council person or city staff member? Huh? Truth on this one probably really is hurting.
Hey deli people, we already have Sonic, Del Taco, Subway, China Red, Pizza Hut, Yum Asian Fusion, Dominos, Circle K, and 7 Eleven. We need a grocery store, not another sandwich. We also have Schwan and all the milk delivery companies that bring milk, eggs, cheese, butter, bagels, etc. Thank you anyway.
A real deli I think would be nice up here. A different place to get milk, eggs, bread.
Perhaps the deli guy can sell cheaper milk then the gas stations and we can create a milk price war!
CHEAP MILK FOR ALL!
No China trip is off because the the health of the mayor.
Not only are we the laughing stock in Adams County- folks it is across the metro area. The reason- City Council and the circus they are responsible for with the city manager. Starting with the house deal, than council's thought that anything will happen with China, then the thought that the city manager's trip to Germany means naything except pumping up Flannery's resume and Flannery getting a free long trip- yes we are a laughing stock. Ask city employees how well they are managed, and throw in how council is using the city funds- we need council to 'man up' and make the tough decisions to move forward.
China trip is only 2 -3 weeks away.
Who would you send??
Ms Snyder is not able to go.
Who would you send??
Could they even get the visa's and paper work ready in time.
I agree with Pro City, this was cancelled because of the mayor's health.
Some always want to try and make it more.
Old Commerce City deals!
Like the ex water board manager (Larry Ford )sending business to his son,(ex-mayor Sean Ford)while mayor, to keep his family afloat.
Just look at the facts. Sean Ford closed his business once dad was retired. No business, no one to send the jobs his way.
There is a lot of bones a rattling in River Run and it isn't a haunted house, but the skeletons in Mr Ford's closet coming to life.
Sadly more than Sean will be embarrassed by the facts as they come forth.
Re:China trip. ANY councilmember and ANY staff member could represent the city in China. The mayor position in Commerce City is the same as other councilmembers except for facilitating the meetings and being the ceremonial guy. Obviously it was not so important to go to China. Natale manuvered Ms. Snyder out of the trip at a council meeting.
Gateway News, please post a warning about the Walmart video! I stopped breathing I was laughing so hard. You guys need to go to Hollywood. This puts it all right into clear perspective. Everyone needs to find good people to run for city council and mayor next November and then get out and vote. We have a year fellow citizens, please consider helping.
Oh give me a break, you can get a passport overnite and you can get a visa in a week. This was not because of the mayor's health, it is just because the city's leaders are embarrassed. Once the city's leaders start telling the truth instead of spinning everything, we will all be so much better off. Just be honest! So is Nanette Neelan going, because she should, she has no health issues, if this trip was so darn important. Bet we don't get any answer fellow citizens. As usual.
Cartoon video is hilarious! Whoever you are, you guys are talented and provide much needed comic relief!
Your walmart video is too funny. sums up the entire issue in one 2 min brilliant sketch!
I also like the Wal-Mart funny video. Thanks for making me smile and laugh
I HAVE NOT LAUGHED THAT MUCH IN A LOOOOOOONG WHILE! Your Walmart video will go down in history! THANK YOU SO MUCH!~ TOO FUNNY. I LOVE IT!
I am disappointed the Gateway News would take the low road on an important issue such as sensitive business relations. Please understand that words actually mean something.
Please consider the situation.
More Gateway News, pleeeeease make more videos! you can do!
I am glad the everyone has something to make them laugh in this stressful time of waiting for walmart to actually come. Comic relief is a good thing.
After seeing the funny Wal-Mart video. I did laugh, but I wanted to say that the reason we have mixed signals is only because of the city. Wal-Mart never come out with any kid of a press release saying they were coming. These mixed messages are no ones fault but the city of commerce city!
I dont think the video of walmart is funny! sorry, I dont get it!
Great video on WAL MART I too have not laughed that hard in a long time. I watched 3 times so far. I find little details every time I watch it! Love the telephone busy signal. A true Classic.
Keep up the good work!
Dusty,
I LOVE IT! good job. What a funny thing. I want to encourage you to make more of them.
SCREW YOU PRO CITY! STOP WATCHING THE VIDEO AND BRING US A REAL GROCERY STORE!
you hit it right on the head Dustie. brilliantly done.
The comic rim shot, the busy signal and the laugh at the end were all spot on.
By the way for all you, the Wal-Mart corporation did not respond in the allowed ten days put forth by the city.
Oh Great I bet Bob is not thinking this is positive!
You hear the letter out loud and you can see how condescending and a**holish it really is.
We demand MORE CARTOONS!
I love the little actions the guy does in the walmart video.
I laughed so hard at the rim shot after the threat of city not honoring the 2007 tax incentive.
Take this scenario into consideration:
It is February 2011 and walmart is at council with a gold shovel saying they want to break ground. Are you honestly going to say that the city council would not jump on them and give them back the original incentive? If you do, then I have a bridge in San Fransisco I would like to see you.
Dustin,
I would like to buy you a beer. email me at dkeys@gmail.com
I say we all ignore the gatewaynews and not give them the power, that is what Commerce City city council does.
Where is your sense of humor Pro City 2.0 NEW AND IMPROVED?
I think what you meant to say was ignore the gatewaynews, like what the Commerce City council was instructed to do by city attorney Bob Gehler, right?
Citizens are much smarter then what you given them credit for.
OH DAMN! it is getting hot in here!
Archer
Gateway,
Forget Commerce City City Clowncil and the Pro Cities!
Look at your hit numbers and know your doing a great job.
gatewaynews youTube hits are totaling over 90K
We love the humor you bring, along with the great Photography and only important twitter updates.
Keep up the good work.
I see the humor, but also see this as a damned if you do damned if you don't.
Some say, city doesn't push enough.
Others say don't push you'll tick them off.
Some think you can just force a grocer to come.
Gateway- thank you for providing a safe place to express our ideas and feelings.
Dusty, can you please make more videos? The walmart one made me laugh the first time I saw it and laugh so hard I cried the second time I saw it.
please make more videos
to anonymous of damn if you do damn if you dont.
This situation is only damn of you dont. The city, both staff and elected officials have already said this was a done deal. It was said in the state of the city. Staff even gave out specific dates to going vertical.
Major mistake. Classic example of do not count your eggs until they hatch.
Bring a grocery store, a real grocery stare to the north and you will not be damned at all.
I am sure the city has learned a big lesson.
As far as the Gateway News, you are a loose canon and very unpredictable.
There have been two or more incidents of graffiti and one incident of stealing hub caps off of Highway #2 and 96th Ave. The graffiti was of a personal nature- Slut-Slut-Slut and Puta Madre (Your mother is a whore!) written on white families garage doors. There is no suggestion that this is gang related. But, it does seem racial. This is the fourth year in a row that white families on the same street and on the same day have suffered some kind of vandalism to their homes and cars.
If, you are home during the day time, keep your doors locked, take garage openers and valuables out of cars and unless you are outside keep your garage doors shut. As far as we know, these incidents are completely "blind sided." From time to time, we do have Hispanic families and children selling candy and cookies, etc at the door. If, you say, no, take the time to watch them leave safely.
Dear To be Honest,
Your suggestion that the city "bring" a grocery store to the north is admirable.
I have lived her 10 yrs (one of the first new homes).
I also know from talking, talking and talking to different council members over those 10 years, they have all worked long hard hours on this exact situation.
More than one developer has made huge deals, along with the city, to have things be frozen due to the down turn.
We ALL want a store, but the fact is you cannot force someone.
One developer offered to build the store.
Wanting doesn't make it happen. I am sure that every one that has been on council in the last 10yrs would have loved to been a part of that success!
I am also very close to the situation. When the State of the City was given by the Mayor in Commerce City, the Deal Breaker story had just hit everywhere. So the city decided that saying Walmart was coming would cool that off. A bad move in retrospect because people believed that Walmart was coming now. The city staff even had an article put in yourhub, titled COMMERCE CITY LANDS NEW SUPER WAL-MART. So city council, mayor and staff start just telling the truth and own up to your mistakes, especially in judgment. The citizens could start respecting you again if you made Flannery pay back the fraudulent $72k and start making house, tax, and insurance payments. It would be a start for sure.
Why is one of the deputy city managers (Mr Acre) driving a Porsche? Are our top city officials really that out of touch with the community they serve? I for one suggest they lose the car allowance.
So the Walmart announcement would 'cool off' the Deal Breaker?? It seems like it was more a diversion to focus the media on something besides the slimy truth. Council should be honest and think of the citizens first.
Why is there a car allowance for anyone? At my work we can get reimbursed on a per mile basis for actual miles driven. Why cana't that happen with the manager and the deputy managers?
Gateway- were bonuses given to city employees this year? Can you find out who got them and for how much?
A car or "car allowance" is typical in these levels of position of High End Administration.
The city of course went with a "car allowance" for this current city manager because the actual car did not work out with the last city manager as he had a challenge of driving sober. Thus, creating a liability for the city.
So the Commerce City council simply took the amount they paid per month for the last city manager for his Jeep and gave it as cash to this new city manager. This amount is around 800 plus dollars.
Note: The current city manager was getting a $350 per month for a car allowance at his prior employment in Arizona.
Commerce City Council felt the need to more then double it. Of course the current city manager being the way he is, did not question it. He just takes the money and laughs all the way to the bank.
Taxpayers lose out again. THANKS COMMERCE CITY COUNCIL!
Nice Archer!
very precise and great information.
do you know why a different council member could not go to China? Why cant the send Jason or Kathy Teter? Or send a different staff member, like Brittany?
Dusty any word on who might be running for the mayor position that is coming up next tear?
100- 200 dollars from 10,000 home owners in the north and we can build our own grocery store and begin to pay ourselves a dividend in 5 to 10 years.
Basically, we’re depending on wal-mart who purchased land but has “NEVER” committed to building a grocery store and most of us loathe shopping at wal-mart anyway.
Ugly truth is we need to annex into Denver or Brighton because CC has too much of a negative image and an amateurish government that will never take action to address the real problems.
A good example is “The Gateway News” it’s obviously the choice of the people however the city won’t give them business. -Is it because GN allows citizens to voice displeasure with the city?
Commerce City give gatewaynews business after deal breaker?!
Are you kidding?!
HEY GN,
Make more videos and I will send you business!
MORE VIDEOS PLEASE!
email me at dkeys@gmail.com
Video of Commerce City Ward 2 meeting of September 22nd
http://tinyurl.com/2e4sn5t
How come ward one doesn't have a video? or do they?
uppity Ward 2 gets video, but no video for ward one. Awkward!
Commerce City youth loses expensive game of ‘tag’ with Brighton Police Department...
http://tinyurl.com/2b78jqw
So I guess we are now a union city?
Sad day
A big Congratulations to Maria Gonzalez of Gonzalez Insurance Group for receiving the Pam Downs Lilac Award. A newly special award in the memory of Economic Department employee Pam Downs.
Dusty, how did you get the commerce city news segments on your websites?
Pro City 2.0,
Is it a RSS feed via HTML.
OKEY DOKEY HERE. I just read the October comments and decided that I would like to make some comments myself so here I go. I hope I feel better when I am done. First of all to Pro City 2.0, every single thing that anybody on city staff or city council does regarding the city and its TAXPAYER'S MONEY AND RESOURCES, which includes EVERYTHING is public knowledge. Also, Pro City 2.0, the Gateway News told the truth and the whole truth in Deal Breaker and good for you Gateway for uncovering the !@#$% that goes on with city staff and the city council. Even the Denver Post editorial board congratulated the Gateway News and Channel 9 for uncovering all the corruption. Just because city council refuses to do the right thing, it will never change the fact that Flannery is a fraudulent thief and city council just keeps pandering to him. And Pro City 2.0, you sound like you are in high school. Grow up and act professional or at least try to.
Gateway News, can you get the IP address of Pro City and Pro City 2.0? If they are either staff or elected officials,it appears you could sue the city for that comment about "not doing business with you" after you published a story, namely "Deal Breaker". That would be an absolute form of retaliation. I think they have forgotten who they are. They represent the taxpayers. That would be illegal. Please post back on this blog if you would like my assistance. I am an attorney who follows your blog and would like to help you with this. Personally I am exhausted by the management of Commerce City.
Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture your heart.
-an old indian saying
Adams County News & Views...Exposing Adams County, Colorado's Culture of Corruption...
http://tinyurl.com/27825ls
Commerce City Council member Rene Bullock Receives NLC’s Highest Leadership Training Honor...
http://tinyurl.com/2cphkk9
Congratulations to Mr. Bullock on achieving the NLC's highest level of Diamond Leadership training. This takes years to do.
Good Job Rene!
See Bullock got trained in US, why did CC CM have to go to Germany? Was it a treat trip?
Yes, sounds good, but all one has to do is sign up for the class to get the credit.
No attendance, no tests. No proof you were there.
I know someone on council from a neighboring city. They opened my eyes to how NLC works.
Unfortunately you are right. It is real easy to do. NLC "training" is more of a formality.
You still have to go through all the training. I think it is great that Council member Bullock took the initiative to actually do it.
Everyone is always so negative. JEEZ!
NLC is a lot like CML
10% real purpose 90% BullSh*t
I would like to start a positive trend of Shopping locally here in Commerce City. I would like to see if anyone would like to help me.
Is anyone interested?
Reference: Shop in CC
Shop in CC????
Let's see: If I shop in CC , I may get ticketed on my way because I'm a US citizen going 3 mph over limit while those without a license are ignored because too much paperwork and the person won't show up anyway.
or
I may get hit by a person without a license or insurance.
or
I can support building another park or printing in a foreign language for those who shouldn't be here.
or
I can just continue to circumnavigate CC until we get people on council that give a damn.
We need a new city council or to separate from from CC!!!!
Funny how nothing has changed yet there are no more recall attempts
I guess it's about needing money more than improving a city.
We're not idiots
It is very likely Walmart will build soon or another grocery retailer. This is a great time to build a store given the cost of construction would be way less than what it would have been before the the economic situation. The store will make money at some point in the future but the reduced up front costs make it possible. King Soopers and Safeway are building or remodeling stores right now in other parts of the metro area. If a retailer builds, it will be because AND ONLY BECAUSE the numbers and timing are right for them. The City Manager and Council will have NOTHING to do with it AT ALL. please stop making it their responsibility and there will be no credit to be given, but I am sure the CM and City Council will tell us all up here in the "wastelands" it is because of their doing. GET REAL ABOUT IT! if they couldn't get them to build when the economy was good with "incentives" then how could they "get" them to do it now. It will be built when the retailer decides it is time to build.
On another subject - I heard that one of the City Managers (not sure which one of the 4) is driving a Porsche to work these days. Wow I guess it sucks to be a poor civil servant these days - don't they have any common sense at all, if you are going to get overpaid or have a totally bogus job your not even qualified for, at least you shouldn't flaunt it - these guys are bright - NOT!
Is it just me?? I just reviewed the Council Agenda for Monday night. One item deals with public participation for the long range financial plan for the city. Folks, staff is preferring that council get input during council meetings? When is council ever listening (except for David Foster) to people during council meetings? And the current financial status of the city will be handed out during the meeting- how does that help those of us who work Monday nights? I don't think staff/council want public input or to provide public information.
Curious in Reunion.
The point was, you don't have to do training.
You just have to register to take the course>
Nothing done to prove you even attended the class, or do the training and you still get the credit!!
I've seen the porsche. It it is older. Nice condition, but definately older.
In fact I bet you can't buy ANY new car for it's value.
so let me get this straight. The taxpayers are paying for one of the Commerce City City Managers to have a Porsche?
What a poor move. Is it not known to staff and council that image is everything.
Did he get the car from Germany as a gift from Flannery?
Thank you for explaining. I understand now.
Fifteen years after Shell Oil Company and the U.S. Army began a massive, $2.1 billion cleanup at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, one of the most contaminated Superfund sites in the United States, the Army is getting ready to hand over the last of its cleaned parcels to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday October 15th, 2010
I am not informed on all the ins and outs of Commerce City like a bunch of you are. But I do know how to search the Internet and I found this video. It needs to seen by all the residents of Commerce City. It in almost a year and half old and it is by the Gateway News. It goes to show you that politicians and completely full of HOT AIR, the city staff, mainly the economic department has completely failed and I am upset, I am down right upset! I see why people are frustrated. I also see what a complete WASTE of time and money consultants are.
I am not against the city or hate the city I am just so disappointed on a complete lack of results. This city staff and council is a complete failure.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrnaR-PqETk
Thank you for letting me have a place to vent.
Interesting that the Finance Director used only negative examples of a public recommendation committee for Fiancial plan for Commerce City. Aurora has a long functioning committee that could be used as a model.
https://www.auroragov.org/AuroraGov/Government/Boards_and_Commissions/CitizensAdvisoryBudgetCommittee/index.htm
First no public vote on collective bargaining, now the recommendation for a limited role for the public in the finances of the city- whose city is this?
Why do we care what the city employees drive. If they worked hard and made something out of themself,then great, isn't that the american dream. Sounds like some people are just jelious. Yes it is taxpayers money. Only till the employees receive it in a paycheck then it is theirs to do whit what they want.
Funny, I had heard the NLC rumors also.
I was told some of the council members never attend the classes the sign up for, only do it to look good. Some consider it their vacation.
Some bring their kids etc. and site see the major part of the trip.
Even heard at least one council person left D.C. went to a state away to site see, all the while the city paid their hotel and daily meal reembursments.
Gotta love it!
Hey Pro City and Pro City 2 who are you? You both obviously either work for the city of Commerce City, or are elected officials or a family member of the above. You obviously will never lose your job or lose your position so you have nothing to be afraid of, unlike the rest of us that are subjected to unrelenting bully like retaliation. So fess up, who are you? Gateway News, I hope you can find out by IP addresses who these two are.
Dusty the video of Reflections: Ronald Reagan is great. Thanks for posting.
Great History on the Refuge! Good Job!
I see the CCED release a article on City’s strategic plan in place and working via the gateway news site.
I have just one question.
What business, besides cummins has the city brought here. I can name about 6 that left, like 7-11 on Quebec and Gas station at triangle in Derby. 2 more have left in derby also,
New Business who have just moved into Commerce City include:
Estilos Hair Studio 6065 S Quebec St #A
Hourglass Management 7281 E 54th Pl
Efleetdirect 7277 E 54th Pl C
Sensational Sunless Mobile Tans 15501 E 112th Ave 33B
RSR Custom Painting & Remolding 9752 Joliet Cr
Amber’s Daycare 13941 E 104th Dr
Prestige Auto Recon 6908 E 53rd Pl
Rainbow Center 7191 Holly St
Lorenzos Concrete Service 5358 Magnolia St
All Wright Mobile 7150 E 67th Pl
Red Dog Veterinary Relief Svc &
Change Real Estate 16360 Fairway Dr
WOW! what a list PRO CITY!
We just be Movin' on up!
Let me know when a Kings or Walmart comes.
Until then, keep you positive spin crap to yourself and City staff. Over paid no results think people are stupid, everything is positive BS!
I don't know who to vote for, I guess I will vote for US Senator "Buckett". There.
Can we please have a complete list of all the businesses in Commerce City that have closed or left Commerce City since Flannery came? It is a lot longer than the stupid list that Pro City just posted of ridiculous businesses that no one would go to anyway. Bet everyone of those businesses on that list are gone in six months to a year. Lets watch together.
To comment about Why do we care what the city employees drive. If they worked hard and made something out of themself,then great, isn't that the american dream. Sounds like some people are just jelious. Yes it is taxpayers money. Only till the employees receive it in a paycheck then it is theirs to do whit what they want.
We care because it is the tax payers money paying for these ungodly car allowances, secondly, they did not "make something out of themselves" that would take results and there are no results. Look at actual dollars coming in numbers today from 5 years ago, look at the laughing stock of Adams County we have become. Look at the mayor announcing that wal-mart is a done deal and then never shows up. Look at all the city lawsuits piling up. Look at the employees of the city all sudden wanting to unionize. What a sad city we live in.
I can hear it now, YOU ARE NEGATIVE, YOU NEED TO LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE, YOU NEED TO BE POSITIVE, LOOK AT ALL THE GREAT THINGS GOING ON.
You said it Wes, a bunch of BS!
There are 2 types of people, those who complain and those who contribute to a betterment or a solution.
We all of the choice of what type of person you want to be.
Can Pro City please give us the address and full name of the business that is listed as
"Red Dog Veterinary Relief Svc &"?
I want to go visit all of these new businesses myself and see how it helps me with my shopping needs in northern Commerce City. I can at least be fair and give them all a try. Not sure if I need a tan or a hairstyle but I will give it an honest try.
I agree Pro City 1.0 and 2.0 are clearly "plants" by City and are employees that are probably high ups in the City Managers Department. Some time ago they were asked on this blog to tell us the selection process for Flannery to go to Germany Fellowship. They were asked if he was chosen or applied (obviously applied). Asked how many he was chosen from (we hear the program only takes 4 a year but only 3 applied)and they were warned facts could be proven. did they respond - NO!
Those 6 businesses they said came to Commerce City - WOW that should all be worth six or seven jobs and maybe $1,000 a year in tax collection - this should be split up between the 4 (that's right 4 City managers) so they can all drive a Porshe.
If you ask any City Employee about the Manager driving the Porsche (my neighbor in the north is an employee and so is one of their in-laws) they will tell you he is probably one of the worst performing and unqualified employees in the history of the City - go ahead ask the employees they will tell you if they feel safe to speak without fear of retaliation from the Great Flannery.
Gateway why don't you ask the employees what they think about Flannery and his team of managers or has the union forming effort already answered that question?
Gateway,
I love the cartoons and the coverage on the arsenal.
Do you guys know why the Commerce City mayor would not come to this historic event?
That is why the city has a Mayor PROTEM.
Wonderful Photos. I feel like I am there.
To Pro City and Pro City 2.0
What would you change in the city government?
I would love to hear from Pro City as he seems to know all the answers
also, pro city 2.0,
What would you change in the city government?
Rouge,
Listening to council meetings. The mayor has cut back on a lot of meetings as he is having back problems.
Mayor Protem has been steping in where she can.
The mayor of Commerce City did not show up at the Arsenal event? Is this true?
How wunderful for the citizens of Commerce City! First of all we find out that there really isn't anything wrong with the Mayor after all. Such wunderful news. Then we find out that the city is hiring a risk manager. Wow, that is wunderful for the city to manage their risk as they are in a really risky situation in nearly every department. And the most wunderful news, the city is buying their OWN ladders! No more having to use your own ladder citizens. Wow. A wunderful night.
To Mr. Tinkleberry, of finance in Commerce City. Of course you do not need any consultant to help with your jobs in long range planning or budgeting. Don't let anyone tell you that you do. We all know you can do your job. And besides you don't want to be included on the long list of people who have hired consultants for the city that cost the taxpayers millions of dollars and absolutely nothing, I do mean nothing, was ever accomplished by any of them. Good move Tinkleberry. And can someone from the city tell us taxpayers out here what the total cost of all consultants hired since Flannery came on is?
Congratulations to the citizens of Reunion! So we do not get a grocery store, so they are planning a community garden. A big one over by Landmark Academy. I love it. So note to City of Commerce City Manager and ED Director, you can take a deep breath, cause we don't need you anymore. And we will put the cows and chickens and goats in the fields over by Flannery's (oops OUR) house. It is our house you know, so I believe we can have our animals in the field by it, right?
natale has brought our city to a new low.
Pro City 1.0 and Pro City 2.0 would change the City Manager. This is because they are both obviously high in the City organization and would love to have the top dog job and would do anything to get it,I have heard through the community grapevine in the north that the Porsche driver likes to tell everyone that he sees himself in the job once Flannery is finally fired by the City Council.
Would someone please tell Mayor Natale that he looks like a bum running the meetings without a tie or suit? Totally disrespectful.
It's easy to see if those in question maybe the people you think they are. just compare something written by a member of council or whomever and compare it to what's written in the blogs by those in question.
while it's not a finger print it can lead to creative thinking...
I personally would love it if our city officials could openly speak their minds as a "private citizen" on their personal time without retribution.
I am with Jimmy, the rent is too damn high!
Long time Commerce City Resident Lois Kimmes past away last night. Thoughts and Prayers go to her family and friends.
Why did ACSD 14 have the students apologize? There would be no reason to make those kids go to the council and apologize. What are these people thinking?
I agree you can tell who is writing some of the blogs by their writing style.
My observation is that many of those written by the "annonymous" title, are the same person.
They just write over and over to infer that lots of people dislike the same things.
I am no dope.
It is obvious.
Can you say sour grapes.
Can the Gateway News please post Mayor Natale's "State of the City" speech in 2008. It is not available on the Commerce City website.
Thank you.
Sour Grapes, I agree
Number of City Staff making 6 digits in Commerce City is TOO DAMN HIGH!
Join me in the City Staff making 6 digits in Commerce City is TOO DAMN HIGH campaign!
City Manager salary for not doing anything in Commerce City is to damn high!
To comment about "Why did ACSD 14 have the students apologize?"
I agree with you 100%.
Gateway,
Citizens Happy=More of your cartoon videos!
please.
I also agree that "sour grapes" are a major reason why some of the people are upset.
But now you need to ask yourself why there are sour grapes.
Lets start by promising that the Wal Mart was a done deal and then not having it come.
Lets the development that is suppose to come with the promise of passing the bond to widen 104th.
Lets look at giving the city manager 72,000 for a house in Arizona that he made a profit on and valuation of a house that he has not even bought yet.
Lets look at city staff driving around in cars that are way above their pay grade as far as results.
Lets look at how the council looks as far as complete lack of accountability and being afraid of the city lawyer.
Yeah, I guess your right, there are plenty of sour grapes to go around.
I am glad to hear the mayor is going to be okay. So is the China trip back on?
Hey "anonymous writing about "anonymous" being the same person pretending to be many but actually the same. Do you mean like you Pro City 1.0 now pretending to be "anonymous"?
Sour grapes...
Many were misled by Walmart reference them applying for building permits, staff, council and citizens. Were assumptions made, probably, but reasonably as the permits were applied for.
Developement along 104th? I too voted for the tax continuation, with the widening of the road. Who could determine the economic downturn that affected the entire nation? You???
What anyone else drives is none of your or my business.
I learned a long time ago, people make their own priorities. Some spend on tickets to sports, money I would never spend. Some people save, others trips. I have been broke and I have had a little extra, none of that is my neighbors or coworkers business. The staff is paid what they are paid, if you don't like it run for a position.
Councils change, management changes and there will ALWAYS be people who don't like change, therefore SOUR GRAPES.
Dont just talk.... do the walk. Run for a seat and work.
WHAT A CITY EMPLOYEE DRIVES SURE IS MY BUSINESS IF I AM PAYING FOR IT. WHY THE HECK DOES A CITY EMPLOYEE NEED A CAR ALLOWANCE ANYWAY? IN OTHER CITIES ONLY THE MANAGER HAS A CAR ALLOWANCE. AND THE COMMERCE CITY MANAGER DRIVES SOME OLD NISSAN AND POCKETS THE CAR ALLOWANCE ANYWAY. WHAT A CHEAT.
You know that SNL skit where they keep using the word REALLY, well I want to say to Pro city 1, 2, 3, 4, or whoever you are, I guess anonymous now because of the IP address threat, REALLY, REALLY, we already know who you are.
Hey, I'm an "anonymous" and I am not connected to anyone and am not pretending to be many people! I bet I'm not the only one.
Have you voted yet? This election is so important to home owners, school districts and those that service our communities. There is so much political propaganda coming to individual voters through negative T.V., flyers and phone calls paid for by local and international special interest groups that a person just needs to take a step back to think things out.
Property owners are on the decrease in School District's #14 and 27J. Since 2000, our population has doubled with the arrival of new immigrants. The majority of new immigrants do not purchase property nor homes; they rent. Annual increases on personal property are currently "capped at the rate of inflation plus a measure of local growth, such as, student enrollment in the case of a school district." (2010 State Ballot Information Booklet.) New immigrants arrive with two goals to get American jobs and give birth, thus, the burden of continued population growth and an increase in property taxes has been fully placed on property owners. And, in these next ten years, that will only double. It is property owners that bear the burden of paying for the roads, police and fire services that immigrants benefit from. The Superintendent of 27J School District said they had 600 new students this year and expect 1,000 new student in 2011. Hence, for this next year our property taxes will just continue to go up and up. If, Colorado wants to continue to be a sanctuary State that is their decision but property owners should not have to pay for their decision. As you read your 2010 State Ballot Booklet, keep in mind that both local and state government are using Colorado Citizens as a credit card for the future. Somewhere, we need to take responsibility and be able to vote on those that come into our state illegally and vote to stop all these free services given for health care and child birth.
Yesterday, I was given an RTD flyer. Previous RTD board members have taken a trip to China, taken expensive vacations and given themselves a $1.3 million lump sum pension payout. So, while the taxpayers are asked to continue to pay higher taxes, their money is just being used to enrich certain individuals who can just vote money away from the taxpayers. Why, are we paying our taxes only to have some board members or city council members benefit certain individuals?
Finally, a 16 yr. Victims' Advocate from Adams Co. Sheriff's Office has been caught on camera using Victim's gift cards for her own groceries and cigarettes for months. This kind of abuse of office has been going on in this Sheriff's department for years. Particularly within this Victim Advocate group. If, she had not been caught on camera, it probably would not have gone to court. There have been years of cover-ups that have occurred within the Adams Co Sheriff's Office such as using training money for guests and family vacations, like RTD. It is time to clean things up in Adams Co. Sheriff's Office.
The senator Bucket cartoon is funny. Too bad I hate both on the fore runners running for Colorado senator. I will most likely vote for Buck.
For Governor I am going to vote for Tancredo, I do not trust Maes.
I will vote for Doug Darr and Larry Pace, nothing there to fix. I will a BIG NO on the bad three.
love the blog Gateway, keep up the nice work.
Charolette, Reunion, COMMERCE CITY
Estelle, How do you figure these are all immigrants? I am not saying that maybe some are, but you make it sound like they all are?
Are these thoughts backed up by any facts or statistics?
I hears a rumor that the Eagle Creek subdivision which is in Adams 14 was trying to break away and become part of School District 27J. Any truth to this, and if so, why?
Dusty, I would think it would be beneficial to everyone if you had some type of basic knowledge of the area. I still think many people do not know which school district they live in. Mush less that all of us live in a special GID district.
I read some of the comments and I get lost. I am not in the know about a lot of the issues and people. I know the city manager is Jerry Flannery and we have some other city managers too. I don't even know my council member representative.
Just a thought. I think it would help a lot of us who are not in the know.
Rogue,
Thank you for the idea. Let me give some thoughts on how to exactly accomplish this.
Anyone with ideas would be welcome.
Dustin, Gateway News
If Eagle Creek wants a divorce from Adams 14 its probably because under President Lewis' watch, that dist. has become one of the worst in the State. Its a mess. Kids hate their new high school. So sorry for kids and parents of dist. but cannot blame Eagle Creek for wanting a better education for their children.
Ryland, everything that I write is thoroughly documented. I served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the C3 Vision and Comprehensive Plan and I use the Internet for School statistics which anyone can do. In the Northern Range we all receive the 27J Newspaper. I watch City Council meetings on Channel 8 because I can not stand to sit and listen to it in person. The real work of city council is done behind the scenes and away from citizen input. I feel these meetings are just staged for the T.V. camera. I have the full copies of the Angelou Economic study and much of that information is now from 2007 and 2008. 53% to 63% of our current population is now Hispanic. All of this population moved into CC from the year 2000 when we had a population of 20,000. The Northern Range added about 8,000 between 2001 and 2008. These children except Eagle Creek all attend 27J School District. Our current population is 48,000 which leaves 20,000 new immigrants since 2000. This can all be verified by statistics given in the three studies completed for CC.
Adams City High School has the highest teenage birth rate in Colorado about 33 per year. (Remember when we were in school and it was about one or two pregnancies a year?) All low income births are supplemented and/or paid for by your taxes and then these children are supplemented by free health care and food programs through High School. All low income residents use free hospital services as their primary care giver that in one case in our district cost that hospital district 17 million a year to provide. I have not read the latest census report but would like to get a copy. I sometimes do weeks of home work on what I have to say. So, that everything, I say, is in writing some where.
We are not currently working on trying to get the Eagle Creek School District changed because of lack of interest in the petition about 50% of our community does not speak and/or read English and they do not vote so they can not sign a petition. The reason for starting to get a petition was because the Adams #14 School District was one of the poorest rated schools in Colorado for graduation rates. If, you have children in Eagle Creek you can go to the school of choice and use Open Enrollment. But, even that will not be available in the coming years as 27J is reaching capacity. My fear is that if Eagle Creek does not petition soon it will lose the opportunity in the future just on the Bond issues alone. With the new build out, Eagle Creek will forever be the step-child in the Northern Range.
The Gateway News will put together a Commerce City 101 or Commerce City for Dummies. Thank you for asking and we will list the school districts and boundries and city council wards and boundries and city council members and staff. Thank you for pointing this out. We sometimes do not see the forest for the trees. You made a good point. Watch for this on the website right after the election is over. Kathy, Editor Gateway News
I think basic information about the city and surrounding area would be good. Maybe a new resident, what you need to know video. A welcome to the area here is what we are.
Adams County Treasurer Diane Christner will not face criminal charges?
Looks like the Dems look out for each other!
Estelle,
I like your view on Eagle Creek, so true. Also, Eagle Creek is going to have a major issue when it comes time to widening HWY2. I think some of those houses that were brilliantly planned to be built so close to the highway will have to be removed. Or there is going to be some fancy engineering. Either way it is a big mess.
Thanks for the explanation Estelle. I think we have more problems in the city then a lot of us would like to actually admit.
I love the Commerce City Staffs approach of passing the buck on doing a crappy job. What is that you ask? Setting up all these citizen groups. They can't get the job done so they try to sucker the citizens to start a citizens group to put the blame back onto them. Latest one is the economic citizen group. Be smart people dont become a pawn of the city staff. dont get involved in the city staffs BS of trying to pass the buck off onto someone else.
You say the city staff is the best in the world, well, lets see it. you say that the city manager is the best in the world and e deserves the outrageous gifts we bestowed upon him. Well, let see it. SHOW me the results. As far as I see there is nothing going on.
To end it, what kind of a city would put out in its state of the city that walmart is coming when they didnt even know for sure. So SO SO SO SO very stupid.
So go ahead Commerce City staff and elected officials, try to pass the buck, get all the citizens to get on these stupid little boards to take the pressure off you. Better yet, if a citizen complains, just tell them to run for office!
Well, I am sick of it. I do not want to run for office, I want my city government to be competent and able to know what is right and what is wrong. Like if the citizens are paying for your car, don't be driving around in a Porsche, especially when so many are having a hard time with trying to find a job. You are ridiculous and make no mistake, people are noticing and yes they are talking. You are quickly becoming the laughing stock of not only Adams county but the entire area.
Your a joke, you are like the Yankees, your an expensive BUST!
Council will say in a council meeting that the staff is so good, they are doing a wooooonderful job. I would like to hear examples. I see Pro City is out trying to spin any and everything. The list of new businesses is a joke when the list of businesses that went out of business is twice as long!
Wake up citizens, don't put up with bad government because you feel you have to.
Lastly, dont fall for the city staff when they ask you to be on one of their many pass the buck committees. Let them do their job by themselves.
Core Comments
you feel better core comments?
I understand why Core Comments is so upset. But I would have a different view on citizens getting involve in their local politics. The city is all of us. We will do much better if we all worked together. It is not just a select few that have the power to get these done. We all have the power. Yes you can disagree with the way things are done. I for one understand the the sweet heart deal with the city manager is wrong on many levels. I also disagree with the letter sent to wal-mart's Mr. Rogers. But we need to work together, a city is nothing but people. A city is all of us.
Whatever CORE COMMENTS! so what do we do, fire jerry and go back to greg? Is that what would make you happy! Maybe we could go back to perry?
Check out the new look for Derby, all new landscape! New Signs!
no new businesses, OH WELL!
please put perry or greg back, cut our losses
Commerce City needs a cultural center type place like the Brighton Armory.
Bottom Line, there is nothing to do in Commerce City. You want to make Derby cool. Bring back the roller rink or Bowling. Maybe even an Ice Rink.
Anything fun for residents to do.
Area is Blighted, right? So why cant we get some kind of grants.
Take the consultant money the Commerce City spends and make some kind of a attractive cultural center like the Brighton Armory.
It could be a focal point in Derby instead of El Jardin!
The comment about nothing to do in Commerce City is very true. Same goes for the Northern Range. Unless you live in Reunion the kids have no where to go. City needs to make Rec Center or something fun for the residents to do. Right now it is down right depressing.
We hear all the time how great financial shape the city is in, so why not spend a little to make life better. Is it not the city's motto "quality community for a lifetime"
Maybe, city could start a committee, that should make Core Comments happy.
But seriously, I would make places for the residents to play as one of the priorities in the city's business.
See I got lost again reading the blog. Who is greg? and who is perry? I know who jerry is.
To Rogue:
Perry is the last hired commerce city manager, you can go to CBS Channel 4 and research him.
Greg is the guy within the city that was the interim city manager, when Commerce City council got rid of Perry and were searching for Jerry.
core comments, why are you so mad? you sound like sour grapes. Why can't the city get the people involved? Other cites do this.
Things for Commerce City Kids to do.
This is why Commerce City needs a boys and girls club. Of all the places I am shocked Commerce City has not gotten it together to come up with a boys an girls club.
Really sad!
There's plenty for the kids in the north to do. examples:
1. They can walk to rec cnter in south cc.
2. They can walk to skate park in south cc.
3. They can walk to the nice ball fields in south cc.
4. They can walk to the soccer fields in south cc.
the list goes on and be sure to thank your ward person for allowing them these oppotunities.
Gateway: Great Adams County Voter Guide! It gave us a chance to read about all of the candidates in one place. Its like HD newspaper!
How come Gehler doesn't get a house or a car? At least he has some real education? NOT FAIR!
http://commercecity.civicweb.net/FileStorage/6B842855179E4F51BDDE6E4E0AEE469B-IA%20R%202010-64%20Agreement.pdf
New rec center, approx 50 million dollars.
City in good shape, yes, but as everything it is realative. They can pay their bills, pay staff, no layoffs, but the budget has to be carefully watched.
Doesn't anyone out their budget.
Does everyone just spend with no plan?
Other cities have cut positons, cut services, some are cutting hours they are open, so compared our city is in better finanacial shape.
I'd love a new rec center, but not ready to pay more taxes are you?
City and state government is not the endless deep pockets that can cover all of the citizens wants and dreams....that's only the Feds!
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