General Issues January, 2011

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

231 comments:

1 – 200 of 231   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

Intimidation at South Adams County Water is going on.
Employees told us that board member Larry Ford is telling employees that they had "better support his son Sean for mayor....or else".
Not fair, nor right, and of course it will be denied.
Hopefully the employees will remember that they're vote can't be traced and vote THEIR conscience.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Gateway! Love the format!

Archer said...

Corruption at SACWSD! When did start happening?!?!?!?!?!

Gary Pratts, A PROUD REPUBLICAN said...

What will happen if we dont vote for FORD? Will the water district make our water harder and taste even worse then it is now?

Anonymous said...

is sean ford running for mayor?

Deannie S., Reunion, CO said...

I live in Reunion and have a question about why the city does not plow or at least put down the salt solution on all the roads.

Does anyone know why>

Wes, northern range said...

to Deannie S.

Commerce City will plow the emergency routes and that is all. A lot of cities follow this type of format.

Hyde said...

Larry Ford is telling employees that they had "better support his son Sean for mayor....or else"

or else what? They will make the water harder

Belle Creek Observer said...

Corrupt Water District! CALL B. MAASS NOW!

Dustin, Gateway News said...

The Gateway News now equipped with updated new video equipment promises to make 2011 even better. Thank you again to all you how have made this YouTube idea a success. It was an idea that was brought to me 3 years ago by a member of the Gateway News Japanese Crew in Osaka. Being a photographer, I was hesitant about getting into videos. Now seeing that in just 2 years we have accumulated over 100,000 uploads (not including the vimeo account), I am ecstatic about the decision to do videos. Please, anyone with a video idea please let us know via our contact info on www.gatewaynews.org ... In case your interested my top 3 favorite videos are…. Mr. Jones at city council, The Commerce City little Eagles Football team go undefeated, and of course, the 2009 Veterans Day Parade.

Anonymous said...

Not suprised about L. Ford.
I would figure he'll pull out everything he has to try and get Sean elected again.
Daddy has always taken care of him, this isn't new.
I just feel bad for the employees who will feel Fords pressure.

THE OLD GUARD said...

"Intimidation at South Adams County Water is going on."

Anyone who knows anything know this is just a bunch of bull!

It is just a ploy by those who don't want Ford back as the mayor.

Wonder who that could be?

gina, commerce city said...

the larry ford thing is not true. sorry folks.

We ain't that stupid. you have to wake up a lot earlier then that!

Anonymous said...

Well I heard a similar story, so maybe where there is smoke there is fire.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it a little early to be spreading lies and propaganda about future candidates? The election is 10 months away, they are not running for President or the U.S. Senate or even the State Senate or House (although I think some of them might think they are). When are all of you folks going to figure out that the Mayor's position is no more powerful than the other 8 Council members and that a City Council position in a strong City Manager/ weak Mayor system (used by 99% of cities in the country)is really just a formality. The City manager runs the City as it should be (an educated and experienced professional in government). Unfortunately, you should all be more concerned with who the City Manager is and not the Mayor or Council. So when you vote, vote for candidates who are willing to hire an experienced professional as a City manager and candidates who will value the experience, knowledge, and skills of a truly qualified City Manager,which we should only need one and not 3 of(Pro City please do not say one City manager and two Deputies - it is still 3 people with the words "City Manager" in their title and it costs us tax payers over $300,000 a year for the two extra and unnecessary managers).

Happy New Year to all and hope for some positive change in 2012.

Anonymous said...

More car allowances for Mr Flannery's friends. Apparently Mr Flannery is up to his old tricks again- this time it involves personnel contracts of his "friends" who he has hired. When he hired Brittany Morris and Mizraim Cordero, he gave them special "perks" for their employment. These perks are not available to anyone else at the city and are not part of the HR procedures and policies that the city has set up. Its hard to imagine that during the worst economic downturn this city has ever faced, that Mr Flannery has decided to disregard all standards and rules and do what he wants for his friends. Gateway- could you get a copy of these employement agreements? I'm sure the citizens and workers of this city would be interested to see what Mr Flannery continues to do for his friends and not do for the city at large.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I am more concerned with talk that Sean is trying to help bring in a marijuana business to our city.
I understand he is working with someone who doesn't intend to locate where the zoning allows. I heard Sean is going to try for a variance, with the help of some on the council.
I don't want a marijuana business near our homes or schools.
This is a much bigger concern to me.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to the Gateway News for their over 100,000 you tube views! Can't wait to see more new videos! Thank you Gateway News and Dustie McIntyre for all the awesome memories in the videos. You rock!

Anonymous said...

Yes. We absolutely know who started this Water District rumor. This is simply and totally not true. We can expect more of the same as the year goes on.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Gateway News on your You Tube Hits and also on the number of hits you receive on your Gateway website.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Larry Ford is one of the most beloved people to have ever lived in Commerce City. The people who started this lie will be out of office soon. I personally have no doubt that Sean Ford will be the new Mayor of Commerce City. He'll win by a landslide. The city really moved when he was Mayor before.

In the Know said...

bring in a marijuana business to our city?

I know that after the new marijuana regulations have taken effect that most of the little shops folded. I think that medical marijuana will most likely stay in the Denver area, NOT Commerce City or Brighton. I do not think we have anything to worry about as far as this rumor.

Wes, northern range said...

early for campaigning. But I would like to see some of the hard hitting questions come out this year.

Curious in Reunion said...

gateway news,
any other "chatter" about other mayor candidates?

Ollie, Commerce City, CO said...

First thing. congrats to gateway on video milestone.

Second, now that we have entered a new year. I think it is a good time that the current Commerce City council to come up with some realistic city wide goals for 2011. It will be a good start to a year that is a last for some of the common council names that we have grown to know and love.

Team NANE said...

I take it we are down one city manager, right?

And unfortunately it was the only good one we had and that is the truth folks!

It would be nice to have someone given Neelan the recognition that she deserves t the next council meeting.

Lets at least show some class by thanking someone for putting up with all of our city politics.

Anonymous said...

Know of any dry-cleaners in Commerce City? The one by JK Caffe and the one in Derby are closed.

Anonymous said...

Dusty, please find out if Morris and Cordero are getting perks other employees in their class are not getting. if this is true, Flannery is out of control again and the Council does nothing as usual.

Anonymous said...

sounds like we mostly get people hard up for money running for mayor in this city. Isn't that the guy people blogged lost his money in some apartments in south cc.
also metioned were others who purchased homes they couldn't afford and lost them.
was any truth to either??

Anonymous said...

Dusty, don't stop at checking out employment perks and agreements that are not eligible to other employees or employees higher in the organization than Morris and Cordero, you should really start with the qualifications or perhaps lack thereof for the positions they hold and while you are at it you might ask the City Manager to justify the existence of the positions at all. I think the only answer he could give is that when I have two deputy managers an ED Director and Manager (for a department of 4 employees) and an inter-governmental manager (although I am still looking for stuff for him to do)I really don't have to do anything at all except cash my big check and live in my free house for now.

Anonymous said...

It would be sad if someone who cannot pay his own way, is put into place to run our city.
I think much of what happened when he was mayor was inspite of him, not because of him. The times were good as far as housing, therefore taxes etc brought money in.
Is he still unemployeed, & on welfare? That isn't someone I want leading our city, but that is just me.

Anonymous said...

Wow, $250,000 for technology at the new Commerce City Civic Center and the microphones don't work for the city council meeting tonight. and you gotta love the big empty council chambers. wonder why no one attends the meetings anymore, not even the city manager Flannery. Guess no one cares or if they do they know their mayor and councilmembers don't care so what is the point of going. So sad. One city manager and mayor can ruin a city in such a short time.

Anonymous said...

So the City of Brighton is having their state of the city soon. When will Commerce City have theirs? I am soooo excited since last year in the State of the City 2010, Mayor Natale stated as a fact that Walmart was coming, can't wait to see what fairy tales will be woven into the 2011 State of the City. So much excitement yet to come.

NO TO MM said...

I have to say, Comm. City has done a great job on keeping the medical marijuana establishments out of the city limits. I wish they will continue on this course of action.

Leave those types of establishments to Denver!

Nacny C., Comm. City

Anonymous said...

Where is the current issue of City Lights? Did anyone else get it in their mailbox? Maybe we just got skipped this time?

Anonymous said...

VOTE FOR SEAN FORD FOR MAYOR OR NASCAR WILL COME BACK.

PRO CITY said...

Commerce City Department Director Interview with Roger Tinklenberg
Director of Finance!

http://www.c3gov.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=644

Anonymous said...

Flannery has mad a mockery of this City Council from the get go with his $50,000 office remodel in a new building just weeks after he started. then there was the House scandal in which he essentially swindled the Council and tax payers out of $72,000 in cash, next we hear of federal law suits concerning his discriminatory and unprofessional comments to staff and now we hear him trying to take credit for ED projects that would have happened with or with out him and his staff and now we hear he is giving his friends who he created jobs for additional perks other employees do not get, if this is proven true- PLEASE City Council do something to stop this obviously dishonest individual from ruining our City and put someone in charge with some experience and most of all some integrity.

Charlie W. said...

Commerce city is backing down on the Kings News. My city lights, which I thought was suppose to be at the end of the month has the Kings news as a question, not really going to happen news.

Also, why is there no 27J school news? Don't want to sound mean, but I don't care about the Adams 14 news. I don't live in that school district. I see it as a big waste of money to print close to 9,000 copies of school news to residents that do not belong to that district. This is Government waste at its best. I would rather you save the money and spend it on a snow plow and plow the "non-emergency" streets in Reunion.

That is all I have for now. Thanks you all for listening.

Pro City 2.0 said...

to Charlie W.,

The King Soopers announcement has always been a matter of a question. I was afraid that people were not really reading the press release sent out by the officials of Commerce City. My suspicion is coming to fruition.

Again, here is the link to the press release:

http://www.ci.commerce-city.co.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=137

Wes, northern range said...

Hey Pro City,

explain to me again why I am looking at a government publication that I paid for that has news about a school district that I do not live in?

Anonymous said...

Wes,
how did "you pay for" the city news?

Anonymous said...

Wes,
how did "you pay for" the city news?

Wes, northern range said...

DOnt' get me started on how local city government taxes work. That has already been beaten to death by the bell creek observer guy.

Confused and Hungry in Reunion said...

so kings is not coming to 104th?

I am confused, maybe because of lack of nutrition.

Diane C.

Anonymous said...

overheard comment

The city doesn't want people to think south commerce city is a spanish first language school district for illegal immigrants and the north is the American school district.

Also why we are putting so many commerce city signs in the north

Anonymous said...

2011! This is the year we get a new mayor and Adams 14 school board president! 10 months and counting...

Archer said...

speaking of Comm. City Signs. Why does the one on Tower coming from the airport not have the awful city logo on it?

vickey, commerce city said...

So, I am a bit confused by this secure community thing that Ritter just passed. I heard it was only for those who want to participate in it. So far it is only Denver and Arapahoe counties, and maybe one more. But Adams county was not on the list. Is Adams County going to participate in this program?

In the Know said...

Secure Communities initiative:

Sheriff's offices in Boulder, Eagle and Adams counties are ready to do that as soon as possible. So is the Broomfield Police Department.

Anonymous said...

Besides the appeasement of those with personal grudges the city won’t gain from a new mayor and SD14 pres. The mayor position is ceremonial and outside of representing the city at state or national functions makes no decisions as an individual and has only 1 vote like the rest of city council.
Paul Natale has done a great on improving the image of CC. It has been very nice to have a mayor that can articulate an idea. Let’s face it, some of the people who ran for public office with possible financial issues and lack of education can really hurt and embarrass us.

Just wait, if the new mayor is from the north enclave we’ll hear the same few people spew out because they feel the newcomers are taking over. Some people just refuse to accept change.

SD14 has a language barrier issue that can only be fixed by legislation not a school administrator.

CA and TX have been battling the same issue for years. Is it time to take our heads out of the sand and do a reality check?

IMO, C_City Voter

Anonymous said...

2011!! I'd be really happy if we could get a REAL news outlet.
Someone who spends time giving us the local news and not local gossip, as we got with the BEACON & GATEWAY NEWS.

Dustin, Gateway News said...

Anonymous,

You are visiting the Gateway News opinions page, which has varies views and "The Way I See It" comments.

For more "Just The Facts" local news please visit one of the numerous other Gateway News websites, such as "Cover Stories". All links to the Gateway News websites can be found at www.gatewaynews.org or on the top and sidebars of any of the Gateway News websites.

Thanks for the comments and keep them coming.

Estelle Remington said...

Happy New Year, everyone. According to criminal statistics, the majority of criminals have committed as many as 70 crimes before they come to the attention of authorities. Some, illegal immigrants have a long history of criminal acts in Mexico before they cross over the open border into the United States and are just looking for innocent victims and more profit. The new Secure Communities initiative passed by Governor Ritter helps to identify those criminals that have not entered the United States legally. These illegal immigrants have already been arrested and charged with a crime and their names are run through a computer program to see if they are citizens of the U.S. This is a win/win situation for these criminals in that they receive thousands of dollars in free room and board for several years and then can go back to a life of crime when they get out. Actually, they have a higher standard of living in Prison. As gang members, they want to make a "name" for themselves. Few criminals change their life styles in Prison, if anything they learn how to become better at what ever they do. Sending these illegals back to Mexico just makes sense. However, they are probably on their way back across the open border in a short period of time. One drug cartel member came back 7 times. What, we should do is turn them over to Mexican Police. I understand in Mexico that their own families must feed them and provide blankets for them in Prison. Estelle Remington (B.S. Criminal Justice, 1987.)

Dustin, Gateway News said...

The Gateway News wants to start surveys. Please participate by taking our first "sample" survey on the opinions page (What is your Favorite Color?). The surveys are completely anonymous, so please answer as honestly as you can.

The Survey can be taken multiple times as we understand that their maybe a difference in opinions in your own household.

Thank you in advance in your participation.

Lastly, we want to hear you thoughts on what kind of surveys you would like to see? What subject matter? How should the questions be asked? Let us know your thoughts.

Hyde said...

Dustie,
How do I take the survey again? I have one of those households :)

Dustin, Gateway News said...

Hyde, Just refresh the page and it will come up again...at least in theory it should.

Anonymous said...

Finally, another person on this blog that is smart enough to understand that the Mayor does not run the City and it is a ceremonial position - yippie that makes two of qualified to vote in the next election. My vote will be for candidates that express hiring a seasoned government professional with related education and demonstrated substantial experience in city management to be the City Manager is of the utmost importance will be getting my vote.

Anonymous said...

The "Commerce City Colorado News" is paid for entirely with citizen's tax dollars. Where else would the money come from??? Duh! But why the big question mark on the front page of it this time with this as the headline: GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY? How disturbing that the city says one week that a store is coming and a few days later they are questioning it themselves. Sorry folks no store will come to the northern range of Commerce City until we get a new mayor and council and a real city manager. I am sooooooooo hungry!!!

Anonymous said...

Gerald Flannery is the biggest joke that has ever come to Commerce City. Everyone in all the Denver Metro area governments are once again laughing at Commerce City and he is the biggest reason. Wish there were some highly educated people in Commerce City who would step up and run for city council and mayor and hire a good person to run our city finally once and maybe we could see our housing values go up instead of down. So sad to be a Commerce City citizen right now. So sad. Waaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be Honest said...

Mayor does not run the City? Really? I thought council controlled the budget and the budget runs everything.

Am I wrong? Is so, how would you explain it?

Wes, northern range said...

your right the council and mayor do not run the city. they only hire and fire the guy that does.

you ask me that is enough power to not take the blame, their hands ain't tied.

Anonymous said...

mayor is there to do ribbon cuttings, of course none of those lately. Oh wait yes cummins, in case you have not heard.

Dustin, Gateway News said...

Thank you to all who have took part in the test sample Gateway News Survey.

Great answers for the "other" category... My favorite are Bronco Orange, Nugget Yellow, Clear, Transparent, Light tan, and Greedy Green.

We would love to have your input on what issues you would like to see survey statistics on. Let us know your ideas.

Anonymous said...

to be honest - you are right the City Council approves the budget each year, but sorry that is it, one action and one time approval. The City manager and staff prepare it and determine what it will be. I think Benson is the only City Council person in probably the 40 years I have lived here to ever vote no on a budget or ask a serious or important question about the budget - rubber stamp baby. the City Manager and Professional and educated staff run the City not this mayor or any mayor as it should be. What we need now is a Council that will hire us a real City Manager and one that won't promote flunkies and create bogus positions to hire inexperienced friends into so that he can do God knows what while the new kids he hired I understand are trying to run the City with no experience and the not as new but well educated and experienced staff in the City laugh and laugh and laugh.

Anonymous said...

Anonoymous that said that nothing will be gained getting a new mayor for CC and a new pres for #14 school district is arrgantly making up excuses. All evidence to the contrary as Pres Lewis has taken the entire district to an all time low and Natale has the State laughing at Commerce City. Thank God for term limits.

Kyle said...

Ward 4, now called Ward 2 made its biggest mistake by voting in Benson. I hope we do not make the same mistake when it comes for our Ward (2) to vote. Coming soon.

Anonymous said...

Response to: to be honest - you are right the City Council approves the budget each year, but sorry that is it, one action and one time approval. The City manager and staff prepare it and determine what it will be. I think Benson is the only City Council person in probably the 40 years I have lived here to ever vote no on a budget or ask a serious or important question about the budget - rubber stamp baby. the City Manager and Professional and educated staff run the City not this mayor or any mayor as it should be. What we need now is a Council that will hire us a real City Manager and one that won't promote flunkies and create bogus positions to hire inexperienced friends into so that he can do God knows what while the new kids he hired I understand are trying to run the City with no experience and the not as new but well educated and experienced staff in the City laugh and laugh and laugh.

I AGREE WITH YOU 100%

dkeys said...

I agree also, but I think you are too hard on good ole benson. I want my council think for themselves. not just follow the crowd.

Curious in Reunion said...

dkeys:
What has benson ever done for his own ward, remember he is not a at-large council member. All he has done is pet projects for the south. nothing to get us a grocery store, nothing to get us a rec center. Only pet projects for the south, like the boys and girls club seat tax fiasco, and his rental property police project.

Dustin, Gateway News said...

A big thanks to all who participated in the my favorite color test survey. We are now ready to start real surveys and polls.

Final Results for favorite color poll:

1. BLUE 56%
2. Other* 29%
3. RED 11%
4. WHITE 4%

*Some of the more unique responses in the "other" category... "Commerce City Creme", "King Soopers's Red and Yellow", "chartreuse", "basin F glow", "Vote for S. Ford RED", "Mexican Earth Brown", "Rapids Burgundy and Blue".

My personal favorite... "Suncor's city budget Black"

Anonymous said...

two points that I have experienced
1) Commerce city is much better spoken of than when I first moved here (I'm sure the person that said we are made fun of has a case of sour grapes)
2) Listening to meetings, which I tried to do for awhile now, Benson loves to tie up the meetings over stupid things, certainly nothing that helps my ward. I find him cocky in person and more of a problem maker than problem fixer.

just my opinion

Lionel said...

benson has caused more problems then he is worth. he almost cost us the mile high music festival with his seat tax mess a couple years ago.

Close to the situation said...

CC Mayor Natale says: "To our citizens in the northern area, I want to thank you for taking the chance to move to what appeared a deserted area with no services but plenty of vision."

I appreciate him being honest. But you are missing that your new Victory Crossing area has the exact same problem and yet he neglects to address it.

Wes, northern range said...

DOnt be so negative. It is not anyone fault that you do not have any vision. do what I do, close your eyes and you can see all kinds of great things like walmart and a kings soopers, even a couple sit down restaurants like Apple Bees and a PF Changs!

also Close to the Situation said...

Quote of the day is Natale saying I especially want to thank Jerry Flannery for leading our city to where we are now.

Natale could not have put it any better way. Perfectly said.

Anonymous said...

We are seeing a number of new businesses open, like the little mustard seed, right?

Pro City 2.0 said...

More like businesses like Cummins. And the annexation of the Mile High Martketplace.

Anonymous said...

Just read an article at work in the Daily Camera of Boulder. Erie mayor going to China to try to bring business back.
Even gives credit to mayor Natale of Commerce City for starting this effort.
Interesting, maybe CC was wrong in putting the kabosh to the effort.

Anonymous said...

Pro City 2. you always leave out important facts just like Pro City 1.0 which makes it even more obvious that you are both City employees trying to paint a pretty picture so you can keep your jobs. The facts about the Mile High Market Place would include that they approached the City, the City did nothing to lure them and the facts would also include that the large tent they use for concerts did not have a sprinkler system in it for fire safety so Adams County was going to shut it down. Mile High Market Place did not want to spend the money to make it safe so they came to the City to see if our City Council would annex them and then not require the SAFETY item of a sprinkler system. Our great City leader Mr. Flannery was more than willing to make this happen to put a feather in his cap and then forced it down the City Council's throat in a hurry without time to understand all the details. Flannery is great isn't he, should we talk about the fast one he pulled on the City Council concerning his house and employment contract? Maybe we should discuss the $50,000 office remodel in A BRAND NEW BUILDING just weeks after he was hired. Let's discuss the massive and overpaid staff in his office. I wonder how that FEDERAL DISCRIMINATION law suit against the City/FLANNERY is going, if the City loses will Flannery pay the settlement out of money he has fleeced the City and Council out of on the house deal or will us tax payers keep paying the bills for him?

Anonymous said...

We definitely need to rid ourselves of Benson in the next election.
He appears to have no intention of being a ward 2 rep and pushes projects in south where he does business.

Those who live in the ward should act now by letting your neighbors know who he is and what he's not doing for us.
We need a council person who will fight to improve the condition of the ward 2 constituency.

If he wants to be an at-large member he should have resigned and run in the last election.

BTW: the state can't be laughing too hard with all of the above average income households moving here purchasing homes over 1/4 million dollars...

We just need a council person to help keep the money here and so far it hasn't been Benson.

C_City Voter

Fred A. said...

like the surveys, Why not do a approval rating for council and staff?

In the Know said...

response to: the state can't be laughing too hard with all of the above average income households moving here purchasing homes over 1/4 million dollars...

Houses are NOT that expensive anymore. more like 180 to 200, and I am not sure who is moving in that you are talking about. It is all renters.

Anonymous said...

Oh there are a lot of homes that are more then 250K in the northern range.

Archer said...

I would like to see the city of Comm. City to start surveys too.

Anonymous said...

Congressional Reform Act of 2010


1. Term Limits.

12 years only, one of the possible options below..

A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

2. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.

The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.


Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.

Anonymous said...

Ya right Natale, Flannery did lead our city to where it is right now, in the gutter, right along with all his friends who he has hired as overpaid incompetent employees. Sure hope the Gateway will go to Cummins and get actual numbers of new employees that are hired from Commerce City. Bet there will not be any. So stupid, both Natale and Flannery.

Anonymous said...

I agree, they are selling in my neighborhood, not in reunion, they are definatly more than 200 K.
Maybe not going where they did but they are moving quickly and closer to the original prices.

Anonymous said...

There were a lot of houses that cost 250k or over, but sadly cannot be sold for that- what you owe and what it is worth are not the same. Pockets in Reunion 250k and over everywhere else - good luck.

dkeys said...

Dusty you need to bring light to this!

In the Adams 14 school district that includes Commerce City, nearly one in five adult residents – or 17 percent – have less than a 9th-grade education. Altogether, 40 percent of adults over the age of 25 living in the district on Denver’s northeastern edge have yet to achieve a high school degree.

Full Story: http://tinyurl.com/2ev58gj

Dustin, Gateway News said...

thanks dkeys, I will put it out there.

Anonymous said...

this is NOT new NEWS! already been put "out there"

This is not the entire city. only the southern part. NOT 27J!!!!!!!!!!!

Estelle Remington said...

In Jim Benson's defense, months ago, Jim was removed from serving on Boards and Commissions. Something was said or done so that council members got upset. Mr. Benson did file some kind of paper against it. Thus, City Council tried to control the amount of input Jim had on city council. Many times, Mayor Natale has tried to stop Mr. Benson from expressing himself while others go on and on. For, council members to try and shut down other members input just shows how broken the system is. We can always agree to disagree and work things out. I'm sure that there was a different way to handle this that would have left Jim with a voice on Boards and Commissions. One can be fined or suspended for a period of time. Nothing is worse than what taxpayers have endured with CM Flannery.

Since 2000, when the Northern Build out occurred, most of the revenues collected were used for Parks and services for the Core City. In fact, by 2007, the North had little or no resouces left for our children. Mr. Benson was elected in 2008 when all the resources were already gone. It does not matter who represents the Northern Enclave; we will have to fight to keep revenues and resources collected in the North to be used in the Northern area. The Core City has always demanded our resources first because they perceived their needs to be greater with their 20,000 immigrants. And, yes, a high percentage have not finished High School. About 40% and currently, I believe only 51% are graduating from Adams #14. In fact, it is a common practice to pull older children out of school to care for the younger children so parents can work. When, Dick's Sport Center was built our city council missed adding a seat tax to Admissions thus missing out on millions of dollars for the city. This had nothing to do with Mr. Benson. Mr. Benson tried to correct the oversight to get money to support a Boys and Girls Club. He also was contacting a school in the North to get our Boys and Girls club started. It is just my opinion, but whoever represents Ward 2 will have to fight for every dollar collected up here to be used to benefit the North's children no matter who that might be in the future. The Core City will survive with Suncor paying it's bills.

Anonymous said...

Every outside study of Commerce City has come back with the same conclusions. One of the biggest factors against Commerce City as a whole (includes both north and south) is the Adams 14 school district. Especially with their newer policies and antics that have driven down all of their scores in every way that school districts are measured.

Anonymous said...

To set the record straight: Mr. Benson has always been in good standing with E470. It was Mayor Natale that needlessly threw the entire E470 staff and board of directors under the bus with his Brian Maass interview.

Anonymous said...

Yes the ward 2 rep will have to fight, like I said Benson is not fighting for us. Boys and girls clubs are built for lower
income needs and I don't believe a large percentage in the north fits that criteria so I ask-What has he done for us?

He lives in an area with it's own parks and recreation department and everything is within walking/biking distance of its residents but for those not in Reunion or Belle Creek he hasn't made an arguement for a rec center.

When it's mentioned by other ward reps they demand it's in a convient location for those in the south. In other words in the misdt of industrial waste and tractor trailer traffic making it
unsafe and out of reach for our children to even use it.

I purchased here with the understanding that north cc would be nothing like south cc with a clear delineation of industrial vs residential.

Now that I've made the investment I need confidence that cc can move beyond the small town thinking and protectionism.

CC_Voter

Anonymous said...

Gateway, your website is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Benson has taken his job very seriously and has done much to help the city. His petition that resulted in elections being held concurrently with other elections has transformed our election process and saved the city literally tens of thousands of dollars already. Over the years, this will be substantial. His attendance at all events is remarkable and he actually goes over all documents and asks questions before he votes. The slander and pushback that he has had to endure is substantial. I would suggest that we need people on council that have their own minds and that challenge government to be better. My hats off to Mr. Benson.

Anonymous said...

Estelle where is all the money being collected from? there is very little tax revenue to be collected up here. Other than a fraction of park building fees to help build Pioneers Park what exactly did we in the north build for the south (former south resident now in north looking to move back south)? Estelle you ALWAYS have your facts mixed up or you make them up and it is time everyone knew what you are really all about and the part of your article about immigrants and education is enough for most of us to figure that out. When and if you run for City Council I will be demanding that you prove all of the qualifications and education you tell all of us you have.

Anonymous said...

Tomorrow Erik Hansen and many others will be sworn into office. Congratulations to all of you. Thank you for serving and please remember all of us out here who are counting on you for healthy and thoughtful decisions. God bless each of you and your families.

From Commerce City Letter said...

Residents’ hunger for a grocery store in the northern area of the city may soon be satisfied.

During the City Council’s last meeting of 2010, city staff gave reason for optimism that a major grocery retailer will soon open its doors. If all goes according to plan, the store could open in late 2012.

On Monday, Dec. 20, City Council unanimously approved an incentive package designed to attract a King Soopers Marketplace to the northwest corner of 104th Avenue and Chambers Road. The incentive package, valued at nearly $2 million, provides incentives to the grocer and to the developer, Shea Properties.

“We’ve certainly heard the voices of residents in the north who have long wanted a grocery store in their area,” said City Manager Jerry Flannery.

“That’s why it has been our top priority to attract a major grocer to the area. We are hopeful that the package we developed in close coordination with King Soopers and Shea Properties will push this store from conception to reality.”

Archer said...

response from cc letter:

its called back peddling.

Pro City 2.0 said...

The King Soopers Message has Always been the SAME! It is NOT Backpedaling!

Anonymous said...

Benson is a very well educated attorney who asks questions and then asks more questions. Many but not all Other Council members are only intimidated by him and get frustrated if he questions anything because it gets in the way of the rubber stamp they are all accustomed to. Benson did not vote for the City budget because he asked why the City needs as much or more staff during an economic downturn and slow to no building as it did when things were booming. I think that is a pretty gosh darn good question, that naturally went unanswered by Flannery and the Army of staff in his office.

Really In the KNOW said...

Commerce City Stance that needs to be brought to light!

WE HAVE THE BEST STAFF IN THE WORLD. BUT, WE WILL NOT PROMOTE WITHIN. WE ONLY BRING IN OVERPAID INEXPERIENCED OUTSIDERS THAT HAVE NO REAL HEART IN WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CITY.

MOST WANT TO BUILD UP RESUME AND GET OUT. CASE IN POINT IS NEELAN!

I WOULD BET MORRIS AND FLANNERY ARE OUT LOOKING TOO.

Estelle Remington said...

At a city council retreat in 2007, the majority of representatives voted to take the $3,000,000 in the North's Park Impact Fees and use it to help build Pioneer Park. I don't call this a little money. In turn, our children have had to wait for the next build out so that they can enjoy any play areas outside of Reunion, Belle Creek and River Run. This has all been thoroughly documented. Why don't you people from the South know this? You pretend to have all the knowledge about CC. My three degrees are a matter of record and if you require proof just send me your name and address. As a single Mom and School Teacher, I attended one college or another for these past 20 years taking my last Diploma in 2006 as Salutatorian. I was pretty proud of that at my age. Why do you people like to diminish or make fun of what people in the North have accomplished by their own hard work? It seems to me that you have a rather limited understanding of what truly goes on in CC these past ten years.

Anonymous said...

Estell - not 3m, not even 2m and it was only about 20% of the total cost of the park....you obviously were not required to check your facts or footnote your sources at the "colleges" you attended.

Anonymous said...

Estelle, you say "something was said or done by Mr Benson that upset the council".
Gee since you don't know what that was, and they went to the trouble to pull him from all boards/commissions for a time period, do you think, just maybe he does overstep his authority?
He is overbearing at the meetings going off on topics that aren't up for discussion and tells people to shut up (3 different times, 3 different councilors).
He is a rude pushy person.

Anonymous said...

Much of what Estelle writes is based on her opinion & rumors.
The spin that goes on is trying on the senses.
Just reading her spin on Benson is a joke.
I heard him say at a council meeting "it isn't my fault that the citizens can't read and understand what I say."
Tell me again Estelle what a good representative he is of us?
He just want to run over anyone who disagrees with him.

Anonymous said...

so count down begins until the new comm man. of commerce city quits.

Archer said...

GOOD FOR TASTY DONUTS! Nice to see agencies are becoming more business friendly.

gina, commerce city said...

Dusty, they were actually talking about made doing some kind of a fund raiser to get a bathroom in working order. Just FYI

vickey, commerce city said...

Does News Communications Manager in Commerce city also get a new car?

Joselin said...

Tasty Donuts Needs to put some money in its place to make more updated.

Curious in Reunion said...

Derby as a whole needs updating!

Really In the KNOW said...

once again, commerce city goes outside its current employees to brings in a outsider. Yet council always say how woooonderful the staff is.

such b.s.

Hyde said...

why was benson at the tasty donuts meeting? It is not even in his ward. Why is he not spending his time trying to get us a grocery store in the north!

Estelle Remington said...

My information on Pioneer Park comes directly from meetings with Parks and Recreation and has nothing to do with colleges I attended. I suggest, you make an appointment and get your information first hand. There was a payback set of about $300,000 per year beginning in 2008. What concerns me the most with these people that write anonymously is how fast they try to put another person's intelligence down to try and make themselves sound smarter which is just another form of bullying on the blogs. I will stand behind Mr. Benson's character just like I will stand behind Mayor Natale's character. Do they make mistakes in judgment? Yes! We all do. I can make a long list of people who have said and done things on camera and off in Commerce City. Some of which, occurred on the evening News. When a person has to insult and resort to name calling on the blogs, it shows they have no other way of handling their own frustrations and they take it out on other people. We don't want these type of people serving on council because they will turn on each other without a real reason just from their own vanity.

Nate Daniels said...

tasty donuts is like commerce city's denver cupcake truck story! Good to see it will all work out.

Anonymous said...

CC has some very good employees BUT they also have a lot of incompetent employees who were clearly hired by friends and or family. I for one have no confidence in hiring from within on all positions and sometimes it’s better to bring in new ideas.

I think the city should make everyone re-apply for their jobs, run background checks and e-verify each employee then go union for hourly workers. Once that process is complete they should take control of sa water and do the same.

Anonymous said...

Okay, did they move the boundaries
of ward 2 or what??
Why is Benson again working on issues in the south.
I certainly wish he would spend half as much time in his ward.
No I take that back.
I am beginning to be glad he doesn't spend time up here.

Anonymous said...

Nice article on donut shop
not at all surprised that the people there are have the same view as the rest of your bloggers. they can never be happy either

Anonymous said...

I have to disagree with the inference that just because the city staff is good, that they have the ability & experience to take a leadership job ie: the openings filled outside.
It could very well be they are great at their jobs, but not ready for a director level position.

Anonymous said...

Really in the know - you are right Flannery always has to go outside the City for hires - he made the mistake of promoting one from within and found out pretty fast that he made a big mistake and I think he wrongly thinks that one person he promoted is like all the rest of the employees . He also knows that he cannot pull the wool over the eyes of an existing employee who knows better when he brags about himself and his accomplishments that he achieved IN HIS MIND.

Anonymous said...

Hey DUSTY! Can you verify and publish the information from the City about the money taken from the north to build the park in the south so that all of us can see if Estelle gets her facts straight or if she just makes them up as she goes along? Please also publish the City's response along with her "facts">

Anonymous said...

is that reba drotar at the tasty meeting too?

Anonymous said...

Also in the know can tell you that there are countless well educated, experienced and more than capable staff within the City that have been with the City well before Flannery arrived who are IN FACT the ones keeping the City running in some manner while Flannery and the incompetent Deputy he promoted and his other new hires, play golf for free at Buffalo Run, go out for long lunches paid for by the City tax payers and then spend the rest of their time trying, unsuccessfully to convince others of how great they are.

Anonymous said...

Annonymous, yes that it Reba Drotar in the picture on the Tasty Donut story. The reason that Reba is there is becuase Reba is truly committed to helping others in this community and she was and did for many many years before she ever ran for City Council, and as you can see, she is still at it well after her time on the Council. I wonder if we will ever hear from or see the Blowhard Natale doing anything good for the community after he is off Council - he sure didn't before he was on Council - I guess that is because he barely lived here a year or two before he decided he wanted to run the show (only in his mind of course).

Anonymous said...

Word on the street is that Morris is hoping to cash in on her Daddy's connection to Hickenlooper and get a job in his administration. the other word on the street is that Flannery has interviewed for an ED job with another City. Does he really think he is going to get another job in the area - I've been told he and his direct staff are the butt of many jokes in the metro area among other City staffs.

Anonymous said...

I would have to ask, what is so hard about being a Commerce City director/manager? Don't they just sit in meetings with other directors/managers to stroke their egos. Then delegate all the real work to the other staff?!

In the Know said...

I know CCPD Chief Baca is a blessing. But this is a great example of a real missed opportunity for Commerce City. Officer Baker should have gotten the Chief position, hands down!

Koffee said...

Okay fine, lets take a real look at what the cc managers do. Lets take a close look at what McBroom does. Spent a lot of time on a presentation on labeling the parts of the city, like Derby, Irondale, Adams City. Then what happened? What was the next step? NOTHING! just a bunch of hot air, just like Walmart and now it looks like Kings too.

Hey Gateway, just a side note, why don't you ask city for what incentives McBroom got to "bring his talents" here. Lets just say, more of those "relocation fees" we in the city love to pay!

Enough is enough. Nothing happening in good ole CC!

Guarantee you will here about cummins in cc state of the city, if we ever do one. That is all the city has to brag about.

Anonymous said...

Dustie,
about the Estelle Park Costs in for North and Pioneer. I am pretty sure it was a wash, the city funds never got reimbursed for River Run park. So it is basically a wash.

PRO CITY said...

To Koffee,
The city of Commerce City has a very successful economic development incentive program. First in the city's history.

Estelle Remington said...

Finally, this is how you do it. Instead of name calling and insults you ask for the facts or find out what the story is yourself. My point in all of this is that Park Impact Fees that are collected from the build out in the North and intended for our children's play should never have been used to help pay for Pioneer Park. They could have used other resources. And, it was not a "little money," It was all we had.

Archer said...

So are we 2 cities, a north and a south? If this is the game we are going to play, then we need a rec center in the north. and some real city parks like pioneer park, not just open grass spaces and call then good enough parks.

kids in the north have nothing to do.

do you know what happens when kids get bored? it is not good.

Anonymous said...

Street in Commerce City are really bad. Is there any way the city could actually plow them!

Anonymous said...

Estelle, I sense a little back pedaling on your part. Is that because you know that you don't have your facts straight? I have to point out that you did not get them right again, the money borrowed from the north for the south was not all that the north had. You are wrong again. why don't you just stick to your opinions and stop pretending you have facts that you don't.

Anonymous said...

Archer - the people in the south waited over 40 years for a park like Pioneer so be patient.

Anonymous said...

What is so hard about being a governor.
Don't they just sit in on meetings and then delegate to his staff?
Oh yea....in the end the crap* falls on them.

*(note from gateway news: I changed the curse word to a more calm version.)

Anonymous said...

40 years??CC has never had many American citizens living here so where did all the money collected from refineries and all of the other businesses go? Most of us saw what CC looked like 7+ years ago. The streets and side walks were in horrible condition. The buildings were in disrepair. A lot of city officials looked like bums off the street and obvious took just as much pride in the city.

I’m amazed when I read blogs from those living here at that time and still live in south CC over and over make statements that Natale (reminder only 1 vote) and Jerry with the 72k (which for a large entity is not that much) have brought down the city and made CC the laughing stock of the state.

It would be nice to audit the last 20 years of city financials

Estelle Remington said...

anonymous, No one has all the facts in any dealings with CC. A person must talk to several people and try and put it all together. No one gives out real figures in spending. If, you seem to have the facts, please tell us what they are and please sign your name so you can take responsibility for every word you say. When, I talked to Parks and Recreation, I was told there was no money for Parks in the North. I don't blame Parks and Recreation for this, I blame city council for their poor choices. Pioneer Park could have been built within the budget they had. No one is saying that the Core City did not want a Park. I believe at that time the Core City already had about 16 or more Parks. But, they needed to stay within what they had to spend not this huge Park which is one of the biggest around. This next build out may be our last for these next 40 years and we need to use that money wisely. So that, our children in the North can have quality of life as it was intended. I have found Brian McBroom to be one of the more reasonable managers to work with at least he answers your questions.

Anonymous said...

I am sure there was no money for the rec center in the south at one time too. But yet they still built one. How did the city do that back in the 1980s?

Bond?, Grants?. It seems like there should be some way.

Maybe Adams County could help us out?

Or since our council and staff are now BFF with GOV. HickenRitter, maybe the state could help us out!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if it is the thought that if the North wants to go to a park or a rec center, they need to go to the core part and just deal with it?

Anonymous said...

Or the Northern Range could go to Brighton. We already give them our tax dollars, might as well us their services.

Aren't we already Brighton Ward 5?

Anonymous said...

I feel that the council as a whole would love to provide a rec center for the north.
The cost which I was told is around 30 million would have to be bonded, which would mean taxes to pay off the bonds.
There are very few in this economy that are willing to pay more taxes.
Everyone though is willing to get more from the city and it's "endless" pot of money.
I just don't see that pot of money.
Here, in the state or federal government.
It's like my check book. I have those checks, but the bank doesn't like it if I write checks and the money isn't there.
Budgeting 101.

PRO CITY said...

regarding the last comment about the Rec Center in the North.

very well stated.

Wes, northern range said...

I really have to say. At least we are talking about such subjects. Always seems like council is afraid to talk about park and rec services in northern range.

Thanks for the forum g-news

Anonymous said...

Wes, I think you are wrong.
I have heard a north rec center mentioned at the few meetings I have been able to attend.
I was told it has been brought up at the budget & planning meetings as well.
Just because it isn't happening doesn't mean it isn't discussed.

Estelle Remington said...

Why does a new Rec Center in the North have to cost 30 million? Why can't we start with a 15 million building and then as our economy increases add on to the program? Let's start with what we can afford. I can envision a building like Belle Creek that is added onto a school facility such as Stuart Middle School,Turnberry or Second Creek. Something Parks and Recreation was discussing is adding a Park area to schools up North, why not a Rec Center? We could try and pass another admissions tax at Dick's Sports center and ask for $2 to $4 per ticket. We need to think in terms of what the economy can afford not that we start out with this huge Rec Center. We need to cut top administrative salaries in CC. It is amazing when we stay focused on saving what we can do. It is time for the South to sacrifice financially and give back to the children in the North. We can also try for some Federal grants since our First Lady is in support of our children's fitness and so are our State representatives. Because, we are this huge C around the arsenal, it is not reasonable to say that the kids up North need to travel to the South's facilities. How much would it cost to build an enclosed public swimming pool? Aurora has one with a canopy top which we used to go to that was always full of laughing and happy children. This would create new jobs in CC and maybe train children for the Olympics.

Anonymous said...

Estelle, Feds are running out of money (unless they print more again) grants are very limited and in fact drying up.
The state is broke, cities making cuts to make ends meet.
Add another tax and you might be able to drive out the business we have.
The dreams are great, but not realistic at this time.
Even the parks are 20 yrs out.
What part of "there ain't no money" is so hard to grasp.
Yes I know, cut the top people's jobs. If you did the little you would save wouldn't be a drop in the bucket.

Anonymous said...

As far as the new communications director goes, if Jerry hired her, then I am sure some "extra perks" were added in. I would love to see that employment contract!

Anonymous said...

I agree that we should push to make a deal with 27J for Second Creek and Turnberry. I don't expect any acion though, the city is stuck
with the victory crossing project and trying to sale the idea despite the core city's illegal immigrant populace and failed school district.

Anonymous said...

Are things really this bad in cc I would really hope not.

Pro City 2.0 said...

Firing the Management in Commerce City would be a NOT VERY smart move. It would show that we are not confident in ourselves and would stall business development even further.

Archer said...

I get the feeling that Commerce City has NOT at all prepared for its Northern Population boom that it apparently wanted years ago. They would have to expect that these people that they wanted would want services like rec centers and roads and SNOW PLOWING!

Why was there not a better plan in place. Feels like we are just flying by the seat of our pants.

Estelle Remington said...

Commerce City was built by the "greatest generation," WW II, this Nation has ever produced. These are the Baby Boomers that are reaching retirement age every day in CC. According to AARP, there are 8,000 Americans reaching 65 years old each day. What has this City Council prepared for CC's retirement community? Nothing! The late, Jean Klein, who helped write the City Charter was sent to Washington, D.C. to receive about $46 to $49 million dollars as a payment for the Army's use of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Land. This was the WW II nest egg used to build CC.

From 2000 to 2009, for whatever reason, City Council turned a blind eye to thousands of illegal immigrants that migrated into CC because it cost less to live here and they could hide behind our civil liberties. They came to take our jobs, give birth and get free handouts which community members just gave to them. City Council did absolutely nothing to address the immigrant settlement of CC.

Politically and financially, we have one of the weakest City Councils in our history. All one has to do is look at the empty seats at City Council meetings and Adam School District #14 meetings to know that the citizen's voice has been effectively shut down. There are CC citizens that represent these thousands of illegal immigrants that are going to do what ever it takes to get on City Council. They will move to other Wards to run for open seats, whatever it takes. If, these people do get on City Council it is the beginning of a welfare city, here, only to serve thousands of immigrants. As voters, we can not let this happen.

We must start to prepare this city for the retirement of the thousands of Baby Boomers that have built this city. They, too, need quality of life. Which will not happen, if, we become a welfare city. We must protect our American jobs with e-verify and secure communities and we must protect city government from those that would come in and use our laws and politics against us.

Anonymous said...

any of you can get the meployment contracts. Under open records, contact the city clerk, fill out an open records request, pay the 25cents per page and get a copy. If you go to city hall, you can read it for free.
And firing this city manager would say to the larger community that we aren't going to get taken advantage of- we demand accountability and results, plus ethics.

Anonymous said...

I do not think that anyone can foresee or plan for what is about to happen. Too many variables. No one could have predicted the economic crash.

Wes, northern range said...

From CC:
CommerceCityED: Director’s Message: The Commerce City Economic Development Division had an amazing 2010 and looks forward ... http://tinyurl.com/45wwfeq

So 2010 was an amazing year?
Really?
Hate to see a just "Good Year"

Estelle Remington said...

Anonymous, Parks are 20 years out? That is one entire generation of children without a place to play near their homes. I agree, why wasn't this part of a build out Plan? And, it looks like there is no plan for these next 20 years. CM Flannery's sweetheart deal cost over $500,000. That was the last quote I received for a small two acre park in our subdivision. I do not accept that this would be just a "drop in the bucket." Getting rid of CM Flannery would show that we are taking our city back to honest transparency.

In the Denver Post, 1/16/11, "People can qualify (Welfare.) just by moving into Colorado, even if they never paid any state tax."........."Repeal this program to free $105 million per year." (The Citizen's Budget.) "50 percent of Boomers will not have a happy retirement...They will try to subsist in poverty, dependent upon Social Security and part-time Wal-Mart jobs until they die penniless." (.....taking care of us boomers.)

Amber (with 2 children) said...

I believe that it is a requirement of the developers to actually build in little pocket parks as well as bigger parks as well.

I live in the north (north range vill.) and yes there are parks to play at.

I addition, there are many school the kids can play at also.

Things are not that bad.

Wold I like a rec center in the North? SURE! But I understand that we are in a bad place economically and NO ONE CITY is building new parks and rec facilities!

vickey, commerce city said...

amber, just FYI, Brighton is building family aquatic park. But I still get what you are saying.

PRO CITY said...

A complete map resource of all the Parks in Commerce City.

http://parkmaps.c3gov.com/mapServ/

Pro City 2.0 said...

hard to move this city (comm. city) forward when residents like Estelle Remington keep bring up the sweetheart manager deal.

It is a dead story.

Archer said...

Deal Breaker will always be a hot topic until commerce city council does something about it.

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. -Andy Warhol

PRO CITY said...

More GOOD NEWS FOR Commerce City! NEW BUSINESS!

Hey, look who just moved in!


Chrysalis Entertainment - 11933 Mobile St Unit B

A Better Recycler LLC - 5401 Dahlia

G2 Solutions - 9009 Quince St Ste C

Rico's Rail Room - 16660 E 107th Ct

Stellato's Grocery and Deli Inc - 15550 E 103rd Pl Unit 112

High Plateau Truss Inc - 5465 Quebec St Unit 102

Garage Door Experts - 10454 Pitkins St

AAMCO - 10500 Havana Ct

Novias Rachel and Daisy's Boutique - 6336 Ivy St

The Hinge Shop - 12401 E 100th Pl

Anonymous said...

Vickie, if you check the background on the new water park in Brighton, I was told it was started 20 years ago.
These things don't happen right away.
Amber is right, there are a lot of parks in the neighborhoods in the north. Some little pocket parks or open spaces.

Anonymous said...

A dead story- you are kidding me right? When I tell people where I live- they say- oh yeah that's where your city manager got such a sweet deal/free house.

Anonymous said...

Pro City, guess what, the southern part of commerce city is filled with thousands of industrial and warehouse properties so the fact that 10 or so moved in doesn't really mean much, do you keep track of any that moved out? When are you just going to use your real name and title from your City job? All note that Pro City never denies they work for the City when they re called out!

Stop CC SPIN! said...

City says Little Mustard Seed and now Stellato's Grocery and Deli Inc are "JUST MOVED IN?

I am having a hard time finding them, since they both do not have store fronts.

Just moved in? or just pulled paper work.

Big difference. Remember Walmart!

Residents not that stupid!

PRO CITY said...

Dustin,
I was wondering if you would entertain the idea of starting a separate section where residents who have good construct ideas could leave comments.

I read a lot of complaining, but no real solutions or good positive ideas. I have no doubt that many in our city have great ideas and concepts that will help move this city in a good positive direction.

Your thoughts?

Dustin, Gateway News said...

I have no problem with that. Just so you know, I have tried this in the past, calling it POSITIVE, POSITIVE, POSITIVE. It did not go over so well. But I am willing to try again. I will post sometime on Weds.

Thanks for the idea.

Dustin M.

Anonymous said...

OH YEAH! I would LOVE to hear some of the great ideas of the couch quarterbacks! This should be good.

Anonymous said...

Part of the problem with positive- positive is people do not feel listened to by city council about the issues. And there is no informaiton or ideas coming form the city about the pressing issues. Until people feel listened to, I am not sure that the positive blog will ever go.

Anonymous said...

I believe people love to complain. Go anywhere and start a negative comment, about government, work, neighbors, health, others jump right in.
People love to be the victims.
They love to compare how horrible things are for them, to them or around them.
Of course they always have ideas on how things should be, but I find most know little about the subject or situation in actuality. Their solutions are often not financially possible or often times not within the ability (or rules/regs/laws) of the company, city or person.
Thats why there are the water cooler "bit-h" discussions.
Sad

Estelle Remington said...

Amber, It really depends in which subdivision you live in and what arrangements were made with the builders. At Reunion, residents have numerous small play areas, Club House and pool, but one pays a fee for these services. Some builders just built these subdivisions and then walked away or went bankrupt. It's called, "turn and burn." A park was never part of the building plan for Eagle Creek Subdivision and the residents would have to come up with $450,000 of their own money to convert vacant land to a small park for children to play. There are over 300 children living in Eagle Creek. The children of Eagle Creek must play in the streets. They were told just drive your children over to Reunion and let them play, but that means parents must be home to drive them. Parents don't get home from work until evening hours. As a retired teacher, I can tell you how important it is for children to grab a ball and get outside to play. This is part of their physical and emotional development. Usually, an older child or grandparent is at home to supervise and could walk them to a park that was close but could not drive them to the South or Reunion.

Anonymous said...

Estelle, you are right about Eagle Creek, but having said that, they were/are the lest expensive homes in the new area.
I hate to say it, but it is a case of you get what you 'paid" for. The builders that put in parks, no doubt charge each home owner (included in the price of their home.
In Reunion they pay higher property taxes which include their metro district to cover the costs of their parks and open spaces.
It would be wonderful if the cities could provide for parks for all,sadly that takes lots of $$.
I guess all in all, one should look at the whole aspect of their neighborhood when buying. Not just home affordability. If price is number one then as the buyer YOU must recognize what you give up and plan accordingly.

Anonymous said...

It's not that people love to complain the problem is the core city is observing the northern areas being distinguished, receiving the accolades and they're not very happy. The core city has been snubbed for years and still is in a sense by the major news outlets and people of CO. Now that ward 1 council will always be hispanic going forward those good ole boys are really pissed.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous - thank you for pointing out the obvious to Estelle in a very polite way. What you said about "you get what you pay for" applies to the whole north range. If all of the parks and recreation centers and roads and shopping and entertainment existed when we purchased our homes or shortly after, I am afraid the truth is most us would not have been able to afford the home prices or we would have bought somewhere all that existed already but we were all looking for price and could not afford the house we wanted except up here in the north of Commerce City and that is exactly the case with Estelle.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous that posted about the south, good ole boys and Ward 1 being Hispanic clearly shows his/her racial and other biases. Whoever this person is couldn't be further from the truth. Commerce City is and always has been represented by the media, developers, government entities, the people of Colorado and all economic/socio/demographic studies as one city.

Anonymous said...

Looks like cheo posted as anonymous.
English Comp wasn't a strong subject for you huh! Quick to call someone a racist for not welcoming illegal immigrants. Wait, that wasn't the context of my post. Please read again without alcohol or whatever so you may respond in a more coherent manner.

I bet you've never written to the Mexican government demanding they create more opportunities for their citizens so they wouldn't risk life and limb to sneak into the U.S.

There is a real difference between realism and racism. Be part of the solution not the problem.

Estelle Remington said...

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for toning down the rhetoric and ugly name calling on this blog. We can agree to disagree without all the nasty name calling. When, my husband and I purchased our house in the Northern Area in 2000, these were the only houses up here at the time in fact our house was one of the first houses built up here. There was no subdivision up here, no green belt, no nothing but fields. We paid 1/3 down on our house, so, we didn't buy cheap. On the other hand, the builder hid a lot of important information concerning the land, financing and the water rites to keep the prices down. They promised a play and Park area. When, we moved in the builder and construction workers were in a massive fight and one of the workers left us a parting gift of defecating in the basement. Some of the houses all in a row had cracked pavements, basements and driveways. This is not what we paid for. My husband and I both worked at DIA and had there been any other houses up here we most certainly would have purchased one. Nothing to do with the price.

Anonymous said...

Estelle - I live in Eagle Creek and we do have a green play area - several of them and on of them even has a play ground. it may not be a big park like Pioneer Park, but as usual you never tell all the facts or get them straight.

Thad said...

Typical thought of Commerce City Colorado!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Z-e0MusNQ

Love to see a poll on if Commerce City has an image problem.

Anonymous said...

decided that this might be taken as negative so i won't post on the new postive section but there are poor children that will no longer have free breakfast at school and it will only cost $124,229 to provide them breakfasts for the rest of the school year. since commerce city has seemingly no need for the $72,000 and the $450,000 they just gave the city manager, why can't the city manager at least pay $125,000 of it back and then the city of commerce city can donate that to the state and all the poor children can have breakfast for the rest of the year. much better use of the money and the commerce city taxpayers have already had this money used already so flannery, will you do the right thing this time or just sit at the brown palace smoking and drinking? probably the latter cause you care about no one but your own personal pleasure. sure is a good idea though.

Anonymous said...

WHOEVER POSTED THE FOLLOWING, ARE YOU ON DRUGS? "Commerce City is and always has been represented by the media, developers, government entities, the people of Colorado and all economic/socio/demographic studies as one city."
it is NEVER represented as ONE CITY. Shea Homes does not even call it Commerce City, they say Northeast Denver metro and Kroenke and the Rapids put Denver on their marketing materials for the Rapids. Please get a clue, duh?

Pro City 2.0 said...

so we need to work on making Commerce City ONE CITY, no more north and South, just Commerce City.

Gateway News Twitter said...

Please take 5 seconds to take our survey.

Gateway News Survey: Does Commerce City, CO have a issue with image?

http://tinyurl.com/4nob882

Estelle Remington said...

Lives in Eagle Creek - I'll bet you don't have small children. The green play area you mention is a green drainage ditch with a small open ditch that runs open water through it and deep sides to catch said water. During the summer, it is infested with mosquitoes and the one piece of play equipment has the worst graffiti inside the tube slide. Few people will even walk their dogs down there. Eagle Creek's HOA will have a home owners meeting at Second Creek Elementary on Jan. 31st between 6:15pm and 8:30pm. Please come and tell us how great these play areas are!

Archer said...

Hey Pro CC your survey is TOO DAMN LONG!

from cc: CommerceCityED: Please take our 5 minute Commerce City Business and Development Survey - http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BQZ6PLP3D/

Anonymous said...

Benson should get a kick out of this:

Doug Bruce to run for Springs City Council

Read more: Doug Bruce to run for Springs City Council - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17207220#ixzz1CBV0Qshe
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

Wes, northern range said...

see! every city has a benson!

Anonymous said...

Here's some more cc in the news.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=177915&catid=346

Anonymous said...

Mr. Benson has done good things for Commerce City. Certainly, a lot more than most. He is not a "yes" man, so he makes some of the others angry.

Anonymous said...

Estelle - I won't be at the meeting and I no longer have small children but when they were smaller they often played in the green belts and on the playground and the upper flat area and all the years I have lived here and backed up to the greenbelt I never once saw water over the top of the small concrete pan. As usual you exaggerate or just flat out lie.

Anonymous said...

Benson, good for CC???
Repeatedly tells others on council to shut up.
Tried to force his plans to a vote more than once (over subjects not even discussed)
Nearly cost us the music festival.
Was taken off all boards and commissons, for a year, by the entire council.
Is embarassed by the city name and its citizens that he says "can't understand what he says".
There is no one else on council that has put this city in a bad position.
I don't want a yes man either, but I will not vote for him again.

Anonymous said...

OK we have four suspects from Commerce City in the hit and run accident that killed the young man who was a valet in Denver and we still are not on Nancy Grace! What do we have to do to get Commerce City on her show? All Loveland had to do was arrest a naked drunk teacher with a student. Breaking News tonight on Nancy Grace! Come on Commerce City, lets get with the program. Excuse the pun here.

Curious in Reunion said...

so are all of these illegals that are linked to the hit and run in Denver all from Commerce City?

Anonymous said...

cc is a sanctuary city?

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 231   Newer› Newest»