tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post6539845981347242874..comments2024-01-07T16:16:11.849-07:00Comments on Opinions: Commerce City General Issues February 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-59274805388347186402009-02-28T21:22:00.000-07:002009-02-28T21:22:00.000-07:00Why is the City of Commerce City paying $26,000 pe...Why is the City of Commerce City paying $26,000 per acre foot when it could purchase the developers' water for $12,000 acre foot?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-85941070768274972482009-02-27T23:05:00.000-07:002009-02-27T23:05:00.000-07:00Michelle Cawthra given the maximum possible senten...Michelle Cawthra given the maximum possible sentence on Friday<BR/><BR/>Michelle Cawthra apologized in court on Friday and said she took responsibility for diverting tax refunds to business and accounts controlled by her boyfriend.<BR/><BR/>32 year old Cawthra was sentenced to 24 years and ordered to pay back nearly $10.9 million in restitution.<BR/><BR/>Cawthra's attorney asked that she be placed in community correctios rather then prison so Cawthra could start paying back money she stole.<BR/><BR/>Colorado Department of Revenue Director Roxy Huber stated: "When you steal from the taxpayers, the consequences must match the levels of betrayal."<BR/><BR/>Michelle Cawthra is the granddaughter of former Commerce City Mayor Harold Kite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-90834506457988637522009-02-27T22:30:00.000-07:002009-02-27T22:30:00.000-07:00AdCo Homeowners Block Neighborhood Garbage Dump Ad...AdCo Homeowners Block Neighborhood Garbage Dump <BR/><BR/>Adams County Caves in on Citizen Lawsuit Demanding Public Input Neighbor: "We are still skeptical whether Adams County Commissioners Will Give us a Fair Shake."<BR/><BR/>(Bennett, CO. Feb 27, 2009) Adams County homeowners have won a court battle to block a huge garbage dump in their neighborhood near Bennett, east of Denver International Airport. But they've racked up nearly $100,000 in legal fees to sue the county to keep the landfill away from their doors, and the fight isn't over yet. <BR/><BR/>The citizen lawsuit charged county officials arbitrarily approved the 165-acre dump without granting a public hearing or notifying neighbors. Adams County caved in to the citizen lawsuit after it lost a similar landfill case near Last Chance. An Adams County judge put the case on hold when the county reluctantly agreed to the public hearings.<BR/><BR/>The County formally notified the company that wants open the large landfill it was rescinding "administrative" approval to open the dump. Instead, it must go through a process that includes at least two public hearings.<BR/><BR/>The Bennett dump is on hold and neighbors will get their public hearing, but it will be in front of the same county commissioners that ruled folks living nearby didn't have a say in the first place. <BR/><BR/>"We're happy we stalled the landfill, but we're still skeptical whether Adams County Commissioners will give us a fair shake," said Leslie Gerbracht, head of Dump the Dump, the grassroots group formed by about 40 property owners to fight the landfill. <BR/><BR/>"We got the public hearing the law says we deserve, but we will be talking to the county commissioners who let the deal slide through behind closed doors in the first place." <BR/><BR/>County planners earlier "administratively" approved a permit for Five Part Development to open the 165-acre garbage dump in the rural agricultural and residential neighborhood. The company is owned by Phil Spano, a long-time Adams County developer who has often made generous political contributions to county officials.<BR/><BR/>“We just woke up one morning and saw bulldozers digging a big pit in the ground. That’s how we found out we were going to get a dump that takes every kind of garbage you can imagine,” said Chuck Saxton, whose 35-acre plot is next door to the dump.<BR/><BR/>The citizen lawsuit uncovered evidence that Spano lawyers met behind closed doors to persuade Adams County Planning Director Robert Coney to “proceed administratively, without a public hearing.” That broke Colorado Health Department regulations and the county’s own rules, but Adams County approved the dump anyway.<BR/><BR/>The landfill is now licensed to Alpine Disposal, which has corporate ties to Spano's Five Part Development. <BR/><BR/>Colorado health department officials fought a long court battle with Five Part and Spano to close or clean up three other dumps in Adams County in the late 1990’s. <BR/><BR/>Hearings before the county planning commission and the county commissioners won't be held for at least three months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-71535594619875210472009-02-27T22:04:00.000-07:002009-02-27T22:04:00.000-07:00ARREST MADE AND CHARGES FILED IN DOUBLE HOMICIDETh...ARREST MADE AND CHARGES FILED IN DOUBLE HOMICIDE<BR/><BR/>The Adams County Sheriff's Office has arrested and charged Kara Lorelle Lounsbury for the January 15, 2009 double homicide that occurred in the 42700 block of East 144th Avenue, unincorporated Adams County. The Adams County District Attorney’s Office has reviewed the case with the Sheriff’s Office and is filing charges against Kara Lorelle Lounsbury, 31, of Watkins, Colorado for two counts of First Degree Murder for the deaths of 69-year-old Harold Enander and 61-year-old Velva Enander. Kara Lounsbury is the daughter of Harold Enander and the stepdaughter of Velva Enander. <BR/><BR/>Harold and Velva Enander were found dead in their home on January 15, 2009, by a neighbor who was checking on the couple.<BR/><BR/>Lounsbury is being held at the Adams County Detention Facility without bond. There will be an initial court appearance and advisal of charges for Lounsbury on March 2, 2009 at 8:30 a.m., in Division E of the Adams County Courthouse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-53215009920965317822009-02-27T18:45:00.000-07:002009-02-27T18:45:00.000-07:00Goodbye Rocky, we loved you and we will miss you.Goodbye Rocky, we loved you and we will miss you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-77942354631214725032009-02-27T17:09:00.000-07:002009-02-27T17:09:00.000-07:00Goodbye Colorado,It is with great sadness that we ...Goodbye Colorado,<BR/><BR/>It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to you today. Our time chronicling the life of Denver and Colorado, the nation and the world, is over. Thousands of men and women have worked at this newspaper since William Byers produced its first edition on the banks of Cherry Creek on April 23, 1859. We speak, we believe, for all of them, when we say that it has been an honor to serve you. To have reached this day, the final edition of the Rocky Mountain News, just 55 days shy of its 150th birthday is painful. We will scatter. And all that will be left are the stories we have told, captured on microfilm or in digital archives, devices unimaginable in those first days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-54246024330720958042009-02-27T17:06:00.000-07:002009-02-27T17:06:00.000-07:00SUSPECT SHOOTS VICTIM DURING CAR-JACKING On Februa...SUSPECT SHOOTS VICTIM DURING CAR-JACKING <BR/><BR/>On February 25, 2009, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Adams County Sheriff's Office received a radio call of a shooting victim in the 7500 block of Broadway. When the deputies arrived, they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. <BR/><BR/>The victim told deputies the suspects had taken his 1999, Chevrolet suburban. Deputies in the area saw the vehicle and a short pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended in the area of 70th Avenue and Avrum Street. One suspect then fled, on foot into the neighborhood. A perimeter was established and a reverse 911 notification was made to approximately 1,000 residents, notifying them of the situation and requesting they stay in their residence and notify law enforcement of any suspicious persons or activity in the area. An extensive search of the area was conducted but the suspect was not located and the perimeter has been released. <BR/><BR/>The suspects are described as white males. One of the suspects was possibly wearing prescription eyeglasses, a dark baseball cap and dark shirt. The suspects may be associated with a red passenger vehicle. <BR/><BR/>The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital and the victim’s vehicle was recovered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-82624308406424166492009-02-27T16:19:00.000-07:002009-02-27T16:19:00.000-07:00City trust foundation to benefit from music festiv...City trust foundation to benefit from music festival <BR/><BR/>COMMERCE CITY – Music fans across the country won’t be the only ones to benefit from this summer’s Mile High Music Festival July 18-19 in Commerce City.<BR/><BR/>AEG Live, which produces live entertainment and sporting events, has announced it will donate portions of ticket sales from this year’s music festival to the city’s Quality Community Foundation.<BR/><BR/>Chuck Morris, president and CEO of AEG Live Rocky Mountain, said the organization will donate 50 cents from each paid ticket to the local nonprofit organization. Morris added that if sales exceed 80,000 tickets, AEG will donate an extra 50 cents per ticket, which will bring the total contribution to $1 from each paid ticket sold. Last year’s attendance, according to Morris, was about 90,000 people. <BR/><BR/>Morris said AEG will also offer on option on its Web site, www.milehighmusicfestival.com, for online ticket buyers to make donations to the foundation. <BR/> <BR/>“This is extremely good news,” said Commerce City Mayor Paul Natale. “This is such an incredible event, and for AEG to donate money to the city’s Quality Community Foundation is just music to my ears.<BR/> <BR/>“The city is excited to again be apart of the Mile High Music Festival,’’ Natale added. ‘‘AEG is looking to be a valued partner in our city, and we look forward to the festival becoming a long-standing tradition in Commerce City.’’<BR/> <BR/>The Quality Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by the city in 2006. It grants money to organizations that provide nonprofit services to Commerce City residents. In 2008, the Quality Community Foundation granted $100,000 to nonprofit organizations such as Commerce City Community Health Services, Adams County food distribution program, and The Senior Hub/Meals on Wheels. The Foundation had requests totaling nearly $500,000.<BR/><BR/>“AEG’s generous donation will no doubt help the Quality Community Foundation reach out and help more organizations in our city, which in turn, will help more people,” Natale said. “In light of the current economy, AEG’s charity couldn’t have come at a better time, and we can’t thank them enough.”<BR/><BR/>The musical lineup for this summer’s event has not been announced. The Mile High Music Festival takes place at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-87211265707029396162009-02-27T16:17:00.000-07:002009-02-27T16:17:00.000-07:00‘Night of the Stars’ auditions set for March 5COMM...‘Night of the Stars’ auditions set for March 5<BR/><BR/>COMMERCE CITY – Local youth shined in last year’s inaugural “Night of the Stars” talent show, and program leaders hope this year’s troupe of performers do the same.<BR/><BR/>“We had several youth place high in last year’s competition,” said Jenna Sutheimer, youth services coordinator for Commerce City. “They did a great job representing the city’s youth and we all had a lot of fun.”<BR/><BR/>Participants for this year’s show are now being sought. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will hold auditions next Thursday, March 5. Auditions will begin at 6 p.m. at the Commerce City Recreation Center, 6060 E. Parkway Drive. <BR/><BR/>Auditions are open to youths in grades K-12 with talent in music, voice, and performance. The cost to audition is $5 per person; register by March 4.<BR/><BR/>Those chosen to participate will compete with contestants from the City of Denver; the competition is 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at Adams City High School. Tickets for the event are $3 at the door for those ages 5 and older.<BR/><BR/>First-place winners of the local competition will go on to a metrowide competition against talent from other cities on Saturday, April 25.<BR/><BR/>To register for an audition, contact the Commerce City Recreation Center at (303) 289-3789. For more information or audition rules, contact Jenna Sutheimer at (303) 289-3674.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-40708833283890292152009-02-27T16:16:00.000-07:002009-02-27T16:16:00.000-07:00Hurry to sign up for city summer camp programsCOMM...Hurry to sign up for city summer camp programs<BR/><BR/>COMMERCE CITY – Spaces fill fast, so enroll early to ensure your spot in Commerce City’s summer camps. These popular camps offer field trips, arts and crafts, teambuilding games and more for youths ages 6-15 and are a great way to fill the summer months. <BR/><BR/>Children must be enrolled by May 11 in order to attend summer camp; registration for classes is offered to enrollees on a weekly basis at an affordable rate.<BR/><BR/>Commerce City’s summer camps are state licensed and CCAP approved and offer low child-to-staff ratios. Camps provide a safe and friendly environment, offering campers lots of opportunities to make new friends, try new things and have fun.<BR/><BR/>Campers are encouraged to participate in a new and fun theme each week. Special projects, gym games and more will be a part of each day, and field trips for swimming, hiking and other adventures are included.<BR/><BR/>City summer camps are offered at two locations: the Commerce City Recreation Center and Second Creek Elementary School. Summer Day Camp is for children ages 6-10; hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday at both locations. <BR/><BR/>Looking for something to engage your teen? Then check out the Teen Scene Camp. Teen Scene is run by the Parks and Recreation Department and is open to youths age 11-15. Teens will be included in planning activities and field trips. Hours for Teen Scene are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at both camp locations.<BR/><BR/>For more information on summer camps and to enroll, call (303) 289-3760. <BR/><BR/>Second Creek Elementary Camps<BR/>9950 Laredo Drive<BR/>June 1-Aug. 7<BR/><BR/>Commerce City Recreation Center Camps<BR/>6060 E. Parkway Drive <BR/>June 15-Aug. 7<BR/> <BR/>Fee: $120/week resident; $145/week non-resident<BR/>Summer Day Camp, ages: 6-10 years<BR/>Teen Scene Camp, ages: 11-15 yearsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-46322436437201907882009-02-27T16:11:00.000-07:002009-02-27T16:11:00.000-07:00E-470 board announces new director appointees and ...E-470 board announces new director appointees and officers<BR/><BR/>AURORA – The E-470 Public Highway Authority board of directors, comprised of representatives from each of its eight member jurisdictions, has announced board appointments and officer elections for the coming year. Aurora mayor Ed Tauer was elected to chair the board, with Commerce City mayor Paul Natale serving as vice chair, and Arapahoe County commissioner Frank Weddig as Secretary Treasurer. <BR/><BR/>The additional five board members include three continuing officials: Adams County commissioner Larry Pace, Brighton mayor Jan Pawlowski, and Thornton mayor Erik Hansen. Newly appointed to the board are Douglas County commissioner Jack Hilbert and Parker council member Gary Lasater. <BR/><BR/>Each of the eight jurisdictions selects its own appointee to serve on the board of directors. <BR/><BR/>The E-470 Board of Directors is also comprised of non-voting affiliate directors from Arvada , Broomfield , Greeley , and Weld County , and non-voting ex-officio directors representing the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Denver Regional Council of Governments and the Regional Transportation District.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-60486392600200122812009-02-27T03:04:00.000-07:002009-02-27T03:04:00.000-07:00City Council agendaCOMMERCE CITY – The following i...City Council agenda<BR/><BR/>COMMERCE CITY – The following is a tentative agenda for the upcoming City Council study session. This agenda is subject to change. For more information about posting locations, please contact the city clerk at (303) 289-3611, or visit www.c3gov.com and click on “Government” and then “Agendas and Minutes.”<BR/><BR/>6:30 p.m. Monday, March 2<BR/>Regular meeting<BR/>Civic Center council chambers<BR/>Consent agenda<BR/>• Resolution 2009-11 – Approving contract with the Colorado Department of Transportation and accepting Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality improvement funding.<BR/>• Resolution 2009-13 – Approving conveyance of certain city-owned property to Brighton School District 27J.<BR/>• Resolution 2009-19 – Setting drainage and road impact fees.<BR/>• Resolution 2009-22 – Supporting retention of Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge as the official name of the refuge.<BR/>Ordinances on first reading<BR/>• Ordinance 1758 – Amendments to Residential Occupancy Standards.<BR/>• Ordinance 1759 – 2009 grant from the Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement fund in the amount of $1,800 for the Police Department Victim Services program.<BR/>• Ordinance 1760 – Recognizing grant in the amount of $75,000 from The Colorado Trust.<BR/>Public hearing<BR/>• Ordinance FP-32-08 – Approval of flood plain permit for 104th Avenue and Second Creek.<BR/>• Ordinance Z-884-09 – Adams County School District 27J requests rezoning from agricultural to public for property located at 15995 E. 101st Way.<BR/>• Resolution 2009-15 – Adams County School District 27J requests approval of the Stuart Middle School final plat for property located at 15995 E. 101st Way.<BR/>Executive session<BR/>• Executive session for the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations and instructing negotiators under Colorado Revised Statutes 24-6-402(4)(e) regarding U.S. Fish and Wildlife land issues.<BR/>General Improvement District meeting following council meeting<BR/>• GID 144-09 – Inclusion of Stuart Middle School into the GID.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-31220549579417696132009-02-26T23:01:00.000-07:002009-02-26T23:01:00.000-07:00I disagree with comment that coucnil going to DC i...I disagree with comment that coucnil going to DC is a waste, we need all of the council in DC to show power. Especially is times like this when everyone needs the fed. Gov. help. Also, just the important issues like the renaming of the Rocky Mt Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. I am happy that all of the council will be going to DC.<BR/><BR/>DeeDee, 80022Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-48875045517149912262009-02-26T22:59:00.000-07:002009-02-26T22:59:00.000-07:00Sen. Bennet’s Statement on Closing of Rocky Mounta...Sen. Bennet’s Statement on Closing of Rocky Mountain News<BR/><BR/>Washington, DC – United States Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement after today’s announcement that the Rocky Mountain News will close:<BR/><BR/>“The Rocky Mountain News has chronicled the storied, and at times tumultuous, history of Colorado for nearly 150 years. I am deeply saddened by this news, and my heart goes out to all the talented men and women at the Rocky. I am grateful for their hard work and dedication to not only their profession, but the people of Colorado as well.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-38898673404688249202009-02-26T14:10:00.000-07:002009-02-26T14:10:00.000-07:00Anonymous said... I heard Reunion is building a ne...Anonymous said... <BR/>I heard Reunion is building a new pool, rec center and skate park. How can a small sub division build for its residents but our city can't build anything for us that don't live in reunion?<BR/><BR/>February 6, 2009 11:08 PM<BR/><BR/><BR/>This is a really good question! 1st of all as with many rumors, it is false it is only going to be a pool and a fairly small one. Second, Reunion is owned and run by Shea Homes, a business. To compete against other home builders it needs to provide ammenities so that it looks like an attractive place to live. So, it builds parks, green areas, pools, lakes, rec centers, and oh yeah homes - Homes are the things it makes money at, just like how King Soopers sells milk for $2 per gallon to get you into their store, Shea does things to make you buy.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, if you don't know, if you are a homeowner in Reunion, you have incredible taxes. Not 2 times as much as someone in the core city, but some times 4 and 5 times that amount. My tax bill this year will be over $4000. <BR/><BR/>Oh, and by the way, give me one ammenity that the city has "given" to the Northeern Area of Commerce City! We have no city: Skate Park, Water Park, Ball Fields, Recreation Center, or even a regular Park. So when you say you have nothing - I beg to differ.<BR/><BR/>Ignorance sickens me - You get the dummy of the week award.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-11564376733134934032009-02-25T18:22:00.000-07:002009-02-25T18:22:00.000-07:00I am so tired of everyone bashing the city council...I am so tired of everyone bashing the city council over and over and over. Can't we talk about anything that is positive in the city, for God Sake!<BR/><BR/>Jason EllisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-2809670529055965102009-02-25T17:28:00.000-07:002009-02-25T17:28:00.000-07:00Mayor Pro tem is ridiculous “Best money spent”? A...Mayor Pro tem is ridiculous “Best money spent”? Are you kidding, half the council is leaving and your wasting time and money to have a bunch of people that aren’t even going to be here in nov. to meet staff of federal officials.<BR/><BR/>Come on! Aren’t you smarter then that?<BR/><BR/>Tim D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-50258542240403022732009-02-25T16:30:00.000-07:002009-02-25T16:30:00.000-07:00Yes, Thank you Officer Baker, if it was up to me y...Yes, Thank you Officer Baker, if it was up to me you would have been the Police Chief of Commerce City. NO DOUBT, HANDS DOWNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-38727963339965876392009-02-25T01:05:00.000-07:002009-02-25T01:05:00.000-07:00I wanted to say great job to the CARZ Club and all...I wanted to say great job to the CARZ Club and all of its members on a great four years of helping the community and providing many free clean ups to those in need. Thank you<BR/><BR/>Core CommentsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-14213127412606472342009-02-24T16:49:00.000-07:002009-02-24T16:49:00.000-07:00Thank you for all your Service Chuck!We will all m...Thank you for all your Service Chuck!<BR/><BR/>We will all miss youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-76797069176085095362009-02-24T06:17:00.000-07:002009-02-24T06:17:00.000-07:00I have never heard about the possible name change ...I have never heard about the possible name change of the Refuge until now.<BR/><BR/>I am shocked that anyone would even attempt to do such a thing. After all of the history and turmoil.<BR/><BR/>I applaud the council on a strong stance of this issue and I entrust they will do the right thing when in Washington DC about this.<BR/><BR/>Kay, Long time residentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-66644771618859393582009-02-23T22:43:00.000-07:002009-02-23T22:43:00.000-07:00Congratulations to Chuck Baker of the Commerce Cit...Congratulations to Chuck Baker of the Commerce City Police Department on your new Police Chief position in Kentucky. We wish you the Best of Luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-39452505076304199372009-02-23T21:40:00.000-07:002009-02-23T21:40:00.000-07:00We are going to be looking for new council members...We are going to be looking for new council members soon ; What are some names , backgrounds and credentials of possible candidates? Personally, I want nothing to do with people like race track rene with his jealousy and the angry guy in overalls that follows the mayor so let’s just leave them out of the conversation. We need quality leadership to further improve our progression. Any thoughts ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-55149026978357941332009-02-23T19:57:00.000-07:002009-02-23T19:57:00.000-07:00Council doesn't want to stay in same hotel because...Council doesn't want to stay in same hotel because they don't like each other. And for good reason.<BR/><BR/>What ever happened to staff looking into the so called "Breach" by Jim Benson, how long does it take to "look into the situation"?<BR/><BR/>Core CommentsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787227658370252666.post-61943445412431206072009-02-23T19:52:00.000-07:002009-02-23T19:52:00.000-07:00Yes, good job C Town on the Music festival, no tha...Yes, good job C Town on the Music festival, no thanks to Jim Benson and 2A crew.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com