Bill Christopher: Time to bring back Westminster Fire Department ballot issue
At last November’s city election, the City of Westminster had two failed ballot issues.One would have moved the ball forward on a ward system to elect the six council members. The other one was an aggressive, well-thought-out package of fire station improvements, additional firefighting and emergency medical personnel and necessary firefighting and emergency medical rolling stock.There were two key reasons for this proposition failing to gain voters’ support.First, it was too much of a “one bite at the apple.” It would have been much smarter and politically wise to do the needed brick and mortar improvements on a phased multi-year basis. In turn, the personnel and equipment would likewise have been phased-in over time.Secondly, there was no one explaining OR advocating for the passage of this set of improvements which would have directly benefitted residents and businesses in the affected areas. The mayor, city council and city administration could have educated the voting public on the merits of this package.This second ballot issue clearly warrants another “run” this coming November, but with some laser-like modifications. Then-Fire Chief Derek Menard made a clear justification to city council last fall when it was decided to place the Fire Department proposal on the ballot. New fire stations No. 7 and No. 8 are needed to improve response times to fires and emergency medical calls in the areas. This part is primary and Job #1.The remaining portion of the package – to tear down and rebuild two existing fire stations and remodel Fire Station No. 1 – should be considered secondary. The proposal to jump city sales and use taxes a full one-half percent was too hefty. The scope of work and the amount of additional tax need to be done with a scalpel; not a meat clever.Education about the Fire department starts with leadersI know the previous Fire Department proposal was mishandled by the city manager at the time and the city council was ticked. This time there is no room to ignore the need to educate and promote whatever package is hammered out, assuming the elected officials will get behind the needed improvements. We will talk another time about a hybrid fire station/EMS station concept to keep costs down.It is essential to have the voting public fully informed and comfortable with the desired package. Costs and the proposed tax increase must be seen as reasonable and justified. The city council should put a citizen’s campaign committee together to educate and promote the needed improvements.If the voters are left in the dark again, they will vote down the improvements again. We don’t want that to happen.Here’s a new one – YIGBYI bet you don’t know what YIGBY stands for. No, Tony it does not have anything to do with BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle). I had not heard of it either.It stands for “Yes, in God’s Backyard” which we know is a take-off on NIMBY which stands for “Not in my Backyard.”YIGBY is a part of a national pro-development movement to utilize available church properties for the construction of affordable housing. Recently, House Bill 1169 was introduced in our state legislature which would further strip away municipal land use and zoning controls on such properties.Certainly there is a valid argument to utilize church properties where there are excess, unused parking lot areas or vacant land which never was expanded upon by the church. In some cases, the church itself may have closed permanently and could be demolished and built upon.It is interesting to note that a survey of religious properties in Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties alone have over 5,000 acres of undeveloped land. This references a survey done by House Representative Andrew Boesenecker.The issue of course is what process should be used and to what extent the affected neighborhood should have a say in the proposed residential development. Under this Bill, educational institutions, including school districts and state colleges/universities would also be included.In the “more mature” part of Westminster, we recognize opportunities involving churches which have either closed or are experiencing significant losses in their congregations. Selling their property has a whole host of church red tape, but if it could be untangled it would provide some income to the regional church organization.Anyway, the Bill makes a good point on the potential for re-development, but each municipality’s land use, density and public process should be adhered to.Is President Trump’s goal to destroy our constitutional way of governing?It’s a heavy question and it rightfully needs to be answered in light of what is transpiring each day President Trump cuts loose with more executive orders or has his cohort Elon Musk rip into another federal agency, firing employees in a wholesale fashion without justification or due process.As of February 20, President Trump will have been in office for just over 30 days. It seems more like a year or longer given the chaos, disruption, angst and genuine concern he has launched in America. His “flood the zone” approach which is an old football play term, is working quite well as it is extremely difficult for citizens, elected officials and government workers to concentrate on a single, individual action or decision made by him and his team.However, first look at Project 2025 (which Trump contends he never read or knows what is contained within this “constitutional plan for destruction.”)It carefully maps out one action/strategy after another on how to disassemble our democracy one step at a time built on the pillars of the U.S. Constitution.First and foremost, I believe his total disregard for “the separation of powers” doctrine contained in the U.S. Constitution will or should negate his actions and the actions of his “henchman” Elon Musk in firing thousands of federal employees, eliminating federal agencies/departments and freezing the flow of appropriated federal funds.Yes, our federal government is bloated and needs thoughtful reduction. These decisions are the responsibility of the U.S. Congress; not the executive branch of our federal government. While it looks like both houses of the Republican controlled Congress will be benign in any attempt to stop Trump’s actions, I pray that the U.S. court system will prevail and block his attempt at what amounts to a coup d’état.America has never been under such a full-frontal attack like Mr. Trump has designed with the help of other right wing extremists including Stephen Miller, J.D. Vance and Elon Musk. Ultimately, it all rests with the integrity of the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the law – which clearly scares me.What are your thoughts on the events and actions of the last 30 days? I have received mixed responses to my question from people I talk to. For example, one lady thought Trump was “cutting the fat” out of the federal government. Another lady was more in the middle of the road while a knowledgeable male friend saw chaos, Constitutional violations and an attempt to “take over” the U.S. government lock, stock and barrel.Thornton Council candidates already are lining upApparently, it is not too early to file the necessary paperwork with the City of Thornton City Clerk’s Office to declare intentions of running for city council seats in the upcoming November election.Two candidates each have filed for Ward 2, 3 and 4. So far, Ward 2 has John Alge and Eric Montoya running. Then in Ward 3 there are Sam Nizam and Devin Byrd seeking a vacant council seat. Next, in Ward 4, Jason Anaya-Ledeboer and Drew Morris are lined up to campaign for the upcoming vacant seat.In Ward 1, there will be a special election on March 25 to fill the seat vacated by former council member and now Adams County Commissioner Kathy Henson. As previously listed, there are three candidates who have filed seeking this council seat. They are Cherish Salazar, Eric Garcia and Thomas “Tom” Mollendor.Whoever wins the election will be required to run in the November election to keep the seat going forward.Running for election in a ward versus at-large seat in the whole community certainly reduces the efforts and can reduce costs to campaign depending on what the other candidates do in the way of funding. The number of potential voters involved in a ward campaign in Thornton could theoretically be 16%-20% of the city’s total registered population. So you quickly see the difference in scale.Anyway, be aware that fundraising will soon start and candidates will be knocking on doors. Have your questions ready for the candidates.Bill Christopher is a former Westminster city manager and RTD board member. His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media. You can contact him at [email protected] post Bill Christopher: Time to bring back Westminster Fire Department ballot issue appeared first on Colorado Community Media.
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