Arvada Press 1013

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October 13, 2016 VO LUM E 1 2 | IS S U E 20

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Educating voters key to passing proposals

JUST A WALK FROM THE PARK

Opponents say ‘need is great’ but see measures as flawed By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Upon arriving at Warder Elementary School on Oct. 5 — Walk to School Day — students were treated to healthy snacks donated by community businesses. Students walked to the school from Robbie Ferifino Park. Photos by Shanna Fortier

Arvada’s Warder Elementary among more than 155 schools joining in Walk to School Day By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com

C

lose to 100 students put on their walking shoes at Warder Elementary School in Arvada Oct. 5 for Walk to School Day. Colorado has been hosting Walk to School Day since 2006, in conjunction with Colorado Pedestrian Month. This is the 17th year Warder has participated. More than 155 schools across Colorado registered for this year’s event. Warder students met at Robbie Ferifino Park and walked to school on the chilly Wednesday morning. Warder continues on Page 3

They are walking door to door canvassing neighborhoods. They are calling residents. And this week, a mailing campaign will start. Citizens for Jeffco, a group of concerned citizens, business leaders and parents in Jefferson County, is working hard to educate neighbors and residents about the Jeffco Schools’ bond and mill levy override measures on the Nov. 8 ballot. “We still feel like we have a lot of work to do,” said Bill Bottoms, campaign chairman for the organization, which supports the two measures, known as 3A and 3B. Citizens for Jeffco has taken the lead in communicating with community members about the measures, which school officials say are crucial to updating aging buildings and ensuring academic student success but some residents oppose as financially irresponsible. The bulk of the proposed $535 million bond (3A) would provide money for improvements and repairs to schools. The $33 million mill levy override (3B) would generate funding to attract and retain teachers, mental health staff and help cover state funding gaps that could affect class sizes and the ability to fund deferred mantenance on buildings. The measures are on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot, which will be mailed to voters starting Oct. 17. Together, they would increase residential taxes by Campaign continues on Page 4

This is the 17th year Warder Elementary School has participated in Walk to School Day.

COMMUNITY FORUMS Jeffco Schools is holding forums throughout the district to disseminate information on 3A and 3B and answer questions from the community. Three have already been held. The remaining ones are:

2016 presents ‘tough election for everyone’

Monday, Oct. 17, 6-7 p.m. at the Pomona High School library, 8101 W. Pomona Drive, Arvada. Presented by school board members Brad Rupert and Ali Lasell.

Local party organizations campaign for their candidates amid contentious rhetoric

Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6-7 p.m. at the Evergreen Firehouse, 1802 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen. Presented by school board member Susan Harmon.

By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Heading into the last month of the election cycle, everyone — regardless of political affinity — seems to agree that this has been one of the most singular and interesting elections in recent memory. According to research by the polling website FiveThirtyEight, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump are the most disliked candidates in the past 10 elections. “This is a tough election for everyone,” said Anil Matha, chair of the Adams County Republican Party. “There is a lot of anger on both sides, and a lot of discussion and debate.” Pundits, pollsters and people on the street

have all pointed to this year’s election as the most polarizing in recent history. Some blame the divide on the candidates themselves, some on their disparate approaches to government. “It’s no wonder people feel that there’s a little more hate,” said Kyle Saunders, a political science professor at Colorado State University since 2004. “It’s no wonder that people feel that society’s a little more on edge. It’s because it is.” “Basically,” he said, “what we are seeing is a reflexive dislike for somebody on the other side, and the fear that goes along with that.” With Election Day nearing, local Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians are working hard to get the word out about their candidates. “We’re optimistic about a good turnout for this election,” said Cheryl Cheney, chair of Jefferson County’s Democratic Party. “We have people who are actually anxious to vote. We get a lot of questions about how soon the ballots will be sent out.” (Ballots will be mailed to registered voters Oct. 17.) Election continues on Page 5

COMING NEXT WEEK: ELECTION GUIDE Don’t miss Colorado Community Media’s guide to the 2016 local and state elections in next week’s edition.

READY, SET, GO Kids’ running programs get children excited about physical fitness on PAGE 12.


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