JUNE 19, 2014 VOLU M E 9 | I SS UE 49
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
ArvadaPress.com
Page 10
Detailing governance City Council directs staff to further nonprofit development By Crystal Anderson canderson@colorado communitymedia.com While hesitant about the outcome, Arvada City Council directed staff and the Arvada Center’s potential nonprofit board to continue work on a draft partnership agreement, during a council workshop, June 9. “The premise is if the city gives up con-
trol of the facility, that the philanthropic community will be more willing to step in and give more donations and more investment into the center,” Mayor Marc Williams said. “I need to see that actually happen, I need to know that that premise is accurate.” Council heard a presentation of the initial agreement, which outlined the roles and responsibilities of both organizations during the workshop. It touched upon the proposed partnership between the city and nonprofit, the responsibilities of management, programming, and property, and the transfer of employees from the city to the nonprofit. For council, the devil is in the
details, many of which weren’t present in the agreement. “You’re asking that we provide feedback and give you some blessing to go forward or not,” said Councilman Don Allard during the workshop. “It’s very, very important to me regarding the stabilization of an annual contribution ... If you’re recommending this be done, until I see the details of what this business agreement will be, I can’t agree or disagree.” Overall, while supportive of the agreement, several council members said they felt it was too broad and asked for several provisions to be placed in the agreement, including details regarding the Arvada
Blooming art
Historical Society, the nonprofit’s mission statement, clearly defined employment transition terms, separation between the city and the nonprofit. “I think the framework really does try to address most everything, some things might still come up as you’re working on this, but I think we should be proceeding as expeditiously as possible,” said Councilman Bob Dyer. A copy of the draft agreement can be found through the city’s website. City staff will bring a more specific draft agreement to council on July 7 to continue the process.
GOP analyst: ‘Highly unlikely’ governor loses Republican gubernatorial primary a tough one to predict By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Grown over 10 years, the Danknich garden features perennial flowers and plants mixed with garden statues and local artworks. Photos by Crystal Anderson
Arvada’s annual garden show growing By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com This summer, yards throughout Arvada’s neighborhoods will be blossoming for all to see. Arvada’s Garden Tour begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 28, with self-guided spectators touring six of Arvada’s residential gardens and one community garden. Visitors can expect to see large, encompassing gardens full of bright, vibrant flowers, flowering trees and bushes, wildflowers and even a little bit of local art. “I started collecting a piece here and there, and wanted to learn how to do it so I could do it myself,” Tammy Danknich said, regarding her handcrafted fused glass art placed throughout her garden. “It’s nice to blend the glass with the plants, it kind of gives an organic feel to it.” Started four years ago, Arvada’s garden tour is an expansive look at Arvada’s colorful living art. Through the four-hour tour, visitors will be able to walk through the gardens, and indulge in light conversations and refreshments with the gardeners.
“It’s just such fun, seeing the gardens, they’re all so different, and you never know what to expect,” said Organizer Mary Jo Giddings. “It really is a living thing labor of love.” Around 200 spectators are anticipated for this year’s event, which would be the largest number to date. Along with the tour, Giddings said she hopes individuals will walk away with the knowledge of the yards in Arvada and at least one gardening tip. “Just to come away willing to try one new plant or one new placement idea or something to come away with that makes you feel good, and makes you feel enthusiastic,” she said. For gardeners like Pat Young, to garden is more than a hobby, it’s a passion, one she’s been creating and caring for the past 18 years. To her, it’s therapy. “The scents, the colors, and just seeing it grow,” she said. “It’s therapy, and how can you not love it?” Held annually, the garden tour is a fundraiser for the Arvada Historical Society, providing money to help restore, preserve and open Arvada’s historic places for the public. Tickets will be available for purchase
Encompassing the borders of the Young’s lawn, porch and house, are a mixture of perennial flowers, volunteer and exotic plants.
A longtime Republican political analyst said he doesn’t know which of the four GOP contenders for governor will come out of next week’s primary — but it’s doubtful that any of them can beat Gov. John Hickenlooper in the fall. However, the four Republicans who are vying to unseat Hickenlooper take issue with that assessment. Bob Loevy, a retired Colorado College political science professor who has analyzed Colorado politics for decades, believes that Hickenlooper “remains the strong favorite” to win re-election in November, regardless of which candidate Republican voters select to face him in the June 24 primary. “Yes, this is an exciting primary, but what I take away from it is, at the moment, it’s highly unlikely any of these candidates can beat Hickenlooper,” said Loevy, a registered Republican. Voters ballots will have their ballots tallied next week for four Republican candidates next week: former Congressmen Bob Beauprez and Tom Tancredo; Secretary of State Scott Gessler; and former state Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp. Loevy said that it’s “almost impossible to say who is going to win.” “There is little basis on which to think which of these candidates stands out from the other,” he said. “The vote is going to be split. None are total non-entities... you can give a reason why each one of them might win and why each one might lose.” Regardless, Loevy believes that “none of these candidates have the asset of looking like a winner in November.” “The main criticism of (Hickenlooper) is he’s too moderate,” he said. “In that case you’re criticizing him for what wins elections.” But in recent interviews with Colorado Community Media that occurred prior to
GOP continues on Page 8
the day of the event at the Arvada Flour Mill, 5590 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., for $15. “The morning sun on these (gardens) sheds a whole different light on things, it’s beautiful, just gorgeous,” Young said.
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