July 23, 2015 VOLUME 149 | ISSUE 33 | 50¢
GoldenTranscript.net 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
Grand marshals announced John and Jane Tracy to be in Buffalo Bill Days parade By Christy Steadman
csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com
Colorado Community Media’s own John Tracy and his wife, Jane, will be recognized as grand marshals in the Buffalo Bill Days 2015 Best of the West Parade. The grand marshals and honored guests of each year’s parade are selected because they are people who give back to the community, said Katherine Leith Porter, president of the Buffalo Bill Days organizing committee. “They have donated countless hours to the betterment of the community,” said Bob Short, a Golden resident for 27 years and friend of the Tracys. “They’re both deserving of the grand marshals.” The Tracys are happy to be chosen as grand marshals, John said. “It’s a nice honor,” he said. “We’re pleased to be nominated.” John is the recipient of many local recognition awards, including the Golden Living Landmark Award, Golden Rotary’s “Service Above Self” award, the Golden Chamber Chairman’s Award and the Golden Chamber “Charlie O’Brien Award.”
Jeffco school district wants 10-month agreement By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com
Jane and John Tracy, of Golden, will be honored as the grand marshals in the Buffalo Bill Days’ 2015 Best of the West Parade, which takes place from 10-11:30 a.m. July 25 in downtown Golden. Courtesy photo He has held many positions with The Golden Transcript and Colorado Community Media, including general manager and associate publisher. Jane has been employed with the West
Chamber of Commerce, served on the board and chaired the first four years of the Golden Fine Arts Festival and served Marshals continues on Page 5
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GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Golden Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 722 Washington Ave., Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legals: Fri. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 5 p.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
Teachers’ union balks at contract length
Golden city manager Mike Bestor is retiring after 21 ½ years of service to the city. His favorite part about Golden, he said, is the small-town feel with proximity to big-city resources. Photo by Christy Steadman
Retiring city manager leaves record of achievement Bestor has served Golden for more than two decades By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com
Mike Bestor knew from the beginning Golden was a place where things were going to happen — a place with potential. So he worked hard to get his job as city manager. He studied the city’s financial reports. He read old newspaper articles. He traveled from Rifle to attend city council meetings — where he sat in the back so the council would assume he was a resident. He did not introduce himself, so he could simply observe and listen. When the council chose him as city manager, Bestor was thrilled. But he never thought the job would last for more than two decades. “In the past 20 years, we’ve built the community I want to retire in,” Bestor said. “And stay.” Bestor, 70, is doing just that.
ATTEND MIKE BESTOR’S RETIREMENT PARTY! The Golden community is invited to attend city manager Mike Bestor’s retirement party. The celebration will be 4:30-7 p.m., with a special presentation at 6 p.m., July 29 at the Colorado School of Mines, 924 16th St., in Freidhoff Hall in the campus Green Center. His last day of work is July 28. Steve Glueck, the city’s community and economic development director, will step in as interim city manager until new city manager Jason Slowinski completes his contract as village manager of Lake Zurich, Ill. “In my opinion,” said Marv Kay, mayor of Golden when Bestor was hired in December 1993, “we’ve had the best city manager in the state of Colorado for the past 20 years.” City officials and community members City continues on Page 5
The Jeffco school district has offered teachers a 10-month contract, a term the union considers unacceptable. “We haven’t had less than a two-year agreement since the ‘80s,” said JCEA Spokesman Scott Kwasny. “Teachers want stability. They don’t want their representatives going back to the negotiation table in a few months.” After five months of open negotiations, the collective bargaining agreement’s term remains the main sticking point between the Jefferson County School District and the Jefferson County Education Association. The two entities agree on the document’s draft language. “A 10-month term allows us to revisit the entire contract and make adjustments to the provisions, most of which are completely new to Jeffco,” said Amy Weber, Jeffco’s Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the negotiation team. “Having a contract deadline of June motivates both sides to seriously consider what has worked this year and what should be reconsidered. We believe this process will lead to a more successful contract between the district and the JCEA.” The proposed 10-month contract, which would cover the period from Sept. 1 to June 30, includes language about the importance of having effective educators in the classroom, retaining school-level autonomy and optimizing teacher instructional time and schedules. The 41-page document also includes terms of employment between union teachers and the district. “We believe the draft collective bargaining agreement reflects the hard work at the table to accomplish these interests, as well as interests brought by JCEA,” Weber said. The district also likes how the 10-month period aligns with Jeffco’s budget process. But Lesley Dahlkemper, a member of the board minority, said this year’s process and the draft agreement is fiscally irresponsible and disrespectful to teachers. “Under this proposal, the district and the association will be back at the negotiating table in just over six months … ,” she said. “Our superintendent has a three-year contract — our teachers deserve the same.” According to Kwasny, JCEA sent an email to the board requesting an open-table discussion about the contract length. As of press time Tuesday, it was unclear whether the board would agree. Once both negotiating teams agree to a draft agreement, it goes to JCEA members for a vote. If teachers approve, it would then go to the school board for final approval. “It’s been a rocky road with the board, and teachers want stability — that’s what a multi-year bargaining agreement would bring,” Kwasny said. “We’re certainly willing to be at the table until midnight on Aug. 31 to get something worked out.” The current contract expires Aug. 31. Kwasny said JCEA is still negotiating in good faith but that it is too soon to tell what would happen if no agreement is reached by that date. Board President Ken Witt, who is out of town, responded in a text that, because of schedules, the board cannot meet before its Aug. 27 study session. “I appreciate the hard work of the district and JCEA negotiatiors and am pleased that so much progress has been made,” he said. “I am confident that the district will continue to represent the best interests of our students.” To read the draft agreement, visit: http://bit. ly/1MwZd06