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October 13, 2016 VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 9
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LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
WALKING FOR THE FUN OF IT
Educating voters key to passing proposals Opponents say ‘need is great’ but see measures as flawed By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com 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 neighDon’t miss bors and residents Colorado about the Jeffco Community Schools’ bond and Media’s guide mill levy override to the 2016 measures on the local and state Nov. 8 ballot. elections in “We still feel next week’s like we have a lot edition. 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 $49.44 a year for every $100,000 in home value.
COMING NEXT WEEK: ELECTION GUIDE
Belmar Elementary students walk to their school from nearby Addenbrooke Park in honor of International Walk to School Day on Oct. 5. Teachers and staff hosted a fun gathering at the park before school started to get students excited for the walk. Find more photos on PAGE 4. Photo by Clarke Reader
‘A tough Candidates want election for RTD to stay on track everyone’ Local party organizations campaign for their candidates amid contentious rhetoric
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.” Election continues on Page 8
Incumbent Menten getting challenged by Ruchman in District M
QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES?
By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com
You can contact them at:
The race for RTD board of directors in District M comes down to vision. Both incumbent Natalie Menten and challenger Dave Ruchman have experience in working on the transportation issues facing the metro area. For Menten, a board member should keep a close eye on tax dollars and ensure Menten full transparency in all decisions. “The more fiscal watchdogs we have on the board, the better taxpayers’ money will be stretched,” she said. “Financially, we need to be making the right decisions because Ruchman otherwise RTD is not sustainable.” Ruchman wants RTD to be the envy of other cities by leading in userfriendliness, technology and collaboration. “Transportation should be friendlier to all people who want to use it — seniors, the underserved and disabled,” he said. “I think RTD could
303-647-8900
Natalie Menten info@nataliementen.com www.nataliementen.com Dave Ruchman 303-238-8424 dave@daveruchman4rtd.com
Proposals continues on Page 27
www.daveruchman4rtd.com
become one of the most high-tech agencies in the country.” The RTD race is on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot. Menten is finishing up her first four-year term in District M, which covers most of Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Edgewater, Mountain View and some of south Arvada. Ruchman served the same area on the RTD board from 2000 to 2008. He also chaired Lakewood’s West Colfax 2040 Vision Plan. Eight years of experience, including helping to get the W Rail off the ground, taught Ruchman the importance of collaboration, especially in the transportation arena, he said. RTD Race continues on Page 7
OUT IN PLEIN SIGHT The In Plein Sight festival brought artists and nature together to create new works of art last week. PAGE 5