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July 15, 2021
ADAMS & JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
WestminsterWindow.com
SUNSET AND FIREWORKS
VOLUME 76 | ISSUE 38
Westminster recall election guide STAFF REPORT
A Westminster Fourth of July fireworks display at City Park was backed by the Rocky Mountains outlined by the final streams of the day’s sunlight. The cities of Westminster and Northglenn combined efforts this year, with Northglenn hosting events throughout the area and Westminster hosting the fireworks display. For more Independence Day photos, PHOTO BY LIAM ADAMS turn to page 8.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 20
The city of Westminster will spend up to $250,000 on a recall election that could remove City Councilor Jon Voelz from office. Voelz’s council seat is up for election in November, depending on the result of the recall. Ballots have already been sent out and polling centers opened on July 12. Votes will be counted on July 20. In addition to the question of whether Voelz should be recalled, voters are also being asked if candidate Kathleen Dodaro should elected if Voelz is recalled. The mid-summer election is the result of a fight over water rates that began last September when the Westminster Water Warriors, a group of citizens, launched a recall campaign against Voelz, Mayor Anita Seitz, Councilor Kathryn Skulley and former Mayor Herb Atchison over claims that the four supported raising water rates or did not support lowering water rates. Ultimately, the Water Warriors secured enough signatures on Voelz and Atchison’s recall petitions to trigger recall elections against the two. Atchison resigned soon after that announcement. In May, supporters filed a protest on Voelz’s behalf contesting signatures on his recall petitions. An administrative hearing officer determined the recall election could still proceed because Voelz’s petition contained three signatures above the minimum threshold required to trigger a recall election. In May, Defend Westminster, another group of citizens, formed to support Voelz and oppose the Water Warriors. In advance of the recall election, the two candidates on the ballot, Voelz and Dodaro, and the two citizen groups, Defend Westminster and the Water Warriors, answered questions about their stances on issues related to the recall. Turn to page 10 for those stories. Along with this guide, readers can find links to previous Window stories about the recall and water at https://westminsterwindow.com/stories/westminster-recallelection-2021,379240 SEE RECALL, P10
FREE RANGE THERAPY How a horse and a trail can be good for the soul
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