September 17, 2015
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VO LU ME 32 | ISSU E 12 | 50 ¢
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Giving back
One of many red Wal-Mart protest signs that dot lawns across Wheat Ridge. The future of a proposed Wal-Mart development on 38th Avenue could be decided this November on the ballot. Photo by Nick Evans
Day of Service celebrates helping others
By Christy Steadman csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com Hundreds of Goldenites became tools for the community during the Neighborhood Rehab Project’s Day of Service. “Giving is a great reward in itself,” said Be a Tool founder Dan Thoemke. “People need a chance to serve and give back to their community together.” Marking its fifth anniversary, the Day of Service took place on Sept. 12 this year, and people celebrated the idea of empowerment, Thoemke said. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors,” he said, meaning people learn skills,
Plan stirs opposition Residents’ ballot initiative may undo development deal By Nick Evans Special to the Transcript
Giving continues on Page 32
Red anti-Wal-Mart signs dot green lawns across Wheat Ridge, including Sam Taylor’s front yard. “We already have a Wal-Mart on 44th and another one on Colfax,” Taylor said. “There are already too many. I oppose it because of the proliferation of Wal-Marts in our area.”
The grumbles go beyond lawn signs, though. The activist group Keep Wheat Ridge Local ran a successful petition drive, proposing to change city law regulating tax-increment financing (TIF). And this November, Wheat Ridge residents will vote on whether to approve the change, which would require any proposed TIF project exceeding $2.5 million to go to a public vote before approval. Currently, a majority vote of the city council is all that is required. The law also would be retroactive, meaning the $6.2 million in tax incentives for the Wal-
Mart deal that the council approved in June would be on hold, unless approved by voters. District 2 Representative Zachary Urban was one of two council members to vote for the postponement of the Wal-Mart agreement. He said Wheat Ridge is giving an excessive amount of money to an outdated plan while trying to hide the huge cost it will impose on the city. “We deserve better as a city than what is being proposed, but it takes the courage of council to vote this down and move forward with Plan continues on Page 32
POSTAL ADDRESS
Board candidates team up Five pooling resources against incumbent majority By Crystal Anderson canderson@coloradocommunitymeida.com
WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge 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
A few weeks ago, five of the 12 Jeffco Board of Education candidates gathered together in a living room in south Lakewood to discuss options and plan the final stretch of their campaigns. “I have decided to run as a slate with five candidates that I believe could work — we don’t agree on everything, I already know that,” said District 5 candidate Ron Mitchell, creator of the slate. “But they are people who do not have an agenda — no political agenda — and will try to do what’s best for Jeffco’s students.” Formed by Mitchell, the group, made up of him, Susan Harmon (District 2), Ali Lasell (District 3), Brad Rupert (District 1) and Amanda Stevens (District 4), said they decided to come together as a slate to best utilize their resources, reach more people and combat the amount of outside resources being used in school board elections. There are a total of 12 candidates running for the five Board of Education seats. Three are the incumbent board majority. Though candidates must reside in a specific district, all seats are elected at large by all eligible county voters. “I am indeed working with Ron, Susan, Ali and Amanda to make the most of our individual resources in combating the large amount of outside money pouring in to the current board majority,” Rupert said of his decision to run on the slate. “The five of us have diverse backgrounds, perspectives and opinions, but we are in agreement that the focus of
From left, Brad Rupert, Susan Harmon and Ron Mitchell — part of a slate of candidates hoping to take majority control of the Jeffco school board. Courtesy photo the board should be on providing an excellent education for every child every day.” Lasell Stevens When asked for an opinion on the slate, the current board majority President, Ken Witt (District 5), highlighted the work that he and his counterparts, District 1 representative Julie Williams and John Newkirk from District
MORE CANDIDATE INFORMATION INSIDE For more information on Jeffco school board candidates, turn to Page 13. 2, have done to-date. Some of the work he mentioned includes the setting of academic achievement goals, placing funds aside for a new school in the Candelas area and the Team continues on Page 32