First ‘Corner’ Highlights Arvada PD

Councilor Zenzinger’s Event to Focus on Prevention of Summer Crime

"ARVADA, Colo. (June 23, 2011) – At the first “Council on Your Corner” community forum July 12, the Arvada Police Department will present information about ways that citizens can help reduce garage burglaries and car break-ins.

A representative of the APD will be on hand at Panera Bread, 77^th Ave. and Wadsworth Blvd., for the 6:30-8 p.m. event, answering any questions about law enforcement and safety in Arvada. Councilmember Rachel Zenzinger will also discuss some of the major issues facing the city and region, and she will invite attendees to offer their own perspectives.

Zenzinger represents Arvada’s District 1, and she will focus on topics most relevant to the east side of Arvada; but anyone with any connections or interest in the city is welcome to attend. Zenzinger will present an update on the city’s budgetary issues, ordinances under consideration, development efforts, etc. And she will encourage participants to express any concerns, suggestions, or support for current city direction.

The event will be the first of a quarterly series that will continue in October, then again in January and April 2012.

While her Councilor on Your Corner series is designed to facilitate interaction between Arvada residents and their elected representative, Zenzinger is available to answer questions throughout the year via email at rzenzinger@arvada.org. Residents can also follow Zenzinger on Twitter (@Zenzinger_AtoZ) as she describes her activities and observations in connection with her duties as an elected official.

Participants of Zenzinger’s Councilor on Your Corner are encouraged to log their own “tweets” live during the event and post them to hashtag #CouncilorCorner.

Zenzinger was elected in November 2009 to serve as a member of the Arvada City Council representing District 1, which is generally described as the northeast part of Arvada from approximately 72nd Avenue north to 88th Avenue, and from Sheridan Blvd. west to Kipling; and the area south of Standley Lake to Simms." - Steve Caulk 

ProConnect Public Relations

(off) 303-410-4971

(cell) 720-839-3194

3552 W. 100th Pl.

Westminster, Colo. 80031

On Twitter and Facebook

We encourage you to go to this event and ask the councilor some tough questions like why she is planning on ripping out the Arvada community garden if she believes in sustainability. Also there should be some questions about her involvement with the School Board and the recent attempts to transfer citizen tax dollars to the schools. As well as the K-8 park which the school district will own but the city will pay for. Again please attend this important event and have your questions ready. 

Bob Fifer Not for Arvada

The elections for Arvada City Council are "so called" non-partisan election so I will refrain from using party references here, but it should be noted that the President said in 2010, "elections have consequences". Given that, I would like to take a moment to remind everyone about Colorado's last Governor. Mr. Ritter passed the "dirty dozen" basically these were tax increases which the then Governor called "fees" which made them acceptable. One of these fees required you to pay all of the back years to get a vehicle licensed. So if you had a trailer or a boat for example that you hadn't used in several years you would need to pay for all of the prior years licenses to get your boat/trailer licensed in the current year. This of course was so horrible that Governor Ritter didn't even try to get re-elected. Even he knew how rotten what he had done was to the people of Colorado.

What does this have to do with Bob Fifer and his upcoming election? In the vernacular of Napolean Bonaparte "A good sketch is better than a long speech". So I present exhibit A from Mr Fifer's own website, a picture of Governor Ritter and Bob Fifer. And I rest my case.

Bill Ritter (right) and Bob Fifer (Left)

Bob Fifer also served a short stint with Historic Olde Town Arvada as their Director. He failed at running a business, and some have expressed concerns about his ability to handle a multimillion dollar budget.

Arvada City Council stays in Vail

A staff member tried to check the council agenda today, she found this posted on Arvada's Website:

City Council Meeting Jun. 20, 2011

NOTE:  This City Council meeting is canceled.  Several members of the City Council will be attending the Colorado Municipal League Conference.

Well that is interesting, especially since the 89th Colorado Municipal League (CML) conference doesn't start until tomorrow. Then we started wondering who we were paying to go to this thing and what was it all about? What is the Colorado Municipal League anyways?

To the right you will see a list of attendees from Arvada, and if you click on the names it will take you to CML's full list for other municipalities. This list raises a few questions. Why are taxpayers paying to send Craig Kocian and Bill Ray to an all expense paid week long conference in Vail when they are both leaving Arvada in a few months? Does this make sense. Furthermore is this something that all of our council members had to attend? Wasn't Marc Williams who serves on CML's Executive Board enough representation from Arvada? Can't these people take notes? Another noteworthy question that this list brings to mind is who is Luanne Williams? Williams... Oh wait a second is that Marc Williams wife? Here is a picture of the happy couple together at a function

So here is the next question, why are the taxpayers paying for Mrs. Williams to spend a week in Vail with her husband at a luxurious resort and attend a municipal conference? Last time I checked she wasn't on city council and didn't work for the city of Arvada anymore. So in asking these questions we started wondering how much this was going to cost the taxpayers. For that we looked on the CML website.

These were the listed hotel prices:

Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa: 800-266-9432; Nightly rates: Hotel room: $164; 2 bedroom owner condo $205; Jr. Timberline suite $225; Timberline suite $299.

The Lion Square Lodge/ Montaneros: 1-800-525-1943 ; Nightly rates: Lodge room $140; 1 bedroom/1 bath condo $169; 1 bedroom + loft $249; 2 bedroom/2 bath condo $275.

Antlers at Vail (to book online, use password and login: CML); 1-888-268-5377; 970-476-2471; groups@antlersvail.com; Nightly rates: Studio and 1 bedroom $159; 2 bedroom/2 bath $247; 3 bedroom/2 bath $289

So we can assume that for five nights lodging Mrs. Williams has cost the taxpayers $1,375 then there are conference attendee fees of $310, there a few other fees we will be paying for as well such as the golf tournament which costs $105, and additional session listed on the CML website for a cost of $69. That means the taxpayers will be paying a grand total estimated at $1,895 for Mr. Williams wife to attend a municipal conference in Vail with him. This is the guy who is going to run for Mayor in Arvada? Is this the type of unnecessary spending we can expect if Williams is elected Mayor? After such inconsideration for the taxpayers Mr. Williams cannot expect impunity. It is therefor the formal recommendation of the ARVADA REPORT that you vote Frie for Mayor. We cannot claim that he is much more responsible, but he did not attend this ostentatious conference, and he certainly didn't take his wife.

Staff at the ARVADA REPORT strongly recomend looking through the conference materials to get a better understanding of how this affects the community:
http://www.cml.org/conference_materials.aspx

City of Arvada Subsidises Jeffco Schools

(Click for larger image)

This is the master plan for what the City is calling the K-8 park. Basically next to what we all know as Arvada Middle School (now called K-8) where the track field is, the City of Arvadaa plans on building a $1.2 million dollar park. Here is the kicker, the City of Arvada will not own the park, they are just building it. The title of the park will be held by Jefferson County Schools. What does that mean. It means that $1.2 million of your tax dollars are being given to Jeffco Schools to build a park for the students without any consideration for ownership. If for example the City actually builds this park and Jeffco decides 5 years down the road they don't like something, they have complete control. In fact if the City built the park, Jeffco could then decide to lock it down and restrict public access to students only, lets get this straight they OWN the land. But wait, it gets worse. You don't think that Jefferson County Public Schools is going to maintain this park do you. No way, that will also be payed for by City tax dollars. The Arvada parks and Recreation district will be responsible for maintenance of the park, several thousands of dollars over the years. Take a look at the plans below and above and much like those "Where's Waldo" books you read as a kid see if you can find anything that is missing from the plans?

(Click for larger image)

It can be hard to see what is missing because the City of Arvada went to a lot of work to gather community feedback for the construction of the park, although the only people that knew about the meetings were the City's own parks advisory committee, so truthfully the public was never invited or even knew about it for that matter. So they thought it would be great if they threw in tennis courts, an amphitheater, bike racks, climbing rocks, statues, oh and let's not forget the baseball field. Did you figure it out? If not let me give you a hint:

Get it? These park designers and consultants are all giving themselves pats on the backs because a bunch of retirees who have no children showed up and told them what to put in a park (for old people). Then the school told them what they wanted. And nowhere along the process were the residents asked what they wanted for this monstrosity of a park, and what is it's greatest attribute according to the people who designed it? It connects a major bike trail. OH, well if it connects a major bike trail it MUST be great! Who cares about families that want a swimming pool in their neighborhood to enjoy with their children and grandchildren throughout the summer. For the record I don't know what genius developed these splash pads but we don't appreciate them replacing swimming pools in our community. And please let us not start with the rhetoric that in two elections voters were against increasing taxes, so they don't want a swimming pool. Just because we don't want higher taxes doesn't mean we don't want a swimming pool that we paid for to be maintained and repaired when needed. The citizens seem outraged that there isn't a swimming pool and there isn't going to be a swimming pool. For some reason this splash pad doesn't seem to be the pacifier that fills the baby's mouth. Now to find out that we are building this park which again, will not have a swimming pool and will not be owned by the City that builds it, should upset people.
If this upsets you at all or you would like more information about why the City of Arvada is not planning on building a swimming pool in either the K-8 donation or the Garrison Park please contact those responsible:
Councilmember, District One   

Rachel Zenzinger                                           
303-748-0770 (cell phone)  
rzenzinger@arvada.org                                  

Councilmember DistrictThree
Shelly Cook    
720-935-9224                                                           
cooksj@attglobal.net
scook@arvada.org
              

Dot Miller Wright or wrong?

Dot Miller (Wright) President of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Before becoming president of the Chamber she attended college in upstate New York, ran her own business for short while, was an event planner, and worked at Oppenheimer Fund. Since taking her position of President of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce in 2008 Dot Miller has worked hard to increase membership and make the Chamber viable and by most accounts financially strong. The Chamber claims to have 629 members representing 29,469 full-time employees. Or so they say, how many of those "members" are actually businesses? That we may never know, but based on the intensity of recent recruitment efforts by the Chamber at local service clubs, many of the memberships are probably not businesses at all. Dot Miller Wright should not only be associated with the Chamber of Commerce however, her talents are much deeper than that; she is also an Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth, involved with Arvada Colts,  Ralston House Board of Directors, HOTA (Historic Olde Town Arvada) Board of Directors, Jefferson County Business Resource Center Board of Directors, Jefferson Economic Council Ex-Officio Board Member, Foothills Animal Foundation Board of Directors, Dot Miller Wright was also the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel Chair for the Fire Departments latest tax increase with Ken Fellman who tried to steal land from the Catholic Church. These are just a few of Mrs. Wright's many activities. Clearly, she is very busy. 

Now let us take a look at the Chamber of Commerce. I have a very dear friend who called the Arvada Chamber of Commerce the Chamber of Communism. That seemed like a bit of a stretch at the time, and quite frankly it still does. The question should be raised however, what does the Chamber of Commerce actually do to promote commerce. Not much it appears. Sure they spent $60,000 publishing, printing, and mailing, a business directory which should get to your house in the next week or so depending on how affluent your zip code is. I challenge anyone to actually try contacting some of the people in the directory. One will quickly discover that it is utterly useless. The phone numbers get you nowhere and half of the time the people listed as contacts are no longer at the companies or won't return phone calls. This publication unfortunately, like so many things we do here at the City is complete trash. It is a publicity stunt to make the Chamber and the City appear as though they care about business in Arvada; they don't. So back to the original question, what does the Chamber of Commerce actually do for comerce, other than organize a lot of golf tournaments to make money, and charge membership to make money, or have luncheons to make money? Hmmm, starting to sound almost like a business. In fact the Chamber of Commerce in Arvada has historically done so little for business that the City of Arvada deemed it necessary to perform the tasks that should have been done by the chamber. This ladies and gentlemen is how Arvada Economic Development Association. 

Ereka O'Hara and Bob Dyer

Let us go a bit deeper into this cesspool, last year the president of the Chamber was none other than Ereka O' Hara. Who is Ereka O' Hara? She happens to be Councilman Bob Dyer's Wife, furthermore she was previously appointed by the Mr. Dyer to the Arvada Arts Council for the Arts and Humanities. Yes if you are on City Council you can appoint your spouse to all sorts of powerful positions. And now of course Ereka has been selected as woman of the year. Do you know what she did while she was Chairman of the Chamber she re-established the Government Affairs Committee, Community Affairs Committee, and Community Development Committee. What any of these committees have to do with commerce is far beyond comprehension, but at least if Ereka sits on the Government Affairs Committee she can have lunch with her husband from time to time on the taxpayers dime. Does that Rhyme? How quaint.   My problem is not with these people individually, Ereka, Bob, and Dot Miller have done a great deal for our community, and we should all thank them for their commitment. But that doesn't mean we need to agree with what they do. 
Last year the Chamber of Commerce supported (financially and otherwise) opposition to amendments 60, 61, and 101. Which would be fine if they weren't the chamber of commerce. Many entities and people were opposed to these atrocious amendments. But unlike the Chamber and City, we didn't spend tax payer dollars opposing citizen ballot initiatives. The City of Arvada lost a lawsuit regarding tax money being spent on ballot issues. That is illegal for those of you who don't know. And the front page of the Arvada Report print version cost money to print, tax money. Is it really appropriate for the Chamber of Commerce to oppose tax cuts? Tax cuts that would have benefited most businesses? Really? Regardless of whether or not the amendments were wrong for Colorado this action by the Chamber was reprehensibly inappropriate. Perhaps the Chamber of Communism is appropriate.   

City Uses Tax Money to Fund Student Vacations

Outdoor Lab has got a lot of attention lately from a lot of people. I remember when my own children attended the outdoor lab program through Jefferson County Schools, and stories about some tame fox that lived up at the Mt. Evans facility. Quite frankly, my children were not impressed and neither am I. There is little value in this program that everyone is making such a big fuss about. Everyone seems to think this is such an important program and that it is essential because it has been around forever. Whoopee, lets face it; slavery existed for thousands of years but we don't have that anymore because it was simply put a bad idea. The outdoor lab program is basically a $1.4 million dollar paid vacation for both teachers and students. Quite frankly as a taxpayer, I am extremely disappointed that we are spending money so our kids can go to the mountains for a week, which in and of itself wouldn't be bad but we had to go and call it educational. By that standard I can make my kids watch Judge Judy all day and call that educational.
Not that going to the mountains is a bad thing, and certainly there is great potential for learning. The problem is that now the taxpayers are covering the $1.4 million dollar bill for a week long vacation. I just don't see the benefit. If we are going to pay for education lets educate.

The title of this piece is about Arvada however, current city council has plans on spending $115,000 dollars on outdoor lab. That is tax money you worked hard for which your elected officials plan on spending on kids from Lakewood, Golden, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge, etc. I guarantee you will never see those tax dollars used for your benefit. We pay taxes to maintain infrastructure and facilities and basic services. These are things we expect. What we don't expect is that when Arvada has a $4.6 million dollar budget surplus as they do this year because they over taxed us, that they give our money away to other government agencies to spend outside of our city. This is outrageous. Let us not forget the million dollar K-8 park the city is planning on building. The information packet regarding the proposal can be found here: http://www.arvadarecords.org/councilpacket/current_week/City%20of%20Arvada,%20City%20Council%20Packet,%20May%2031,%202011.pdf


Apparently, Council member Zenzinger is under the belief that if she gives enough tax money to the schools (which she is a former union member of) then they won't close her kid's school. Time for a reality check Rachel, throwing money at them even in the form of RSO's (police officers in schools which Arvada pays for).

Arvada Trails Days

Come join us this weekend and celebrate Arvada's great trails!

DATE: June 4, 2011
PLACE: Majestic View Nature Center - 7030 Garrison Street and
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge - W. 80th Avenue, just east of Kipling Street
TIME: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Free Admission
A Free Family Event Celebrating Arvada's Trails and Wildlife
"You're off to Great Places!  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!"
Dr. Seuss (Oh, The Places You'll Go)
Get outside and get happy! Whether you hike or jump on a bike, pack up the family, grab a camera and spend the day! The 10th annual Arvada Trails Day takes place on June 4, 2011.  An outdoor experience made with all the natural ingredients - and oh the things you'll see!
On Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arvada celebrates National Trails Day hosted at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St. and at Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge (the smallest urban wild life refuge in the U.S.), W. 80th Ave. just east of Kipling.
Event Coordinator Dave Olson says, "This free day of learning and moving is always enjoyable for families and individuals in the community. Everyone finds a way to enjoy this summer day. Last year over 1,000 enthusiastic participants enjoyed celebrating Arvada's 125 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails which are among the best in the region. People of all ages participate, with many three-generation families coming together to learn and enjoy the day."
This free outdoor celebration coincides with National Trails Day and features a 5K walk, a 20-mile bicycle ride, nature exhibits, live animal presentations, an Eco-Fair and more. Parking is available at Majestic View Nature Center and the Medical Center parking lot on the northeast corner of 80th and Kipling Street.
Reservations are NOT needed for the trail walk or bike ride.  Just show up on time!
Families and individuals of all ages can enjoy:

• Two 5K trail walks along historic canal trails connecting Two Ponds and Majestic View Community Park.  Meet at either location at 10:15 a.m. for 10:30 a.m. departure.
• A 20-mile bicycle ride west along Van Bibber Creek Trail, north on the new Blunn Trail connector and returning east on Ralston Creek Trail. Ride includes an expert guide, map, and snack stop.  Helmets are required. Participants should meet at Majestic Park parking lot on W. 72nd Ave. (just West of Carr St.) at 8:45 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. departure.
• At Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison Street, activites include live animal presentations, nature exhibits, Eco-Fair, Arvada trails information, and kids' environmental activities.  Parking is available on site and at the Majestic View parking lot at W. 72nd Ave.
• At Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge (80th Avenue just east of Kipling) enjoy live raptors, environmental education displays and activities, and self-guided nature walks.  Parking is available at the 80th & Kipling Street medical center.

The Majestic View Nature Center encompasses over 80 acres, which includes a lake and wetland areas, an interpretive trail, prairie grasses and an assortment of wildlife.
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge consists of approximately 72 acres, with 63 acres of upland habitat and 9 acres of wetlands. The habitat supports over 100 different species of birds.
"Trails Day is a day of fun exploration for all ages.  Discover a new trail walk, a great idea from the Eco-Fair, or just enjoy nature in two beautiful settings in Arvada", suggests Karen Miller, Majestic View Nature Center Director.

Participants in Fillup A.Can Day are invited to Majestic View Nature Center between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to return safety vests and unused trash bags and take part in the festivities or call 720-898-7800 for information on this volunteer litter cleanup event.

Goodbye Maria Vanderkolk

Goodbye Maria, for those of you who don't know Maria was the chief architect of the print version of the Arvada Report every month. She was responsible for ensuring the Arvada Report showed the City in the best possible light and only printed meaningless stories that had nothing to do with what was actually going on. Well, goodbye Maria we will miss you; but not your editorial skills. Maria's husband owns the Ace Hardware in the Triangle redevelopment project. 


Maria Vanderkolk has announced she is leaving the City of Arvada. This is how the letter read:


From: Maria Vanderkolk [mailto:maria-v@arvada.org]

Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011

To: Undisclosed Recipients 

Subject: my resignation

Hi folks.  Wasn't sure who to send this to so I figured I'd cover my bases!

In any event, I don't know if you've heard, but I am resigning my position 

at the City effective June 10 and starting a new job in downtown Denver on 

June 13.  While I hope to return to Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis, at least for a

little while I need to figure out my flexibility with the new company.  So

effective immediately, please accept my resignation from Arvada Jefferson

and I hope to see you again soon!

Maria VanderKolk

Assistant City Manager 

Public Information Officer (Propaganda Officer)

City of Arvada

8101 Ralston Road

Arvada, CO  80001

It seems that since Mr. Kocian has announced his departure everyone is quitting. Bill Ray of course is desperately looking for a new post, but none of the municipalities seem to want him to work for them.