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Last Updated August 25, 2008

Discussion and Questions from the Gateway News to Adams School District #14

Perhaps a matter of miscommunication?

 

As of today, the Gateway News is still receiving letters, e-mails and verbal support for Adams School District #14 Superintendent Dr. John Lange. 

 

It is our understanding that a 2 year contract for this type of a scenario is not out of the ordinary, especially if the board is satisfied with the individual at stake, such as in the case of School District 27J. 

 

Recently, the city of Commerce City extended the contract of the city Judge.  What caught our attention was the comment made by a council member, when he asked the judge if the contract was what he wanted. 

 

With this being said we have a few questions that will hopefully allow the voters and tax payers of Adams County School District #14 understand this issue that seems to not be going away.

 

Question, Gateway News:  Why did the board vote for a shorter contract, but vote down the longer contract?  Has Dr. Lange done something that is not deserving of a longer contract?

Answer, School Board Member Angela Kreutzer: No, Dr. Lange has done everything right!  He has lead this district to our best CSAP scores and pulled us together as a community just to name a few things.  So why did he not get a contract with D14?  Well, my opinion is that the majority of the current board wants this district to go bankrupt and fail miserably. 

 

Question, Gateway News:  Was Dr. Lange ever asked what he would like to have as a contract extension with Adams County School District #14?

Answer, School Board Member Angela Kreutzer:  No he was not. 

 

Question, Gateway News:  What do you say to the idea that the certain board members have a vendetta against Dr. Lange for stances he may have regarding the charter school Community Leadership Academy, thus giving Dr. Lange a shorter contract? 

Answer, School Board Member Angela Kreutzer:  Well, I would have to agree 100% with the above statement.

 

* All of the District 14 School Board members were asked, please watch the Gateway News for their opinions.

Public Visitation Resumes at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Connects People with Nature through New Programs, Art Exhibit and Fishing

 

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge will reopen for public visitation, wildlife viewing tours, fishing and nature programs on Saturday June 14, 2008.  Public visitation was temporarily suspended in late October 2007 due to the Arsenal's Lime Basins remediation project.

 

"It will be very exciting to have visitors back hiking the trails and participating in wildlife tours," said Supervisory Park Ranger Sherry James of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  "We encourage people to connect with nature through some of our new programs."

 

Several new nature programs have been scheduled incorporating the use of iPOD's and GPS units.  One program helps visitors identify birds while walking the Refuge trails by comparing the bird calls they hear to pre-recorded bird calls on iPOD's.  In another program, a new twist has been added to a scavenger hunt by using GPS units to locate clues that solve questions about the Refuge. 

 

A wildlife art exhibit on loan from the Great Western Art Gallery located in downtown Denver will be featured along with an aviary displaying a live screech owl in the Visitor Center.  Catch-and-release recreational fee fishing will open for the season with a new permitting system.  Bison and their calves, burrowing owls, deer, prairie dogs, pelicans, and other wildlife may be seen through scheduled tours and nature programs.  Nearly eight miles of hiking trail meander through wetlands, woodlands, and prairie.

 

The Refuge is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Visitor Center hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.  Access to the Refuge is located at 56th Avenue and Havana Street entrance with parking available at the Visitor Center.

 

Additional information about the Refuge can be found at www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal or by calling

303-289-0930.

Water District wants to take another look at 2004 IGA with Commerce City

 

All the directors of the water district  are in agreement when it comes to taking a second look at the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Commerce City.  This complicated legal document does raise many questions. Most can be explained by a ten minute explanation of why it is stated that way taking the account of when it was drafted.  With that being said there is one huge area of concern that needs to be highlighted.

 

Section 12 states Annexation to Commerce City. Basically states,  you want water/sewer you have to annex to the city of Commerce City. The most important question that was raised: How can this be even a legal requirement?

 

This IGA has never been tested in court. The board has given water district attorney Tim Beaton the direction to research and present his opinion of the legality of this current agreement.

 

Commerce City promotes healthy lifestyles

 

COMMERCE CITY – Residents will benefit from a new agreement by Commerce City to participate in health and wellness strategies and programs.

 

As part of an initiative by the Metro Mayors Caucus, Commerce City has agreed to promote active living and encourage healthy eating.

 

Citing the nation’s growing obesity rate and the benefits of a healthy and physically active population, the Metro Mayors Caucus drafted a Memo of Understanding outlining policies, programs and environmental initiatives to promote public health. By participating in the agreement, Commerce City agrees to implement at least six of the programs and policies.

 

Some programs the city already participates in are:

Involvement in fun runs and walks, such as the July 4 Wild Walk at the wildlife refuge.

Promoting citizen participation in and hosting community health programs, such as the 9Heath Fair, which will take place in Commerce City Oct. 17-19.

Participating in and supporting Colorado’s Bike-to-Work Day.

Implementing worksite wellness programs for employees that include health programs and more.

 

The city will continue to host meetings that engage public health, planning and transportation officials, and in 2009 will apply for the designation of “Playful City USA.” The designation is given to communities that have demonstrated a commitment to the healthy development of all children.

 

The Metro Mayors Caucus represents 37 mayors and was formed to address issues of regional importance and scope.

Council resolution supports military families

 

COMMERCE CITY – To show support for United States military troops around the world, the City Council has approved a resolution declaring Commerce City “military family friendly.”

 

In approving the resolution, the City Council recognized the hardships that military families face when they have a loved one away from home – often times in harm’s way. The City Council is encouraging businesses in Commerce City to show their support for military families living in Commerce City and the surrounding area.

 

Members of military families can get help through the Military Family Assistance Program, a partnership between the Adams County Social Services Department and Family Tree, Inc. Services offered through the program include referrals, job training, education, housing assistance, counseling and much more. Program participants must reside in Adams County and also meet criteria established by the program.

 

The resolution adopted by City Council encourages businesses and organizations to “provide and protect employment opportunities” for service men and women and their families in the Commerce City area.

 

For more information about the Military Family Assistance Program in Adams County, call (303) 227-2001 or send an e-mail to militaryfamilies@dss.co.adams.co.us.

City-Wide Recycling Program?

 

Commerce City citizen and Recycler Trudy Smith approaches Commerce City council with a proposal for a city-wide recycling program. All agree it is a good idea, but what is the cost?  Video below is Trudy Smith addressing City Council.

City Council and the Seat Tax

 

It was the vote of the Commerce City Council that gave the direction to city staff to draft a opposition stance to the seat tax effort.  Video below is council discussion of why the seat tax for the boys and girls club may not be such a good idea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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