To Linda

The information given to the senior citizens was exactly what you have said. They would receive better services and a new center; all done in meetings with seniors; something that is a great importance to them. However, the sad thing is that at the same time these promises were being made to garner the support of seniors; the truth was in the numbers. If you check the second feasibility study; the following factors had already been established.
1. The senior services are to be moved to the human services department; an outsouced area of service in the new county. The actual staffing for the senior area would be reduced (forcing the need to find more "volunteers" to keep the area functioning.

2. No increase in dollars was ever planned to accommodate seniors. If you look in the dollar allocations and projections for seniors; you will discover the 2001 projections are equal to the 1998 expenditures. Not one dollar increase.

3. Yet, the promoters of the county vote were so anxious to have this group back them; they omitted telling them the truth. The seniors were led in special meetings; and told to go read the feasibility study in the library for the details.

It was the old theory; tell them what they want to hear; collect a little money; and then let them find out the actual truth later.
The seniors were lied to.

By Br Anonymous

Linda

Thanks for your post. Actually, the city/county matter does not have much to do about a new recreation center and senior center. Some may think that, but it's not the case. Broomfield's financial projections actually show that even with the increased costs for county facilities, the property tax mill levy necesary for the city/county will be less than originally estimated. There are several reasons for this. The feasibility study completed in 1998 was very conservative. It did not include any revenues from the new Flatiron Crossing Mall. The revenue estimates regarding property tax revenues were also very conservative and Broomfield's assessed valuation has increased substantially.
Plans for a new recreation center are in process as are plans for a new athletic complex.
I think I understand how you feel about the process regarding the jail. We all have our perspectives on this. I honestly believe that there are different views regarding the significance of a county jail. Broomfield does not consider a county jail to be dangerous. This conclusion was reached after numerous discussions with other county officials regarding existing county jails. In my mind, Broomfield's relations with you and its other neighbors are very important. I will do anything I can to help with this regardless of the outcome of your current efforts.
If you are successful with getting the repeal on the statewide ballot and if the voters repeal the city/county, my guess is that Broomfield will probably put it back on the state ballot for the for the next election. This is just my opinion.

By BBW

For WW

You are not naive. Disappointed, perhaps, but not naive. I mentioned to Linda in another post that I think Broomfield does not believe that a jail is a dangerous thing. Broomfield did not attach as much significance to the jail as others did and do. I think Broomfield did its research, talked to other county officials about existing county jails, looked at the site in the Great Western Reservoir area, said this site is not that close to anyone, and said it seems to be a reasonable location. Everything Countryside residents said about the jail was contrary to what Broomfield's research and discussions with other county officials showed. So, Broomfield asked, what's the problem? There is a legitimate question involved: who says what is close to a county jail? Who should be involved in the decision making process? What is the criticality of the decision? The answers to these kinds of questions depend on the perspective one has regarding a county jail. I think Broomfield's relations with its neighbors is very important. I am very sorry you feel that you were not treated properly by Broomfield. I will do everything I can to help better the relations regardless of the outcome of your current efforts.

By BBW

to Linda

I am with you 100% on this as well. The jail isn't as close as it could've been, I think I am more concerned abut contmination than the prisioners. I guess I would feel better if there were more current tests done. Preferably a third party, yes it could be costly but it might help some of us feel more secure. Also, I don't care for the tactics BF took either, maybe they didn't need to let us know about the jail, maybe they did. With something as important as this, I would think it would just be common courtisy for them to notify the residents that were the closest to the "jail". Its a lot different than having a supermarket or 7-11 being built next door.

By Cheryl