Transcript Golden
September 5, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourgoldennews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 147, Issue 40
County to ask residents about Jeffco5 Saving Jeffco’s forest health Telephone conference planned this fall By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com
Jefferson County commissioners will be dialing out to Jeffco residents to get their stance on the Jeffco 5 initiative, along with other topics this fall, during a town hall phone conference. Residents however will
not be able to dial in during the conference. The issue of receiving public feedback or to move forward on a decision was long debated during the commissioner’s staff briefing on Aug. 27. An official date for the town hall phone conference has not been scheduled but should take place no later than early October, according to Kathryn Heider, PIO for the board of county commissioners. The Jeffco 5 initiative seeks to increase the number of county commissioners from
three to five, with a measure placed on the ballot for 2014. If passed, Jeffco would see a redistricting in 2015, with county commissioners running for election in 2016, and officially functioning as a five member board in 2017. Operating costs and capital costs totals anywhere from $725,000 to $750,000, according to county administrator Ralph County continues on Page 18
Initiative creates more slash collection sites, compost By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com
Comedian Vic Alejandro, left, and actor Jim Walker, right, who performed separate acts during the night, mix their talents to give the audience one last laugh Aug. 30 during comedy night at Miners Alley Playhouse. Photos by Amy Woodward
Just for laughs at Playhouse Wisecracks, foolery abound at Miners Alley Playhouse By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com Miners Alley Playhouse had its audience cracking up during Comedy at the Alley, a new venue that will be held every third Wednesday of the month. The talent offered the audience comedic samples of the diverse hilarity Miners Alley Playhouse can provide. A one-man show, and a Jane Austin improvisational group, along with classic stand-up were the featured performances during opening night on Aug. 29. “We really want to do this right,” said Len Matheo, co-executive director of Miners Alley. “I want this to be professional.” Laughs continues on Page 18 POSTAL ADDRESS
Jane’s Addiction, featuring improvised Jane Austin themes, is a women’s improv group that creates Jane Austin novels based on audience suggestions. Opening comedy night at Miners Alley showcased the different forms of comedy the playhouse will feature every third Wednesday of the month.
Jeffco residents can anticipate a new slash disposal initiative presented by county commissioner Don Rosier, and contrived by Indian Hills resident, Bret Roller. The Forest Health Initiative in partnership with the Denver Botanical Gardens at Chatfield could create a countywide sustainable solution for greenwaste and slash collection, processing and biomass composting. There are still many steps that need to be taken to get the initiative through, but commissioner Rosier said Jeffco residents could see 40 slash collection sites by the summer of 2014. “Jeffco never had a comprehensive plan,” Roller said, who has worked in various forestry industries and holds a degree in natural resource management. “They’ve taken steps in the right direction, but it hasn’t been enough,” Roller said. The initiative proposes 40 year-round collection sites where slash will be processed. The processed material will then be hauled down to the botanical gardens site at Chatfield on a 4 acres parcel of land, where it will be laid into wind rows. As it stands, Jeffco residents take their slash to one of three temporary sites once a year and the county contracts with an outside vendor to haul the material away in two days’ time. “It creates a real pressure on Jeffco residents,” Roller said. Compost collected will provide Jeffco residents an opportunity to purchase the soil; it could also provide a fundraising opportunity for local fire districts. Jeffco residents could purchase a $20 coupon from their local fire district which will give a date and time for their drop-off. The fire district will receive $10 from the coupon to go towards their department. “I don’t know if this is possible, but this is the idea,” said county commissioner Rosier, who stated he still needs input from the county attorney. Rosier has looked into grant opportunities to help fund the initiative which needs equipment such as grinders, tractors and dump trucks with a cost of a half million dollars. “Currently there are grant opportunities at the department of natural resources for equipment to do exactly what is proposed,” Rosier said. “Slash disposal is sort of near and dear to my heart,” Roller said. “It’s an opportunity to do the objectives of thinning the forest, making the forest healthier, and keeping Jeffco residents safe from forest fire and getting compost back into the ground.”
GOLDEN TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 0746-6382)
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