Transcript Wheat Ridge 4/4/13
Wheat Ridge
April 4, 2013
50 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwheatridgenews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 29, Issue 41
Gun lobbyist’s actions eyed in ethics probe Lawmaker admits using epithet in confrontation By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com A gun lobbyist is at the center of an ethics probe into whether he threatened an Evergreen lawmaker with political reprisal over her votes on recent gun bills. Republican Rep. Cheri Gerou filed an ethics complaint against Rocky Mountain Gun Owners political director Joe Neville, after the two shared a sharp exchange in the House lobby in February. Gerou hurled an expletive toward Neville during the incident, before he was escorted out of the Capitol. The interac-
tion came on a day when emotions ran high inside the building, where lawmakers were taking up votes on controversial pieces of gun-control legislation. Both Gerou and Neville testified about the incident before an ethics committee on March 27. The testimony is part of a process that ultimately will determine whether Neville violated a legislative rule that prohibits lobbyists from using political threats or deceit to influence lawmakers. Gerou testified that on Feb. 15, she received several emails from constituents who had heard she was going to vote for the Democratic-sponsored gun-control bills that were being debated that day — even though Gerou said she had no intention of doing so. Gerou voted no on those bills. Gerou found out later that day that
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners was behind the misinformation. The group had been sending out mailings to voters in Gerou’s district, which Neville has said was an effort meant to encourage voters to call Gerou and ask where she stood on the bills. “I have to tell you I was very angry,” Gerou testified. “I feel a personal responsibility to my constituents and I felt that not only that they were being told a lie, they were without reason feeling scared.” Gerou testified that she used an epithet when she and Neville spoke in the House lobby. “He stared at me briefly and he said: `You just earned yourself another round of mailers against you in your district, for a primary,” Gerou testified. Neville admitted saying something to that effect, but he told the committee that
his reaction was made out of anger, and that the comment was not meant to influence her votes. When committee member Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, asked Neville,“Why didn’t you just walk away?” the lobbyist replied, “Easier said than done, I guess.” “My job is to stand my ground, too,” Neville said. “I don’t apologize for standing up for the Second Amendment. That’s what I’m paid to do.” Neville further stated that he does not believe his actions rise to the level of an ethics probe. Testimony was scheduled to continue this week. The committee will forward the information to an executive committee, which can take any number of actions against Neville, ranging from doing nothing at all, to suspending his lobbying privileges.
Farm lifestyle home to roost Backyard chicken, bee allowances expanded By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com
Loved ones of missing Wheat Ridge resident Annie Meyers gather during a candlelight vigil Saturday, March 30. Meyer has been missing since Feb. 7, 2013. Photos by Andy Carpenean
Police continue search Reward up to $20,000 for information about Leann Meyer, missing since late February Staff Report
A flyer of missing Wheat Ridge resident Leann “Annie” Meyer is posted on the side of a vehicle as family and friends prepare for a candlelight vigil Saturday, March 30 at her 4710 Newland St. residence. Meyer has been missing since Feb. 7, 2013. POSTAL ADDRESS
Wheat Ridge police are still trying to locate missing Wheat Ridge woman Leann “Annie” Meyer. Authorities have found both of Meyer’s vehicles — a Toyota Rav4 and a Toyota pick-up truck. Both vehicles are being processed and analyzed by the Wheat Ridge Police Department.
Meyer last spoke to a friend over the phone on Feb. 23 and communicated with her employer via text on Feb. 25. She has not been seen or heard from since. Meyer’s family hosted a candlelight vigil Saturday, March 30, outside of her home. US Bank and Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of $20,000 for information that leads to the location of Meyer. Anyone with information is asked to all the Wheat Ridge Police Department tip line at 303235-2947 or, to make an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
Mark Meyers, left, brother of missing Wheat Ridge resident Annie Meyers listens to mayor Jerry Ti Tullio during a candlelight vigil.
Backyard farming just became easier in Jefferson County. The Board of County Commissioners voted a unanimous 3-0 on March 26 in support of opening up the backyard animal special permit process to all residentially zoned single family detached, or two-family dwelling in the county. The owner of the animals will be required to apply for a miscellaneous permit, giving the county a chance to make sure basic health and safety standards are maintained. The permit system and the county’s requirements were based on existing chicken and bee rules that are already in effect for Denver area municipalities, including some in Jefferson County. Those wanting to raise chickens or bees will have to have a minimum lot size of 4,000 square feet. Only six chickens total, or one bee colony per 4,000 square feet will be allowed. “If we are complaint driven (code enforcement), what incentive is there for people to get a permit prior to getting a complaint?” District 2 Commissioner Casey Tighe asked staff during the hearing. “If someone does have a zoning violation, we double the fee for the permit to correct that, on top of whatever their violation fees might be,” answered County Planner Heather Gutherless. After some debate over fence height, minimum backyard square footage, and coop setbacks, the commissioners agreed to pass the zoning change. “This is a nice thing to do for all the people who’ve called in, asking for this,” District 1 Commissioner Faye Griffin said.
For the neighbors
No roosters are allowed If properly cared for, chickens should not cause significant noise or odor problems Roaming chickens or serious problems should be reported to the county zoning violation department, not animal control. Home Owner Associations are still free to restrict or deny any backyard animals. No on-site chicken slaughter will be allowed by the permit.
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.