Transcript
WHEAT RIDGE 12/27/12
Wheat Ridge
December 27, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourwheatridgenews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 29, Issue 27
County budget tightens Cuts to mental health and human services draw concern By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com A contingent of community members and city and state officials expressed hopes at a Dec. 18 meeting that the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners would reconsider their plans to cut $688,000 from three county human services programs: Family Tree, the Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Seniors’ Resource Center. Former state Sen. Moe Keller called cutting such services “more than egregious, they’re baffling.” She said that any cuts to mental health and human services often just shifts new costs to prisons, jails and emergency rooms. She suggested the county could use its ability to increase property tax to raise the necessary funds. “On the hundreds of people who have contacted me, I would ask that you reconsider these cuts,” Colorado State House District 25 Representative Sue Schafer told the commission. Jefferson Center for Mental Health board member Buzz Cleveland told the commission that the center had received no warning, and had no dialogue to prepare them for the budget cut. He asked for the funding to be restored, or even increased to meet public demand. “You are concerned with what we can afford.” Cleveland said. “The question I have is what can’t we afford? And we can’t afford any more Columbines, and we can’t afford any more Jessica Ridgeways, or any more Aurora theaters, or what’s happening in Connecticut.” After public comment board Chair Don Rosier broke with official meeting protocol to reply to the public speakers. “No one here is saying the services provided here aren’t needed,” Rosier said, adding that the cuts were needed to maintain the county’s fiscal health. Rosier pointed the finger at the state and federal level, which has been cutting its contributions to county Human Services by millions. He also said that increasing the property tax would burden all seniors on a fixed income. District 2 Commissioner John Odom was absent. District 1 Commissioner Faye Griffin said the county hoped for future increases in home values to help increase the county budget situation. “When those funds do become available, they will go to the highest and best use,” Rosier said.
Ariele Ebacher, wire dancer with Zoppé An Italian Family Circus, performs in 2011. The circus performed during the 2012 Carnation Festival in Wheat Ridge. Photo courtesy of Partridge Road
Big top at top of 2012 Business brisk in ’12 Staff Report Some cities roll out the same city celebration over and over but Wheat Ridge keeps topping itself with its Carnation Festival in recent years. The appearance of the Zoppe Italian Family Circus last summer marked a new high for the event and is surely among the top stories of the year. Other toppers center around the city’s emphasis on development — which was reflected in numerous ways — on 38th Avenue and in other areas. In no particular order, here are many of the accomplishments that marked the year:
Cirque du Wheat Ridge or call it Carnation Festival
News that the Zoppe Italian Family Circus would be the centerpiece of the 43rd annual Carnation Festival intrigued many. The circus was established in Italy in 1842 by Napline Zoppé and was revived in America by his great-great-grandson, Giovanni, about 13 years ago. The family builds its performances around a central story rather than on individual acts. With the circus booked, the Carnation Festival featured its usual parade and blur of activities, but benefited from the ongoing attraction of the 600-seat
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local pie and best-tasting pie. White chicken chili made an appearance for the first time, one of 17 entries from 15 cooks. Red and green chilis were well represented, with eight entries in each category.
Ridge at 38
circus tent featuring performances Aug. 18-26. Margie Seyfer, planning committee chairwoman, said the festival had its highest attendance ever, topping usual attendance of about 20,000 with a head count that ranged between 25,000 and 30,000. About 4,075 people attended the circus, which will be back next year. “This was the premiere. It knocked everybody’s socks off,” Seyfer said. “This was by far the best festival this city has ever seen.” In the first-ever pie baking contest, PieDol, three judges considered entries from 14 contestants. Winners were selected in four categories: best-looking pie, grand-champion pie, most-
The Ridge at 38 shopping and dining district on 38th Avenue made a big splash this year with construction of road improvements completed in July. A so-called “road diet” involved removing one lane to create room for a variety of amenities, such as bike lanes, pop-up cafes, new landscaping and on-street parking. Planned festivities on the street combined with branding and marketing strategy led by Wheat Ridge 2020 and the 38th Avenue Leadership Committee. The effort has done the city proud, and the city will be monitoring the success of the project during its first two years. With all the hoopla on 38th, business owner Heidi Haas Sheard on 44th Avenue was not to be outdone and put together postcards highlighting all the businesses on 44th. While she
Gavin Ouellett does a trick on his skateboard called an “Indy” while clearing a jump at Discovery Park in Wheat Ridge in October. Photo by Andy Carpenean supports the improvements on 38th, she said she wanted to remind residents of all the great longtime business on 44th. Competitive business in Wheat Ridge, it’s all good.
New businesses
Given a list of new businesses coming to Wheat Ridge, the economy looked better in 2012. We may miss a few, but here are a few of the businesses the city welcomed — Right Coast Pizza, Teller Street Gallery, Fran’s Café, Kriya Yoga Center, Brew Pub on Wadsworth, BCS Credit Union and Chase Bank.
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Top Ten continues on Page 3
The light rail train does its first run on the West Rail line in April. Photo by Justin Sagarsee
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