Print
E-mail
Comment
Recall election date set
By Ashley Dieterle
After the first Parker Water and Sanitation District board recall petition was thrown out by Douglas County, the second round was successful.
The recall election process is now underway with the election date set for Dec. 15.
The four board members positions up for grabs are Mary Spencer, Sheppard Root, Mike Casey and the newly vacant position of Jason Mumm, who resigned Oct. 15. The first recall petition came about after a proposed 28 percent rate increase in April. Even though the rate increase was rescinded and the rate study was done, petitioners continued their mission to recall the four board members.
The recall election will cost the district $50,000 to $60,000, which is a concern to board president Mary Spencer. She it is a sad thing when five or six people can cause so much turmoil and cost the district huge sums of money.
“Next May we will be having the regular election and that will cost the district another $50, 000,” she said. “We have cut the budget to keep the rate increase as low as possible and are trying to do everything we can not to negatively impact the people in the district.”
One of the founding members of Transparency Advocates Merlin Klotz has been behind the recall petition from the beginning. He and hundreds of other Parker residents protested the rate increases and began the recall petition. Now that the recall election process is underway, Klotz’s work paid off.
“It is simple, the public has spoken and made their point,” he said.
Spencer is prepared to work hard in the recall election and has hoped for success.
“The district has come a long way in the last 27 years and it’s possible everything done will be turned upside down,” she said. “The truth will win out.”
Anyone interested in running as a candidate for one of the four open positions needs to submit a self-nomination and acceptance form to the Douglas County Clerk and Recorders office in person by Nov. 6. The form can be found on the Dougals County Web site at www.douglas.co.us/clerk/elections/PWSD_Recall_Election.html.
Ballots will be mailed to district residents between Nov. 23-27 and residents will have until 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 to mail in their ballot or drop them off at the two ballot drop-off locations: Parker Town Hall, 20120 E. Mainstreet in Parker and Douglas County Motor Vehicle, 16522 Keystone Blvd, Unit F in Parker. For more information visit the Douglas County Web site at www.douglas.co.us.
The recall election process is now underway with the election date set for Dec. 15.
The four board members positions up for grabs are Mary Spencer, Sheppard Root, Mike Casey and the newly vacant position of Jason Mumm, who resigned Oct. 15. The first recall petition came about after a proposed 28 percent rate increase in April. Even though the rate increase was rescinded and the rate study was done, petitioners continued their mission to recall the four board members.
The recall election will cost the district $50,000 to $60,000, which is a concern to board president Mary Spencer. She it is a sad thing when five or six people can cause so much turmoil and cost the district huge sums of money.
“Next May we will be having the regular election and that will cost the district another $50, 000,” she said. “We have cut the budget to keep the rate increase as low as possible and are trying to do everything we can not to negatively impact the people in the district.”
One of the founding members of Transparency Advocates Merlin Klotz has been behind the recall petition from the beginning. He and hundreds of other Parker residents protested the rate increases and began the recall petition. Now that the recall election process is underway, Klotz’s work paid off.
“It is simple, the public has spoken and made their point,” he said.
Spencer is prepared to work hard in the recall election and has hoped for success.
“The district has come a long way in the last 27 years and it’s possible everything done will be turned upside down,” she said. “The truth will win out.”
Anyone interested in running as a candidate for one of the four open positions needs to submit a self-nomination and acceptance form to the Douglas County Clerk and Recorders office in person by Nov. 6. The form can be found on the Dougals County Web site at www.douglas.co.us/clerk/elections/PWSD_Recall_Election.html.
Ballots will be mailed to district residents between Nov. 23-27 and residents will have until 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 to mail in their ballot or drop them off at the two ballot drop-off locations: Parker Town Hall, 20120 E. Mainstreet in Parker and Douglas County Motor Vehicle, 16522 Keystone Blvd, Unit F in Parker. For more information visit the Douglas County Web site at www.douglas.co.us.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. |
Reader Comments
maryspencer265 wrote on Oct 27, 2009 11:01 AM:
" Here are a few facts to set the record straight;
The District is doing everything it can to reduce and contain costs in a manner that will still allow us to fulfill our mission of providing adequate supplies of clean drinking water and safe sanitation services.
The 2009 budget was cut almost $3 million dollars, we have deferred $70 million in capital projects due to a slow down in growth, a hiring freeze is in place along with no salary increases, all donations to community outreach programs have been stopped with the exception or our donations to Parker Task Force which will continue due to the pivotal role they play in helping the people in our community who would otherwise have their water shut off.
The District has a responsibility to provide clean affordable drinking water to our customers. With the rapid decline of our groundwater aquifers our current water supplies are inadequate to ensure that our population will have what it needs in the future. To provide the needed water the district is constantly looking at obtaining additional water rights from varied sources.
Some examples of the types of initiatives that will be required are:
Treatment of waste water for reuse
Purchase of renewal surface water from the South Platte, Arkansas and Colorado River
Drilling more wells, although this is not a long term solution (none in 2010 due to budget cuts)
Major accomplishments from last year and this year include:
Completion of a formal rate study with recommendations from the Citizens Working Group
Ground breaking for the expansion of Rueter-Hess Reservoir in September of 2008
Sale of water storage rights to our partners in Rueter-Hess amounting to $60 million which will pay for the expansion
Sale of a $22,000.00 investment in Chatfield Rights for a net gain of over $800,000
Reimbursement of costs for the CSU study in the amount of $750,000, and
Formation of an internal audit committee for tighter controls
As you can see, contrary to what is being said the current Board is constantly working to provide substainable and adequate water at a reasonable cost to our customers while safeguarding the assets of the district.
On a final note:
Let me just remind everyone that their first petition was thrown out by the County Clerk for containing "substantially false and misleading information" not a technicality as they claim. Then one or more members of TAPWS filed criminal charges against the County Clerk and a county attorney because they didn't like the answer. Are these the types of people you want controlling your water supply?
Thank you,
Mary L. Spencer, Board Chair
For more information go to http://www.friendsofparkerwater.com "
The District is doing everything it can to reduce and contain costs in a manner that will still allow us to fulfill our mission of providing adequate supplies of clean drinking water and safe sanitation services.
The 2009 budget was cut almost $3 million dollars, we have deferred $70 million in capital projects due to a slow down in growth, a hiring freeze is in place along with no salary increases, all donations to community outreach programs have been stopped with the exception or our donations to Parker Task Force which will continue due to the pivotal role they play in helping the people in our community who would otherwise have their water shut off.
The District has a responsibility to provide clean affordable drinking water to our customers. With the rapid decline of our groundwater aquifers our current water supplies are inadequate to ensure that our population will have what it needs in the future. To provide the needed water the district is constantly looking at obtaining additional water rights from varied sources.
Some examples of the types of initiatives that will be required are:
Treatment of waste water for reuse
Purchase of renewal surface water from the South Platte, Arkansas and Colorado River
Drilling more wells, although this is not a long term solution (none in 2010 due to budget cuts)
Major accomplishments from last year and this year include:
Completion of a formal rate study with recommendations from the Citizens Working Group
Ground breaking for the expansion of Rueter-Hess Reservoir in September of 2008
Sale of water storage rights to our partners in Rueter-Hess amounting to $60 million which will pay for the expansion
Sale of a $22,000.00 investment in Chatfield Rights for a net gain of over $800,000
Reimbursement of costs for the CSU study in the amount of $750,000, and
Formation of an internal audit committee for tighter controls
As you can see, contrary to what is being said the current Board is constantly working to provide substainable and adequate water at a reasonable cost to our customers while safeguarding the assets of the district.
On a final note:
Let me just remind everyone that their first petition was thrown out by the County Clerk for containing "substantially false and misleading information" not a technicality as they claim. Then one or more members of TAPWS filed criminal charges against the County Clerk and a county attorney because they didn't like the answer. Are these the types of people you want controlling your water supply?
Thank you,
Mary L. Spencer, Board Chair
For more information go to http://www.friendsofparkerwater.com "
Merlin wrote on Oct 28, 2009 9:39 PM:
" The Current PWSD Board deserves credit where credit is due.
1) The Board did respond to December '08 outcries against their proposed 28% increase for a reasonable rate increase by declaring the extreme, a zero percent rate increase with a plan to use reserves in '09.
2) The Board did respond to objections by TAPWS members in February that by drastically reducing the 2009 revenue stream they were legally bound to amend the expense budget as well by amending many 2009 budget line items.
3) The Board did select a rate consultant at a cost to you and me of nearly $180,000 instead of either the equally qualified candidates in the $60,000 or $90,000 range.
4) The Board did over objections of TAPWS members, select the rate consultant whose proposal stated that the computer rate model was the consultant's over the two proposals that stated a copy would remain with the board for their use.
5) The Board did react negatively when the rate consultant returned with a one size fits all 5 tier recommendation that unfairly penalizes HOA, school and commercial commercial customers.... and who has the computer model needed to return fairness to the plan?
6) The Board did rebuff one Board member's request for an on going accounting of time and expenses invested in PWSD being the lead organizer of the Colorado Wyoming Coalition efforts to bring water to the front range from Flaming Gorge.
7) This Board did take credit for the work of Staff in selling Chatfield storage rights.
8) This Board did take credit for the work of Staff and previous boards in bringing other participants and Rueter Hess Phase 2.
9) This Board did eliminate more than $7,000 in Golf tournament expense from 2009 donations that were present spent in 2008.
Thanks again for all you have accomplished. "
1) The Board did respond to December '08 outcries against their proposed 28% increase for a reasonable rate increase by declaring the extreme, a zero percent rate increase with a plan to use reserves in '09.
2) The Board did respond to objections by TAPWS members in February that by drastically reducing the 2009 revenue stream they were legally bound to amend the expense budget as well by amending many 2009 budget line items.
3) The Board did select a rate consultant at a cost to you and me of nearly $180,000 instead of either the equally qualified candidates in the $60,000 or $90,000 range.
4) The Board did over objections of TAPWS members, select the rate consultant whose proposal stated that the computer rate model was the consultant's over the two proposals that stated a copy would remain with the board for their use.
5) The Board did react negatively when the rate consultant returned with a one size fits all 5 tier recommendation that unfairly penalizes HOA, school and commercial commercial customers.... and who has the computer model needed to return fairness to the plan?
6) The Board did rebuff one Board member's request for an on going accounting of time and expenses invested in PWSD being the lead organizer of the Colorado Wyoming Coalition efforts to bring water to the front range from Flaming Gorge.
7) This Board did take credit for the work of Staff in selling Chatfield storage rights.
8) This Board did take credit for the work of Staff and previous boards in bringing other participants and Rueter Hess Phase 2.
9) This Board did eliminate more than $7,000 in Golf tournament expense from 2009 donations that were present spent in 2008.
Thanks again for all you have accomplished. "
SHEPROOT wrote on Nov 1, 2009 1:12 AM:
" Are you sympathetic to angry political critics who DON'T VOTE?
"coepa" is Patrick (Rick) Coe. COE is a government employee. He continually and intentionally conceals his identity as the husband of publicly elected Parker Town Council member Lisa Coe. This willful failure to disclose brings urgent ethics questrions about his actions and agenda.
Notoriously public complainer "Merlin" is Merlin KLOTZ (even his family web site says his opinions are "rants"). KLOTZ embarrasses himself again and again. Online he can't even say the correct name of the district (it’s not sewer). KLOTZ didn't take the time to vote in the Parker Water election. KLOTZ says that his opinion is more important than the citizens who voted. KLOTZ is a failed political operative; denied a junior local office by his political party.
Sources say KLOTZ is close to arrest or indictment for criminal acts related to elections and/or malicious false reporting and may be sentenced to time in prison. Whether or not that is correct, formal public hearings have already issued public summary judgment that the Klotz team "substantially misled" the public.
Also, note the hostile comments from Parker Mayor Casiano at other locations online. The court reporter's transcript of sworn testimony of the April 10, 2009 public hearing shows that the mayor's non-voting wife was shockingly ignorant and unable to answer simple direct questions. It cannot be determined from her testimony the degree to which she lied or was used as a tool by the KLOTZ cohort.
Finally, every voter should know that under the Colorado Public Records Act request of 2009 to the Town of Parker showed that elected Parker Town Council members were involved, knowledgeable or conspired to recall the water board to sell your future water supply to a private developer for profit.
DON'T FALL FOR THE RECALL --- AGAIN! "
"coepa" is Patrick (Rick) Coe. COE is a government employee. He continually and intentionally conceals his identity as the husband of publicly elected Parker Town Council member Lisa Coe. This willful failure to disclose brings urgent ethics questrions about his actions and agenda.
Notoriously public complainer "Merlin" is Merlin KLOTZ (even his family web site says his opinions are "rants"). KLOTZ embarrasses himself again and again. Online he can't even say the correct name of the district (it’s not sewer). KLOTZ didn't take the time to vote in the Parker Water election. KLOTZ says that his opinion is more important than the citizens who voted. KLOTZ is a failed political operative; denied a junior local office by his political party.
Sources say KLOTZ is close to arrest or indictment for criminal acts related to elections and/or malicious false reporting and may be sentenced to time in prison. Whether or not that is correct, formal public hearings have already issued public summary judgment that the Klotz team "substantially misled" the public.
Also, note the hostile comments from Parker Mayor Casiano at other locations online. The court reporter's transcript of sworn testimony of the April 10, 2009 public hearing shows that the mayor's non-voting wife was shockingly ignorant and unable to answer simple direct questions. It cannot be determined from her testimony the degree to which she lied or was used as a tool by the KLOTZ cohort.
Finally, every voter should know that under the Colorado Public Records Act request of 2009 to the Town of Parker showed that elected Parker Town Council members were involved, knowledgeable or conspired to recall the water board to sell your future water supply to a private developer for profit.
DON'T FALL FOR THE RECALL --- AGAIN! "
coepa wrote on Oct 26, 2009 11:14 AM: