I know Golden's concerned residents are interested in recent developments and I'm also aware that there were problems with the video of the April 26 council meeting. To recap the meeting, there was a serious note concerning the beltway, followed by a wonderful performance by the Golden Children's Choir, community Sustainability Awards, recognition of Golden High School's participation in the "Day Without Hate," and adoption of an ordinance designed to prevent youth access to tobacco.
These are the remarks I made on beltway issues:
In the last two weeks, the beltway controversy came to a boil again. Things were happening so fast that we needed the Golden Transcript to become a daily paper rather than a weekly.
The short version of events is that a state bill was drafted that would have stripped Golden - and every other metro jurisdiction - of the power to make its own decisions about a ring road, where it would go, what it would look like, and what would happen to property in its path. Cooler heads prevailed and the bill wasn't introduced. For this outcome, we thank our Governor John Hickenlooper, CDOT director Don Hunt, our state legislators -- Representatives Tyler and Schafer and Senators Jahn and Nicholson --, our many metro area allies, and especially the concerned Golden residents who raised their voices in opposition to the bill. [Contrary to the impression that may have been left by quotes in the Transcript article, Golden entered into no agreement in return for withdrawal of the bill.]
Golden is now back to the direction it had already set. After last year's negotiations concluded without an agreement, we realized that further talks would not be productive unless we first gathered data, updated our facts, and consulted with our residents. This fact-based approach would shed light on transportation solutions that would meet the needs of our residents and also address regional considerations. Our collected data and our residents' contributions will be key to our informed participation in any productive negotiations.
Make no mistake, we continue to maintain that the beltway is a 20th century idea -- and a bad idea even then. Nevertheless, we need to acknowledge that there are local and regional transportation pressures and problems -- and limited funds to resolve them. A collaborative approach is the only way to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
After our regular business meeting, council will be holding an executive session to confer with special counsel on Jefferson Parkway issues. It's important for the community to know that council understands the significance of its actions. Each of us realizes that the course we set may affect generations of Golden and regional residents that we haven't met yet. As events unfold, we will keep you informed.
Three 2012 Sustainability awardees were recognized at the meeting. Compass Montessori School (through teacher Erik Albright) was singled out for its environmental education program that fosters students intrest and efforts in recycling, food production, farm animals, wildland restoration, and energy conservation. Barbara Rogers, a resident of Golden Ridge Condominiums, was given an award to celebrate her active organization of single-stream recycling for more than 370 condominiums. And Don Cameron, local resident and high school chemistry and physics teacher, was lauded for his long-term sustainability efforts. In particular, Don and his wife Carol have converted space on their lot in the East Street District into a neighborhood garden,allowing several neighbors to use nine plots in this space.
In another highlight, the Children's Choir of Golden performed "Golden," a poem about Golden's natural beauty written by David Tisch and set to music by his wife and choir director Judy Tisch. The children's voices were inspirational.
Golden's high school students were also in the spotlight. Student council representatives explained the "Day Without Hate," a student-led, grass-roots effort that promotes non-violence, respect, and unity within our schools and received a proclamation designating April 27 as a Day Without Hate in Golden. Later in the meeting, council unanimously passed an ordinance making Golden one of the first communities in Colorado to restrict youth access to tobacco products by requiring non-cigarette tobacco retailer licensing. The Breathe Easy Team from Golden High School, the Jefferson County Public Health Department, many community members, and Ward 3 councilor Bill Fisher spearheaded this initiative.
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