Neighborhood Gazette - December 2014

Caregivers Need

Boundariessee page 8

Your Home Is A

Mirrorsee page 12

WHEAT RIDGE’S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION featured sleigh rides, hot drinks, snacks, a bonfi re, pictures with Santa, train rides, live music and more in front of Wheat Ridge 5-8 Middle School on Dec. 6.. PHOTO BY JOYCE JAY

TOYS AND GIFTS of all shapes and sizes await wrapping by volunteers at the Wheat Ridge 5-8.

OPERATION BLUE SANTA collected two cars full of donation on this year’s Black Friday.

GazetteNEIGHBORHOODGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteGazetteWheat Ridge | Edgewater | DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015

Nonprofi ts Need Your Time, Not

Just Moneysee page 5

A Tale of Two Budgets:Wheat Ridge Makes Big Cuts,

While Edgewater Moves AheadBy J. Patrick O’Leary

Wheat Ridge and Edgewater each face markedly different fi nancial futures

in the coming year. After the failure of Ballot Question 2A and lower-than-expected sales tax revenues in 2014, Wheat Ridge will be cutting back on services, delaying public works projects, and putting off maintenance and equipment replacement. Yet to the east, the neighboring municipality of Edgewater is enjoying growth in sales tax revenue and is on track to pay for signifi cant infrastructure upgrades and catch up on the same deferred street maintenance issues Wheat Ridge faces. A look at each city’s budget and recent history shows that both face the same challenges of maintaining roads, buildings and equipment. But one is seeing an increase in tax revenue, while the other isn’t. Wheat Ridge’s nearly $29 million 2015 budget is 7 percent smaller and projected revenues 7 percent less than in 2014. Total

proposed expenditures are 18 percent less, and the ending fund balance is 19 percent less than in 2014. Assistant to the City Manager Heather Geyer read aloud the 2015 Proposed Budget presentation (available on the city’s website) during the Dec. 8 city council meeting. The good news is that the budget is balanced without dipping into reserves, with $9 million of general fund spending going directly to city council’s goals, and $2.46 million will be transferred to the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). And, funds for pedestrian and bicycle improvements, two traffi c trailers, a few streetlights and traffi c calming projects were restored or added to the proposed budget after public testimony and a handful of amendments proposed by District I councilman Jerry DiTullio. The bad news is the city will continue to defer maintenance and large equipment replacement, and a handful of programs and public improvement projects won’t be

By Guy Nahmiach

It’s called the Jefferson Framework and, contrary to the recent rumors, it is not a

plan being driven down by the school board. It was conceived by the area principals wanting a shake-up of our system with an assertive goal of evaluating every aspect of our students’ path from pre-K all the way up to high school. It’s about removal of what has not been working for years and channeling funds to making a real difference for our students in every bracket and category. Achievement Director Brenda Carlson had a great analogy: Ripping off the Band-Aid. Painful at fi rst, but a must if you want to make a real change. The Jefferson Framework is a reorganization of schools, teachers and students, with the goal of increasing the value and results of time spent by students in each of their schools. Area principals have been discussing ways to signifi cantly increase student achievement for the last year. With an initial focus on Jefferson High School in Edgewater, it also pulls in Stevens Elementary and Wheat Ridge 5-8 in Wheat Ridge. WR 5-8 is an “At Risk” school that dropped in performance and was labeled as a “turnaround” school for two consecutive years. The district had also brought in a GT (advanced learning) program to help in boosting its performance. This included funds and trained teachers to attract families with advanced learners. In fact some local families moved their students from local elementary schools into WR 5-8 because of this program. However, principal Warren Blair and his team never managed to achieve what they had hoped for. Even with drastic staff and curriculum overhauls, the school still struggled with the basics. Disruptive student behavior and even a plea to parents on the school’s front-page web site to have their kids at school on

time. The Wheat Ridge 5-8 experiment has not worked. I’ve heard this statement from almost everyone I’ve interviewed these past two weeks. The Edgewater community had long been trying to create their own articulation area, and have better control of the outcome of every student’s experience through their schools, including Lumberg and Edgewater Elementary all the way up to Jefferson High. While families speak of wonderful experiences, the numbers painted a different story. The goals became an obvious one. Focus on everyone. Students that did not go to college needed the same attention and focus on their next step. Don’t let the socioeconomic or language barrier stop these students from the getting the education they deserve. Hence two paths were created at Jefferson High, a rigorous program that would have students ready for either college or a career. Recruit effective teachers and compensate them accordingly. Increase the dual-language learning programs that have been hugely successful. Increase classroom support that is aligned with the community. These are the ingredients needed to bolster the quality and results of the education in Edgewater schools. Plan A includes moving Stevens Elementary into the Wheat Ridge 5-8 building. It also includes the Creation of 7-12 Jefferson Pre-College/Career Academy High School. The Jeffco facilities department will decide how to repurpose the Stevens building. The one strong option right now would be to move the Sobesky School into that Stevens location. Sobesky Academy is part of the Jefferson County Public School’s Special Education continuum. It is a program, which is designed to meet the intensive emotional, behavioral, and related academic needs of students with identifi ed

The Je� erson Framework:What It Is, What It Isn’tContinued on page 2

Continued on page 12

Continued on page 2

By Laura Poole

For almost two decades Santa, under the guise of the Wheat Ridge Optimist

Club, has been helping families in Wheat Ridge. For 18 years the local club has been collecting and donating gifts to those in need for their annual Christmas program, and this holiday season they were joined by the Wheat Ridge Police Department for their own Operation Blue Santa to further their efforts. The police department collected two cars full of donations on Black Friday last month which were distributed on Saturday, Dec. 14, to 75 families and 250 kids in the Wheat Ridge area. Given that the 31,000 population of our town consists of many families, those who might otherwise have struggled to put gifts under the tree on Christmas were helped by the community’s efforts. “Our Optimist Club is reaching out to one and a half percent of the population.

That’s a big push,” said 10-year Wheat Ridge Optimist Club member Charley Ault. Not only are toys collected but also gift cards for clothes and food, and over 300 toys were collected and donated this year thanks to Operation Blue Santa. The police department has always been highly supportive of the Wheat Ridge Optimist Club’s Christmas program, and took the opportunity to join in this year. “We had 24 large trash bags full of toys it was huge, unbelievable… a lot more successful than we anticipated,” said Sergeant Kevin Armstrong of the Wheat Ridge Police Department. “We are going to defi nitely do it again next year.” The police department has always made an effort to help underprivileged families with Christmas but this year they jumped in and helped the Optimist Club with 20 days of advertising and handing out leafl ets about the cause at the 38th & Youngfi eld

WR Optimists & ‘Blue Santa’Join Forces To Serve The Needy

2 NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

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Walmart, helping draw in more donations and stuffi ng their two squad cars to the brim. Toys for ages infant to 15 were bought by both children and adults. Cash donations were used to purchase gift cards for older kids. “It was absolutely heartwarming [seeing] kids participating and understanding that they were helping those kids less fortunate,” said Armstrong. “I appreciate the community outpouring support for this program. It was defi nitely a community effort to bring this together.” Like many other programs in Wheat Ridge this brings out the best of our community and allows everyone to bond over a good cause, and bring a little joy to those in need. “People who participate are not only involved in the wrapping but are in school and Junior Optimists … they’re people throughout the community who come and know when the wrapping is. It’s about three hours of organized chaos, but everyone goes away feeling good about it,” said Ault. Eighteen years ago Optimist members

funded this year. Long-term, the city faces a CIP funding gap through 2023, with no funding beyond 2015 for capital needs, and a decreased ability to leverage private investment. And because voters did not approve the 1 percent sales tax increase in November – Ballot Question 2A – missing is $6.4 million dedicated to public works, parks and recreation capital infrastructure projects. Off to the east, Edgewater passed a $2.9 million balanced budget for 2015-2016 – one-tenth that of Wheat Ridge’s. It’s 24 percent larger than 2014 ($2.3 million), made possible by expected revenue increase of $1 million. According to City Manager H. J. Stalf’s 2015 Budget Message, sales tax revenues are expected to rise 6 percent, and projected revenue from marijuana taxes will cover nearly all the expenses of the city’s long-overdue street maintenance program. Like Wheat Ridge, it faces funding shortfalls for needed improvements to public safety facilities and utilities. However, if the marijuana revenue continues, the program will be fully funded in three to four years. Edgewater’s fi nal 2015 budget included substantial increases for Community Services ($351,161, up from $201,380 last year), Public Works ($266,036, up from $163,178) and Parks and Recreation ($145,362, up from $66,160). Department expenses (city manager, clerk, police, council, court, etc.) increased slightly, overall. There were no signifi cant cuts. Edgewater’s biggest infrastructure concern – $1.5 to $2 million for the water system – may be fi nanced with a low-interest loan from the state. Stalf warned that additional upgrades to the system may require fee increases or borrowing from the city’s general fund, but it wasn’t likely in the next 10-20 years. In Wheat Ridge, in spite of the November rejection of a revenue increase, the city will make progress, albeit with some delay, toward its fi ve-year goals: economically viable commercial areas; exceptional service while remaining fi nancially sound; desirable neighborhoods; and a more attractive Wheat Ridge. Spending on commercial areas took a $260,000 hit. Renewal Wheat Ridge project funding was reduced $150,000, from $450,000 to $300,000. Ridge at 38 public events got clipped for $10,000, from $98,600 to $88,600. Kipling Corridor planning efforts will get $50,000 less than the original $151,700. Wheat Ridge 2020 lost its entire $50,000 for community engagement and communications, despite pleas at the Dec. 8 public comment session. Untouched are Live Local events, Ridge at

Optimists/Blue Santa

2015 Budget

Continued from page 1


John Lobus and George Langdon felt there was a need to help families in Wheat Ridge that were struggling to have a Christmas. Langdon’s daughter was a teacher and with her help they got other teachers and Security Resource Offi cers at her school to come up with a list of families in town who could use help with presents for the holidays. Families have been informed of the donation beforehand and are very grateful and happy when members of the club come to their homes with toys and food for their children. “We deliver the presents to their homes, we get a chance to interact with those families [and] they are grateful beyond belief,” said Ault. He says people have cried “tears of joy” and experience “almost disbelief that the community would reach out in such an effort.” The club also gets support from local merchants on 38th Avenue, as well as Lutheran hospital and four or fi ve different banks in the area, and even a group in Boulder that have been supporting the cause long before Ault became part of it. “It’s reaching out even beyond Wheat Ridge, but giving back to the folks that really need it,” said Ault.

38 banners and lights, marketing efforts, business loan programs and tax incentive programs. Basic city services saw cuts of $170,000 for equipment and vehicle replacement ($641,000 down to $471,000), but preventative street maintenance was increased by $1.7 million to just under $3.3 million. City Hall LED lighting retrofi ts were axed ($35,000 down to zero), and employee safety and wellness programs took a $9,000 hit ($30,950 to $21,950). Untouched were employee compensation, police expenditures and Priority Based Budgeting; an attempted amendment to reduce permanent Pay for Performance raises failed at the meeting. Of neighborhood improvements, the entire $100,000 pedestrian/bicycle improvements budget was saved by an amendment transferring that amount from the proposed $3.3 preventative street maintenance fund. No last-minute luck for the Aging Needs Plan implementation – all $13,000 was cut. To the end of making Wheat Ridge more attractive, no budget cuts were made to public art acquisition, Ridge at 38 annual planting, bus shelter/bench maintenance, and citywide right-of-way maintenance. Funding for the Kipling Street multi-use path and lighting, parks and trails maintenance projects, public art acquisition, and open space improvements survived due to grants and monies from specifi c funds. Funding for CIP in 2016 and beyond is very limited or nonexistent, according to Geyer’s presentation. City staff said it will continue to research and apply for grant funding, but with the failure of the sales tax increase, more budget cuts and new or increased fees and charges for service are the identifi able options. Outside of council goals, various city sponsorships and community partnerships saw cuts: Carnation Festival will get only $50,000, down from $80,000; the Senior Resource Center circulator bus lost $12,000, down from $42,000; Jeffco school’s outdoor lab lost its entire $16,450 sponsorship (the fi rst year Jeffco requested one); Arvada Food Bank will get $10,000, not $15,000; and the Action Center capital campaign won’t get its $10,000 contribution. Critical comments by two individuals and District II councilman Zachary Urban failed to convince council to place additional documentation requirements on Wheat Ridge 2020’s funding, nor new documentation requirements on all organizations requesting funds from the city.

For more information on the Wheat Ridge 2015 budget, visit www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/115/City-Budget; for Edgewater’s budget, visit http://edgewa-terco.govo� ce3.com, and look under “In-side City Hall” and then “Finance.”

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ngazette.com – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – neighborhood gazette 3

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4 NEIGHBORHOOD GAZETTE – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

WHEAT RIDGE CITY COUNCIL

By Tim Fitzgerald

It’s December and we are moving towards the Christmas and New Year’s holiday

season. I should be writing an uplifting piece about peace, love and good will. But instead, I’m writing to ask for your help. I need help in understanding what happened in our election. In our recent election the people spoke and, by an overwhelming majority, voted to not allow their city a 1 percent sales tax increase. Previous to the election, city council, the mayor, and the city manager had all spoken about the absolute need for the tax increase. Even with the increase we would still have been one of the least taxed cities in the metro area. So now that the people have voted, council has to react. City council on Dec. 8 approved the budget for 2015. It has been a diffi cult process because it’s all about taking services away from citizens. I am not an accountant, but I’ll give you my best shot at sharing what I know. A few general statements: • Sales tax is our largest source of income – over 60 percent. • Property tax is one of our smallest sources of income – about 2.6 percent. In general, Wheat Ridge gets only about $34 per house. We probably have the lowest mill rate in the metro area. • We spend about 35 percent of our General Fund for the police and the court. • The Parks Department and Public Works each get about 15 percent of our money. One important factor is our recent

fi nancial history. When the “Great Recession” started, tax revenues for the city declined and have continued at a low level until just recently. In response, the city tightened its belt. Employees were laid off, economies were found and waste was hunted down. Some services were eliminated. Traffi c calming is one example, but also planned repair to and maintenance of your infrastructure was

signifi cantly reduced. Planned maintenance is the most effi cient and cost-effective way to keep things in good working order. For example, streets are “top coated” on a planned schedule in order to seal the street from water before it gets under the pavement, then freezes and potholes and other damage occurs. That kind of damage is more expensive to fi x. It takes about $3.9 million to maintain our streets on an

effi cient, planned basis. However, we have been spending only about $1.5 million per year. Each year we get further and further behind. In 2015 we expect a 3 percent increase in our sales tax revenue compared to the 2014 adjusted revenue. Perversely though, that will give us a 5 percent decrease in General Fund revenue. That is due to two factors, the biggest is that in 2014 we settled a tax issue and collected about $1.5 million that we had not budgeted for. We were also awarded some grants. Overall, your 2015 General Fund operating budget is a 7 percent decrease compared to 2014. The General Fund operating budget is $28,990,382. When comparing the expected revenue with

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By Zachary Urban

Growing up I can remember the independence I felt when my parents

allowed me to walk to and from school. Almost without fail, I would do that all by myself for the seven years I attended Swanson Elementary School in Arvada. The truth be told, my mom could probably see me the whole time as our house was only three blocks from Swanson. Nevertheless, I was thrilled to be given the freedom to walk the tough streets of southeast Arvada. If I saw a rock I would kick it all the way to school. I enjoyed the sense of independence and the experience of the walk. Sadly today many Wheat Ridge children, including my own, do not enjoy the independence and freedom associated with this most basic of childhood experiences. When my wife and I bought our home we did so with the intention that our children would attend Martensen Elementary School. This was one of many homes in northeast Wheat Ridge that are within walking distance of Martensen. This all changed several years ago when Martensen closed. Albeit for specifi c reasons defi ned and announced in a public process, Jefferson County Schools chose to shutter it. Now it is proposed through a document titled “Jefferson Plan Flyer One” that Jeffco create a 7-12 Jefferson Pre-College/Career Academy High School at Jefferson High School, establish a Stevens Elementary School PK-6 on the vacated Wheat Ridge 5-8 campus, and repurpose the current Stevens PK-4 campus for a yet to be announced purpose. Insiders say they have already short-listed of a certain number of proposed

purposes. Once again our community has been upended and there remains a possibility of a further exodus of Jeffco schools’

physical footprint within eastern Wheat Ridge. Many if not all our neighborhoods were built with the neighborhood school as a critical foundation of the neighborhood, if not the hub of the community. Wheat Ridge residents know best what it means when you remove a hub from a spoke. The wheels fall off, that’s what happens. The fact remains that I know more about our community than I know about educational theory. Let me

be clear, I don’t doubt the pedagogy behind the proposed changes. I remain concerned about the community impacts of school closures as it relates to our local economy, traffi c concerns and any associated repurposing plans for vacated campuses. If you are interested in providing feedback regarding these proposed changes you may contact Jeffco Schools Superintendent Dan McMinimee at 303-982-6800 or visit www.jeffcopublicschools.org for more information about upcoming public meetings seeking public input into these proposed changes. While walking to school remains out of reach for many in our community, there is a new grassroots community effort to encourage walking to school. If you are interested in forming a “walking school bus” within your neighborhood to facilitate groups of children to walk to school together, you may contact Rachel Hultin at 303-908-0076 for more information regarding the program.

Zachary Urban can be reached at 720-252-5930 or www.zacharyurban.com.

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Tail-Waggin’ Time as Muddy Paws Opens on Harlan

Muddy Paws celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 6 with a ribbon-

cutting ceremony and a pet-themed art show to raise money for a local shelter, attended by Wheat Ridge dignitaries, friends, supporters and employees. Located at 4332 Harlan St., it offers full- and self-service pet washing and grooming. After six years in business, the shop relocated from its previous home in Denver to a bigger location in Wheat Ridge. The new building provides owner Zia Meranto with more room and additional parking for her customers. The larger facility includes a walk-in tub to accommodate large or older dogs. Donations from the fundraiser go to Max Fund Adoption mobile. Muddy Paws will have a gallery full of pet related art for sale during December, a photo booth, refreshments and a pet adoption mobile from Max Fund.

Contact Muddy Paws at 303-433-7652, or visit muddypawsbathhouse.com.

Seniors Benefit From Saanti Massage Stretch Program

Longtime Wheat Ridge resident Melissa Chaffin, LMT, is living her dream – improving the lives and overall well-being of her clients through yoga stretching. But yoga isn’t just for the young and lithe – it’s for everyone, and especially seniors. Chaffin owns Saanti Massage Studio in Wheat Ridge. She was recently asked by Senior Resource Center to provide weekly on-site services for the elderly after learning about her 30-minute, full-body stretch program she designed specifically for people suffering from Parkinson’s. The service is offered twice weekly, Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons, at SRC, 3227 Chase St. “I’m pleased and humbled to have the ongoing opportunity to help people,” says Chaffin. “I love what I do. It’s very rewarding

when I hear how much better people feel after each session. In addition, I’m honored to be an additional resource for SRC by serving seniors and their loved ones.” Chaffin practices Thai Yoga Massage, a unique combination of assisted stretching, joint manipulation and movement that provides a host of benefits that include increased range of motion, improved balance, relaxation, stress reduction, muscle tension release, improved circulation and increased energy.

For more information about Saanti Massage, call 303-332-9567.

Swim Otters Offering Extracurricular Programs

Swim Otters Swim and Fitness School is offering a range of extracurricular activities for kids at its 3974 Youngfield St. location. Swim Otters operates out of high-end business hotel pools that are kept at a warm 87-89 degrees Fahrenheit and maintained to comply with Colorado’s State health codes. Summer Swim & Fitness Camp provides kids with more than swim lessons, with survival in the wilderness, tumble and play games, and learning how to take care of their bodies through healthy eating and resting. Baby & Me Group Classes, for infants 6-12 months, provides an hour of water play helping them to adapt to land and water environments. It’s offered four times a year at the Wheat Ridge facility only. Parent-Tot Group Classes, for kids 12 months to 4 years, shows parents how to interact with their kids in the water as they learn to swim, all in a fun play environment. Also offered four times a year. Splash Celebration Parties for all ages can be scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays, with options to include pizza, juice boxes, goodie bags or cake. Two hours long. For Swim Otters members, there are Parent Night Out evenings for all ages the second Friday of the month, plus a Rookie Swim Team and a Snorkeling Program for ages 5-13.

For more information, call 303-554-7946 or visit www.swimotters.com.

LocaL Business news

By Cyndy Beal

Holiday celebrations, traditions and their meanings are myriad – but most

parties agree it’s a giving, receiving and thoughtful time of year. A time to thank and think of others, such as local organizations that serve the community year round. On Colorado Gives Day, Dec. 9, the giving was a record-breaking $26.2 million statewide to Colorado nonprofits in a 24-hour period. Local nonprofits such as Family Tree and Arvada Community Food bank were two of the many in our area who received a part of this generosity. The Denver area has many nonprofits and organizations that can benefit year round from monetary and physical item donations, as well as volunteerism. Sometimes the greatest gifts given and received are the ones of time. These are a couple in the area.

FaMily TrEE For more than 30 years Family Tree has been part of the Wheat Ridge community. “The mission of Family Tree is to help people overcome child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness to become safe, strong and self-reliant,” per their website. Through Dec. 9, Family Tree offered their Holidays of Hope program that had several ways to get involved, such as adopting a family for the holiday. After completing a questionnaire, an individual or group was given the family’s wish list. Their volunteer program attracts more

than 2,000 annually, said Jaclyn Wilmont, Family Tree’s volunteer director. However there is an ongoing need for volunteers, but especially for volunteers willing to make a long-term time commitment, which may include training. Key volunteer positions for 2015 are supervised visitation monitor, crisis support specialist and thrift-store guru. In 2015, they are additionally seeking groups for their Project IMPACT program. These groups would take on capital improvement projects (with skilled labor and funding to support the project) that help offset agency expenses. For physical item donations, there is Family Tree’s Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store, now located at 5892 W.44 Ave. They accept gently used items Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For questions about the thrift store call 303-421-9205. Their next volunteer orientation sessions are Tuesday, Jan. 6 and Saturday, Jan. 24. For general information, volunteer descriptions and to start the volunteer application process go to www.thefamilytree.org; or contact Jaclyn Wilmot at [email protected] or 303-422-2133.

arvada COMMuniTy FOOd Bank The Arvada Community Food Bank was formed in 1982. They serve around 11,500 households.

Give And Thus Receive:Local Nonprofits Need Your

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Wheat Ridge Business Association

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6 neighborhood gazette – DECEMBER 19, 2014 – JANUARY 15, 2015 – ngazette.com

For advertising information contact Tim Berland 303-995-2806 • [email protected]

By Guy Nahmiach

As we close the year, it’s an opportunity to recap 2014 and anticipate new

issues in the new year. I think back to how much time education has spent in the news, and all of the issues and topics we debated: Common core, teacher contracts, GT/ALP, History AP curriculum, a newly elected school board, newly hired superintendent, rigor, too much testing and, of course, not enough testing. Right or left, up or down, the good news is that we are talking about education. After a low voter turnout in our last elections, it’s about time that this topic is at top of all our agendas.

Economic, political and social During this past year I’ve had the opportunity to meet many stakeholders from all sides of the education arena. I’ve learned incredible facts about our educational system. An index of learning factors. The huge impact of low birth weight on the success and failure rate of students. That class sizes do not matter as much we thought it did. I found out that after all these years, my dad (retired teacher) was right. Homework has no significant impact on the learning process. It was also a year with more tuition hikes. And high schools across our nation are rated and funded based on how many students are college ready. With so many applying to colleges, the demand far exceeds the supply of available room in our colleges. It’s basic economics. Colleges can keep pushing the price tag up, but the urgency to get a college education far exceeds the pain of paying higher rates and being saddled with two mortgages or student loans. My daughter claims that grad schools have become yesterday’s bachelor degrees. As a Realtor, I’m always complaining that I can’t find a good electrician, carpenter or a plumber. Perhaps removing the prejudice from our vocational schools and preparing some of our high school students for a career would be a great option. It’s safe to predict this issue growing in importance in the near future. In fact, it is at the very heart of the Jefferson Framework (see story page 1). Another issue to keep us talking in 2015 will be Student Based Budgeting, or SBB: Principals being given complete control over how to spend their increased budget, and having to now decide on the number of teachers and programs at their own school. Depending on the level of transparency allowed by each principal, these decisions are to be made with the help of the school’s accountability committee, which includes teachers, administration and members of the community. While it’s important to remember that salary cuts, budget reductions and even cuts to masters degrees compensations to teachers were made by the previous board, we are on the cusp of even more

changes that could effect the very goals of our schools. Changes like further blending of charter and public, empowering each school’s leaders with budget decisions but at the same time being accountable for the results and achievements. Or compensating teachers for not only being effective or

highly effective educators, but also for their willingness to work and be effective in a title school, intervention programs as opposed to working in an easier environment such as a high performing school in a great neighborhood. Accountability is being pushed to the forefront of our education system. Both for schools and staff as well as students and parents. Being

responsible for a student’s education does not stop when the bell rings. It’s crucial for parents to play a role in it. The subject of holding back is also being considered. Interesting times. Students arriving to their new school with a reading or math level several grades below their class is simply not an option anymore. 2014 also brought a new subject to be worried about, edible marijuana. With city councilors unaware of what was going on right next to our schools, it took parents to mobilize and make enough noise for the city to react and amend zoning laws. A few wishes for the new year: Success to our schools who will be administrating the CMAS testing. Effective and highly effective teachers to be well compensated for their hard work and dedication to students of all socioeconomic backgrounds and academic abilities. A special thank you to our Master Teachers and Peer Evaluators for the drive and belief in the right of our students to have excellence in classroom education. Congratulations to Sara Shackett for being named high school social studies teacher of the year. What a great honor. A special mention to Lakewood High School Debate coach Greg Davis who is retiring from an amazing career in our community to navigating his boat in south Florida. Thank you for your years of elevating our students to incredible heights. It would be important to wish great success in 2015 to our new superintendent Dan McMinimee. Talk about a tough job. I believe that his positive and calm attitude, as well as his incessant drive to improve the educational experience, of every student in our system should be reassuring to every parent out there. Finally to all my readers every month, thank you for your feedback. You keep me in check and reward me with kind words. My passion is education and I love sharing what I’ve learned with you. If you have any ideas for next year, please don’t hesitate to email me or call. As always, thanks for reading. Happy holidays to you and yours.

Contact Guy Nahmiach at 303-999-5789 or [email protected].

Guy Nahmiach

Education In Every Conversation

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Wishing You Peace & Propserity in the New Year


Have a news tip or story idea? Send it to [email protected]

By Bonnie McNulty

I recently received 10 letters from third-grade students at Lumberg Elementary

School. Each letter, written in the child’s own handwriting, came with a personalized drawing. The themes were very sweet and telling. Dated close to Veterans Day, many of the drawings included artistic versions of flags. It was nice to see how positive and optimistic the letters were. The kids shared some common thoughts with me. Not only did they appreciate how clean our city is, but many of the kids said they liked our stores. Remember the simple life of kids and wishes? Well, some of them thought everything should be free – I’m not sure what the mayor’s office is supposed to do about that one. Another very common topic the third-graders talked about was feeling safe. I appreciate that they feel safe and think the city is clean, but I can’t take all the credit. Our city staff and officials all work together to make Edgewater what it is. Thank you, third-grade teacher Shelly Seymour, for helping the children think about their city and what role government plays. Many of the students thanked me for being mayor and said they hoped to become mayor themselves one day. In the future I hope to see these same students stepping up to help keep Edgewater both safe and clean, regardless of whether or not they become mayor. When it comes to safety our police department does more than just write tickets. The Edgewater’s police have two projects that say a lot about who they are

and their commitment to Edgewater. First is Elder Angels, sponsored by Colorado Senior Connections and Jewish Family Service. Our police department collected more than $1,300 to be used for gifts or gift cards for elderly individuals in our community with no friends or family readily available during the holiday season. Thanks to Colorado Senior Connections, Jewish Family Service and our police!

The second project I hope you noticed is called Cops Fighting Cancer – the Long Blue Line. Organized by an officer in Aurora, this year’s event was scheduled for Dec. 17. All types of police vehicles from around the state participate in a silent procession, with emergency lights flashing, from Aurora to Children’s Hospital. From parking lots and overhead walkways, staff and children

get to view the procession and acknowledge the officers in the Long Blue Line. It is quite a production and of course, it includes police officers handing out gifts to patients. I want to thank ALL of our city staff for all the work and commitment they have given to our city. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, be safe in the new year! As usual, I will have the Mayor’s Coffee at the Starbuck’s in Target on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m., with the exception of Dec. 24 and 31. If you can’t meet with me then please call or email and I will arrange a different time and place.

Contact Edgewater Mayor Bonnie Mc-Nulty at 303-233-6216 or [email protected].

Bonnie McNulty

Do You Feel Safe?

EdgEwatEr City NEws

EdgEwatEr City COUNCiLMeet Edgewater’s Newest

CouncilmanBy Steve Conklin

Greetings! I am the newest member of the Edgewater City Council, having been

appointed this summer to fill an unexpired term. The City Charter allows for an interim appointment until the next election, which will occur in November 2015. The transition to City Council seemed like a logical one for me. For nearly seven years I served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, much of that time as chair. Planning and Zoning and City Council have been working very closely on code updates and on the Comprehensive Plan update, adopted last year. The current Planning and Zoning Commission is working on implementation plans, which will be presented to Council in the coming months. Representing you on City Council is a responsibility I take very seriously. I appreciate the faith the current council put in me in selecting me for the position. I moved to Edgewater in July 1998, drawn to the city for its small-town feel and proximity to downtown. When I arrived, we still had a Builder’s Square, Cub Foods, A&W Root Beer and other long-gone establishments. Over the years, in their place have come vibrant new businesses. Whether you’ve lived in Edgewater all your life or just a few years, you’ve seen changes in our business community. Our tax base has been enhanced by some new

businesses we wouldn’t have even imagined five years ago. We have many residents who have lived here for decades (sometimes in homes their families have owned for generations). We also have a steady influx of young professionals and young families. It is a wonderful mix in Edgewater. You can see our diverse community at events like last

week’s Holiday Lighting Festival, or the summer’s Celtic Harvest Festival, Edgewater Walks and the Community Picnic. Through the holidays, community can be even more important. There are, of course, the very worthwhile programs that provide gifts and assistance during this time of year. Donations and support of these programs is important. Beyond that, though, we can make a

difference just by reaching out to our neighbors at this time of year. The holidays can be a difficult time for some, and our compassion can make a difference. Early in 2015, Edgewater will be conducting a community survey to ask Edgewater residents their thoughts about a variety of aspects of the city. It won’t take much time to complete the survey and the thoughts you provide will be very valuable. The results help guide City Council in our efforts. Look for more details coming soon. Happy holidays and here’s to a prosperous 2015!

Contact Edgewater Councilman Steve Conklin [email protected].

Steve Conklin

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By Tom Schmuke

Popular opinion holds that New Year’s Eve is a great time to get a bargain on

a new car, but some of us – apparently a lot in Wheat Ridge, as we see a lot of older cars here – resist the rush to the showroom floor, and for good reasons. The only concern I have for folks is that buying at this time of year means low inventory. So while one may get a better deal, it is only for those willing to buy what’s available. I have often heard that dealers will use the “end-of-year sale” only to upgrade people into models they would not otherwise be able to afford. More importantly, if you’re happy with your vehicle there’s really no reason to buy a new one. So, my friends in Wheat Ridge ask, what are some of the things you can do to keep your car lasting longer? If everything on TV were true, then keeping a vehicle running great, looking good, and lasting a long time would be the easiest thing ever. Advertising will tell us over and over that all we really need to do to keep that car or truck running forever and looking brand new for years is to pour some bottles of miracle liquid into the crankcase, sprinkle magic dust on the paint, or spray some sort of ionized wonder water on the interior. Unfortunately this is not the case. The secret is that there is no real secret to getting a vehicle to last a long time. The difference is maintenance. Regular fluid checks and a dedication to scheduled lubrication will keep the powertrain going strong. What kind of oil, brake fluid, and grease used is just as important as when it is changed. The best oil in the world will do your engine no good if you never change it. Cleaning and protecting the finishes of

the vehicle inside and out will keep things looking good. Paint, plastic, leather, and fabric need help to survive the constant assault of sun and elements. Here are my top tips for keeping your old vehicle safe and ready for the road ahead: • Check and change the oil. No single step will help an engine last more than regular oil and filter changes will. Conversely, nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes. • Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up. • Change out transmission and differential oils. While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed at service intervals • Keep it clean. While washing the outside of the vehicle is obvious, most everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside. Hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea. • Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode and fail. Replace fluid and bleed the system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, and sensors are expensive. • Nothing keeps paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months. • Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, using a window deflector screen, and applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out.

Got a car care question? Email Tom Schmuke at [email protected].

Keeping Older Cars New in the New Year

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By Julia Spigarelli

Most of us become caregivers at one time or another; for our spouses, children,

friends, neighbors, etc. Effective caregiving involves not only taking care of someone else, but taking care of ourselves, which includes: being honest about our emotions, loving and respecting ourselves, and being comfortable with who we are and who we want to become. If we don’t take care of ourselves we can’t effectively take care of others. The purpose of setting boundaries is twofold: to care for and protect ourselves and to establish and maintain healthy relationships. When we set a boundary, we are essentially saying we are “willing to let go of the outcome.” Setting boundaries requires giving up some control, which can be difficult. But as with most learned new behavior, practice and repetition help. Caregivers can become enablers without meaning to do so. When we make it easier for someone to continue their self-destructive behavior by rescuing them over and over, we are enabling them. Enabling someone gives us, as the caregiver, a false sense of accomplishment. It is much easier to become an enabler than it is to set boundaries; setting boundaries means that you may have to say no. What do we need to know in order to set boundaries and to be effective caregivers? Assess our own needs first. How much time do we have to give, what kind of support system do we have, how much time do we need to refresh? Learn what it means to beassertive. Being firm with our boundaries and what we believe should happen allows us to be effective compassionate caregivers

while still meeting our own needs. It means neither being passive nor aggressive! We can only control our ownbehavior. We are responsible for ourselves. Be kind and respectful and avoid attacks on anyone’s character. What are the limits of ourknowledge and responsibility? When should someone with more knowledge and resources take over? What tasks would be better handled by others? A nurse, social worker, therapist or clergy may be better equipped to understand complicated medical or emotional issues, or to dispense and monitor powerful medications. Use statements that begin with“I” and not “you”; for instance…“I feel frustrated when I get so many phone calls. Can we set some times for you to call that would work for both of us?” (This is setting a boundary.) Do not say, “You frustrate me when you call me so often” Learn to be compassionate,consistent and repetitive with whatyousayandhowyousayit.Avoid long sentences and explanations. Stay positive. “I’m sorry I can’t take you shopping every day. I’m happy to take you twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday.” (This is setting a boundary.) Setting boundaries changes our relationships. We need to become aware of what acceptable interaction and healthy behavior looks like. It is vital in learning to love ourselves and learning how to effectively care for others.

Julia Spigarelli is the Resident Services Coordinator at Highland West and South Independent Senior Living Community, 6340 W. 38th Ave., in Wheat Ridge. Con-tact her at 303-424-9401.

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By Genevieve Wooden

Have you ever driven through the city and noticed a new store or business

and wondered, “Wow, how did that end up there?” You may even call the city to inquire and may find out the land or building was private property and the business was “use by right.” What does this mean to you and what goes on in our city? Use by right is a term that refers to a property owner’s use of land, structures or a business in accordance with a city’s zoning code and architectural standards. Many communities, including Wheat Ridge, have in the last 20 to 30 years adopted long-range plans. These were developed with community input at the beginning of the plan to include zoning guidelines and architectural design standards for development, buildings and businesses. The plans help a city streamline administrative processes for working with developers. By creating long-term plans, a city may create an environment that will attract developers to invest in that area. Community meetings are held and citizen input is gathered at the front end of the process on both zoning areas and design standards. Developers and business owners place a great deal of importance on the ability to work with a city within a developed framework and predictable plan. For example, if a bookstore wishes

to open in a shopping center that allows commercial use they may apply for that type of license and open their store through an administrative process that follows the city’s long-range plan. If the bookstore complies with zoning for that area and follows the

architectural standards it is not subject to special review or approval by local governments. Some examples of recent projects that were reviewed and approved as use by right include: • Town Center senior apartments at 44th and Upham (Phase II will break ground soon) • Chase Bank at 38th and Vance • 7-11 at 38th and Harlan

• BCS Credit Union on Wadsworth • Perrin’s Row townhomes at 38th and Depew As any city grows and changes the plans may need to be evaluated and possibly adjusted. When Wheat Ridge was incorporated back in 1969 the physical look of our city was much different than what we see today. The social atmosphere and business environment of 2015 is also very different from 1969. Each city must address and examine their long range plans to adapt. The comprehensive plans put together by a city will help direct how developments and businesses will evolve in any area.

Genevieve Wooden is Wheat Ridge City Council Member, District IV. Contact her at 303-204-9504.

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By Phil Bender-Stone, LCSW

As the holidays approach, anxiety and expectations are often on the rise. Here

are 12 helpful hints to manage your holidays and help you survive the season. 1. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy meals; get a full night’s sleep and exercise. If you get sick, slow down, rest up and recover. Take care of yourself so you will have the energy to enjoy the holidays. 2. Have realistic expectations. Decide with your family what’s important over the holidays. Set a reasonable gift budget. You can break from tradition or create a new one. Change your vision to include having a happy, not perfect, Christmas. 3. Plan ahead and prioritize. Plan ahead with a schedule to meet your holiday goals, including putting away decorations. 4. Say “No.” Take back control of the holidays by saying “no” to expensive gifts, to countless holiday parties and to overindulging. Setting limits and boundaries will help you keep your holiday sanity. 5. Deck the halls, and keep it simple. For a simpler approach, try a few outdoor lights and a few tasteful decorations inside. Use children’s crafts to decorate, or add a wreath on the front door to create a holiday atmosphere. 6. Define your holiday meaning.Whether it is spiritual significance, or time spent with family or friends, decide what’s important and focus on that. Break out of old patterns and start new traditions. 7. Manage your time. Develop a calendar for your family’s holiday activities. 8. Eat, drink and be moderate.

Poor eating contributes to stress during the holiday rush. Eat well-balanced meals and avoid unhealthy foods at parties. Abuse of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications, can become problematic. If you are feeling tired, lonely, anxious or stressed, take a break: take a walk or a nap, do some deep breathing, listen to music or watch a funny video.

9. Practice kindness. Give back or volunteer to help find meaning in the holidays. 10. Tips for special circumstances. If you are alone over the holidays, be sure to take care of yourself and think ahead. Don’t isolate or withdraw. Join a group of others who are solo and plan a fun event. Start your own tradition. If you have lost a loved one, allow yourself to grieve, but don’t opt out of life. If you find

yourself severely depressed, call for help. If you have experienced a divorce or family issues, remember that the good of the children is paramount and put differences aside. 11. Give the gift of forgiveness. Holding on to bitterness and resentment adds to stress. If you have experienced abuse or trauma in your past, avoid contact with the person who hurt you over the holidays. 12. Have a holiday moment. Tell your loved ones how important they are; enjoy the wonder the children experience. Drive around the neighborhood and look at the lights. Put on a funny holiday movie. Listen to holiday music. Attend a candlelight service. As hectic as the holidays can be, remember to stop, breathe and take in the moment.

Phil Bender-Stone, LCSW, is the outpa-tient coordinator at West Pines Behavioral Health at Lutheran Medical Center.

TELLER ST.1/8 H

Too Many Sidewalks, Too Few Shovelers

The City of Edgewater needs more volunteers who can help senior citizens shovel snow from their sidewalks. “We are still in need of volunteers for shoveling,” said Edgewater City Services Director Dan Maples. “Currently we have 11 signed up but close to 30 locations to shovel.” With the help of Pauline York, the city compiled a list of seniors needing assistance and who have been qualified through Senior Connections. The city is seeking volunteers living close to the seniors who requested assistance with clearing snow.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Dan Maples at 720-763-3012 or [email protected].

Planning & Zoning Commission Member Wanted For Edgewater

Applications are being accepted to fill a vacancy on the Edgewater Planning & Zoning Commission. Edgewater’s Planning & Zoning Commission consists of five members, appointed by the mayor. The term of the Commissioner will expire on Aug. 31, 2016. The Commission reviews Site Development Plans, Planned Unit Developments, rezoning requests, and any other type of changes to the city’s zoning ordinances. They prepare, adopt, and may amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The Commission also assists the mayor and City Council with plans for capital improvements. It meets the third Wednesday of each month in City Hall. Applicants must be a registered taxpaying elector; a resident of the city for at least one year immediately preceding the

date of appointment; not an elected official, officer or employee of the city; or have been convicted of embezzlement, bribery, solicitation of bribery, perjury or any offense involving fraud. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office, 2401 Sheridan Boulevard and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2015.

For more information, contact Beth A. Hedberg, 720-763-3002, [email protected].

What’s Ahead For Walking, Biking and Transit in 2015?

Learn more about how the City of Wheat Ridge is investing in a more walk-, bike- and transit-friendly community for people of all ages and abilities at “State of the City,” Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team’s quarterly meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m., in the second floor of Colorado Plus, 6995 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge. Join with neighbors and community leaders and learn how to become involved in support events and outreach.

For more information, email Rachel Hultin at [email protected].

In Wake of 2B Defeat, Two Surveys Are Floated

Citizens for Inclusive Wheat Ridge and the Wheat Ridge Active Transportation Advisory Team have each drafted and begun circulating public surveys to guide the next steps in the 38th Avenue revitalization plan. Wheat Ridge voters defeated Ballot Question 2B in November. It would have modified the street width of a portion of West 38th Avenue to implement that part of the plan related to curb line and gutter for that section. Both surveys can be found on the

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Peter Damian Arguello 303.463.5335

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Wishing you a New Year that brings luck and prosperity and fills your home with joy and spirit!

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WHAT’S HAPPENINGpersonal website of District I councilman Jerry DiTullio, on the right hand side of the page. “Our vision is about moving people, in cars and bikes … so the goal of our survey is to inform our organization, by seeking input from neighbors (including Denver, Arvada and other nearby cities),” said the advisory team’s Rachel Hultin. Citizens for an Inclusive Wheat Ridge was the citizen group that campaigned for other fiscally responsible options for the revitalization of 38th Ave.

Visit www.jerryditullio.com for both surveys, with links on the right hand side of the webpage.

Healthy Ending for Edgewater Walks

Whether in miles or minutes or body mass, Edgewater Walks was a success. In September the City of Edgewater partnered with the Edgewater Collective, concerned citizens and other local businesses to launch the first Edgewater Walks campaign to improve the health of Edgewater citizens – both adults and children. The month-long program encouraged participants to set a goal to walk 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week with emphasis on walking in and around Edgewater. Participants received a free t-shirt for enrolling, had the opportunity to participate in five weekly walks, received weekly emails with encouragement and tips for walking and being more physically active, and were entered into random drawings for prizes like gift certificates. The goal of the program was to increase daily activity and according to weekly progress reports, participants exceeded weekly physical activity recommendations. A total of 111 participated in the program, with 15-20 joining in each weekly walk. Twenty percent of program participants

completed both pre- and post-program assessments. Of those, 86 percent either increased or maintained their weekly minutes of walking which was 150 minutes or more each week. Seventy one percent of those who took the post program survey reported feeling confident or very confident that they could continue to meet the goal to walk 30 minutes a day after the program was over. Physical inactivity in Jefferson County is a contributing risk factor to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Obesity rates in Jefferson County have been on the rise the last ten years and children in particular are at great risk of becoming obese if they are not encouraged to take steps to eat well and move more. Daily walking is recognized as a relatively easy way to maintain or improve health, and lower the prevalence of obesity in the community.

Volunteers Needed for Garden Tour

In a few short months, tulips will emerge to signal that summer is right around the corner. The 2015 Wheat Ridge Garden Tour will be held on Saturday, July 11. The Executive Committee is looking for two garden enthusiasts to help promote and staff the tour. The Marketing/Promotions position involves 20 hours of writing, editing and submitting time-sensitive press releases to an established list of publications and organizations. The Volunteer Coordinator solicits and assigns volunteers to be stationed at each garden, the lunch stop and starting location. The Executive Committee meeting schedule is flexible, and primarily consists of keeping informed by email and phone. Access to a computer is required.

For more information, contact Vicki Ottoson at [email protected] or 303-777-6144.

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Free Patient Education Series at Lutheran

Lutheran Medical Center, 8300 W. 38th Ave., will offer a series of free, educational seminars on a variety of health and medical topics, led by physicians, starting in January. Upcoming classes include: • Tips for Arthritis Pain: Alternatives to Knee Replacement, with Dr. Brian Shannon, Thursday, Jan. 2, noon-1 p.m. • Tips for Shoulder Pain: Rotator Cuff Therapies, with Dr. Brian Shannon, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m. • The Aging Spine, with Dr. Andy Castro, Thursday, Feb. 12, noon-1 p.m. All classes take place in the second floor Learning Center; use Entrance No. 2. For more information or to register online, visit lutheranmedicalcenter.org/classes or call 303-425-8375.

Circle School Founder Speaks at Alpine Valley Jan. 15

Education pioneer and founder of The Circle School Jim Rietmulder will “Every Child a Pioneer: Schooling on the New Frontier” at Alpine Valley School, 4501 Parfet St., Wheat Ridge, on Thursday, Jan. 15. Rietmulder practices Integral Education, an approach akin to the Sudbury model practiced by Alpine Valley. The event is free and open to the public. Open house begins at 6:45 p.m., followed by the presentation and a question and answer session.

For more information, call Larry Welshon at 303-271-0525, email [email protected], or visit AlpineVal-leySchool.com

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Presently they are looking for physically capable drivers with and without pickup trucks for assistance with deliveries. Presently there are no regular volunteer positions available, but this will most likely change in 2015. The Bridges to Opportunity program will need some applicants in 2015. It started in September 2013 with a three-year federal grant. One of their most critical needs are monies for the Feed the Future backpack program, which provides food and snacks in backpacks for students who are enrolled in free or reduced school meal programs. The program “took at hit a year and half ago with a loss of federal funds, “said Randy Weiner community relations manager. In January, the program will add Head Start students from Wheat Ridge and Arvada, which will amount to an additional 400 to 500 children, bringing the total to around 1,750. If you donate to the Backpack Program up until Dec. 30, you will receive a code for a free entry into the 2015 Resolute Runner 5k

on New Year’s Day. To make a monetary donation to the Backpack program go to www.arvadacommunityfoodbank.org or call 303-424-6685; or mail a check to Arvada Community Food Bank, 8555 W. 57th Ave., Arvada, CO 80002. You can specify the program and city, where you want the funds used. Throughout the year, there are many events and opportunities to give and participate in the community.

VoLuNTEEr CoNNECTioN JEFFErSoN CouNTy CoLorAdo The Volunteer Connection of Jefferson County is a network of nonprofit organizations, agencies and individuals who promote and encourage volunteerism throughout Jefferson County, per their website. For more information go to http://volunteerjeffco.org.

METro VoLuNTEErS An online source to connect volunteers with organizations. Visit http://www.metrovolunteers.org.

For questions, comments or future story ideas email [email protected], or [email protected]

Volunteers

Council



budgeted expenditures for 2015 there is a gap. The long and short of it is that we have basic expense needs that are more than our income. The city manager and staff eliminated about $450,000 before

the budget was even presented to us. Subsequently another $800,000 was cut by eliminating services to citizens, repair and maintenance, and replacement of obsolete vehicles. In addition, we will have about $2.4 million less left in the checkbook at the end of 2015 than we had to start 2015. However, we will still have 17 percent of our income budgeted for reserves plus 3 percent required by the state’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). We have an adequate “rainy day” reserve. In the first paragraph, I asked for your help. If you voted against 2A, I would like to know your reason. Please email me at [email protected]. The City of Wheat Ridge is not an entity separate from us. It is ours, each and every one of us. We own it. It’s your street, your snowplow, your park. If we work against the health, welfare and future of the city we’re doing it to ourselves. Ask yourself: do I want a better Wheat Ridge in the future, or do I want to just want to let it slide?

Contact Wheat Ridge District III coun-cilman Tim Fitzgerald at [email protected] or 720-360-0871.

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emotional disabilities. I’ve heard objections from parents and educators about having seventh-graders sharing a school with 12th-graders. But there are so many examples throughout the U.S., North America and the rest of the world of this combination being successful. It wouldn’t be too difficult to recreate successful systems right here in Edgewater. It’s important to know that the only decision that’s set in stone is the elimination of Wheat Ridge 5-8. Everything else is still undecided and has yet to be confirmed, as the entire plan has to be presented and approved by the board. We have yet to see any details of this proposal. There is a plan B that is being supported by Wheat Ridge Education Alliance, a committee made up of Wheat Ridge mayor, city manager, city council a few local principals and citizens (yours truly being one of them). Plan B has been floated to local principals, teachers, parents and up the ladder in the district with favorable feedback. Plan B still includes elimination of Wheat Ridge 5-8 and creation of the Jefferson Academy. Increased dual-language learning programs. However it relocates Everitt Middle into the WR 5-8 building as a neighborhood middle school with a GT program (possibly STEM school), allowing the GT students from Stevens Elementary to remain in town for their middle-school years and then flow right

into Wheat Ridge High. This was WR High Principal Griff Worth’s part of the plan. Thus keeping our advanced students right here in Wheat Ridge, instead of channeling into Creighton and then onto Lakewood (as the majority are currently doing). This “aligns into our commitment to promote Wheat Ridge schools for Wheat Ridge families,” said Genevieve Wooden, Wheat Ridge city councilor. Of course, having these programs will now attract even more families from the Highlands, “perhaps even to a point of relocating to Wheat Ridge” stated our mayor. Plan B does goes further, but at the time of writing has still not been confirmed. Whichever plan is used, community meetings are planned for December and January. The district wants to make sure that they’ve answered questions and explained the intent and the goals of this shakeup: “to ensure every Jefferson Area student is engaged daily in their learning, feels supported and valued in their school community, and has a foundation – academically, socially, behaviorally – to thrive in their post-secondary endeavors. The plan includes goals and metrics to ensure students are successful in meeting these goals.” While frustration has stemmed mostly the lack of details involved in the moving of schools and not knowing where students will be next year, I’ve heard from many educators that reminded me privately of past years when “changes had all their details already worked out” by the district and were laid out with full explanation, but “lacked community input.” This can be a real opportunity to take part and have a say in the changes to come. I urge you to start attending your local accountability and PTA meetings, city council meetings and participate in upcoming community gatherings. While following up as this story progresses, I would love to hear your questions and observations. You can write me at [email protected] or call at 303 999-5789.

The opinions expressed by the author are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Neighborhood Gazette. Reader opinion submissions are welcome, but are published on a space-available basis and subject to the staff’s editorial judgment. Email comments or questions to editor@ ngazette.com.

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HOME, GardEn & LifEstyLE

By Jeanne Nichols

Yes, it is December and for both the Christian and Jewish cultures this is

a time of great celebration. But I’ve been thinking as I look around at the homes and their holiday decorations, which generally reflect one’s spiritual beliefs: Does our everyday home – the one we live in all the other times of the year – reflect our lifestyle and who we are today? My job requires spending time in people’s homes. It’s fascinating the vast array of environments I have the opportunity to explore. As a home stylist I believe that a glimpse into your home should reveal a lot about you, your lifestyle, attitudes, feelings and values. Take a moment and look at your home. Does it reflect who you and/or your family is or have you gotten stuck? Wheat Ridge real estate has been the beneficiary of professionals who loved living in lofts, high-rises or single-family homes with small yards and now have one or two children and need a home to accommodate that change of lifestyle. You could be one of those guys, gals or even couples who have continued to live as though you are still in college with a hodgepodge of hand-me-down furniture and would like to revamp your space from a frat house to a home that reflects your new station in life. Maybe you are an empty nester that has given your life and home to your children and now can make some changes and return your home back into an adult living space.

Something that seems peculiar to me is the value that people put on their home furnishings. Keep in mind, I believe that quality is important and investments into essential pieces are important. I’ve seen those who do not bat an eye to spend tens of thousand on a car or thousands on a television. But they do not want to spend more than what it would cost to eat out at a fast food restaurant once a week for a year when it comes to buying a sofa, on which they will sit every day, snuggle with loved ones, entertain friends and spend quality time with their family. I read once that what one has on their bookshelf is a reflection of who they are. Since that time I’ve stopped at times to review my bookshelves to make sure that I am being true to myself. Let’s take the time as we move into 2015 to look at our homes as a mirror to see if it is true reflection of our lifestyle, attitudes, feelings and values, and if not make changes as needed. Need help? There are professionals that can get your home cleaned, organized, decorated and furnished. Professionals that can help you haul away that excess baggage that is cramping you and not allowing you to live daily in an environment that reflects who you want to be. Let 2015 be the year that your home becomes a true reflection of you!

Wheat Ridge resident Jeanne Nichols is the owner and Lead Designer/Home Stylist at modmood/RETRO Consign-ment at 44th and Wadsworth. She can be reached at [email protected] or 303-728-9497.

Your Home Is A Mirror

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Documents

Neighborhood Gazette - December 2014