NSRF August 2012 Newsletter

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    North Suburban Republican ForumAugust, 2012

    www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.com www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.org

    Our next meeting is from9:00-10:30 am on Saturday, August 11st. Youll be able tohearfrom your RTD Board Members and local Government officials about north metrotransportation issues and FasTracks. Admission is only $3 per person and a continentalbreakfast is included. Wellmeet at the Adams County Romney/Victory office in theYorkshire Plaza Suite #103 (104th & York St in the west side of the building), 2200 East 104thStreet in Thornton. Doors open at 8:30am and we hope youll stay afterwardsand volunteerto make calls or walk for a candidate.

    NSRF upcoming calendar in 2012:

    September 8Discussion of the November 6 ballot issues with County Commissioner Erik Hansen

    October 13Colorado State Treasurer Walker Stapleton talking about PERA

    November 10 -- Election recap

    December 8 -- Colorado Senate and House members talking about the bills they will introduce in 2013

    If you have a smart phone, use a bar code app for the QR code on the left,it will take you to our web site,www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.com

    http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.com/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.com/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.org/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.com/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.com/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.com/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.org/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.com/
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    Table of Contents:

    August calendar

    List of north metro candidates

    RTD North Metro Rail Line articles & FAQs

    Fastracks Northwest Rail Line Project Map

    RTD approves plan to complete I-225 FasTracks by 2015

    Join the Reagan Club at the Adams County Fair

    The difference between Liberal and Conservative thinking

    Editorial: RTD rail project picking up speed

    $15 million toll-lane grant to help ease I-25 congestion in Denver

    How can I help politically this year?

    Women for Mitt RTD and other officials vow to finish Denvers Northwest Rail Line

    RTD says it has proposal from private firms for North Metro rail line work

    Elected officials

    NSRF Board of Directors

    NSRF $20 yearly membership application

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    Heres the list ofnorth metro candidatesAdams County Commissioner District 1: Gary Mikes,Adams County Commissioner District 2: Donnia HowellHD-29: Robert RamirezHD-30: Mike SheelyHD-31: Beth Martinez HumenikHD-32: Paul ReimerHD-33: Dave PigottHD-34: Jodina WidhalmHD-35: Brian Vande KrolHD-56 Kevin PriolaHD-63: Lori Saine

    SD-21 Fran BigelowSD-23 Vicki MarbleSD-25: John Sampson

    CU Regent: Brian DavidsonCU Regent CD7 Mary Dambman

    CD-2: Kevin LundbergCD-6: Mike CoffmanCD-7: Joe Coors

    Thank you for participating in theTelephone Town Halls for Districts J

    and K!Nearly 6,000 took part in the RTDTelephone Town HallsforNorth Metro Districts J and K. Directors Kathi Williams and LarryHoy were on hand to answer questions and give informationabout FasTracks and RTD.

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    About the Project

    The following is a brief overview of the Preferred Alternative that is the culminationof the process that began in Sept. 2006 to develop and screen proposed alternatives;perform a detailed environmental evaluation of each alternative; and incorporatepublic and agency feedback.

    View Preferred Alternative Description View Station Locations

    View EMU Technology

    The Preferred Alternative alignment generally follows the BNSF Brush Subdivision toUP Boulder Branch between DUS to just north of SH-7, a distance of approximately

    18 miles. This is referred to as the BNSF/UP Boulder Alternative.

    ALIGNMENTThe southern terminus is at the DUS access point, also known as the "DUS throat" (at approximately 20thStreet), and the northern terminus is just north of SH-7 in Thornton. The Preferred Alternative is located

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    adjacent to and just east of the BNSF mainline (Brush Subdivision) in Denver. In Commerce City, the PreferredAlternative crosses over the BNSF mainline and is generally adjacent to the O'Brian Canal through privatecommercial and industrial parcels in what is referred to as the "Cross-County Area." (The PreferredAlternative follows what had been described in the DEIS as alignment option B-2 in the southern section.) Thealignment connects with the UP Boulder Branch right-of-way (ROW) near West 70th Avenue. Northof Commerce City, the Preferred Alternative remains within the UP Boulder Branch ROW, which waspurchased by RTD in 2009.

    The majority of the alignment is single-track, except for five areas with a passing track: from DUS to 38thStreet; from South of 72nd Avenue to around 74th Avenue; from north of Thornton Parkway to just north of104th Avenue; from south of 124th Avenue to before the York Street crossing; and from SH7 to the end of line,approximately 162nd Avenue. The second track in these locations allows trains in two directions to passwithout delay, thus maintaining the peak period service plan for 15 minute headways between DUS and SH7/162nd Avenue station.

    VEHICLE TECHNOLOGYThe preferred rail vehicle is theElectric Multiple Unit or EMU. This vehicle would be powered via anoverhead contact system (OCS) similar to that provided for theexisting Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines. Facilities to distribute power to the trains, known as paralleling

    stations, would be provided at 2 to 4 locations along the project alignment, typically within station areas.

    SUPPORT FACILITIESA mid-day layover track would be provided in the southern section near 31stStreet. This facility would primarily be used to store trains between the weekday morning and afternoon peakperiods, and for emergencies. It would not typically be used for overnight storage or for maintenance. A tailtrack would be provided north of the SH 7/162nd Avenue station to stage trains preparing to head south orfor emergencies.

    The trains will be maintained at the CRMF at the Fox North site on the Northwest Rail Rail Line.

    STATIONSThe following proposed stations are included in the Preferred Alternative:

    National Western Stock Show (Denver) 112th Avenue (Northglenn)

    72nd Avenue (Commerce City) 124th Avenue/Eastlake (Thornton)

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    88th Avenue (Thornton) 144th Avenue (Thornton)

    104th Avenue (Thornton) SH-7/162nd Avenue (Thornton)

    FAQs

    Q: What is the FasTracks Program?A: The Regional Transportation District (RTD)'s voter-approved FasTracks program passed in 2004. RTD

    FasTracks transit expansion program will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of busrapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect busservice to better connect the eight-county District.

    Q: How will FasTracks serve the North Metro Region?A: The North Metro Rail Line includes 18.4 miles of commuter rail witheight stations.

    Q: What is the proposed route?A: The North Metro Rail Line will begin at Denver Union Station, making its first stop at the National Western

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    Stock Show. The Line continues on through Commerce City with a stop at 72nd Avenue. From there it movesinto Thornton, with stations at 88th and 104th, then through Northglenn with a station at 112th. The Linegoes back into Thornton for the 124th Avenue Station, a station at 144th, before ending at SH7/162ndAvenue.

    Q: What's the latest with the North Metro project and what comes next?A: On March 15, 2012, the North Metro Team issued a Request for Proposals for final design of the firstsegment from Denver Union Station to National Western Stock Show Station, with an option for final designto 72nd. Those proposals are due April 19th. An anticipated Notice to Proceed is scheduled for the third

    quarter of 2012. Meanwhile, negotiations continue with Denver and CDOT toward reaching consensus on anIntergovernmental Agreement in the next few months.

    Q. How can the public participate?The North Metro Team welcomes public participation throughout the project. One way is tosubmityour comments on our website. You can alsosign up for our mailing listso that you can stay informed on theprogress of the project and receive periodic updates and news about recent developments and meetings.

    Q. How will the project protect the safety of children and residents along the corridor?A. Safety for children, riders and residents is a priority for all of the FasTracks rail lines. In addition tofencing and gates, which are used to keep the public safe, the North Metro Rail Line team is working closelywith school districts along the corridor and will also coordinate with the various police departments and theAdams County Sheriff's department, through which the North Metro Rail Line passes, to develop anynecessary safety and crime prevention programs. National studies indicate that the extension of a publictransportation service does not create additional crime or increase safety problems. RTD's experience withits light rail projects has shown no increase in crime or any increase in problems for nearby schools.

    Q. How will the North Metro project impact the value of homes that directly border the variousalignments?A. We understand that residents along the North Metro Rail Line tracks are concerned that the impacts ofthe line will negatively affect their property values. Property values are determined using many factors --some can be related to proximity to transit but many are not. Several factors are very subjective and makedetermining future values very difficult. In addition, the real estate market fluctuates regularly, soindividual property values will fluctuate as well. There are, however, recent studies conducted around thecountry that concluded property values tend to increase near transit stations providing connectivity to aregional transportation system.

    Q. How will commuter rail noise and vibration be addressed?A. As part of the planning phase for each of the FasTracks rail Lines, RTD addresses environmental impactsand makes recommendations for minimizing these impacts. Recognizing the effects of train horns on nearbycommunities, RTD will assist and facilitate the local jurisdictions' efforts to establish Quiet Zones along theGold Line, Northwest Rail, East and North Metro Rail Lines. What is a Quiet Zone? For safety reasons, theFederal Railroad Administration currently requires trains that travel along freight tracks to sound their hornsanytime the train approaches a railroad crossing - an intersection where the railroad tracks cross a roadway.

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    Quiet Zones are railroad line segments at least a half-mile long where railroad engineers don't have to soundtheir train horns at railroad crossings because other safety measures have been incorporated. In addition toQuiet Zones, Sound Barrier Walls or Berms will be used for mitigation where needed. What is a Sound BarrierWall? A sound barrier wall or Berm is constructed to deflect the train noise away from a sensitive receptor(building, park, etc) to reduce the decibel levels of unwanted noise, thus mitigating the severity of noiseimpacts.

    Q. Will buses continue to run once FasTracks commuter rail service is open?A. Yes. Express bus service on I-25 will remain similar to current services. Existing routes closer to thecommuter rail alignment will be modified to eliminate duplication of transit service patterns and to providefeeder bus service to and from the commuter rail stations. In addition, the FasTracks program also includesnew FastConnects bus service, an improvement of bus service for suburb-to-suburb travel patterns.

    More Questions?Online: www.rtd-fastracks.comEmail: [email protected]: (303) 299-2000 (follow the prompts)Contact: Michelle Brier 303-299-6908

    Contact Us

    In order for RTD FasTracks to maximize its partnership with the community, we need to hear fromyou!

    Your questions, concerns, issues and feedback will help us adjust to better meet your needs. Let us knowhow we are doing and what we can do to make the RTD FasTracks North Metro Rail Line a metro-widesuccess.

    Submit a comment- All comments will be documented and used to help RTD make decisions regarding theNorth Metro Rail Line. We strive to respond, when necessary, within two business days.

    Sign up for our mailing list- Stay informed on the most recent updates regarding the North Metro Rail Line.

    Request a meeting or presentation- Are you involved with a business, civic,neighborhood or church organization? North Metro Rail Line representatives are available to update yourgroup on the project as we move forward.

    Project Hotline: 303-299-2000

    RTD FasTracks North Metro Rail Line Team

    Michelle BrierNorth Metro Rail Line Public Information LiaisonRTD FasTracks Team1560 Broadway, Suite 700Denver, CO 80202Office: (303) 299-6908Fax: (303) 299-2425

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    Jane DonovanNorth Metro Rail Line Project ManagerRegional Transportation District1560 Broadway, Suite 700Denver, CO 80202Office: (303) 299-2468Fax: (303) 299-2425

    Mike Turner

    North Metro Rail Line Project ManagerRegional Transportation District1560 Broadway, Suite 700Denver, CO 80202Office: (303) 299-2787Fax: (303) 299-2425

    FasTracks Northwest Rail Line Project Map

    The project map featured below provides an overview of the Northwest Rail Line (NWR) and includes all ofthe stations that were considered in the current planning phase. Stations are classified on this map in threedifferent manners:

    Stations labeled in gray, with a red icon, are stations that are funded through the FasTracks plan, whichvoters approved in 2004.

    Stations labeled in blue - Westminster/88th Ave, Broomfield/116th Ave, and East Boulder - are

    locations that are not funded through the FasTracks plan, but were studied in the Northwest RailLine Environmental Evaluation.

    Stations labeled in gold, along the southern portion of the project, are stations that will receive

    service from the Northwest Rail Line and the Gold Line. The station planning for these locations is

    taking place through theGold LineEnvironmental Impact Statement.

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    Northwest Rail Track Alignment: The Northwest Rail RTD FasTracks Project Team worked with the

    BNSF Railway to identify Northwest Rail's commuter rail track alignment. To view the proposed track

    alignment, click here:Track Alignment Map

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    Note that the existing BNSF track and the new track will be shared by freight and commuter rail vehicles.

    One track will be northbound track that will be used by both BNSF and NWR vehicles and one track will be

    southbound track that will be used by both BNSF and NWR vehicles. The proposed new track location is

    highlighted in blue and the FasTracks stations along the corridor are noted in red and blue icons.

    http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_4

    RTD approves plan to complete I-225 FasTracks by2015

    POSTED: 07/25/2012 01:00:00 AM MDTUPDATED: 07/25/2012 01:23:43 AM MDT

    By Monte WhaleyThe Denver Post

    A key section of the FasTracks light rail project in Aurora will be finished after a unanimous vote Tuesday

    night by the Regional Transportation District Board but not before northern corridor residents vented

    their frustration. "As it stands now, residents aren't just annoyed, they are angry," said Rich Himmel, who

    lives in Thornton and is candidate for the RTD board.

    Northglenn Mayor Joyce Downing, who represented a consortium of local government and business

    groups, said north and northwest communities have been bypassed by FasTracks planners in favor of

    south metro light rail projects such as the Interstate 225 segment.

    "To date and through the proposed action to complete the I-225 segment, the investments in FasTracks

    that actually put trains on the track have been made everywhere but the north area," said Downing during

    public comments Tuesday. "We cannot stand by any longer and watch as the completion of other corridors

    move up the schedule while real plans for our corridors appear to move further out."

    The RTD Board renewed its vow to finish FasTracks up north, then voted 14-0 to pick Kiewit

    Infrastructure Company to complete the I-225 light rail line, which now has about a 10.5-mile gap

    between South Parker Road and Interstate 70 in Aurora.

    The final segment would connect important destinations including the Aurora City Center, the

    Anschutz/Fitzsimons Medical Campus and Denver International Airport. Kiewit says it will complete the

    light rail line for a fixed price of $350 million by November 2015.

    Kiewit submitted an "unsolicited bid" in March for the I-225 job. RTD determined its proposal was

    workable so the agency opened the project to other bidders. Kiewit Infrastructure's bid team includes

    Mass. Electric Construction Co. AECOM and RBC Capital Markets.

    A competing proposal was submitted by Balfour Beatty Ames Joint Venture, which includes Scotiabank

    Global Banking and Markets, Orric, Herrington & Sutcliff, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Markets.

    RTD praised both bids but leaned toward Kiewit because the company said it will complete the entire I-

    225 project.

    http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_4http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_4mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_4
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    RTD's FasTracks program was approved by voters in 2004 but funding woes have scuttled plans to

    complete the entire light rail system, especially in the north metro area, on time. RTD now says that

    without additional funds, FasTracks won't be finished until 2044.

    Kiewit's plan would allow the I-225 portion to be finished on time and with existing funds. Kiewit

    Infrastructure, a division of Omaha, Neb.-based Kiewit Corp., led the design-build construction team on

    the T-REX project, which widened Interstate 25 and build a rail line next to the highway south of

    downtown Denver.

    Kiewit is also currently building the rail lines and bus station at Denver Union Station, a project that is

    more than 50 percent complete. The RTD board also agreed Tuesday night to commit $15 million to help

    complete the second phase of the U.S. 36 Managed Lanes Project. The first phase began this week.

    Board chairman Lee Kemp vowed Tuesday that the entire FasTracks system will one day extend all the

    way north into Longmont. "Your voices are being heard loud and clear," Kemp said. "We will get this

    down."

    Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907,[email protected]/montewhaley

    Read more:RTD approves plan to complete I-225 FasTracks by 2015 - The DenverPosthttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIRead The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://twitter.com/montewhaleyhttp://twitter.com/montewhaleyhttp://twitter.com/montewhaleyhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21150541/rtd-approves-plan-finish-i-225-fastracks-by?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com#ixzz229gQW7VIhttp://twitter.com/montewhaleymailto:[email protected]
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    Editorial: RTD rail project picking up speedFinishing the I-225 portion of FasTracks a decade earlier will be a major boost in several ways.

    By The Denver Post

    RTD FasTracks work continues around Denver. (Helen H. Richardson,

    The Denver Post )

    The Regional Transportation District's approval of a

    proposal that will result in the construction of a 10-mile

    stretch of FasTracks light rail years earlier than expected is

    positive for several reasons.

    First, it's a money saver. Kiewit Infrastructure Co. says itwill complete the segment near Interstate 225 for $350

    million, a savings of $64 million over the RTD's 2011

    estimate. Second, the Aurora segment will be completed much sooner 2015 instead of 2026. That will

    be a boost to those who live in the area, the Anschutz Medical Campus at the University of Colorado, and

    the new Veterans Affairs hospital.

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.denverpost.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=4545172mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Third, and perhaps most important to interests in the northern reaches of the metro area, it very well may

    mean RTD will be able to ratchet back the 0.4 percent sales tax increase it is considering putting before

    voters to fund final FasTracks construction. If that turns out to be the case, and RTD General Manager

    Phil Washington recently told the Denver Post editorial board it very well may be, it might improve the

    odds that voters will look favorably on the plan. Given the competition from other ballot questions asking

    taxpayers for funding current and potential the more RTD can do to reduce the tax increase it would

    put before voters, the better.

    That's why the I-225 rail line deal is a win all around, though we understand why those who live in the

    northern corridor might not initially see it that way. After all, they feel they've been bypassed as other

    parts of the metro area have seen their rail lines built.

    We were among those who earlier this year took issue with the$894 million "hybrid" planRTD had pitched

    that would deliver rail to Westminster by 2022 and some 80 miles of bus-rapid transit service for

    Broomfield and Boulder counties. The transportation agency would have asked voters for an additional

    0.4 percent tax increase (a doubling of the original tax approved in 2004) to bring FasTracks closer to

    completion.

    The major flaw with the plan is that it didn't do enough to ensure commuter rail would be built in the full

    northern corridor in the foreseeable future. RTD dropped that plan, and it turns out to have been a

    fortuitous call. We're hopeful RTD's stewards will continue to find creative ways to get the FasTracks

    transit system built out in a timely fashion with as little additional burden on metro taxpayers as possible.

    The approval of the I-225 rail line is a good step toward achieving that goal.

    Read more:Editorial: RTD rail project picking up speed - The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nRead The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content:http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

    http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_20141769/editorial-full-fastracks-can-still-happenhttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nhttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nhttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nhttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nhttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nhttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nhttp://www.denverpost.com/ci_21167853/editorial-rtd-rail-project-picking-up-speed#ixzz229gowB3nhttp://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_20141769/editorial-full-fastracks-can-still-happen
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    Liberal policy Conservative policyTax and spend your money Save and invest your moneyBan something if we dont like it Change something if we dont like itLie to influence you Tell you the truth so you can make your own mind upForce you to do something Option to do or not do somethingBigger Government is better Smaller Government is betterSocialism Capitalism

    More rules and regulations to complicate your life Fewer rules and regulations are better for your lifeFree markets and profits are bad for America Free markets and profits are good for AmericaCapitalism ruined America Capitalism saved AmericaFewer options as the Government knows best More options so you can decide whats best for youHigher energy prices Lower energy pricesObamaCare = highest tax increase in history Extending the existing tax rate cutsSolyndra & Abound Solar, failed solar companies Energy independence with all energy optionsOccupy Wall Street Tea PartyEqual outcomes Equal opportunityEntitlements Personal responsibilityOpen up our borders Secure our borders

    Dont enforce existing laws We are a nation of lawsMandates Choices

    $15 million toll-lane grant to help ease I-25 congestion inDenverBy Kevin Simpson

    The Denver Post

    A $15 million federal grant awarded Friday puts the finishing financial touches on a $44.3 million plan to

    loosen congestion on the clogged 6-mile span of Interstate 25 between U.S. 36 and 120th Avenue. Federal

    officials announced their contribution to the plan as one of 47 projects in 34 states that received $500

    million in the fourth round of so-called TIGER grants Transportation Investment Generating Economic

    Recovery.

    The metro-area project will narrow inside shoulders on existing pavement to create a managed toll lane in

    each direction on I-25, relieving the notoriously slow stretch that handles more than 175,000 vehicles each

    day and jams for as long as four hours during morning and evening rush hours.

    mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:
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    Solo drivers will pay the toll, but carpools, van pools and buses drive free. The tolls will vary depending on

    time of day. The project, scheduled to begin construction in September or October 2013, should be

    completed one year later.

    "It's a huge deal because I-25 is arguably the most congested corridor in the Denver region," said Jeanne

    Shreve, Adams County transportation coordinator. "If you drive it any time in the morning, and

    particularly the afternoon, you can see it's bad but there's also congestion throughout the day." The

    Colorado Department of Transportation recruited several area cities and towns to contribute to the project

    to underscore to federal authorities the extent of the regional buy-in to the project.

    CDOT will pitch in $19 million to the project and the Denver Regional Council of Governments another $5

    million. Adams County, Thornton, Westminster, Federal Heights, Broomfield, Northglenn, Weld County

    and the Regional Transportation District also have anted up another $5.3 million in contributions ranging

    between $25,000 and $1.75 million.

    A shrinking CDOT budget it has decreased 30 percent over the past five years made the TIGER grant

    even more crucial at a time of growing transportation needs, said Lizzie Kemp, Region 6 planning and

    environmental manager. And by using the existing pavement, rather than purchasing additional right of

    way, the project comes in at a much lower cost than the estimated $145 million for a more traditional

    approach.

    "It's an innovative solution to get more out of our current system," Kemp said. "And it demonstrates the

    tremendous partnership we were able to put together with a lot of different funding partners. Right now,

    when we don't have enough transportation funding to meet all of the needs, that's what needs to happen to

    make these improvements come to life." The state estimates the improvements will cut commute times

    for cars from Adams County by as much as 20 minutes. RTD also anticipates annual savings of $282,000

    because the lanes would allow for more efficient use of express buses.

    Kevin Simpson: 303-954-1739 or [email protected] more:$15 million toll-lane grant to help ease I-25 congestion in Denver - The DenverPosthttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfRead The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content:http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

    http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_20185701http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_20185701http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfhttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/termsofusehttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20920956/15-million-toll-lane-grant-help-ease-i#ixzz229gyhaMfhttp://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_20185701
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    How can I help politically this year?There are two main areas where you can be invaluable: Victory Office and Individual Local Campaigns.1 -- Victory will do three things: Polling for President (Romney), Congressional (Coors, Coffman, Gardner), CU Regent at Large (Davidson) andRegent for CD7 (Mary Dambman.) Victory will poll voters re these positions by phone and by walking. They will ALSO undertake voterregistration efforts, which is also very important! The whole Victory agenda is aimed at the final phase of the election: GOTV (Get Out the

    Vote.) Beginning after the ballot mail-drop in October, their volunteers will be calling to urge Repub-friendly voters to get their ballots in. TheVictory office is located on the first floor in the strip-mall on the SW corner of 104th and York, Suite 103. This year, it is at the west end of thebuilding (instead of the east end as in years past.)

    2 -- Individual Local Campaigns need all the help they can get: State Senate (John Sampson in 25, Fran Bigelow in 21.) House Districts (MikeSheely in 30, Beth Humenik in 31, Paul Reimer in 32, Jodina Widhalm in 34, Brian Vande Krol in 35, and Kevin Priola in 56.) CountyCommissioners (Gary Mikes and Donnia Howell, which are both county-wide votes.) Volunteers can walk with candidates, do lit drops, help

    with mailing, do phoning for GOTV (we will aslo have the daily info in our our own data base), etc. There are many roles within a givencampaign, and the more people each has, the more powerful that campaign is.

    To sign up for the Victory office, contact Jeannie [email protected] H-303-452-1838 C-720-232-6443.To sign up for an individual campaign, contact that campaign:

    Gary Mikes and Donnia Howell: Campaign manager, Josh [email protected] Mike Sheely: [email protected] 303-644-3230 720-530-4563

    HD-31 Beth Humenik: [email protected] 720-872-2181 303-907-6995HD-32 Paul "Boots" Reimer: [email protected] 303-288-4828HD-33 Dave Piggott:[email protected] 720-306-1683HD-34 Jodina Widhalm: [email protected] H-303-255-7609 C-303-668-5538HD-35 Brian Vande Krol: Campaign volunteer coord: Patty Sue Femrite [email protected] H-303-466-1235 C-720-936-6857HD-56 Kevin Priola: [email protected] Fran Bigelow [email protected] 303-289-4999SD-25 John Sampson [email protected] 303-332-1020 303-622-4077

    I worked on my first phone bank last night. I learned a lot! I will not be mean to another volunteer phone bankeragain...unless they are on the other side and then I will engage them in a lively conversation describing their faultythinking... Here are some things I took away...#1 Your do not call listing does not count campaign calls (this was made by legislators so why would they cut theirown throats duh), so the poor volunteer on the other end is not the bad guy. The do not call list is for productsolicitations only.

    #2 The volunteer is gaining VERY important information, is really a nice person and if you just answer their 2 quickquestions nicely, they will get off the phone immediately. they are trying to gather as much info as possible in theshortest of time. They are trying realllly hard not to annoy you and they don't know you are possibly eating dinner...

    #3 Colorado is going to determine the outcome of this election. The nice volunteer on the other line needs the valuableinfo to send it to the campaign headquarters to determine how best to proceed with electing the BEST person for the

    job. They are gathering this info so they don't waste money and time going around in circles.

    #4 If you want to volunteer in your local call center, it really is kind of fun. I talked to some really nice folks and got akick out of the funny refusals...

    #5 I still hate robo-calls and will hang up on those most likely and don't call to sell me anything I'm not buying...Signed...REformed call center volunteer hanger upper oner. Anne Vinnola

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    RTD and other officials vow to finish Denver'sNorthwest Rail LineBy Monte Whaley The Denver Post

    WESTMINSTER The rest of the Northwest Rail line will be finished from Denver to Longmont vowed

    transportation, city and county officials on Thursday during a groundbreaking ceremony for the first

    segment of the line. This is the kick start, the first 6.2 miles of a 41-mile line," said Phil Washington, the

    Regional Transportation District's general manager. "We will get it done."

    RTD hopes to use the future Westminster Station, the site of the groundbreaking , as the first in a series of

    transit stations that will feed the Northwest Rail portion of the FasTracks project from Denver's Union

    Station through Westminster, Boulder and Longmont. But funding woes have stalled the push north,

    forcing RTD to concede that the entire 41-mile long Northwest Rail line won't be done until 2044 without

    more financial help.

    This spring, the RTD Board of Directors balked on asking voters in November for a 0.4 percent tax

    increase to complete the Northwest Rail line , saying the proposal would be turned away by voters because

    it is too vague and the economy was too sluggish. The Westminster Station, which heads the first 6.2 mile

    segment of the Northwest line, should be finished by 2016 since it is part of the $2.1 billion Eagle P3

    project.

    Eagle P3 is 34-year-long public-private partnership with Denver Transit Partners to build, operate,

    maintain and privately finance the FasTracks commuter rail system. The Westminster Station, located

    near 71st Avenue and Irving Street, will be built along with the East Rail Line to DIA and the Gold Line to

    Arvada and Wheat Ridge. "This is the most unique and probably the only public-private partnerships in

    the country," Washington said. Others sounded the same optimistic tone. "This is only the first step in

    completing the entire rail line," said Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally.

    She also stressed that the 135-acre Westminster Station will provide jobs and an economic boost to south

    Westminster. In all, the Eagle P3 project should create about 2,358 jobs and use 171 Colorado companies,

    RTD officials said. "In addition to the commuter rail, a massive redevelopment will take place in this part

    of the city that will completely transform this neighborhood," McNally said. "This site will become a

    vibrant, mixed use neighborhood with a large community park and plenty of open space areas."

    Westminster, RTD and Adams County signed off on intergovernmental agreements to redevelop the area

    around the Westminster Station. Adams County Commissioner Erik Hansen, although lauding the work

    that will be done around the station, wasn't confident the Northwest Rail line would ever be completely

    finished. "It's going to take more money that we don't have yet," Hansen said.

    Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 [email protected]

    Read more:RTD and other officials vow to finish Denver's Northwest Rail Line - The DenverPosthttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dRead The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

    mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20968210/rtd-and-other-officials-vow-finish-denvers-northwest#ixzz229h6HV4dmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]?subject=The%20Denver%20Post:
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    RTD says it has proposal from privatefirms for North Metro rail line workByJEFFREY LEIBPosted September 27, 2011

    RTD has received an "unsolicited" proposal to work on the North

    Metro commuter-rail line to Adams County, which would run from

    Union Station in Denver. Regional Transportation

    District[2] chiefPhil Washington[3]doesnt fool around.

    Shortly after hosting a half-day forum to engage the private sector in

    helping complete the underfundedFasTracks[4] transit expansion

    project, Washington said RTD has received an unsolicited proposal

    from the team of Fluor Corp. and Balfour Beatty Rail to work on the

    North Metro commuter-rail line to Adams County.

    The North Metro line is to run from Union Station in Denver through

    Commerce City, Thornton and Northglenn to approximately 162nd

    Avenue in north Adams County. The $904 million rail line is one of a

    number of FasTracks projects that needs money for completion.

    Big money

    RTD says it has about $165 million of the total cost of the 18-mile-long North Metro line, but it needs another

    $739 million to complete it. RTDs existing funding will allow it to build the first 2.5 miles of the North Metro

    line, from Union Station to the National Western Stock Show area in Denver.

    This evening, Washington said RTD is vetting the Fluor-Balfour Beatty proposal. The private sector is

    responding to our call for innovation, he said. Rick Clarke, RTDs assistant general manager for capital

    programs, said the transit agency will spend about 30 to 45 days examining the North Metro-line proposal.

    Ifit meets RTDs initial goals and requirements, the agency would then open up the solicitation process to see if

    there are any competing proposals, Clarke said. Washington said it is too early to tell if the Fluor-Balfour

    Beatty proposal will require RTD to get area voters to approve a sales-tax increase next year for FasTracks.

    The transit agency and local government leaders are working on ballot language for such a tax hike, which

    would double the current 0.4 percent FasTracks tax. Earlier in the day, RTD held a five-hour forum to see if

    private firms or consortiums can help the transit agency close its overall $2.5 billion funding gap for FasTracks.

    We want the private sector to know were open for business, Washington told about 200 representatives from

    investment firms, construction companies and other groups that might invest in public infrastructure projects.

    Area voters approved the original 0.4 percent FasTracks sales tax in 2004, but recent sales-tax forecasts have

    come in far less than originally planned, leading to the large funding gap. Without a tax increase or

    http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/author/jeffreyleib/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/author/jeffreyleib/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/author/jeffreyleib/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/regional-transportation-district/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/regional-transportation-district/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/regional-transportation-district/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/phil-washington/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/phil-washington/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/phil-washington/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/fastracks/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/fastracks/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/fastracks/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/fastracks/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/phil-washington/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/regional-transportation-district/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/regional-transportation-district/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/author/jeffreyleib/
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    introduction of some innovative financing technique, it could be decades before some FasTracks train lines are

    built.

    In addition to North Metro, other rail lines that are vulnerable to major delay include the Northwest train to

    Boulder/Longmont and the Interstate 225 light-rail line in Aurora. We want to build all of it sooner rather

    than later, Washington said of FasTracks, and we need more private sector involvement to get it done.

    Some FasTracks lines have full funding, including the East Corridor train to Denver International Airport andthe Gold Line train to Arvada/Wheat Ridge. Fluor already is a major player in the public-private partnership

    that is building the East and Gold Line trains. Balfour Beatty is involved with that project and is a key

    contractor on the West Corridor light-rail construction project.

    The $710 million West line is about 80 percent complete. The train to Lakewood and Golden will be the first

    FasTracks line to open. It is scheduled to start hauling passengers in May 2013. Forums soliciting the

    participation of private companies in major public transportation projects are in fashion.

    Recently, ColoradosHigh Performance Transportation Enterprise[5] held a similar event seeking private-

    sector involvement in completing a tolled express-lane project on U.S. 36. The HPTE, a unit of the ColoradoDepartment of Transportation, recently received what it also described as an unsolicited proposal, from

    Parsons Corp., to develop a public-private partnership for making transportation improvements in the

    Interstate 70 mountain corridor.

    That proposal is being evaluated by HPTE now.

    http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27/rtd-promotes-public-private-partnerships-for-fastracks-

    bailout/40986/

    http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/high-performance-transportation-enterprise/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/high-performance-transportation-enterprise/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/high-performance-transportation-enterprise/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27/rtd-promotes-public-private-partnerships-for-fastracks-bailout/40986/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27/rtd-promotes-public-private-partnerships-for-fastracks-bailout/40986/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27/rtd-promotes-public-private-partnerships-for-fastracks-bailout/40986/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27/rtd-promotes-public-private-partnerships-for-fastracks-bailout/40986/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/09/27/rtd-promotes-public-private-partnerships-for-fastracks-bailout/40986/http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/topic/high-performance-transportation-enterprise/
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    NSRF Board of Directors Email Address TelephoneJohn Lefebvre President [email protected] 303-451-5558

    Dana West Vice President [email protected] 303-280-0243

    Jan Hurtt Treasurer [email protected] 303-451-0934

    Phil Mocon Secretary [email protected] 303-452-4709

    Brian Vande Krol Membership [email protected] 303-466-4615

    Gary Mikes Membership [email protected] 303-252-1645

    Leonard Coppes Membership [email protected] 303-287-9145

    Wanda Barnes Membership [email protected] 303-373-1521

    Kevin Allen Membership [email protected] 303-319-3011Join the North Suburban Republican Forum on the Internet and Facebook:

    http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.org/http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95611986640&_fb_noscript=1

    Yearly membership dues are $20, while a couple is $30. Make checks payable to NSRF. It onlycosts $3 per person to attend the monthly meeting. A continental breakfast and beverage(coffee, tea, orange juice or water) is included. A membership application is located on thelast page. Fill it out and bring it along with you.

    To subscribe or unsubscribe from our monthly newsletter, send an email with your name and

    subscription instructions in the body to:[email protected]

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:fljcoppes@mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.org/http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.org/http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95611986640&_fb_noscript=1http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95611986640&_fb_noscript=1mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=95611986640&_fb_noscript=1http://www.northsuburbanrepublicanforum.org/mailto:[email protected]:fljcoppes@mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    The North Suburban Republican ForumNSRF Membership Application

    We meet on the second Saturday of each month to discuss politics from 9:15-10:45am at Gander Mountain(9923 Grant St, Thornton, CO, 80229) in the employee training community room. A continental breakfast is

    provided with coffee, tea, orange juice and bottled water.Http://www.NorthSuburbanRepublicanForum.com

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