Events to Attend: *Culturefest, Brighton, June 6 *Morgan County Antique Tractor & Power Show, Brush, June 13 *Keenesburg Day, Keenesburg, June 13 *Earl Anderson Memorial Rode, Grover, June 20-21 Flag Day is June 14 Remember to fly your flag!
Volume 9 • Edition 29
June 3, 2015
Delivering over 16,000 papers to rural Adams, Morgan, and Weld Counties
“Bright Future Colorado” What it means in Weld County
By Bob Grand Colorado Senate Bill 15-082, a strongly supported bipartisan bill, which went through the process from January 14, 2015 where it was introduced by State Senator’s Marble and Hodge, was signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper on March 13, 2015. This bill focused on the authority of counties to establish a workforce development program. The purpose of the program is to “create an incentive at the County level for taxpayers to provide financial assistance to county residents to pursue post secondary education or training.” The program, called “Bright Future Colorado” can be established by any County “to provide financial assistance to County residents who pursue post-secondary education or training from an accredited institution of higher learning or certified training program. A County workforce development program may include, but need not be limited to County residents who are high school graduates, County residents who have successfully completed a high school equivalency examination, as defined in Section 22-33-102(8.5), CRS or County residents who are veterans. Any County that establishes a workforce development program may also establish a work force development fund to accept contributions for the purpose of this program. Not withstanding any law to the contrary, County that has established a workforce development program may offer an incentive, in the form of a County property tax credit or rebate, to a residential or commercial property owner in the County who contributes to a County workforce development fund. What it means in Weld County is that the County Commissioners are working on developing the mechanics of the program for implementation in Weld County this coming year. We have been told by County sources that look for an outline of the program in late summer or early fall. The program has to have defined criteria establishing the requirements. All programs have a beginning, that probably means graduates in 2015 will not be eligible. What we are hearing is that the program will offer up to a $3,000 a year scholarship for possibly up to four years assuming the recipient meets the qualifying requirements, such as living in the Weld County for a prior amount of time, keeping up grades etc. This a great commitment by Weld County to support our young people and veterans help establish themselves for furthering their formal education both in colleges or approved trade schools. Thank you Weld County Commissioners for thinking about the future of all our young people!
Ft. Lupton Mayor Tommy Holton Explains Construction Project Updates
Well the City is in full construction mode for our infrastructure projects. I’m sure that most of the citizens have seen most of them, the most visible is what is going on in front of Safeway with our Aug Station project which takes water back to the river so that we can pump our wells in the City. This allows us to water the parks, golf course and supply water to the power plant. We are replacing water and sewer lines in the northwest part of city and when that is all complete we will be scheduling those affected streets for paving. We are seeing some improvements on Hwy52 west of the river to install accel/deccel lanes to help with traffic movements, this a developer and CDOT project requiring no funds from the City. The 14th Street project will be starting soon to fix storm sewer and repave between Denver Ave. and Hwy 85, we will also be starting the 9th street paving project between Northrup and College. We have some water lines that are a hundred years old and man holes that are still made of brick, it’s time to fix these issues so that no one loses service. Please be patient with our projects, we are trying to upgrade the City for the future. One of the items that Council did approve last week was the formation of the Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority that will be used to revitalize the downtown area. Many communities don’t have a downtown area, we in Fort Lupton are lucky to have one it just needs a little work to draw folks in. The FLURA will be used for the beautification and also bring in events that will bring people downtown to help fund the different projects for the area. The Authority will not be able to condemn properties, force property owners to change their property, or raise taxes. City Council will be in charge of the FLURA temporarily until the Board Members from the community can be appointed. The Board will be consist of members from across the community and the details of how to apply will be coming shortly. As always we appreciate your patience with our projects which can disrupt our lives for a while, but know that you are welcome to talk to me or my staff with any questions or comments.
Memorial Day at American Legion Post 180 in Keenesburg, Colorado
The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary hosted the Memorial Day event at the American Legion Post in Keenesburg. Titled: Thank you Veterans! You are not forgotten. The event as usual was well attended by veterans and the local citizens. Jolene Arnold welcomed everyone. Mark Kauffman gave the prayer. Kory Brunson sang the Star Spangled Banner. The guest speaker was Charley Barnes, radio celebrity of K99, a county station out of Winsor. Charley is passionate about supporting the Honor Flights program, which flies Veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the many Memorials that recognize their service to all of us. Charley is known for his many endurance motor cycle runs which raises money for this cause. Last year he rode 21 Gun Salute 10,000 miles in ten days and See more pictures on Page 2 raised $$25,000. This year his goal is to raise $50,000 to send 50 veteran’s to Washington. His comments about that and veterans and their families in general were very moving. Jolene Arnold read the Veteran Roll call, all 171 names on the pavers honoring their service. Kory Brunson had written a song: We know you are out there which he performed, again in another moving event. The America Legion Post 180 Honor Guard provided a 21 gun salute as well as Dean Klingensmith’s howitzer salute. Joe Aspey played Taps. Lunch was provided by the American Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary. Jolene Arnold announced that all proceeds from the lunch would go towards Charlie Barnes fund raising effort to support the Honor Flight program. The Memorial Day services throughout the country demonstrate the greatness of the American people, their willingness to serve and remember those who have. This is not about a spin story which, unfortunately, many politicians seem to think is what we want to hear. We believe that America is different. It is great. We need to keep it that way. Peace comes only with strength. Those who do not understand that at best are naïve.
Weld County Transportation Summit 2015 Addresses Infrastructure Issues
Public infrastructure – roads…they impact our lives every day. Roads provide a way for us to get to work, to school and to the doctor; they allow our communities to connect with other communities; they allow our region to grow and prosper and compete. When our roads are in good condition, they provide a direct pathway to prosperity. When they are in need of maintenance, they become a hindrance in our day-to-day lives and a deterrent for future success. Because roads are crucial to the success of Northern Colorado, Weld County government has committed to hosting a half-day Summit on June 15. The Summit is dedicated to sharing updates, information and concerns regarding public infrastructure north of the Denver-metro area. Cont. on Page 2 & 6, See Transportation Summit
What’s In This Issue:
Page 3: The Way of the World Page 3: Memorial Day in Roggen, CO Page 4: South Platte Valley Historical Society Presents Market at the Fort Page 5: Aims Receives Colorado Space Grant Page 6: SH 71 Set for Hard Close Following Flood Damage Page 7-13: Weld Central High School Class of 2015 Page 15: MCREA Awards Lineworker Scholarships Page 17: Hickenlooper, Gradner Talk Fracking Page 18: Feeders & Friends Continue Giving Tradition Page 19: Weld Food Bank Among Top Charities in U.S. Page 21: We Care Page 24: Weld Food Bank Stone Soup Supper, a Success