|
Featured News |
|
Last Updated November 18, 2008 |
|
Discussion and Questions from the Gateway News to Adams School District #14 Perhaps a matter of miscommunication?
As of today, the Gateway News is still receiving letters, e-mails and verbal support for Adams School District #14 Superintendent Dr. John Lange.
It is our understanding that a 2 year contract for this type of a scenario is not out of the ordinary, especially if the board is satisfied with the individual at stake, such as in the case of School District 27J.
Recently, the city of Commerce City extended the contract of the city Judge. What caught our attention was the comment made by a council member, when he asked the judge if the contract was what he wanted.
With this being said we have a few questions that will hopefully allow the voters and tax payers of Adams County School District #14 understand this issue that seems to not be going away.
Question, Gateway News: Why did the board vote for a shorter contract, but vote down the longer contract? Has Dr. Lange done something that is not deserving of a longer contract? Answer, School Board Member Angela Kreutzer: No, Dr. Lange has done everything right! He has lead this district to our best CSAP scores and pulled us together as a community just to name a few things. So why did he not get a contract with D14? Well, my opinion is that the majority of the current board wants this district to go bankrupt and fail miserably.
Question, Gateway News: Was Dr. Lange ever asked what he would like to have as a contract extension with Adams County School District #14? Answer, School Board Member Angela Kreutzer: No he was not.
Question, Gateway News: What do you say to the idea that the certain board members have a vendetta against Dr. Lange for stances he may have regarding the charter school Community Leadership Academy, thus giving Dr. Lange a shorter contract? Answer, School Board Member Angela Kreutzer: Well, I would have to agree 100% with the above statement.
* All of the District 14 School Board members were asked, please watch the Gateway News for their opinions. |
|
What happens when you do not Advertise... |
|
Thank you for visiting www.gatewaynews.org |
|
Commerce City – America Recycles Day
On Thursday, November 13th Commerce City Citizens for Recycling is sponsoring an America Recycles Day Celebration. The goal of the event is to encourage residents to recycle, buy recycled products and be introduced to local individuals and businesses that deserve recognition. We will begin our event with a tour of The Rocky Mountain Arsenal to showcase environmental clean-up projects and see the bison. The tour will be followed up with a presentation of the “Individual and Business Recycler of the Year” award and talk about the importance of recycling and buying recycled product.
Event details are as follows: 12:00 meet at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Refuge Visitors’ Center located at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (entrance at 56th and Havana) 1:00 – tour of Rocky Mountain Arsenal clean-up efforts and the bison 2:00 – America Recycles Day event Rocky Mountain Wildlife Refuge Visitors’ Center Rocky Mountain Arsenal (entrance on 56th and Havana) Commerce City, CO 80022
Remember to bring an item to recycle, any old holiday lights/decorations, and can of green beans. Also, don’t forget to nominate an individual that you think does an excellent job recycling in Commerce City, nominations will be accepted until November 7th. America Recycles Day (ARD) gives us a great opportunity to recognize people in our community who are recycling or buying recycled products. We know who they are, and now is the time for us to shine the spotlight on them as beautiful examples of taking the time and effort to, simply put, care! Simply send us their contact information and be as detailed as possible as to why you are nominating them for recycler of the year. Be sure to include your contact information!
This year space is limited for the event and in order to attend a RSVP is necessary. To attend or gather more information, call Brad Johnson at 303-286-5993. |
|
Adams 14 Board of Education announces criteria for Board Director applicants
COMMERCE CITY (November 3, 2008): The Adams 14 Board of Education at its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, outlined the application process for the open Director position. The Board will accept applications until November 21, and then Board members will review the applications prior to conducting public interviews on December 9.
Applicants must submit the following information: A letter of interest including: Educational background; Knowledge of how a school district operates; Knowledge of board duties; Reason for interest in board position; Contribution to the board; Community involvement; Adams 14 involvement.
A minimum of two letters of support (maximum of five) – one from a business leader and one from a civic leader.
To be eligible to serve on the Adams 14 Board of Education, a community member must have been a registered voter for 12 consecutive months at a residence within the District boundaries.
Applicants may deliver the required materials to Adams 14 Educational Support Services, Attention: Monica Avina, 5291 East 60th Avenue, Commerce City, CO 80022. With questions, please contact Monica Avina, assistant secretary to the Board of Education at 303.853.3205 or meavina@adams14.org. |
|
Commerce City joins northern cities in opposing RTD option
COMMERCE CITY – In an effort to ensure that RTD’s revised FasTrack light rail project benefits Commerce City and other northern communities, City Council is recommending that one of the district’s proposed options be eliminated from further discussion.
In a letter to the Regional Transportation District (RTD), Commerce City Mayor Paul Natale outlined the need to define “the most logical segments of all the FasTracks corridors to open within the timeframe promised to voters in 2004.”
His letter joins letters from the mayors of other northern cities and Adams County officials in requesting that RTD eliminate “Option 2” from consideration. Option 2 would allow RTD to build only one of four new corridors – with no guarantee that the one chosen would be the North Metro Corridor, which includes Commerce City, Thornton, Northglenn and unincorporated Adams County.
Voters approved a regional FasTracks system in 2004 that included several new corridors, including the North Metro; the Northwest Rail, which stretches through northwest communities to Longmont; the US 36 line, which ends in Boulder; and the I-225 line. The corridors are being discussed as a result of RTD’s proposed budget shortfall on this project.
RTD cites increased fuel and construction costs and decreased revenues from sales tax as reasons for the shortfall, and is evaluating five options for delivering the FasTracks program. Each of RTD’s proposed options assumes that federal funding will be available for three of the proposed lines: the East Corridor to DIA, the West Corridor to Jefferson County’s municipal building; and the Gold Corridor to Arvada.
The five options currently being discussed by RTD are: Build segments of each of the four corridors until time and money run out in 2017 Build only one complete corridor by 2017 Build segments of each corridor, continuing construction as funds become available beyond 2017. Build single tracks instead of double tracks, allowing longer segments to be built in each corridor. The North Metro segment would end at East 112th Avenue in this option. Seek additional revenue sources. Possible sources include: partnering with the Colorado Department of Transportation; seeking additional public/private funding; seeking federal transportation grants; sales tax increase; increase RTD fares and fees.
“Obviously, Commerce City is interested in seeing the entire network built,” Natale said. “And we think it’s in the best interest of all the cities in Adams County, as well as the county itself, to work together with RTD in order to ensure the success of a full build out of the light rail system.”
Natale also stated that Commerce City is “not supportive of Option 2, and will not consider it further because it does not provide equity for the entire Denver metro region.” Other north metro corridors jurisdictions are considering similar comments.
Plans for a north corridor line are being included in Commerce City’s Comprehensive Plan, now undergoing an update. RTD’s project team is in the midst of narrowing the location of the proposed light rail station to two areas – one location is near East 68th Avenue on the west side of Colorado Boulevard, the other is near East 72nd Avenue just to the west of the O'Brian Canal and Colorado Boulevard.
Commerce City staff is beginning its own evaluation of these two possible station locations. The city is ensuring that this analysis will be integrated into the city’s comprehensive planning efforts by utilizing the city’s consultant on the plan, Clarion Associates. |
|
Adams County Fair Royalty Contest
Adams County is seeking applicants for the 2009 Adams County Fair Lady in Waiting. Interested individuals can obtain an information packet at the Parks & Community Resources Department located at 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton. Applications are due on Monday, March 2, 2009 by 4:30 p.m.
“This past year has been filled with many amazing memories,” said the 2008 Adams County Fair queen, Sadie Sayler. “Serving as the fair queen has taught me many great skills that I will use in my life. It is an unbelievable experience and I encourage any girl who wants to challenge herself and have a great time to participate in the contest.”
A mandatory Royalty Clinic will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Adams County Regional Park. The Royalty Contest will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at the same location.
For additional information, contact Mary Willis, co-fair manager, at 303.637.8002. |
|
Tri-County Health Department Offers FREE Nicotine Patches for the Great American Smokeout
Thursday, November 20, is the 33rd annual Great American Smokeout. The nationwide event encourages smokers to quit for one day, since quitting for just one day often helps people to commit to a long-term plan to quit for good.
Tri-County Health Department encourages people who smoke to choose the Great American Smokeout on November 20 as their quit date, and are offering FREE nicotine patches through the Colorado QuitLine at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Statistics show that tobacco users are seven times more likely to quit successfully with the QuitLine than trying it on their own.
Eligible participants receive free support and advice from an experienced counselor, a personalized quit plan, self-help materials, and a free four-week supply of nicotine patches. The patches have a retail value of $150. Participants who stay with the program after four weeks are eligible to receive an additional four-week supply, if needed. Callers must be at least 18 years of age, and the free service is available to all Colorado residents in English and Spanish, seven days a week.
“A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that social networks are helpful in quitting smoking,” states Richard L. Vogt, MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department. “People are most likely to quit smoking when they have the support of their friends, family, and coworkers.”
Quitting smoking is crucial, because tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Half of all Americans who smoke will die from smoking-related diseases. Smoking is directly responsible for most cases of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and emphy |