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In this issue find out about the CSMRI Radioactive Waste Cleanup project, Golden wireless moving closer to reality and the Billion Dollar Boondoggle (yes, the Northwest Parkway). Also, don't forget to register to vote and find out about upcoming community events.
1. CSMRI Radioactive Waste Cleanup Nearly Complete
2. Golden Wireless One Step Closer
3. Don't Forget to Register to Vote!
4. The Billion Dollar Boondoggle in the News
5. Upcoming Community Events
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1. CSMRI Radioactive Waste Cleanup Nearly Complete
Believe it or not, the radioactive waste cleanup at the CSMRI site (on
the south side of Clear Creek just a little bit east of Highway 6) is
well under way and should be finished within a couple of weeks.
Although we saw a partial cleanup a while back, the remaining waste has
been waiting for removal for a very long time. I've been talking with
the director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment over the spring and summer about how to get this project
finished. I met with him this afternoon to confirm that the project was
nearly complete (you can see activity on the site during the day) and
to thank him for his efforts. The cleanup will mean we can move forward
with our long-planned trail on the south side of Clear Creek. More
importantly, it also means that we will eliminate threat of the waste
ending up in Clear Creek. Kudos also go to Colorado School of Mines
President Scoggins and other CSM staff for making this happen.
2. Golden Wireless One Step Closer
Golden's effort to bring wireless internet access across the city took
a big step forward last week with the selection of a Denver area
company called C-Com to build, own, and operate the new regional
wireless network. Golden is part of a group of ten cities, known as
Colorado Wireless Communities, that jointly invited companies to bid
for the right to create the new wireless network (at no cost to any of
the communities). C-Com's network is known as "dual-use," meaning that
they will offer both internet access and local telephone service.
C-Com's plans include offering high-speed Internet services (1.5
megabits a second) for as low as $14.99 a month and local telephone
service for $13 a month (including features such as caller ID).
Colorado Wireless Communities and C-Com have already begun contract
negotiations, and with luck we'll see the network begin operating in
about a year. The new wireless network will cover Arvada, Boulder,
Broomfield, Golden, Lakewood, Louisville, Northglenn, Superior,
Thornton and Wheat Ridge.
3. Don't Forget to Register to Vote!
If you aren't registered to vote at your current address, be sure to do
so by the Tuesday, October 9 deadline. Voter registration forms are
available at the Jefferson County Elections Office (at the county
building), the Golden City Clerk's Office (911 10th St.), and the
Driver's License Offices. If you aren't sure if you are registered to
vote, call Jefferson County Elections Department at 303-271-8111 and
they'll figure it out for you. This is a mail ballot election, meaning
that every registered voter should receive a ballot in the mail
probably in mid- or late October. If you will be out of town during
that time you can apply for an absentee ballot at the county's web site.
4. The Billion Dollar Boondoggle in the News
The proposed Billion Dollar Boondoggle has received a bunch of press
over the past couple of weeks. This most recent round of attention
began when Broomfield signed a contract with the foreign corporate
consortium led by a Portuguese corporation called Brisa and when Brisa
signed a 99-year lease on the failing Northwest Parkway. The deal
promises Broomfield and the Northwest Parkway Authority a $40 billion
payoff if they succeed in constructing the new highway. Denver Post
columnist Al Lewis offered an unflattering view in Sunday's paper. It
turns out that the agreement also includes what is known as a
"non-compete clause," meaning that Broomfield has basically pledged not
to make any improvements in any of its own roads that might provide
motorists with an alternative to the beltway. It boils down to
Broomfield promising to keep some of its own roads congested in order
to force motorists onto Brisa's toll road. If I lived in Broomfield I
don't think I'd be too happy about that. The Rocky Mountain News ran a
good story on the non-complete issue today.
Just in case you are interested in the details, here is a paragraph from the city's news release:
Article 14 of the lease to privatize Northwest Parkway operations
(available for download at
http://www.nwpky.org/Concession/FinalCLA.pdf) requires payments to the
foreign corporation if certain roads or facilities are built in the
area that would compete with the toll road. The lease provides that
"the construction of a Competing Transportation Facility" constitutes
an action that gives the foreign corporation the right to terminate the
lease and seek significant damages from the Highway Authority (See
Lease, Section 14.1). "Competing Transportation Facilities" include the
continuation of 160th Avenue west of Sheridan Parkway to connect to
120th Street, the construction of a mass transit facility near the
Parkway (other than Fastracks projects), and certain other road
projects located within five miles of the Parkway that would affect the
Parkway's revenues (See Lease Section 1.1, "Competing Transportation
Facility"). Because such damages would likely return the Authority to a
financially perilous position, it will create a large impediment to
future transportation projects in the area.
You can download the agreements from the Northwest Parkway Authority
website. You can also still read my YourHub post ("Beltway Battle Heats
Up") from last week.
5. Upcoming Community Events
Golden First Friday (September 7) - You'll find Golden First Friday
events all over historic downtown Golden on the first Friday of every
month until the end of the year. Family-friendly entertainment includes
performances by Jubilant Bridge, face painting, balloon animals, Wes
the Puppet Man, free horse drawn carriage rides, and on and on. A bunch
of downtown Golden stores have special promotions and events as well,
and many will be open until 8 p.m.
Golden Gallop (September 8) - This is a locally organized benefit 5k
and 10k run/walk to benefit pancreatic cancer research and support
groups. Last year's inaugural event was a huge success and I plan on
volunteering again this year. Join us if you can on Saturday, September
8 starting near the Splash.
Goldenfest (September 8) - This is a terrific community Oktoberfest
event benefiting the Golden Landmarks Association on September 8th at
Lions Park (10th and Maple). The festivities start at noon and run
until 7 p.m., and include Golden City Brewery beer, brats, and live
music. The barbershop music starts at noon, BluJazz Dixieland at 1:30,
and Wendy Woo at 4. Bring your folding chairs and spend the afternoon.
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Jacob Smith
Golden City Council
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(303) 216-1680
SmithForGolden.com
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