tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:13:12 +0000LafayetteBoulder CountyLouisvilleLongmontErieSuperiorupdatesWalMart2CBVSDColoradonational issues2BBroomfieldWeld Countyelection2A3ASt Vrain Valley School DistrictBeauprezCentaurus High SchoolCoronerDavecoFasTracksFrederickLarkridgeNiwotNovember 2007 electionRTDhealth careinternetrandom newsThis is THE source for insight, opinions and all kinds of information on the growth and political issues impacting Eastern Boulder County, Colorado. Come here to see the latest from those in the know in Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, Erie and Longmont.<br><br> NOTE: This Blog will no longer be updated as of December 4, 2007.http://eastboco.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-8826978649456207936Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:22:00 +00002007-12-04T20:56:20.858-07:00updatesAnd so it comes to an end. 15 months, 416 posts and over 8000 unique daily visitors were part of this blog, and we had countless debates I found fun, enlightening, irritating and thought provoking. Those who have been a part of this since the beginning: Thank you for your invlovement. The best part was hearing behind the scenes from people how they learned something that changed their minds.I http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/12/epilogue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-7433489650025404473Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:04:00 +00002007-12-17T08:40:50.451-07:00updatesThe comments under New Mayor For Lafayette demonstrate the saddest side of blogging. The open forum combined with anonymity has degenerated to an inane waste of time for all, and driven away the bulk of interesting commenters. To what end? Why bother pushing a debate forum to voluntary extinction? It's just so weird....Update - I've removed the commenting function from Intense Debate, which http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/so-weird.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-2875657062001517321Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:43:00 +00002007-11-29T22:12:44.788-07:00Boulder CountyThe Boulder County Commissioners will be vetting the details to the new residential remodel/construction regulations next month; the Board of Review discussed the topic last night regarding the BuildSmart program. I support the zero waste aspects that will have deconstructed material reused if possible or otherwise recycled somehow. Homes over 3000 sq feet will need to produce 50% of their energyhttp://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/county-building-regs-coming-around.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-90954084195481226Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:53:00 +00002007-11-28T22:23:23.416-07:00LafayetteLast night the Lafayette City Council elected Chris Cameron as the new MAyor to replace term limited Mayor Chris Berry. David Strungis retained his Pro-Tem spot, after an initial tie with new Councilor Alex Schatz. A strong showing for a brand new Councilor, who was also up against incumbent Jay Ruggeri for the spot. In a three-way vote, Ruggeri received none?What will Cameron's leadership be http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/new-mayor-in-lafayette.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3206458743429765111Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:20:00 +00002007-11-27T22:44:08.076-07:00LafayetteTonight Lafayette's City Council will decide whether or not to approve a lease swapping agreement with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber would move into vacated space in City Hall left by the Police Dept, and the City will get the Chamber's digs on South Public Road. When this first was discussed on November 6 (election night) citizen Brian Herzfeld spoke in opposition to the whole http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/swapping-space.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-4155655061448047313Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:52:00 +00002007-11-26T17:39:47.217-07:00LouisvilleThe speculation over who has purchased the StorageTek/Sun property in Louisville surrounds big high-tech names like Google and Apple. While the price of $60 million for the 440-acre campas seems to be accepted, I'm interested in how the Louisville Comprehensive Plan update process with address the potential of the property. Louisville has made it clear they don't want more residential developmenthttp://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/louisvilles-new-corporate-citizen-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3338345920200416178Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:41:00 +00002007-11-26T16:51:57.217-07:00LafayetteToday's Camera had an interview with outgoing Lafayette Mayor Chris Berry, who has hinted at further political aspirations at the state level. This isn't new info, just a reiteration of his interests in the civic realm. I would expect we will see Chris back in the public eye again within the year, unless the comfort of "regular" life outside elected office is stronger that he anticipated.http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/outgoing-and-re-entering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-6247561154270541049Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:48:00 +00002007-11-19T15:51:59.382-07:00updatesSwapping Chamber/City Hall leases in Lafayette.Revenue Sharing Options narrowed in Boulder County.Louisville's StorageTek property redevelopment.Superior's mailbox rules (sorry, the best I could find...)Erie's impact fees.Longmont's lodging tax passes this time.Any ideas? I've brought up the commenting function again; it has some bugs I need to work out. Please comment away!http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/just-testing-ya.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3728641827922112078Sun, 18 Nov 2007 02:12:00 +00002007-11-17T19:42:22.904-07:00Boulder CountyupdatesI found today's print edition of the Camera's editorial section very interesting, as both attributed and anonymous sources have commented on the issue of whether anonymous blog and other internet postings are helpful or hurtful to public debate.Given my recent experience with my blog, I found a few articulate defenders of the policy of allowing anonymous posts. I also felt a few people nailed thehttp://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/im-not-only-one-wondering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-194952487362988420Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:10:00 +00002007-11-15T21:50:02.344-07:00LafayetteThe Lafayette City Council is mulling the SWOT analysis presented by Community Development Director Bonnie Star last week which identified a range of issues affecting the city from an economic point of view. I would add to the Threats/Weaknesses column a point regarding the specific debt items guaranteed to earmark X percentage of the budget going forward in the face of uncertain tax revenue http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/good-and-bad-in-lafayette.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-1116393527537814500Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:24:00 +00002007-11-14T23:00:55.090-07:00FasTracksLouisvilleWhile visiting the City of Louisville's website I see a homepage link for contacts for those concerned with airplane noise. For this to be on the homepage must indicate some level of priority status, and it made me think how unsupportive of diesel powered commuter trains residents around Old Town Louisville will be once that comes online.FasTrack's commuter rail segment will be the impetus to allhttp://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/just-wait-til-fastracks-comes-through.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-6321037488767208510Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:19:00 +00002007-11-12T23:34:43.041-07:00ErieOkay, getting back into it all, my sensational headline is meant to get your attention. Similar to the whole Longmont annexation issue that has a special website for that topic, there's www.neighborsforasaferoute.com all about the turmoil surrounding a proposed (threatened?) implementation of a Safe Routes to School grant the Town received from CDOT which would construct 3,200 feet of 8-foot http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/erie-pursuing-path-of-destruction.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3098665991198164262Thu, 08 Nov 2007 05:23:00 +00002007-11-07T23:12:19.860-07:00Boulder CountyI admit the County's ballot issue returns surprised me - while I supported both 1A (open space) and 1B (transit improvements) the notion that the transit tax extension would grab nearly 70% of the vote to open space's 60% shows a preference for a tax that conventional wisdom holds would never get more than 55 or 60% of the vote. There were 500 more votes cast overall on 1B, meaning people http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/election-musings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3566658975365376002Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:52:00 +00002007-11-05T08:22:40.150-07:00Boulder CountyYou know I support the County's Open Space ballot issue 1A, and I've been reading, asking around and pondering the transit tax (issue 1B) and this weekend I decided to call the County's bluff and vote for the tax extension.Why describe it that way? The merits of what the money would go towards I found to be somewhat less than compelling. Good ideas on their own, but somehow not hitting me as http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/goin-for-transit-tax.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3027524520275099699Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:40:00 +00002007-11-01T22:44:02.961-06:00updatesYou can see I've shut this all down except for my posts. If you were visiting over the last week or so, you know why. I'm making this a one-way online journal for now, thanks for checking in. I look forward to worthwhile discussions in the future.http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/where-have-all-good-times-gone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-9102820332030320833Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:09:00 +00002007-11-01T22:40:53.951-06:00LafayetteThat's how I intend to vote in Lafayette for City Council. If you haven't voted by yet, you're probably open to suggestion, so let me throw these names out: Frank Phillips, Alex Schatz and Kerry Bensman have shown a deep commitment to analyzing complex issues, willingness to put up with the frustration that is podium-pounding/well-meaning/often not completely informed citizens (my words, not http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/11/phillips-schatz-bensman-oster.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-8429562694533377539Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:44:00 +00002007-10-30T22:31:59.631-06:00LouisvilleLouisville residents have one issue on their ballot. 2A would clarify that the Louisville City Council is the authority regarding urban renewal district decisions instead of the Council-appointed Louisville Revitalization Commission. It would also require a fiscal analysis before any tax-increment financing plan could be approved, plus other ethics and oversight protocols.This one has people http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/louisville-ballot-issue-2a.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-7163213142113705285Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:36:00 +00002007-10-29T22:31:16.852-06:00LafayetteIn Lafayette we have five Questions and two Issues to decide. See their complete language here.Ballot Issue 2A asks for $9.2 million worth of bonds to pay for street traffic and parking improvements. The bonds will be paid back through the city's general fund. Vote No. I'm not comfortable with that much credit card financing for roads as opposed to paying for such repairs with current funds. http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/lafayette-ballot-issues.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-8041678717436132774Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:31:00 +00002007-10-26T11:37:06.196-06:00updatesFor those readers following along with all the comments, I want to say my general philosophy is not to censor any comments. However, if they are direct slurs on an individual I am likely going to remove them. If they are comments about me posted by an anonymous source, I'm not going to spend time answering them. There's plenty of otherwise interesting debate happening here, the noise of the http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/joys-of-blogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3060313119662269171Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:19:00 +00002007-10-25T12:37:10.657-06:00updatesAhh, technology. I have seen the glitches with the new commenting system and been contacted behind the scenes by a couple people on this. I'm in touch with the Intense Debate guys and trying to learn how to correct the multiple comments and failure to allow other comments. I've tried making a few comments and that part works for me. I'll keep working on it -http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/postcomment-trouble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-6194731800104814467Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:55:00 +00002007-10-24T07:00:46.170-06:00Boulder CountyA reader asked me offline if I had seen the flyer in the mail from "The Committee For Smart Growth." I have not, so my comments come from a conceptual point of view: I love the name (note: sarcasm) - it implies nothing as to the philosophy of the group. Pro or anti? Specific development or general? A predictably self-important labeling by an interest group. Without knowing who is behind it, my http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/unclear-definition-of-smart-growth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-6005664753840009523Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:10:00 +00002007-10-24T05:40:44.410-06:00LafayetteWalMartI remember the first time I saw the sign on Baseline Rd and Aspen Ridge Dr in Lafayette that said "No access to Super Wal-Mart". I was compelled to drive down the road and see what sort of cul-de-sac was created to stop this back way from being used. Turns out there IS access to Wal-Mart.For reasons having to do with traffic congestion, this little white lie by the city is meant to help direct http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/signs-and-lies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-3489886320551142775Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:56:00 +00002007-10-22T15:25:20.574-06:00updatesFor the regular visitors of this blog, I am especially happy to describe to you the new comments function I've been fortunate to install from Intense Debate. As that name implies, this cutting edge blogging tool will facilitate more valuable commenting based not only on my posts but between yourselves as well. The point is to elevate online discussions to a whole new level.In order to better http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/say-it-loud-and-proud.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-2788513055665075194Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:50:00 +00002007-10-21T23:01:05.340-06:00LongmontThe Times Call describes some of the results from a Longmont citizen survey today, with a headline caveat of people wanting all sorts of things, until asked to pay. I found the reference to the noise from train horns interesting given our earlier FasTracks discussion: Forty-six percent said the horns are not a problem; 54 percent said they were a minor-to-major issue. Regardless, three-quarters http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/survey-says-we-want-it-and-want-it-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35156453.post-665656274118118768Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:22:00 +00002007-10-20T16:34:57.595-06:00ErieOver the last two months scientists have been analyzing selected natural areas on undeveloped lands throughout Erie’s Planning Area to create a "Natural Areas Inventory". On Tuesday, October 23, 4:00 to 7:00PM there will be an open house at the Erie Town Hall to reveal the results.The town's press release says: "The inventory will help staff implement components of the Erie Comprehensive Master http://eastboco.blogspot.com/2007/10/what-will-they-find.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0