I want all my neighbors to know that Joe Coors is way too extreme for Golden. While he seems like a likeable guy on TV, the truth is he has: Supported the personhood initiative to ban all abortion, even in case or rape and incest; stated that gay people are an “abomination” in the eyes of God; and believed a prophesy that the world was going to end in 2000.
Coors may not be a beer but he’s also out of step with our values. Golden deserves someone more moderate and in-tune to concerns of women.
Emily Andrews
Golden
Marijuana clinics violate federal law, are suspect as a treatment and are just a way for a few people to get rich. Marijuana has huge issues, and it’s not safe like some people think. It’s presence pollutes our air with THC, toxins and carcinogens, and it’s not really good medicine.
Several studies point to a clear association between marijuana use and psychosis. Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously this summer to ban all clinics after a 16-year experiment. They saw it as a total failure with costly increases in crime, health care and welfare related costs. Let’s not make the same mistake they did.
Let’s rather choose to ban them all together like LA did and save ourselves years of headaches and exploding costs.
Vote no on 64.
Rick Roberts
Arvada
We are writing today to ask you to vote yes for Jeffco Schools — to vote yes on ballot issues 3A and 3B. Questions 3A and 3B will directly and immediately impact families, students, teachers and businesses across the county.
Jeffco Public Schools — like other school districts in Colorado — has faced severe budget cuts due to decreased state funding. We have worked diligently to keep these cuts away from the classroom. Thanks to our rainy day fund, we were successful. Now those funds have been significantly depleted and we will no longer be able to avoid cuts that will directly impact our students.
That’s why we need 3A and 3B.
3A will allow us to keep great teachers in the classroom, maintain class size, keep instrumental music for fifth- and sixth-graders, and continue to provide students with the instruction and skills necessary for success in college and the workplace. 3B will provide $99 million to tackle critical building needs to keep students safe, warm and dry such as roof replacements and improvements in fire protection, wiring and plumbing.
We want you to have the facts:
Jeffco tied for second for the highest graduation rate of the 50 largest districts in the nation. Our students consistently outperform the state average on statewide tests (TCAP). 3A and 3B will allow Jeffco Schools to maintain our tradition of excellence.
Over the past three years Jeffco Schools has cut its budget by $63 million plus another $15 million this year. Without 3A, the district will face another $45 million in budget cuts for the 2013-2014 school year.
No money from 3A and 3B will go to PERA. Not one penny.
3A and 3B will cost the owner of an average priced home $3.06 per month, or a dime a day. It equates to a 3.8 percent tax rate increase to support Jeffco Schools.
Jeffco Schools spends $8,049 per student, not $11,000.
The state will not give $61 million to Jeffco Schools next year. In fact, Colorado’s education commissioner has told Jeffco to budget for flat funding. That’s $761 less per student than Jeffco received in 2009-2010.
All Jeffco Schools employees have taken a 3 percent pay cut starting in 2011-2012. They also have absorbed a 300 percent increase in health insurance costs.
Jeffco Schools has a record of excellence despite receiving less per student funding than other comparable school districts whose voters have approved mill levy overrides to support their schools. Jeffco Schools currently receives $645.08 less per student per year than Denver Public Schools; $790.22 less per student per year than Littleton Public Schools; and $1,086.68 less per student per year than Boulder Valley Schools.
We think Jeffco students deserve our support! The kindergartners entering school in August should have the same access to opportunity as the seniors who just graduated in May. We believe we can do that if we all join together and vote yes on 3A and 3B this November.
Please make sure you have the correct information about 3A and 3B. Please share this information with your friends, family and neighbors. For more, visit www.supportjeffcoschools.com.
Lesley Dahlkemper
President, Jeffco Schools Board of Education
Paula Noonan
First Vice President, Jeffco Schools Board of Education
Robin Johnson
Treasurer, Jeffco Schools Board of Education
Jill Fellman
Secretary, Jeffco Schools Board of Education