Staying with the Times

Nov 302011
 

I would like to issue a heart felt congratulations to the newly elected city council for Greenwood Village. Seeing a peaceful transition of control of government was powerful as it was a direct example of a democratic government operating as it should. All Americans should be thankful that they get to be represented democratically and that they have political stability since shifts in power aren’t turbulent. Peaceful transition of government speaks to the people’s acceptance of their governments and since the council meeting of November 21st where the new council was sworn in went by smoothly, it shows that the current city government is a truly benevolent force. I was born in a country called Ghana that is now a parliamentary republic but for hundreds of years was a British colony. After gaining independence in the ’50s from the British, power fell from one dictator to the next. The changes of power were usually signified by military coups. Until 1993, Ghana’s government was classified as military dictatorship that didn’t do well to serve the people. My parents come from a generation that knew the importance of fair government and in fact, were quite active in peaceful protests against the military regimes in their college years.

Speaking as a person from the politically turbulent continent of Africa and from a country that had governmental problems of its own, I can say that I feel proud of the people of Greenwood Village for taking advantage of their privilege to participate in selecting members of their government. At times, the rest of the world’s issues may seem far from the thoughts of people living in the United States but people should count themselves among the world’s privileged. Feel proud that you’re able to change your government, should you feel displeased with its decisions. Every member of the council should feel blessed that you get to stay with the times and accurately reflect the will of people when you make decisions for the city as a whole.

  •  Posted by on November 30, 2011 at 9:23 am
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New Term & School Tax Exempt Status

Nov 292011
 

The November 21st meeting was a great opportunity to witness the inner workings of democracy. Each member of the Council was sworn in to their new term. The American government has come far in just 235 years. It’s incredible to think that just a few centuries ago people had to fight for the mere right of representation. This is still the case in some countries around the world today. In Guyana, the government is much different. Guyana practices parliamentary style democracy in addition to the multiple party system. That just means that the people are guided by a president, who oversees a prime minister and a national assembly. Due to the amount of racial hostility present, a contributing factor of electing a president is their race, which is completely ludicrous! The suppression endured by the Guyanese is far more intricate than I would like write about. However, having the opportunity to observe contrasting governments in action, I can say without any doubt, equal representation is superior to cessation of rights.

Continue reading »

  •  Posted by on November 29, 2011 at 7:00 pm
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City Council Swearing in–November 21

Nov 282011
 

Last Monday I had the opportunity to witness a truly American ordeal. Though first conceptualized by the Greeks and Romans with their representative body’s, the right of every man to vote and contribute their opinion through representatives has grown to include any American Citizen over 18. At the turn of the 18th Century, American’s began fighting for their right to representation. Once separated from Colonial Rule, America was created on the foundation of Democracy. Over the years, we have amended our constitution 27 times, a proclamation to the democratic ability to change our government. Mondays events also exemplified a something unique about the Villages check on legislative power, the terming out of two previous members of the Council. In the city of Greenwood Village, council-memebers may only serve consecutive terms. This is unique because it limits the effective power of the members our the council. Though Colorado State has similar checks, the United States only limits the terms the President may serve. I am glad that I had the opportunity to witness this historical and democratic exemplification!

  •  Posted by on November 28, 2011 at 5:57 pm
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Merrick & Co’s Most Irregular Request

Nov 142011
 

The city council meeting of November 7th, 2011 was the very definition of efficient government. I understand that under normal circumstances, meeting tend to take several hours. However, this was not the case because several items on the council’s agenda were passed unanimously and very little needed to be discussed. One of the few items on the agenda that needed to be discussed was the issue of Merrick and Company which seeking to set up its new world headquarters in Greenwood Village. In return, Merrick and Company wanted 50% off the occupational privilege tax for 300 of their employees for six months. In reality, the occupational privilege tax is only $4 per month for every employee a company has in the city. This is the equivalent of $7200 over six months but Merrick and Company wants to save $3600 over six months. During the meeting, council member Presley brought the issue under conversation. Among the council members, there was a general consensus that this request was most irregular. When voting, all members with the exception of Council member Todd approved of Merrick and Company’s proposition.

In my opinion, a company with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue shouldn’t be asking for something as minuscule as $3600 from the council. In fact, I see it as just wasting the council’s time. For Merrick and Company’s supposed $125 million dollar revenue, their request seems most ludicrous. In the long run, approving their proposition is just a bump in the road to what is sure to be a prosperous relationship between the city of Greenwood Village and Merrick and Company. I just hope that Merrick and company isn’t setting a precedent for companies to think that they avoid taxes all together. I realize that this is, perhaps, an irrational fear but a government relaxing laws on taxing slightly implies that they don’t need them. The city, of course, needs taxes like the occupational privilege tax to maintain the wonderful infrastructure that everybody enjoys. If I had to vote on the council, I would approve Merrick and Company’s most irregular request not because I support relaxing tax regulation but because it’s a practical incentive for one more business operating in the City.

  •  Posted by on November 14, 2011 at 9:14 am
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City Council Meeting November 7, 2011

Nov 102011
 

This evening’s meeting efficiently approved multiple budget and appropriation items. It also passed an amendment to the lease agreement with Verizon Wireless at the South Metro Fire Station at 5700 S. University Boulevard. The issue was interesting because the amendment made the leasable area smaller than before. It also allows Verizon Wireless to more equipment to the site. I found it interesting that Verizon offered adding a conduit that can eventually provide fiberoptic T1 lines to the station and allow for onsite, advanced training.  I agree with the council’s decision and would’ve voted likewise, though I would’ve researched the future cost of the internet service and possibly investigated microwave internet receivers that provide up to ten-times the speed of T1 lines at one-third of the cost.

  •  Posted by on November 10, 2011 at 5:39 pm
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Merrick & Company Ordeal

Nov 102011
 

The engineering/architecture company Merrick & Company would like to relocate their headquarters to Greenwood Village from Aurora. The employee–owned $125 million company has asked the City to offer a 50% rebate of the occupational privilege tax (OPT) for the first six months of their relocation. The OPT requires businesses to pay $4 every month per every employee; what this means for Merrick & Company is that instead of paying the standard $4, they would just pay $2 each month per employee. They will bring around 300 full time employees with them to the City; their expansion plans include an additional 75 full time employees within the next five years. This means that the rebate will cost the City $3,600. Though the relocation of the company will bring 300 jobs to the City, there are some concerns, as addressed by Councilmember Todd. Continue reading »

  •  Posted by on November 10, 2011 at 12:01 pm
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First City Council Meeting

Nov 092011
 

We had our first City Council meeting today. It was much different than I had expected. Jeiel and I met the other Inter, Teller, who seems to be a pretty cool guy.  The study session prior to the meeting was quite interesting. I didn’t know so many people in the City of Greenwood Village were such big fans of Disc Golf. We did learn about 5k run that took place around the Village Greens where participants ended in a different time than they had started. This occurred during Daylight Savings time. The issue was regarding a permit for the run and a noise permit, however I think it sounds like a great idea and I wish I would have known about it because I would have loved to participate in it.As for the actual meeting, it was surprising. The Ordinances in question were moved past very quickly. Most of them did not need much discussion as the Council Members had asked and answered questions prior to the meeting.

  •  Posted by on November 9, 2011 at 12:28 am
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