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What are Council member Noble’s motives when casting votes?
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What are Council member Noble’s motives when casting votes?
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During the December 16th Council hearing, a resolution was brought up to approve an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Commerce City and South Adams County Water and Sanitation District (SACWSD) for water infrastructure improvements along 96th Avenue. Now objectively, this IGA would be to the great benefit of all parties, and to the city as a whole; basically, it allows for new water and sewer lines, needed to service the planned new development east of Tower Road, to be installed during the widening of 96th Ave. when the road will already be under construction. The alternative is to come along later, after the road is finished, and tear it back up to install those lines, at a much greater cost, and potentially causing problems with the brand-spanking new road. So, the IGA would seem like a win-win on the merits. 

Here is how Mayor Pro tem Susan Noble considered the issue:

“The resolution says that South Adams Water has appropriated the funds but they may be coming from rate payers since that is their source of revenue. And I would just like to take a moment to point out that on October 2nd the city council voted unanimously to support South Adams County Water and Sanitation District's ballot measure that would enable them to apply for state grants. That was the understanding we were given. We were also told that there would not be a rate increase. The rate increase was announced this past week of 7.5% to all rate payers in South Adams County Water and Sanitation District. To say I am disappointed that that has occurred when we asked specifically is an understatement, and I on that basis will be voting no on this resolution.”

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Commerce City in the News

Sept. 14, 2023

Carol McKinley / The Gazette

MarketScreener.com

Sept.16, 2023

Jacob Factor / Denver Post

Sept. 11, 2023

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News
Adams 14 asks taxpayers for help — but what will be the return on their investment?
Adams 14 asks taxpayers for help — but what will be the return on their investment?

Commerce City’s schools, which long have struggled academically, also could use some upgrades to their infrastructure. That includes a new middle school. So, they’re asking local voters this fall to approve a hefty bond issue to pay for the improvements. The Adams 14 School District also wants to raise teacher pay. So, it’s seeking voters’ permission for a mill-levy override, as well. All of which will lead to a hike in property taxes.

The district last asked local taxpayers for more money back in 2014 — and was told no. The last school bond Commerce City voters approved was in 2008. As education news service Chalkbeat Colorado explains:

In addition to building a new middle school, which was also the intent in 2014, this year’s $113.9 million bond request, if approved, would pay for security upgrades such as door sensors, HVAC system upgrades, new windows, roofs, and new furniture at many of the schools. The $10 million mill levy override, another version of a property tax increase, would raise salaries for teachers and classified staff.

Teachers and others told Chalkbeat their buildings not only are in bad shape but also affect students’ attitudes.

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Chacon wants to save us — not from crime, but from law enforcement
Chacon wants to save us — not from crime, but from law enforcement

Among City Hall’s most pressing priorities is the crime fight — from stopping speeders to preventing deadly violence. And at a recent council session, the City Council got an encouraging update from Police Chief Darrel Guadnola about new technology and procedures in use to zero in on lawbreaking.

Guadnola recapped for the council how Flock technology for gunshot detection and license plate reading is aiding police in the crime fight, as will the use of aerial drones beginning next year. Just since the first steps of the Flock system were introduced last May, police already have detected and responded to 80 gunshots; recovered eight stolen vehicles and made six arrests using the technology.

The good news was welcomed by the council members — except Renée Chacon, the climate activist and social justice warrior who occasionally finds time to represent Ward III on the City Council. Chacon wanted to know if the north side of Commerce City was getting “just as much surveillance” through Flock as the south side. The chief tried to set her straight.

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Chacon’s inner activist comes out again — leaving our community behind
Chacon’s inner activist comes out again — leaving our community behind

A few months ago we reported how Ward III council member Renée M. Chacon disrupted Commerce City’s beloved Memorial Day parade with some of her well-known political antics on  issues far removed from our community.

Chacon and her family members donned T-shirts bearing anti-Israeli slogans and then rode a city-sponsored float in the parade. Her shirt declared, “END THE OCCUPATION” while “FREE PALESTINE” was on another family member’s shirt, and another shirt essentially accused Israel of “genocide.” 

Dragging such extreme views into the middle a cherished event like the Memorial Day parade — which honors fallen Americans and is supposed to unite the community — was divisive to say the least and probably offended a lot of Americans, including members of the Jewish community.

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