Former Brighton Mayor Jan Pawlowski is hoping to return to life in public office.

Pawlowski, a Republican, is challenging embattled County Commissioner Alice Nichol, who has been linked to a scandal involving Quality Paving. Nichol, who was first elected county commissioner in 2004, is up for re-election this fall.

Pawlowski served as mayor of Brighton for eight years before leaving because of term limits. Prior to becoming mayor, she also served six years on Brighton’s City Council.

In a statement, Pawlowski said she hopes to restore integrity to the office of county commissioner.

“Adams County has been my home for the past 45 years, and it distresses me to see the negative publicity the county is receiving,” Pawlowski said. “We need change and I feel my political and community experience will bring a positive change to the board of county commissioners.”

Nichol, a Democrat, would be seeking her third term as county commissioner in District 2. She was elected to the Board of Commissioners in November 2004, re-elected in November 2008, and currently serves as vice chairman.

http://yourhub.denverpost.com/adamscounty/former-brighton-mayor-jan-pawlowski-runs-county-commissioner/o1IbGvo49R06TwSXNbcpSL-story

HERE’S HOW TO FIND

YOUR NEW PRECINCT NUMBER AND

YOUR CAUCUS LOCATION

Go to www.caucus.cologop.org

Follow the step by step instructions.

Voila!!  You’ll find what you need to know.

Once you fill out the form and get your 10 digit precinct number, here's how you break down the digits. The first digit is your CD-number, the next four is your Colorado State Senate district followed by your Colorado State House district, the next two are 01 (meaning Adams County since alphabetically we're the first county in the state), and the last three is your precinct number. If you want to print out your precinct map, go to http://apps.adcogov.org/gis/staticmaps/precinctmaps/precinctmaps.htm   Make sure you attend your precinct caucus on Tuesday, February 7th 

_______________________________________________________

Important Caucus Information:

1)  The straw poll for President is just that – a straw poll.

     Its results do not bind any delegates to the National Convention.

2)  All assembly fees must be paid at the caucus.

Bring either your checkbook (best) or cash.

Fee for County Delegate $20

Fee for County Alternate $15

(You cannot “run for” Alternate.  You run for Delegate, and

Alternates are decided by the number of votes for Delegate.)

Delegates and Alternates for State and Congressional Assemblies

will be elected at the County Assembly.

However, you must declare your intention to run AT YOUR CAUCUS

and you must pay the (non-reimbursable) fee:

Candidate for State Delegate $20

Candidate for Congressional Delegate $10

If elected, you owe no further fees (even tho the state fee, eg, is $60.)

You can run for State and/or Congressional Delegate if you are

EITHER a County Delegate OR a County Alternate.

You have an equal chance of being elected,

but you must be a County Delegate or Alternate in order to run.

For more clarification, if you’ve not already done so, please take our

online caucus training:  http://react.MDL2.com

 Republican Rep. Kevin Priola also is ready with a bill stemming from personal experience. Priola, an off-road-vehicle enthusiast who represents House District 30, wants to allow the titling and plating of such vehicles so they can be used on dirt roads in the wilderness.  As the situation exists now, an off-road vehicle rider can go four or five miles along a permitted trail, then be legally prevented from riding a short distance to the next trail. "It's a real barrier to access," Priola said. "Look at the map. It's almost like a Swiss cheese effect."  "I've personally dealt with this up where I like to go hunting and camping," said Priola, who like many Coloradans was reluctant to give the locations of his favorite getaway spots.  Off-road vehicles would still face restrictions on paved streets and in cities or counties of a certain size, and farmers could still exempt themselves from plating vehicles. But for others, Priola said, his proposal would be a boon to tourists; would make the theft of such vehicles more than just a personal-property case; and would address a basic equity issue.  "We've got a situation where a 1974 Gremlin car can legally drive on mountain dirt roads," he said, "but a brand-new four-wheel-drive ATV with knobby tires, braking, and independent suspension legally can't drive on that same road."

Democratic Sen. Lois Tochtrop is passionate about her consumer-protection bill focused on unscrupulous roofers.  Colorado gets a lot of hailstorms, bringing out "these travelers who come in and promise to fix the roof," said the lawmaker from Senate District 24.  Some roofers promise to pay a homeowner's insurance deductible, then build the deductible into the price, Tochtrop said. "The roofs are often shoddy," she added.  "You don't know where these roofers are and this type of thing," said Tochtrop, who was still ironing out specifics last week.

Republican Rep. Don Beezley of House District 33 wants to see a "parent trigger" for families whose children attend low-performing schools.  Under current law, it takes five years of low rankings before the state board of education will step in to review a school. Beezley's proposal would change that, giving parents the power to hold a vote after three years. If a majority voted to call in the state board, the review would begin then.  The proposal would "give parents a voice" and shed light on the law, he said.

Democratic Rep. Judy Solano, a retired teacher serving House District 31, has a proposal to better serve poor students.  "I have one bill that will be looking at making sure that our most high-risk kids in the lowest-performing schools get the most effective teachers," she said.  A teacher-evaluation law opened the door to Solano's plan, which would tackle the problem of children in high-needs schools being taught by a revolving cast of first-year teachers.  Solano's bill would set up an incentive compensation fund for teachers to work in the neediest schools, and the highest-rated teachers would be offered jobs first.  "If I can get some private support or donations for a compensation fund, that's kind of what I'm looking at," she said. "High-poverty schools often get the short end of the stick."

Democratic Rep. Cherylin Peniston, another former teacher, also is keeping a light on education. "Children are my passion," she said.  Peniston is a member of the legislature's early childhood and school readiness commission. "That commission is about ready to sunset," she said. "I'm carrying a bill to repeal the sunset provision for that bill and also to make it an official interim committee so it has a higher lever of stability and focus."  The move would give the committee more resources and a staff member, raising its profile and bringing in more collaboration from others, Peniston said.  "Our mission is to promote the understanding that early childhood is where we need to concentrate our resources to give kids the kind of start they need so they don't fall behind from the very beginning," she said.  Children who fall behind early in school have a hard time ever catching up, said Peniston, who believes her proposal would help ensure "that we not drop behind in that progress we've made in early childhood and continue pushing forward."

http://www.great8newspapers.com/Articles-Adams-County-News-c-2012-01-12-223477.114125-sub17478.114125-Lawmakers-share-ideas-for-session.html#print

Adams County Commissioner Skip Fischer announced this week that he will not seek reelection for a third term.   One of two commissioners now on the board with ties to the county’s scandalous history, Fischer saw the writing on the wall and will slip into history rather than go down in defeat in November.

As a commissioner representing the county’s District 1, Fischer did manage to avoid many of the scandals that plagued current commissioner Alice Nichol and former commissioner Larry Pace.  Fischer however was intimately involved and voted on many questionable deals that have come to light.

The list of scandals that have disgraced the county in recent years is long and not-so distinguished.  While Nichol and Pace were truly the bad seeds on the board, Fischer found himself caught in the middle.

Fischer was aware of what was going on and he certainly was complicit, casting votes without dissention on many key issues like the no bid contracts received by Quality Paving.  However it is our impression that he wanted to do the right thing but simply did not know how to or did not have the guts to take a stand.

Following on Pace’s loss in November 2010, Erik Hansen assumed a seat on the dais and has been working on pushing through reforms to clean up county government.  The moves are commendable but have been slow to take shape and not as extensive as what they should be – likely due to the old guard Fischer and Nichol still maintaining control.

Fischer’s exit opens the door for Adams Count y voters to continue the process of cleaning up the mess in Brighton and install politicians that are worthy of the office.  Voters will need to be wary of who they cast their vote for as they are plenty of members of the Adams Family waiting in the wings to take Fischer’s place and this cannot be allowed.

Will Alice run?

There has not been any official word as to whether or not disgraced Commissioner Alice Nichol will seek reelection.  The rumor mill has it that she is seriously considering running, apparently thinking that Adams County voters are stupid enough to return the ethically challenged commissioner to office.

Challengers are already lining up to knock Nichol off should she decide to seek a third term.  Hanging over her head as well is an investigation being conducted by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office into her dealings.

The outcome of the investigation matters little as Nichol’s role has been well documented.  She would do well to step aside and save voters the trouble of kicking her butt out.

http://www.tonysrants.com/thornton/old-regime-county-commissioner-to-leave-office-rather-than-face-voters-again/

I am letting you know of a People's House Round-Up that is going on in Westminster. Many have already occurred in Colorado and the Westminster one is scheduled for November 9th. These are great events that allow local folks to talk with their legislators as well as meet members of the Colorado House Leadership team. The small donor funds raised at the event will help expand our majorities in 2012. Since the energy and turnout has been so great, this is one of three additional locations to be added. 

Please feel free to forward this invitation to any and all of the Republicans in our part of the Front Range.

Regards,

Rep. Priola

Kevin Priola

State Representative

House District 30

12255 Ursula St. Henderson CO. 80640

303.882.5486

www.kevinpriola.com

Join members of the Colorado House Republican Leadership and your local State Representatives for food, drink, and conversation.

Fundraiser benefitting The People's House, small donor committee

Dedicated to Expanding our Republican Majority in 2012

Suggested Contribution $50 per person

Please make checks payable to “The People’s House SDC”

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP please send an email to peopleshouseroundup@gmail.com

Visit www.peopleshouseroundup.org to donate online.

Colorado House Representative (HD-31) Kevin Priola  is raising money for the House Leadership Fund on Wednesday, November 9, 6:00-7:30 p.m., at The Ranch County Club (Tejon/120th) in Westminster. The small donor contribution to this event is $50.

Not only are we are hoping for 100 attendees who will hear about the House's plan to increase its slim one-vote majority but also urging contributions from those unable to attend the event.

Thank you for your assistance in supporting this extremely important part of our House leadership's role in keeping the Colorado House of Representatives! 

RVSP to : kpriola@hotmail.com

Here is a list of REPUBLICAN candidates in Mayoral, City Council, and School Board Races in Adams

County. We are in the last few campaign weeks before the mail-ballots drop on October 11. This is a

time when candidates NEED YOUR HELP. When it was supplied to me, I included contact info for the

candidate. For the others, Google the candidate’s name and either the city/state or the school district

number. If the candidate has a website, which should have contact info, you can find it that way.

Folks, these races are IMPORTANT. The races are “non-partisan,” but all that means is that there is no R

or D after the candidate’s name on the ballot. It has nothing to do with the principles held by a candidate

and where we throw our support. The Dems have been taking most of these seats for years, and the

Progressive agenda has been showing up in our cities and schools. We need to take back control at every

level of government. PLEASE help out. If you have trouble finding info for a candidate, contact me at 303-

457-1291 or heypattymac@juno.com, and I will help you search.

– Patty McCoy

Chair, Adams County Republicans

Link to:  2011 Republican Municipal Candidates

08/31/2011 – The Adams County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution in public hearing today, directing county staff to prepare a ballot question asking voters whether or not to increase the Board of County Commissioners from three to five members. This resolution represents a commitment the board made as part of the strategic reform package adopted on May 25, 2011.

"We promised citizens we would enact sweeping reforms to bring good and responsible government to Adams County," said Chairman W. R. "Skip" Fischer. "Today, we are following through on another reform measure."

The board recently conducted a public opinion poll to gauge residents' interest in restructuring county government to establish a Home Rule Charter Commission and/or change from a three to five member board of commissioners. The results of the poll, conducted by Ciruli Associates, found more support for considering a board expansion than for pursuing home rule. The survey further showed the public to be closely divided on the issue of expanding the board, with nearly one-half saying they favored the opportunity to vote on the issue.

"We said that we would bring this issue to our citizens, and now we are able to show that we are listening," said Commissioner Alice J. Nichol. "The people have spoken and we are committed to making sure they are heard."

Through the adopted resolution, the Board of County Commissioners authorized Adams County staff to take action to ensure this issue is referred to Adams County voters at the next possible election. Colorado Revised Statute mandates that this type of question may only be referred to the registered electors of the county at a General Election occurring each even-numbered year. The next General Election is Nov. 6, 2012.

 "We are following through on every promise we made to citizens in May," said Commissioner Erik Hansen. "This is just one of the many reforms we are moving forward to establish a transparent and accountable system of government in Adams County."  

Click the link called "Ballot Question Referred to Voters" under County Updates to view the resolution and survey results.

http://www.co.adams.co.us/

Adams County Assessor Gil Reyes pleaded guilty last week and paid a $300 fine for not reporting that he accepted Colorado Rockies tickets from the vice president of a warehouse company that received huge property-tax breaks.

Reyes' potential legal problems aren't over, though.

Later this month, the state Property Taxation Division will issue its report on how Reyes handled property-assessment appeals for his top campaign contributor, industrial-warehouse company Majestic Real ty.

Those findings will influence whether Adams County District Attorney Don Quick will file criminal charges against Reyes.

"We are waiting on what they decide," Adams County DA spokeswoman Krista Flannigan said of the Property Taxation Division. "That's their area of expertise."

The findings will be presented at a special meeting of the State Board of Equalization on Aug. 16. Based on the report's recommendation, the state board could do a number of things, including ordering a reappraisal of properties, said JoAnn Groff, property-tax administrator for the Division of Property Taxation.

The reappraisals would be only for the period of time covering the investigation, Groff said.

Reyes couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.

On July 27, Reyes appeared in Adams County Court without a lawyer and pleaded guilty to a criminal misdemeanor violation of Colorado law that requires elected officials to report gifts worth more than $50. The charge carries a potential fine of $50 to $1,000 but no jail time.

Reyes reportedly told Adams County Court Judge Caroline M. Benhame that he misinterpreted the statute and he should have to pay a fine.

The charge stemmed from a Denver Post report in May that Reyes had accepted Colorado Avalanche and Rockies tickets and lunch invitations from Majestic vice president Randall Hertel.

In November, The Post reported that Reyes had slashed millions of dollars from the taxable value of properties owned by the largest contributors to his election campaign, including Majestic.

Majestic received $23 million in Adams County property-valuation reductions last year, which saved the California-based company more than $800,000 in property taxes.

The story prompted requests from a citizens group and from Reyes himself for an investigation by the Division of Property Taxation. Reyes maintained at the time that he had appropriately reduced the assessments of Majestic's warehouses.

Quick said his office investigated three possible honorarium violations and learned that the statute of limitations had elapsed in two cases. Reyes was charged only for the most recent incident, failing to report a gift in April 2010 of four Rockies tickets and a parking pass worth $152.

The gifts were disclosed in a series of e-mails between Reyes and Hertel, Majestic Realty's senior executive in Colorado.

Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 ormwhaley@denverpost.com

Read more:Adams County Assessor Gil Reyes fined over gift – The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18605065#ixzz1TykMeLIm
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