Welcome To G-Town Blog

Hi Neighbor!

Several weeks after the G-town elections a nasty story blew into G-town.  It began snowing on the morning of the fifth day of the week.  G-town residents were not to concerned.  The weather folks get it right about every 6 years.  Wouldn't you know it six years, a month and a few days later this ornery storm was on us.

For those of us that were keeping count the electric went out about a half dozen times over two days. At one point the electric was out almost four hours.  John over at the Georgetown Market was beside himself. Customers all around and no power... What's a guy to do?

Only a few of us were taking this storm seriously.  The old timers knew we were over due for another nasty storm like back in 03.

The foot print of the 09 storm was on us by the morning of the sixth day. It was a snow blizzard!  Parts of G-town had over 12 inches of wet snow.  It was sure beautiful! 

Nancy and I are birders. It was sure obvious this day.  The birds were nervous.  Hundreds and hundreds of birds flocked to our bird arbor. There were Black Caped Juncos, Slate Juncos, Mountain Chickadees, Red House Finches, Black Birds, Red Winged Black Birds, Black Ringed Doves, Rock Doves  Ban Tail Pigeons, American Crows and many other birds coming from every direction from day break to almost night fall.  We probably put out around 20 lbs of feed during the storm.

We have two precious chunky beagles, Dovi Bear and Kaleb Tov. They are fifteen inch beagles.  They weigh about forty pounds each. They loved the snow.  We would take them outside to relieve them selves and they would snow dive.  Snow diving for a beagle is like swimming in a pool.  They just love the snow and the fresh scents. 

My wife, Nancy and I tried to get down to the market.  The road was not plowed. We got stuck and had to dig our selves out! We made it to the market just as the power went out.  Not to fear we had our checkbook just in case this would happen.  We are not seers!  We just know things like this happen a lot during gruff storms.  Well, we purchased two bags of flour and headed home.  We were sure glad to be back home out of the weather.  

The storm intensified through the sixth day. CDOT closed Interstate 70 from Morrison to Vail.  It was sure peaceful!  I-70 remained closed until about 9 the next morning.  There were semis lined all along the sides of I-70.  Cars and trucks were bumper to bumper waiting for the freeway to open.  No one was going any where.

After a nice Shabbat meal Nancy and went out for a snow walk.  We talked with several neighbors who were standing on their porches, decks or in garages.  It was a nice quite walk.

By the morning on the seventh day the storm was moving out... We were still waiting for our street to be plowed... By this time parts of G-town had over four feet of snow give or take a foot. Neighbors several houses down the way, Jeff and his daughter Nancy came up and shoveled out our car.  We really appreciated that.  It took about an hour.  Jeff is a ski instructor when he can get back and forth to work.  Today was not one of those days.  An avalanche closed Berthoud Pass.

Later in the day the neighbors next door dug out their vehicles and ours also.  That was a real task.  It took over three hours.  We have mounds of snow everywhere!  We sure appreciated it.  It was awful nice!

We did not get out until the first day of the week.  We drove around took a few pictures and enjoyed the aftermath of the storm. We hope all our G-town neighbors faired well during and after the storm.  If you would like to enjoy a post snow day in G-town please feel free to view our pictures with captions of the storm. Index Page - Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3.

Please feel free to ad you comments and experiences to our blog.

Akiva G.

Elections 2009 are over!

Election Results are posted.  We at http:cccco.us are really pleased that hundreds of neighbors visited our election coverage and spoke to us in person, by phone and Email.  Times are changing. In the six weeks leading up to our election the Clear Creek Courant had one story and one editorial on our election.  They may be on their way out... I hope not!

Neighbors I would like to congratulate Mayor Tom Bennhoff for his landslide victory.  He won by almost a 3 to 1 margin. Congratulations is in order for Selectman Mary Pat Bleesz - Young in her reelection.  Her term will be for four years. We also want to welcome Selectman elect Matt Skeen, Ward I, Selectman elect James McCann, Ward II and Selectman elect Kathryn Johnson, Ward III. 

Neighbor, this was a nice peaceful election.  How far back can we go to remember another low key uneventful boring election?  It was good that about 200 of us voted.  We have several up and coming candidates. I hope Brett and Greg will continue to get involved with g-town issues.

There were a few surprises.

Brett and Greg are pretty low key soft spoke individuals.  I was surprised that Brett received 25 votes in Ward I.  It would be interesting to here from some of Brett's supporters in Ward I.  Brett has a future in g-town politics if he is interested. I was surprised that Mayor Tom received 7 more votes {129} than in 2007 {122}.  It was a little surprising that Selectman elect Kathryn Johnson actually received 21 votes. She refused to participate in our candidate comparison.

Remember in just two years Mayor Tom Bennhoff, Selectman Lee Behrens and Selectman John Jackson will all be leaving because of term limits.  Hopefully Brett and Greg will remain interested...

We want to remember to thank our out going Selectman Barb Jackson and Selectman Ernie Dunn for their dedicated service.  It is so much appreciated!  

Please feel free to add your comments... thoughts... 

Visit: Election Day Comments

Akiva G.

Neighbors, the elections are here. My wife Nancy and I have been covering G-town elections for about 10 years. This year about 60 of our residents have already voted including Nancy and me. We like to vote early. 

Based upon the number of visits to our site I feel that just about everyone in G-town who is going to vote has made up their mind. 

This election has been really quiet.  There has been very little mud slinging.  All the candidates have kept a low profile.  There were no major issues that excited us. In 2007 about 214 residents voted.  This year I feel we will be fortunate to get 170 voters to the polls. Please prove me wrong.

In comparison back on April 2, 2002 when G-town voters recalled Former Mayor Koleen Brooks, the vote was 339 to recall and 176 to keep. That was a hotly contested election. 515 voted in that election. That may have been the highest

election turnout for G-town in our town's history. 

Anyway, when you vote, here are a few points to consider about each candidate in aphabetical order with the candidates for mayor first.

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF GEORGETOWN

Brett Bauer - Running for G-town mayor. Brett is a hard working individual, three jobs.  He is my neighbor. Brett is a good citizen.  He helps youth.  He is well educated.  He has many life experiences.  I feel that he is a fast learner and if elected would be a good mayor.  There are a few areas that concern me.

• Brett has not participated in many committee meetings or Board of Selectmen meetings.

• Even though Brett is a bright individual he is not well acquainted with important issues in

  G-town like: water, sewer, drainage, use of area around G-town Lake, sales taxes and the

  police force. I was disappointed with his comment that Mayor Bennhoff wants to eliminate

  the police force in favor of the Sheriff's Department. I know Tom is not going to do that!

• Brett is in favor of raising sales taxes to promote G-town businesses and for other important

  town matters.  What bothers me about his position is this: Even though Brett and his wife

  Jenette own two businesses in G-town he is not a member of the Business Promotion

  Commission.  He has not attended one meeting. He doesn't even know what the Business

  Promotion Commission is doing.

• Brett favors making the area around G-town Lake recreational. That is fine as long as this

  valuable piece of property creates more tax revenue for G-town. Again this bothers me

  because this type of issue is the responsibility of the Planning Commission.  To the best of

  my knowledge Brett has not participated in one Planning Commission meeting...

• Brett works three jobs. Even though he is willing to give up one job if elected as mayor, is

  this enough?  Being mayor of G-town requires so much time and dedication.

• Brett seems to favor the idea of development of 300'-span windmills reaching

  high above tree line with red blinking lights on the ridge above G-town.

It may seem like I'm picking on Brett.  I'm not.  Anyone who runs for office needs to connect with the existing committees in G-town to learn what is happening.  I feel that Brett should get involved in the town's committees before being elected.

It is very clear that Brett is popular in G-town from all the hits he has been receiving on his web page here at cccco.us. We appreciate his desire to serve our community.

Mayor Tom Bennhoff - Running for G-town Mayor.  I like Tom.  He is a good, hard working individual who has lived in G-town 33 years.  He raised his sons here. He is a retired 5th U.S. Circuit Chief Parole Officer.  Tom is well organized.  He gives many, many hours to our town.  We should all be very grateful for this. Tom is on top of the issues.  He works so hard for our town.  He has kept a number of campaign promises from 2007 like:

• Fixing Channel 8

• Mailing out newsletters to residents' PO Boxes - He did better than he promised on this.

  Almost all of the costs are covered by donations from businesses and residents.

• Asking the Planning Commission to review Home Rule

• He conducted a survey of G-town residents to find out what we wanted

• Even though he did not pave from 22nd Street to Scepter, he did have granulated asphalt laid

  on the dirt roads throughout G-town to help reduce dust.

My wife and I support Tom for mayor because we feel that he is the overall best choice.  Yet we would like to see some changes in his second term if he is elected.

• We were very displeased that the past Board of Selectmen did not censure Selectman Lee

  Behrens for less than acceptable behavior.  Lee is a friend of ours.  Lee is and has been a

  visionary in G-town.  Lee has given so much of himself to our town yet, all the Selectmen,

  Committee members and employees of G-town must set examples.  Over the past 10 years

  we have had issues with Former Mayor Koleen Brooks and Paul McKenna, the former town  

  manager. I hope Tom if elected will work on passing a code of conduct for town employees

  and officials.

• We like the fact that Tom expects every town employee to give their best. However, there are

  those in town who feel he is micromanaging...

• We would like to see Tom fulfill his promise to find grant money to pave the road from 22nd

  Street to Scepter Circle

• We are disappointed that the recycling program is not a reality yet.  Many residents in

  G-town would like an accessible area set aside for recycling and trash dumpsters

• G-town beautification is in the thoughts of some residents.  Residents feel it would be wise

  for us to clean our town up before we begin any new promotions.  Cleaning our town up

  requires us to all work together. 

Neighbors, Tom Bennhoff has sat on many committees and the Board of Selectmen. H is the most qualified to be mayor; we hope you will join us in supporting him with your vote.  

Greg Shireman - Running for G-town Mayor.  Neighbors I do not know Greg well.  I have had little dealing with him.  He is a former deputy here in Clear Creek.  He was a sergeant for the Clear Creek Sheriff's Department.  He seems like a nice, likeable individual.  As of this writing Greg has received the largest number of visits to his web page at cccco.us.  He struck a chord with G-town residents and they are interested in him.  I view this a little differently.

• At the debates Greg failed to make it clear to me why he was running for mayor.  Greg

 agreed with many of the positions of our present Mayor. He did not draw any clear distinctions

 between himself and Mayor Bennhoff.

• Greg hasn't served on any committees or the Board of Selectmen.

• Greg did not share a clear, sound plan of where he wants to take G-town.

• Greg strongly supports keeping G-town clean and beautiful.  I like that!

• Greg led sand bagging efforts to protect our town in the flood of 2003.

• Greg did not demonstrate a clear understanding of the serious issues or water, sewer,

  drainage, business promotions, taxes, etc.

• Greg seems to favor the idea of development of 300'-span windmills reaching high above tree

  line with red blinking lights on the ridge above G-town.

Again it is really great to see a new face in the G-town political scene yet anyone who runs for office needs to connect with the existing committees in G-town to learn what is happening.  I feel that Greg should get involved in the town's committees before being elected.

SELECTMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE

Ward I

Matthew Skeen - Running unopposed for Selectman to fill the seat of Selectman Barbara Johnson.

I have know the Skeen family for years.  Matt's son Ben and I worked together on the Georgetown Loop Railroad as tour guides for a number of years.  They are hard working, fine people who are very connected to G-town. Matt's wife Cynthia sits on the G-town Planning Commission as the Vice Chairperson.  Matt has participated in G-town committees going way back.  However I cannot tell you when or how many because Matt did not respond to our request by phone message or by U.S. mail. This is greatly disappointing to me and the voters of G-town.  Matt and his wife Cynthia and their son Ben are attorneys at law.  They own Skeen and Skeen here in G-town. They have been residsents of G-town for many years and have practiced law here almost as long.  They have a very good reputation. I like some of the positions that Matt leans towards like:

• Matt is not excited about raising the sales tax in G-town but would consider it.

• Matt is strongly opposed to development of the ridge line with large 300'-span windmills

  reaching high above tree line with red blinking lights.  He prefers to keep G-town historically

  pristine.  I am really torn on this issue.  Nancy and I support green but not on the ridge of

  Historic Georgetown.  However we are trying to be open on this issue.

• Matt's position regarding water, sewer, drainage, etc. is to hire professionals and to follow

  their guidance.

Nancy and I do not live in Ward I but if we did we would support Matt Skeen even though he did not show common courtesy by returning my phone call or responding to our letter.  That is his right.  Even though he will be a Selectman for Ward 1 he still will be voting on issues for all residents of G-town.  It concerns me when the Mayor or a Selectman does not respond to communication.  Selectman Lee Behrens has always been very good about responding to any concerns of those in Ward I or outside of Ward I as have Selectman Robbie Hodge and Selectman Mary Pat Bleesz-Young. This is so much appreciated.

Ward II

James McCann - Running unopposed in Ward II for Selectman to take the seat of Selectman Ernie Dunn.

Jim is the husband of Beth Luther just like I am the husband of Nancy Belk.  Almost everyone knows our wives; but us... that's another story.  A visit to Jim's web page at cccco.us clearly announces that he is a strong Chicago Bears fan.  Yeah! The night before Jay Cutler was traded to Chicago Jim and I talked about the possibility.  That was great news for all Chicago Bears fans.

• Even though Jim has not served on any committees or on the Board of Selectmen, Jim and

  Beth have been involved in so many community projects. Normally Beth makes the

  commitment and Jim participates.  Jim has participated as a volunteer in several events in

  Town such as the Slacker Races and the 4th of July Parade.  He participated as a volunteer

  Board member for the Millsite Townhome Homeowners Association, and has coached little

  league baseball.

• Jim owned a plumbing business for many years here in G-town.  He has a through knowledge of many water, sewer and drainage issues.  His hands-on experience will be really good.

• Jim seems to favor the idea of development of 300'-span windmills reaching high above tree

  line with red blinking lights on the ridge above G-town.

Nancy and I support Jim McCann for Selectman of Ward II. Although he is not very experienced in town government he is experienced in the operation of a business.  He is well known by the town's people and respected as a hard worker and very good individual.

Ward III

Kathryn Johnson - Running unopposed for Selectman to take the seat of Selectman Robbie Hodge.

Neighbors, I do not know Kathryn.  I phoned her requesting that she contact me.  She ignored my request!  I sent here a letter requesting information.  Kathryn did not reply. This greatly disappoints me and other residents of G-town.  My wife Nancy and I paid for two weeks of advertising in the Clear Creek Courant inviting G-town residents to visit our web site and review the candidates side by side. We sent out hundreds of e-mails inviting voters to check out the candidates. We spent about 60 hours of web design to make it possible for the candidates to share their positions and ideals for free.  Kathryn chose not to participate.  Yet Kathryn stated before the audience at the debate how strongly she believed in communication and that she was a marketing and communication major at C.U. Boulder.  Kathryn is very bright.  She has a pleasant personality yet she refused to cooperate by contributing a few details so you the voter could be informed.  This is an intolerable position to take for a new Selectman.

• Kathryn did not come across as being well acquainted with important issues in G-town

  like: water, sewer, drainage.

• Kathryn seems to be in favor of raising sales taxes to promote G-town businesses and for

  other important issues

• Kathryn seems to favor the idea of development of 300'-span wind mills

  reaching high above tree line with red blinking lights on the ridge above G-town.

Nancy and I do not support Kathryn as Selectman from Ward III and will carefully watch her performance or the lack thereof over the next two years.  We do appreciate her willingness to serve our town and truly hope she will do well in this position.

Ward III

Mary Pat Bleesz-Young - Running unopposed for Selectman - If Mary Pat receives the majority of votes she will serve four years.

Mary Pat and her husband Randy Young have been residents of G-town for 39 years.  She is the owner of the Buckskin Trading Company.  Ladies stop by all the time.  Mary Pat carries some really nice merchandise.  Randy and Mary Pat also own the Silver Heels Guest Suites.  It's in a commerical zone and NOT NEXT DOOR to residentials! Having lived next door to an illegal vacation rental for about nine months, I really appreciate this. Mary Pat and Randy live about a long block away but it feels like next door.  They are great neighbors!! We appreciate them so much.  They are honest, hard working folks who care deeply about G-town. 

Mary Pat has served on comittees and on the Board of Selectmen many times over the years.  When Sally Kennerson resigned 18 months ago we didn't have anyone to fill this position.  Mary Pat stepped forward.  We so much appreciate her willingness to serve.  Mary Pat is currently in her 13th year of service as a board member of the Clear Creek Econmic Development Commission.  Mary Pat is very active in the Georgetown Merchants Association.

• Mary Pat suggested passing a code of conduct for town employees and officials last term.

  We hope the BOS will get this done this term!

• Mary Pat supports an accessible location for a recycling program in G-town.

• Mary Pat supports G-town beautification and code enforcement.

• Mary Pat is in favor of those 300' wind mills standing way above tree line along the G-town

  ridge.

Nancy and I appreciate Mary Pat.  She is an excellent Selectman and even though we are no longer in her ward due to rezoning we encourage Ward III voters to get out there and vote for Mary Pat!

Neighbors, all of us have faults.  None of us are perfect.  We each make mistakes. It is a very difficult responsibility to serve the public especially for free.  Even though I have noted some concerns about each candidate, I feel we should all feel very fortunate to have neighbors who will give of their time and effort and money to help our wonderful little town.  Nancy and I say thank you very much!!  We appreciate each of you.

The Candidates debated on 0401-09 - Visit the DEBATE..

My prediction for the Elections are as follows: 

Red = Election Actual Results

Brett Bauer - 35 votes -  45 votes

Mayor Tom Bennhoff - 103 votes -  129 votes

Greg Shireman - 27 votes -  16 votes

Matt Skeen - 68 votes -  73 votes

James McCann - 42 votes -  59 votes

Mary Pat Bleesz - Young 40 votes -  32 votes

Kathryn John 17 votes -  21 votes

We will post the election results when the election is completed.

Anyone is welcome to comment on this OUR VERY FIRST G-town blog.  Please speak up for yourself or speak up for a candidate you support.  Let us all know how you feel.

Everyone in G-town is invited to use this blog.  Try to be nice.  Try to stay away from Denver language.

My wife Nancy joins me in wishing everyone the best,

Akiva G.