The Leek has “inflicted” their humor upon current council members and that is not punishable. As public figures they are open to such. However, candidates and election material are a different matter and the campaign laws set forth the proper behavior which the Leek has not followed. They should have to play by the same rules as everyone else. As it is, C4LF is not a reliable source of information and should not be trusted as a legitimate political committee formed to “encourage, support, elect civil minded citizens for Littleton City Council” as stated on their committee registration form dated March 2, 2007.

The complaint does not suggest that the campaign reports were not filed properly. They were. The complaint is concerned with knowingly and recklessly distributing false information about a candidate by a registered political comittee that agreed to abide by the Uniform Election Code when established. It is that simple. If you haven’t read the full complaint it is available on this Blog.

I, unlike the Leek writers, will sign my name.

Carol Brzeczek

Thanks much for working to keep Littleton’s government transparent.

Why is it so hard for people to remember context and long-term goals when somebody whispers “it could save money”?

1. The whole reason I fought Wal-Mart was that it was wrong development in the wrong location. If you had a different reason for opposing it I respect that but please don’t speak for me. I made my position very clear throughout the entire battle. Others may have had other reasons but the battle was waged on the single reason of location.

2. I will never support de-TABORing. The recent election was not a de-TABOR. It was a citizens choice as to whether they wanted the money back or they wanted the city to spend it on specific projects (which I made certain were detailed on the ordiance). The citizens spoke. That’s what I support.

3. I am a native of Denver. I have lived in Aurora and Littleton. I have never lived in Boulder. I have visited, twice.

4. I am not a liberal. Not that it should matter what my affiliation is since municipal government is non-partisan. But for those few who don’t know, I am a registered Republican.

5. If you want to know more about me – watch the meetings and see for yourself what I say and how I vote. Making decisions about someone based on what you’ve “been hearing” is cheating yourself.

The Council has had several discussions about the Water Fund money and what to do with it. Returning it would be a nightmare for these reasons.

1. Most of the money would go to developers – some of whom no longer exist. Additionally, the developers got the return on their investment because they turned around and charged their customers for the expense of the water tap.

2. There is the question about the interest on that money which no longer exits because previous councils spent it. Would payees be satisfied with their original investment or their investment plus interest for the past 15+ years? Returning the water tap fee without interest just might land the City in Court.

3. Any homeowner that can prove they paid the tap fee will also get their investment back when they sell their home. If the City returns the money to them they stand to “double dip” because when they sell their home they will recover their initial expense – therefore, collecting twice.

4. What do you do with the money not distributed because the original contributors can’t be found?

5. How much time and money do you expend in trying to find the original payers knowing that it would be like finding a needle in a haystack? Do we try to track them down somewhere in the US or do we look worldwide? IF the money is returned to one party it has to be returned to all parties or the City will find themselves in Court!

6. What do you do about those that say they paid but don’t have their original paperwork to provide proof?

This Council, and previous Councils, has been waiting for the Supreme Court to decide what can be done with the Water Fund money. They now have an answer and are faced with the problems of how to distribute the money to the original payers or doing something with the money for the good of every citizen in Littleton. They unanimously decided, given the complexities of refunding the money, to do something with the money that would benefit each and every taxpayer in Littleton.

Some of the money will go towards public safety – providing the police with the facilities that they need and deserve to have. Once the police have more room the rest of the staff at City Center will have more room themselves which is sorely needed, particulary if Option 5 becomes reality.

Some of the money will go to pay down debt. This is good since some of the debt has been paid for by the interest earned on the Water Fund in the past and will no longer be available.

And some of the money will be kept for a rainy day.

If you feel strongly about this, you have a voice. The Council has not taken action on this money and will have the First Reading on Tuesday, February 17th. After the First Reading there will be a Second Reading – most likely on March 3rd. Exercise your right to address Council. Stand up and be heard! This Council, unlike any other in recent past, is very open to hearing from citizens, and they actually listen!

As far as TABOR, if you were paying attention during the Council’s discussion on the TABOR excess Debbie Brinkman voted for the citizens to have a voice on if the money should be returned to the taxpayers or kept by the City. Furthermore, Brinkman was successful in making sure the TABOR excess was earmarked for specific projects and not just money to be tossed in with the rest of the General Fund to be spent willy-nilly. Without the specificity of how the funds would be spent the TABOR election might have gone the other way. Regardless, the citizens determined if the money should be spent or returned – the Council just gave us a choice to decide rather than deciding for us.

Lastly, I don’t know where you came up with the idea that Brinkman was from Boulder! She has shown that she is a fiscal conservative and based on the fact they she holds quarterly meetings with her constituents in District IV (only council member to do so) she is truly dedicated to representing us at each and every council meeting.

Get a grip and start paying attention