News Briefs
The Skinny For Nov. 4
Yard signs are popping up around the neighborhood. Glossy fliers are hitting the mailboxes. Canvassers are stopping by to say hello … and ask for your vote. If you’re like many voters, you are sifting through the information to learn about the myriad of candidates and issues on the ballot.
If you’re also like many voters you are almost ready to switch off your TV for good … until Nov. 5, the day after Election Day. That’s when the barrage of political ads will magically dissipate from the airwaves, the ballots counted, and the vote decided.
This year’s election in Colorado is largely being conducted via U.S. Mail, meaning that all Coloradans registered to vote at their current address will receive a ballot in the mail. Ballots will be mailed the week of Oct. 14. Coloradans have several options for voting: By mail, with the proper postage; by drop your mail ballot off
at an official voting site, or in person up until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Eligible voters can register and vote all the way up through Election Day, when polls close at 7 p.m.
For information about where to vote in person, and to register online, go to sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/VoterHome.html. Or call the Denver election office at 720-913-8683.
Turn off the TV if you must, but don’t forget to cast your vote.
Up And Down The Ticket
Much of the attention in Colorado this year has been on the hotly contested U.S. Senate race between Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, and Republican Rep. Cory Gardner, who is challenging the incumbent. The governor’s race, in which Gov. John Hickenlooper is being challenged by Republican Bob Beauprez, is also generating much attention.
But don’t forget to study several of the other issues on the ballot, including the races for Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and local legislative races.
Also on the statewide ballot this year are two proposed amendments to the constitution and two citizen initiatives. By Colorado law, the state is required to mail every voter a “Blue Book,” designed to provide voters with a fair analysis of issues on the ballot. The Blue Books will be mailed on Oct. 3, so make sure to review them. Here are brief descriptions:
Amendment 67: Definition of Person and Child
Analysis: Amendment 67 proposes amending the Colorado Constitution to:
• Specify the terms “person” and “child” in the Colorado Criminal Code and the state wrongful death statutes include “unborn human beings.”
Amendment 68: Horse Racetrack Casino Gambling
Analysis: Amendment 68 proposes amending the Colorado Constitution to:
• Permit casino gambling at horse racetracks in Arapahoe, Mesa and Pueblo counties, limited to one racetrack in each county; and
• Distribute new casino gambling tax revenue to K-12 public schools
Proposition 104: School Board Meeting Requirements
Proposition 104 proposes amending the Colorado statutes to:
• Require that local school boards or their representatives negotiate collective bargaining agreements in open meetings.
Proposition 105: Labeling Genetically Modified Food
Proposition 105 proposes amending the Colorado statutes to:
• Require foods that are genetically modified or produced with genetic engineering to include the words “Produced With Genetic Engineering” on the label or container, with certain exceptions;
• Apply existing food mislabeling penalties on state law to a food manufacturer, distributor, or retailer for failing to comply with the labeling requirements;
• Prohibit a person from bringing legal action against a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer for failing to comply with the labeling requirements; and
• Require the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to develop regulations and oversee the labeling requirements.
Park Hill Elections and Babbs Award
All Greater Park Hill Community members are invited to attend the neighborhood Annual Meeting, which will be Thursday, Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Park Hill Golf Club, 4141 E. 35th Ave. Light refreshments will be served. The celebratory event includes the election of board members and a presentation of the 2014 Babbs Community Service Award.
This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and elect new board members. Every October, in accordance with its bylaws, the members of the GPHC elect one-half of its Board of Governors. All dues-paying members of the GPHC are eligible to serve on the Board.
At the October 2 meeting, elections will be held for representatives of Districts 1,3,5,7,9 and three of the six at-large seats.
Montview Presbyterian Launches Project Cure-Ebola
Montview Presbyterian Church is sponsoring a 20-foot Disaster Relief Shipping Container of medical supplies for the Ebola crisis through Project C.U.R.E.
The Mission Life Committee has allocated $7,000, to cover half of the cost, and seeks matching funds to cover the remainder. Please make checks payable to Montview and indicate “Project Cure-Ebola” in the memo line. The goal of $14,000 will bring donated and other medical supplies to an identified location to help medical and other responders. Any monies over $14,000 will be directed toward an additional container.
Montview’s Mission Life Committee is working through Project C.U.R.E. (projectcure.org ), which has its International Headquarters in Centennial, Colorado, because of its experience and ability to deliver medical supplies valued well in excess of a container donation to medical facilities in the developing world. If you have questions, please email Susan Schneider Homiak at schneider.susan45@gmail.com or Rev. Sheri Frye at fry@montview.org .