MayorDaveBlog

Chandler for Mayor: BLOG

A great thank you to all who supported my candidacy.
You are good neighors and real patriots.
Dave Chandler
***

Arvada city council remains the best that money can buy.
The Realtors and home builders special interests retain
their grip on the Arvada city council.

Arvada Results
MAYOR
Marc Williams -- 61.51% -- 14,627
DAVE CHANDLER -- 21.34% -- 5,076
Dan Bidstrup -- 17.15% -- 4,078

COUNCILMEMBER AT LARGE
Bob Fifer -- 52.99% -- 12,195
Ed C. Tomlinson -- 47.01% -- 10,820

COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICT 2
Cody McNutt -- 45.03% -- 2,213
Mark McGoff -- 54.97% -- 2,702

COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICT 4
Bob Dyer -- 100.00% -- 6,117

 

Something Rotten in the Arvada Mayor's Contest

Something is wrong in the mayor's race in Arvada.

There has been published in the last two editions of the Arvada Press newspaper half-page ads advocating for the election of Marc Williams as mayor. These ads clearly state that they were: "Paid for by Ted Terranova, Aaark Total Home Services."

These ads display logo and text taken directly from Williams's web site and campaign literature. From my reading of the Colorado Constitution (Amendment 27; Section 5) the ads are not independent expenditures because "Expenditures by any person on behalf of a candidate for public office that are "coordinated with or controlled by the candidate or the candidate's agent ... shall be considered a contribution to the candidate's candidate committee."

It's a prima facie case: Mr. Terranova is a member of Williams campaign committee as announced on Williams's web site!

Our campaign committee is replete with involved Arvada residents, including campaign chair Frank Barone, campaign treasurer Bruce Nickerson, former Mayor and mentor Ken Fellman, Cheryl Van Hoose Barone, Christine Jensen, former councilmember and current Arvada Fire Protection District Board Member Ted Terranova,  Jed and Jeanee Ladd, Nathan Mudd,  my son Josh, and my ever supportive wife, Luanne.

Anyway, the Terranova paid-for-ads do not comply with the constitutional provision nor the Colorado Secretary of State's rules as an independent expenditure since they do not contain the notice that they are "not authorized by any candidate". 

Furthermore, Mr. Terranova has already contributed the maximum allowed by city law (City Code Chapter 30; Article I: Section 30-7) to Williams -- $750; and his company has also contributed the maximum allowed by city law -- $750.

Therefore, no matter what the cost of two half page newspaper ads (one in full color), it looks like Mr. Terranova may very well be in violation of the city's campaign contributions law.

The question all this begs is: why? 

With well over $30,000 raised by the Williams mayoral campaign, why are additional expenditures outside of the rules necessary? What is wrong with following not only the letter of the laws but the intent?

Let's be clear, the issue isn't whether or not one thinks that the contributions laws are right or just, the point is why does anyone act as if laws do not apply to them? Williams and Terranova have conducted several campaigns each, one is a lawyer, the other the treasurer of the Fire District, they cannot claim ignorance of the law ... only arrogance toward it.

Still perhaps we should not be surprised by these kinds of shennanigans; getting around the letter or intent of the contributions laws highlights a pattern we have seen in how the incumbent city council also skirts the intent of the term limits laws.

From almost all of the folks I have talked to in the past couple of months there is a consistent refrain of disgust and revulsion at the kind of "politics as usual" that this case exemplifies.

I am running for mayor of Arvada because I totally reject "politics as usual" -- I want to win, but I simply will not descend to their level of ‘win at all costs' if it means shredding personal integrity and the law.

Let's Stop Arvada's Road to Third Rate

Arvada is headed towards becoming a third rate city -- unless a change is made at the polls on November 1.

You see, the direction the incumbent city council has set us upon is one of growing population, but with fewer resources to support the municipal services, the roads and bridges that we have come to expect.

This must be clearly understood: the fundamental, underlying problem for Arvada is most assuredly not a lack of residents -- it is a debilitating lack of businesses. Since by far most of the city's revenue comes from sales taxes, there is simply not sufficient income to supply the revenue to meet basic municipals needs.

This is the future, but it is also the emerging reality now.

Here is a demonstration of our predicament. At a Monday, October 3, 2001 city council study session on the state of our streets, we learned from city staff that thirty percent of our roads are in 'poor' condition, in need of major repair. We heard that it would take a permanent $2 million increase in the street maintenance budget to begin getting the city streets in acceptable shape.

We don't have an extra $2 million every year.

Then there are these looming problems ...

The Arvada police station is too small; the department occupies the same space that it did 20 years ago when it serviced 20,000 fewer citizens -- it is in serious need of expansion. The cost for improvement, depending upon the plan chosen, ranges from perhaps $7 million (the substations idea) to over $30 million (enlarging the present facility or constructing an entirely new building).

We don't have $7 million, let alone $30 million.

Ralston Road and surrounding redevelopment is pegged at around $18 million.

We don't have $18 million.

Yet the incumbent city council envisions new development that is heavily geared towards even more and more houses full of people. The council dreams of "transit oriented development" at Gold Line train stations; of high-to-medium density housing in the Ralston-Triangle urban renewal area; and most outlandish of all, the tollway-Candelas development next to Rocky Flats that would add another 20,000 residents to Arvada!

As in the past the city council claims commercial zones as significant parts of these new developments -- invariably, however, the much easier-to-do home building slowly but surely increases and the business areas shrink. That has already happened in the tollway-Candelas development, just like it happened fifteen years ago in the Westwoods project.

We need a moratorium on the construction of new houses in Arvada -- until such time as the business tax base is sufficient to pay for basic city services. Failing that and failing to replace the incumbent city council will ultimately mean just one thing -- (mark my words) requests for tax increases and/or a grave decline in Arvada's infrastructure ... meaning a decline in the quality of life in this community.

I'll put this plainly, in the mayor's contest voting for the guy with the most signs, who claims the most "experience" -- experience that got Arvada into this impending mess -- would be like hitting the gas pedal on the road to third rate status for our city.

As Arvada's mayor I will advocate for a house building moratorium and for a revitalized effort to bring to and create more businesses in our city. Since I have not allowed myself to become beholden to residential developers and real estate agents through campaign contributions, I will be free to do what is best for all of Arvada.

Arvada City Charter Amendments: No

I'm voting 'no' on all of the proposed amendments to Arvada's city charter.

Take a look yourself: PDF of actual proposed changes to Arvada's city charter.

Here are the questions on the ballot, preceded by my reason for voting no:

* * *

There are substantive changes to actual meaning in some of these proposed "clean-up" changes.

QUESTION NO. 2A – AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF ARVADA

Shall various sections (3.1, 3.3, 3.6, 4.1.1, 4.2.1, 4.5, 4.7, 5.6, 5.8, 6.2, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.9, 13.5) of the Arvada City Charter be amended to update (modernize) language, delete obsolete language, clarify language, make language more uniform, delete gender specific language, correct typographical and grammatical errors?

YES NO

* * *

There should never be even the possibility of conflicting loyalties between the duties of an elected respresentative (council member) and their employer.

QUESTION NO. 2B - AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF ARVADA

Shall Chapter IV, Section 4.3, “Qualifications,” of the Arvada City Charter concerning qualifications to be a candidate for City Council, be amended by deleting language that prohibits an employee from another municipality from running for public office in Arvada?

YES NO

* * *

If there is a genuine 'emergency' then the present language of a "unanimous vote of Councilmembers present" is perfectly adequate.

QUESTION NO. 2C – AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF ARVADA

Shall Chapter V, Section 5.9, “Emergency Ordinances,” of the Arvada City Charter be amended to permit adoption of an Emergency Ordinance only by the affirmative vote of five (5) councilmembers if six (6) or seven (7) councilmembers are present; or four (4) councilmembers out of five (5) councilmembers present; or in the event that there are only four (4) councilmembers present, a unanimous vote of councilmembers is required for adoption?

YES NO

* * *

What's the problem? All the council has to do is set the start date for a new city manager to give them sufficient time to get moved into the city.

QUESTION NO. 2D - AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF ARVADA

Shall Chapter VI, Section 6.1, "City Manager", of the Arvada Charter concerning the requirement that the City Manager live in Arvada be amended, to clarify that the City Manager must become a resident and inhabitant of Arvada within (6) months of the first day of work and further that City Council shall have the discretion to extend that time period up to an additional six (6) months?

YES NO

* * *

The new wording could be interpreted such that a city council member could not even ask a department head a question (after informing the city manager that they are doing so). 

QUESTION NO. 2E - AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF ARVADA

Shall Chapter VI., Section 6.5, “City Council not to interfere,” of the Arvada City Charter be amended to delete the current language and to substitute with language from the National Civic League Model Charter, which reads as follows: Neither the city council nor any of its members shall in any manner control or demand the appointment or removal of any city administrative officer or employee whom the city manager or any subordinate of the city manager is empowered to appoint, but the council may express its views and fully and freely discuss with the city manager anything pertaining to appointment and removal of such officers and employees. Except for the purpose of inquires, and investigations under sec. 4.2; the council and its members shall deal with city officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the city manager solely through the city manager, and neither the council nor its members shall give orders to any officer or employee, either publicly or privately?

YES NO

* * *

Endorsed by "The People"

YourHub.com - Arvada
October 10, 2011

Arvada mayoral race endorsement from community member

In Arvada’s mayoral race Dave Chandler is our best choice and best hope. For too long Arvada has been run by a group of insiders who control building permits, development approvals, water rights, and the like. In fact, when a citizen volunteers to serve on a City committee, city council members conduct interviews and those with views that are not in sync with the City are not selected.

Dave has served as a volunteer in several capacities during his years as an Arvada citizen and has been very active with the local public schools. He has consistently stayed on top of local issues and local politics and, although he has not yet held an elective office, he is as well-informed as anyone now running the City.

Coincidently I am reading a book titled Pay to Play about Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko, and Stuart Levine, all of whom were indicted for their parts in fraud and kickbacks in the City of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Our little city is not up to the antics of Chicago or Illinois and we don’t want it to be. I recommend getting some new people on the City Council and in the Mayor’s office and I support Dave Chandler for the latter.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Flynn
Arvada

 

YourHub.com - Arvada
October 11, 2011

Mayoral election will be here soon

As you may be aware, The City of Arvada is shortly having an election to elect a new mayor. I am a 31 year resident of this enjoyable city and have been a grassroots sort of citizen getting involved as it concerns me. I am not an ordinary citizen as I look, listen and vote in every election. I like to consider myself an informed voter.

This is why I am writing to endorse Mr. David Chandler for the next mayor of our fine city. This city needs a fresh mind and a new pair of eyes to make our city thrive. Chandler, in my humble opinion, is the man for the job. I have not seem the level of advancement I consider proper for the everyday citizens.

I urge my fellow citizens to take a look at Chandler and then take a look at what they as citizens require from our government here in Arvada. I am betting that their wants and needs from a mayor can and will be satisfied by Chandler.

I thank you for your time and attention.

William L. Russell
Arvada
(Letter-to-the-Editor also published in print edition of the Denver Post, October 20, 2001.) 

 

YourHub.com Print Edition 
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Letters to the Editor

"It's Time" for a change: Dave Chandler for mayor. Washington DC and Congress are full of “experience”. The Arvada City Council is also full of experience. Both work better at keeping campaign donors happy and bringing benefits to  politicians than providing effective and responsive government to the citizens.

Marc Williams’ supporters tout his “experience” on City Council. Yet, his campaign donations, in excess of $35,000, are twice that allowed in Boulder city council races to still remain eligible for public funding.

A major Williams claim of “experience” is as Chair of the Jefferson Parkway Highway Authority. This rat-hole for public money has been a source of official corruption for decades, from the scandals of other former chairmen and officials Rich Ferdinandsen and Kevin McCaskey.

Dave Chandler doesn’t have that kind of “experience”, instead, he would represent the 99.6% of Arvada voters who didn’t contribute to Marc’s campaign.

Dave Chandler would be responsible with the tax dollars instead of seeking ways to enrich his supporters. 'It’s Time' alright, it’s time for a change in how Arvada city politics happen, and end the influence of corrupt money. Vote for Dave Chandler for Arvada Mayor.

Lyman Parkhurst
Arvada

 

A Special Day to Contribute

Today is Dave's 55th birthday!
A great day to make a contribution.
Contribute. 

 

Arvada's "Good Ol' Buy Club" is Putting Up the Cash

What is so very important about becoming mayor of Arvada that it is worth at least  $32,500?

In the city election of 2011, our Arvada of convenient shopping centers, small shops, beautiful parks and pleasant neighborhoods is witnessing the imposition of "big political money" in one of the campaigns for mayor.

For most middle and working class Arvadans in these economically stressful times, the amounts of campaign contributions to mayoral candidate Marc Williams are, well, staggaring.

Mr. Williams's 'Report of Contributions and Expenditures' for the period ending September 14, 2011, shows donations totalling --- $32,491.70!

There are 138 separate contribution entries (but some people gave more than once); of these there are only forty-six entries for $50 or less. In contrast, there are a remarkable 82 entries for contributions ranging from $100 to $500. There are ten entries for the maximum contribution of $750.

But then there is this: there are just five folks, who together with their family members and businesses, have anted-up over $9,000 for the Williams' campaign. When carried-over contributions from Williams's 2007 campaign are included with this year's donations Frank Barone and family have given $2,950; Ted Terranova, family and business have given $2,000; Dennis/Michael McCarron and business has contributed $1,850; and Bruce Nickerson has given $1,250. For just this year, Wild Buffalo Wings and Westwood Wings (same owner) have given $1,000.

Significantly, about thirty-five of the $100 to $500 contributors are engaged in the real estate/finance/insurance/development industry.

After twelve years in office, it is not a surprise that the whole of Williams' list is composed mostly of the city government 'insiders' and those who want something from government. 

No matter how much typical politicians protest that they do not give big contributors extra attention and consideration -- common sense tells us that is not the truth.

Do you really believe for one second that when a big contributor comes before the city council with a development plan or a zoning issue that they aren't going to be listened to more closely and with greater deference?

Further consequences of rewarding this kind of "big money" campaign will be yet more of the kind of 'political machine' behavior we are seeing, for instance, in the tainted candidate forum being held this Thursday (see 'The Arvada Political Machine').

It is a sad reflection of the political culture that seems to have taken hold thoughout the nation -- elected politicians and their cronies take care of themselves -- and the rest of us pay and watch government become less our servant and more our master.

In the end, the question remains: what makes being mayor of Arvada worth raising and presumaby spending over $32,000?

What?

I am old enough to remember a time when local politics was more neighborly, more honest and definitely less saturated with money. But I am also of an age that I can recall vividly the scandals of Watergate and how devasting that episode was for the republic. My candidacy for mayor of Arvada is representative of a hope that the "of the people, by the people and for the people" style of elections and government can be restored.

  Download Williams_Contributions & Expenditures_Report_9-14-11_

  Download Chandler Contributions & Expenditures Report 9-15-11

 

'No' on Proposition 103

I will vote 'no' on Proposition 103.

First of all, I always have problems with increases in the regressive sales tax. Especially in these stressful economic times, those on fixed and limited incomes simply cannot afford higher taxes.

But even more is this true when a portion of that tax hike will ultimately be used for the gain of private developers. I refer to a very insightful letter-to-the-editor that appeared in today's (October 4, 2011) Denver Post.

It doesn't makes sense to raise taxes to fund education, when a portion of that revenue can then be funnelled through the backdoor for non-educational corporate welfare. Clearly a broader and more comprehensive approach to Colorado's tax system and education funding needs to be undertaken to ensure that situations like those described in the letter cannot happen.

Proposition 103 is a bandage approach that doesn't solve our fundamental taxation, budget and government revenue problems.

---

Denver Post, Wednesday, October 4, 2011
State voters have no say on “backfill” of taxes

Re: “Taxes if Gaylord didn’t have deal: over $500 million; Project supporters say jobs and other revenue offset property-tax subsidies,” Sept. 25 news story.

Your article on all the tax subsidies going to the Gaylord project was detailed and well-written. However, it missed a really key point.

The article noted that the biggest “sacrifice” of tax money is by the Brighton 27J School District — $273 million. But the school district won’t really feel the pain from that loss, because it will get the money back from taxpayers across the state.

State law says pupils across the state must be funded at an equal level. To accomplish this, the state will have to “backfill” the forgone tax subsidy to the Brighton district. That $273 million will come directly out of the general fund — directly out of the pockets of taxpayers across the state who got no vote on this project. Talk about taxation without representation!

Developers have been subsidized in this manner across Colorado for decades. Backfilling school districts cost state taxpayers around $71 million in 2010. I would urge The Post to focus its next Gaylord article on this issue.

Stephanie Thomas, Denver
The writer is an advocate for the Colorado Environmental Coalition.

Speaking Plainly

Discourtesy and impertinence are unpleasant attributes in an individual.

This brief blog entry is directed at the 'host' of the so-called "Arvada Roundtable Issues Breakfast Forum." To make the record perfectly clear, as a candidate for mayor of Arvada, I have not been invited to this event; I was sent two email announcements of the occasion that included my name (one with an egregious misspelling).

Then Monday evening this individual left me a gruff, demanding telephone message -- not an invitation to his forum, but a dishonest, snide remark calling for a response to a request never made.

Nevertheless, I made a request for an invitation, for which effort I garnered but an insult from the 'host' (I still have the email).

Now, this fellow is part of the "Arvada city council can do no wrong" crowd and I know he disagrees with me, but a person can disagree without being disagreeable ... well, apparantly not this guy.

As mayor of Arvada, I promise I will speak my mind and be a forceful voice for my city. I will do my best to exercise decorousness in office and the probity of my years in dealing with others.

I never been the simpering, toadying type ... and like so many of my fellow citizens, I'm sick and tired of politicians who will do or say anything to curry favor with special interests or self-important cliques. 

Sometimes you've got to call 'em as you see them.

 

In the Car With Your Arvada Police

I spent several hours yesterday in a police car. From mid-afternoon to early Monday evening, I participated in the Arvada Police Department's 'Ride-Along' program.

There is the obvious value to Arvada citizens of seeing the day-to-day activities of a police officer from the officer's perspective. I was privileged to ride with Officer Drew Williams. An engaging and upbeat individual, Officer Williams answered my questions and informed me of the kinds of daily situations and occurrences he often encounters.

But there is another important benefit to Arvadans from the 'Ride-Along' program. It is essential for the public to understand that the police department is indeed their police department. Equipment maintenance, investigations, arrests and bookings, all the paperwork, the court system -- theses things are ours, they operate for us and ultimately for our protection and safety.

That means that they are 'public' facilities and operations, they aren't secret or off-limits and the 'Ride-Program' puts that fact front and center. I suspect that exposure to average citizens in the police car helps keep it "real" for the officers, and I know, as in my experience yesterday, it makes the daily job of a police officer more "real" for me.

Our Arvada police department faces challenges in the near future as the current police department facility must be physically expanded to meet the needs of the city and its businesses and residents. As mayor, I will be supportive of the decisions that will have to be made to keep the department firmly moving into the 21st century.

The Grind of the 'Machine'

LATEST UPDATE!

The Arvada Chamber of Commerce has not replied to my simple and reasonable request for information about the candidate forum they are hosting with Arvada government KATV Channel 8 this Thursday.

Why should it be a mystery who the moderator is going to be? 
Why shouldn't candidates know when the actual forum is scheduled to begin?
How long is it estimated to last?
Why should it be a secret who is drafting the questions?
Or how many questions candidates may more or less expect to be asked?
What is the reason why the persons crafting the rules shouldn't be identified?

---

UPDATE!

Last Friday I received the email message below from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. Following that, my response. 

Will the Arvada Chamber behave in a civil manner and comply with my simple request?

---

Good Morning, 

I am following up on whether or not you will be in attendance at the Arvada City Council Candidate Forum on October 6th at City Hall in Council Chambers.  The format will look like this:
Candidates arrive by 6:30pm at City Hall in Council Chambers.
You will receive the questions when you arrive at City Hall.  These questions will be completely different from the questions you answered at the Chamber breakfast.
Rick Assmus with KATV will cover the ground rules in Council Chambers prior to the start.
You will have 2 minutes for opening remarks
You will have 2 minutes to answer each question
You will have 1 minute for closing remarks 

Please let me know as soon as possible if you will be able to attend! 

We hope to see you there! 

Thank you,
Cybil Sandusky

---

Ms. Sandusky:

It is my intention to be in attendance at the Arvada City Council Candidate Forum on October 6 at City Hall.

However, because of the obvious bias of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce in hosting this event (see press release below), I am requesting that all candidates receive the questions they will be asked at least 24 hours in advance.

I would also request that by Monday, October 3, that all of the rules governing the forum be issued, including who will be the moderator. Additionally, I would request the release of the names of the individuals who are serving on the committees that have been drafting the questions and the rules for the forum.

Thank you for your consideration.

Dave Chandler
Candidate for Mayor of Arvada
303-424-9897
dave@mayordave.us

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 26, 2011

Chandler: Machine Politics in Arvada

Conflict of interest and the appearance of bias have tainted a candidate forum in Arvada says mayoral contender Dave Chandler.

"The city government's TV station has asked the Arvada Chamber of Commerce to organize a candidate forum on October 6, but this Chamber is clearly compromised and biased and should not be involved in this kind of event," Chandler said. "The movers and shakers of a powerful faction of the Arvada Chamber leadership have contributed thousands of dollars to my main opponent. There is big money involved and Chamber staff cannot be expected to act in ignorance of this reality."

Chandler said that the sponsorship by Arvada city government's KATV channel 8 is acceptable if the host for such a forum is  impartial, fair, open, and unbiased.

"Did the city government do any checking to find out if this private group had a bias before they invited them to organize this forum?"

"There is an odor of machine-type politics arising from this government-private organization partnership. Is this the "business as usual" kind of politics that good citizens of our community should tolerate?"

Chandler pointed out that Chamber board member Ted Terranova and family/business have contributed $1,750 to mayoral candidate Marc Williams; Chamber board member Franke Barone and relatives have contributed $2,250 to Marc Williams (Barone is also Williams's campaign manager); a member of Williams's law firm is a board member of the Chamber and that law firm has contributed the maximum $750 to Williams; and chair-elect of the Chamber board, Brett Haigler has given Williams $150.

"I am running for mayor of Arvada in large measure because I want to give voters the choice whether or not to kick out of office the special interests, big money, and insiders taking care of themselves and their cronies that we are sick and tired of in this country."

 

Arvada Chief of Police Don Wick

This morning I was priviledged to have a very informative meeting with Arvada's Chief of Police Don Wick.

Chief Wick is personable and highly professional; it is my considered opinion that our city is quite fortunate to have him heading our police department.

Don Wick exemplifies what I appreciate most in public servants: he is accessable, innovative, and capable of seeing the 'big picture' that it takes to provide an essential service to the citizenry.

The Arvada Political Machine

All over the internet, on newspaper opinion pages, over coffee with friends, everywhere in America these days we speak or hear the charge: our politics has been corrupted by special interests, big money, and insiders taking care of themselves and their cronies.

Well, here in Arvada, too.

Candidates for mayor and city council have been summoned to participate in an October 6 forum sponsored by the city government's cable television station, KATV channel 8, and hosted by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce.

Now, I participated as a candidate for city council in the very first of these KATV forums back in 1995. There was controversy then about the appropriateness of the city government involving itself in the conduct of election campaigns. But as I recall the argument was accepted that a government broadcast was okay for the benefit of informing voters -- but of prime importance would be the principle that such a forum would be run by an impartial, fair, open, and unbiased host.

That is not happening in 2011. The Arvada Chamber of Commerce is the host and the Arvada Chamber is categorically compromised and cannot in anyway be deemed to be in a postion to conduct an impartial, fair, open and unbiased event.

It is this simple: Chamber board member Ted Terranova and family/business have contributed $1,750 to mayoral candidate Marc Williams; Chamber board member Franke Barone and relatives have contributed $2,250 to Marc Williams (Barone is also Williams's campaign manager); a member of Williams's law firm is a board member of the Chamber and that law firm has contributed the maximum $750 to Williams; and chair-elect of the Chamber board, Brett Haigler has given Williams $150.

These are not small sums that have been contributed, at least in relation to the family finances of most Arvadans I know. This is big money, a lot of money on the line for the movers and shakers of a powerful faction of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce leadership. One almost need not say it ... but these big contributors are the ultimate bosses of Chamber staff who are arranging the forum.

Now you tell me that there isn't a conflict of interest and the appearance of bias.

More disturbing is the next logical question: was there any due diligence on the part of government KATV in the first place to find out if the Chamber could be an imprtial host of a candidate forum?

There is an odor of machine-type politics arising from this government-private organization partnership. Is this the "business as usual" kind of politics that good citizens of our community should tolerate?

I am running for mayor of Arvada in large measure because I want to give voters the choice whether or not to kick out of office the special interests, big money, and insiders taking care of themselves and their cronies that we are sick and tired of in this country.

A New Arvada Economy: Embrace Change

Read the essay, then see what Dave has to say about taxes.
VIDEO: Dave Chandler speaks about taxes in Arvada's future.

We change and accept the realities of the new American economy -- or existing businesses may be swept away.

Arvada -- as a middle class component of the Denver metro area economy -- may be more affected by state and national trends than richer or poorer communities.

Four news reports in just the past few days highlight the uncertain future we face.

First the report 'From city to city, Colorado's economic recovery hit and miss' by Aldo Svaldi in the Wednesday, September 14, 2011 edition of the Denver Post.

Then 'Denver area's jobs recovery at risk from limited industries' by Howard Pankratz in the Denver Post of Saturday, September 10, 2011.

The recession lingers in our state as this news indicates: 'Colorado loses 1,800 nonfarm jobs in August', September 17, 2011, in the Denver Post.

Finally there is this alarming article from Tuesday, September 13: 'As America’s Middle Class Shrinks, P&G Adopts “Hourglass” Strategy' by Aaron Task at Yahoo! Finance's Daily Ticker.

These reports are signposts of the great challenges we face now and in the future.

It is going to take innovative and "outside of the box" thinking and planning to ensure that Arvada has an economic future that is prosperous.

Perhaps the reality that looms largest is that the price of oil/gasoline is going to impact almost everything we do -- especially in a suburban community like Arvada.

Since I am a fierce advocate for the American middle class, we are going to have to acknowledge that 'business as usual' may very well not be what will work for us in an era of four, five or six dollar a gallon gasoline.

At the same time, I think it is essential to retain the unique character of Arvada that has emerged over the decades -- a city of quiet, residential streets, a great place to live as a family, a single or couple with relatively easy access to amenities here and in Denver. We should retain our unique Arvada character while encouraging and promoting an economic base that satisfies our middle class aspirations.

With that premise in mind, Arvada is in a unique position to take advantage of what may be a new economy based upon 'value' and 'quality' and less and less upon 'disposability' and 'quantity'.

With high transportation fuel costs, commuting may become (by necessity) less of an imperative for many, and the necessity to make a living close to home even more important.

Therefore, for our residents, in addition to occupations that require a college education, a healthy community economic climate may rely more heavily on trades and crafts, on home-based technical businesses, on cottage industry, on recycling and repurposing enterprises.

These economic activities may very well be the ones describing a thriving local economy in the future: conservation, service, trade, barter, recycling, local manufacturing, crafts, community agriculture, reconditioning and repurposing.

Yet the current city council is not ready, nor is it preparing for a new Arvada economy. For instance the council's recent moratorium on new thrift stores posts a big "not open for business" sign over our municipality. Generally speaking this city council has shown a surprising anti-business attitude ... ever wonder why there aren't any general dealerships in Arvada where you could purchase a hybrid car, an electric car, or any kind of car or truck? Or wonder why you cannot buy a used iPod at a pawnshop in our town?

Even more remarkable is this council's (and my primary mayoral opponent's) obsession with pushing a old fashioned, gasoline greedy tollway west of the city -- for the sole purpose of promoting the building of an commuter town on the southern boundary of Rocky Flats. This tollway and exurban boondoggle is the furthest thing away from acknowledging 21st century economic innovations ... and it has corporate welfare and government bailout written all over it.

It is time for a change. Since I have not been in office for years and years and years, I am not tainted by the arrogance of government "experience". I can bring new ideas, new vision and new leadership to our community, the kind of fresh approach that will help build a new Arvada economy for the benefit of all of residents.

VIDEO: Dave Chandler speaks about taxes in Arvada's future.

Mr. Kocian

Arvada's current city manager, Craig Kocian, is set to retire at the end of this month ... after 25 years of municipal service.

Yesterday I had a very cordial and informative meeting with Mr. Kocian at his office in city hall.

We talked about the state of our streets and the state of the city government's budget surplus. We also exchanged views on how the mayor, city council and city staff should work with one another for the benefit of the community.

Best wishes to Craig as he embarks on another stage of life outside the confines of city hall walls.

Constitution Day 2011

Saturday, September 17, 2001, is 'Constitution Day'. The day commemorates when the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. (Wikipedia-Constitution Day)

---

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

---

“A constitution is not the act of a government, but of a people constituting a government; and government without a constitution is power without a right. All power exercised over a nation, must have some beginning. It must be either delegated, or assumed. There are not other sources. All delegated power is trust, and all assumed power is usurpation. Time does not alter the nature and quality of either.”

Thomas Paine