General Meeting
Wednesday, February 15
Meeting Commenced
6:35 p.m.
Introductions:
• Robbi Hill with Metro Volunteers
• Zach & Lisa moved to 29th & Gaylord 1.5 weeks ago
• Dustin lives at 30th &
President’s Comments
Cormack mentioned upcoming events:
• Whitter Yard Sale
• Whittier Open Golf Tournament
• Whittier House Tour
Featured Speaker:
State Representative Rosemary Marshall
303.866.2959 • rosemary.marshall.house@state.co.us
General comments:
- she grew up at 22nd and Lafayette
- District 8 is very diverse demographically, but residents have similar values
- All Whittier residents encouraged to call/e-mail her with opinions
Topics Discussed:
• Passage of Ref. C: she is working to making the allocations that were promised to voters;
• Smoking Ban: passed the House and moving to the Senate for vote;
• Seat Belt legislation: passed the House and moving to the Senate for vote;
• Clean Air legislation: she and other House Reps. Working to create more stringent state
regulations
• Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse crimes: discussion on-going;
• Consumer protection: working for organizations to notify their customers if ID is stolen or
of suspicious activity
• Mortgage fraud: Colorado has one of the highest rates for fraud, especially amongst seniors;
She is crafting legislation to regulate mortgage lenders.
• School accountability: working on legislation to require schools to have transition plan in place
if they get close to No Child Left Behind standards that require them to become charter schools.
Questions & Answers
Q: Any legislation in the works for renters’ rights to discourage absentee landlord abuses?
A: She is not the author, but she has heard of at least one bill in the works.
Q: Isn’t the government’s job to protect voters, not special interests?
A: Is that a rhetorical question? Politicians have huge responsibility to protect consumers from fraud and unscrupulous businesses. Elected officials have to balance the interests of all the parties involved in any issue.
Q: Is there any consumer-related legislation to help save energy and bring costs down?
A: $10 million has been allocated to the low income energy assistance program. There is no current legislation about regulating private construction firms or private building owners.
Q: Perhaps money for energy audits and other ways for low income people to save energy would help, in addition to giving them money just to pay their bills. Landlords don’t want to make any repairs that cost them money and they don’t care what the renters have to pay for utilities.
Senior Issues
• Property tax exemption has been restored after 3 years’ hiatus
• Money given to the low income energy assistance program directly benefits seniors
• Guidelines for how to avoid mortgage fraud will be put into the Spotlight newsletter
Community
Announcements
I Believe I Can Fly Birdhouse Event
Friday, May 12
Contact Leta Sharpe for sponsorship/volunteer opportunities
303.884.0201 • mtnleta@aol.com
Whittier Yard Sale
Saturday, June 3
Contact Cathy Calder for information or to sign up
303.296.1680 • chc@blondedesign.com
Whittier Open Golf Tournament
Saturday, August 12
Contact Justin Handlin for participation/sponsorship/volunteer opportunities
303.292.3677 • justinhandlin@gmail.com
Whittier House Tour
Homes along Gilpin, Franklin and Humboldt will be featured
October—date to be determined
Contact Justin Marks for participation/sponsorship/volunteer opportunities
303.564.3872 • justinmarks@comcast.net
Fuller Dog Park Fundraiser
Raise money for drinking fountain
September—date to be determined
Contact Cathy Calder for information or volunteer opportunities
303.296.1680 • chc@blondedesign.com
Meeting adjourned
7:45 p.m.