Opinion: Golden Ballot Issues
I’m filling out my ballot today. Golden will be deciding on two local issues–whether to allow sale of recreational marijuana, and whether to impose a lodging tax. In both cases, the argument in favor comes down to “all the other cities are doing it–why should we miss out on the tax revenue?”
2A and 2B – Recreational Marijuana Sales
I’m voting against sale of recreational marijuana in Golden. Here’s why: City Council has made no commitment as to where pot shops will or will not be permitted. They plan to define that after the election. I may have mixed feelings about allowing one next to the interstate, so concert-goers can stock up before heading to Red Rocks, but I am quite certain that I don’t want one anywhere near my house. Since that’s not guaranteed, I’m voting against it.
2C – Lodging Tax
I’m on the fence regarding the lodging tax. A new source of revenue is a rare opportunity, not to be wasted. I would have been pleased to see the revenue dedicated to supporting either our cultural institutions or acquisition of open space. Instead, the ballot says the money can be spent on visitor impacts, community projects, and capital improvements. That’s pretty vague: it leaves it to city staff and City Council to decide what to fund. They fund a lot of things that I think we could easily live without.
A lodging tax is “somebody else’s money.” It’s paid by visitors, not by residents. That’s why I think this issue will pass, regardless of the vague purpose. If I vote no, it will be because I want Council to come back next year with a more tightly-defined proposal.
Do We Need It?
I regard both of these issues as highly discretionary. The City of Golden is in fine financial shape, even after nearly two years of pandemic. In addition to our usual sales and use tax revenue, we’ve received millions of dollars of federal CARES Act money. If we approve these new revenue sources, we will certainly find ways to spend them, but in my opinion we don’t need them.
Real World Events
12-3PM Nichos Workshop with Artist Victor Escobedo @ Foothills Art Center
We are thrilled to partner with the Latino Cultural Arts Center to host #Ofrendas2021! Co-create with local and international artisans, while celebrating and honoring our ancestors. Construct your own nicho in memory of someone to be honored at home or on the community altar.
About:
Nichos are small “scenes” that bring remembrance into the physical. With these little boxes, we honor the memory of a loved one who has passed. We recall and emphasize what we loved about that person and how they made us smile and laugh. Construct your own nicho in memory of someone to be honored at home or on the community altar.
Workshop Logistics:
- Ages 8+
- Free Event
- Masks Required
- Food & Drink Provided
Join us for a workshop that honors and celebrates your departed loved ones! Free Register
10AM-3PM Brunch at the Rose @ Buffalo Rose
2PM The Crucible @ Miners Alley Playhouse
2PM Table Tennis Tournament @ Coda Brewing
8:30PM Colorado Haunted History: Murder, Mayhem and Madness Tour – SOLD OUT
Live Music
11AM Jon “Backdog” Ridnell @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage – outdoor patio)
1PM Maynard Mills Band @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
1PM Bluegrass by the Mesa (weather permitting) @ New Terrain Brewing
2PM Odessa Rose West @ Golden Mill
4PM Chris Child @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage – outdoor patio)
8PM Karaoke Contest at Ace Hi Tavern
Golden History Moment
44 Years Ago
The October 24, 1977 Golden Transcript covered a visit by President Jimmy Carter. The President was in town to attend a Western Water Conference, but the Transcript focused on the topic of most importance to Golden: SERI.
Congress had considered 19 locations before choosing South Table Mountain as the site for the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI). Rep. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts was reportedly trying to undermine that choice, meeting with Department of Energy people to engineer ways to decentralize the work.
Rep. Tim Wirth rode with Carter from Stapleton Airport to the conference in downtown Denver. Carter told Wirth he was “pleased” that the Institute would be located in Golden.
“That’s all I wanted to hear from him,” Wirth told the Transcript Monday. “I feel good about SERI staying in Golden,” he said.
At that time, SERI had offices in Denver West and about 50 employees. “Plans call for eventual use of 345 acres on top of South Table Mountain.”
SERI was established during the Gerald Ford administration, located in Golden during Jimmy Carter’s time in office, and was designated a national laboratory by George Bush (the first) on September 16, 1991. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) website, they now employ “2,960 employees, postdoctoral researchers, interns, visiting professionals, and subcontractors.”
Learn more about NREL’s’ history….
Thanks to the Golden History Museum for providing the online cache of historic Transcripts, and to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!
