en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/801404 Comments by montya http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28881363/killing-no-317-story-boulder-bear-out-strikes#IDComment996915369 My error - I meant $120 per year and not month. Still I wonder why we have to do this when the City allows many not to use such bear proof containers and does not fine all of them. What would it take to enforce the rules? Why don't the Wildlife staff call our the city for not strict enforcement instead of just saying they do not like having to kill a bear? Sun, 27 Sep 2015 18:24:43 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28881363/killing-no-317-story-boulder-bear-out-strikes#IDComment996915369 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28881363/killing-no-317-story-boulder-bear-out-strikes#IDComment996907674 I thank Ms. Lee for taking the photos. However once again it is our city which passes rules about bear proof receptacles but then fails to really enforce the rules. For years they have likewise failed to enforce rules about putting out receptacles the night before garbage pickup. Now some of us pay $120 per month for the bear proof cans only to see some others are not doing so. Hey, City Council and City Manager - why can't you enforce the rules you put in place? Time to change out the Council and Manager. Sun, 27 Sep 2015 16:42:40 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28881363/killing-no-317-story-boulder-bear-out-strikes#IDComment996907674 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28881363/killing-no-317-story-boulder-bear-out-strikes#IDComment996907335 I do not know if you are serious but sending bears to Alaska might be attractive to those up there. We just got back from Alaska's coastline and never saw a bear - something tourists hope for. So might help bring more tourists to the state. Sun, 27 Sep 2015 16:38:01 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28881363/killing-no-317-story-boulder-bear-out-strikes#IDComment996907335 http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_28879339/outcry-from-cu-boulder-students-about-limited-seating#IDComment996906888 Amazing that a university that worries about what it spends on the Conference on World Affairs and is trying to reduce its share of those expenses from 60 to 50% does not show any concern about absorbing all the extra costs associated with having this debate on campus. Yes, out of state folks will hear of CU but that does not justify the added expense not being charged to the GOP or the cable network. While the Camera has reported about the limited seats available to the university and even local GOP supporters, they failed to find out and mention who got the thousand tickets. Camera staff - do some reporting this week and let us know who was chosen to sit there and how they were chosen. Sun, 27 Sep 2015 16:32:29 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_28879339/outcry-from-cu-boulder-students-about-limited-seating#IDComment996906888 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28867524/slighted-by-puc-staff-boulder-offers-be-more#IDComment996529427 From what I read in the Camera Don Cote appears to bring common sense and some real knowledge regarding environmental matters. Unfortunately he is relatively unknown and has so far very little financing for his campaign for city council. So it is likely we'll get more of the same - another inept Council and possibly worse with George off of it. Check on what Cote is advocating. He is definitely against the Muni and right sizing streets. Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:46:20 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28867524/slighted-by-puc-staff-boulder-offers-be-more#IDComment996529427 http://www.dailycamera.com/guest-opinions/ci_28724083/david-m-abelson-neighborhood-ballot-issue-likely-unconstitutional#IDComment992856883 This is quite a stupid op-ed for sure. I will only comment on how this proposal would affect housing values of single family homes as it is obvious Mr. Abelson is either totally unaware of how real estate values are affected or is just as some say trying to scare others. Yes, if this "Livable Boulder" proposal is passed it might - and note I say might - affect how many new apartment houses are built and then affect rental costs or condo sale prices of apartments. That is obvious. Is that all Mr. Abelson thinks is an issue? For homeowners, home prices will rise if more people compete for the homes that exist. There is no reason homeowners will oppose changes in zoning that will negatively affect their home values and in fact any action they might take will most likely protect their home values. Sorry Mr. Abelson, your attempt to trick us is not going to work. Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:31:06 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/guest-opinions/ci_28724083/david-m-abelson-neighborhood-ballot-issue-likely-unconstitutional#IDComment992856883 http://www.dailycamera.com/editorials/ci_28684697/editorial-council-opposition-could-help-ballot-issues#IDComment991761138 Good editorial. My only slight disagreement is that in my opinion the staff - or at least the City Manager, City Lawyer, and heads of such departments as Planning, lost credibility long ago. They act like puppets doing exactly as they sense the Council wishes and rarely seem to give honest evaluations/feedback. Sun, 23 Aug 2015 16:49:16 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/editorials/ci_28684697/editorial-council-opposition-could-help-ballot-issues#IDComment991761138 http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_28582746#IDComment988925818 Why is it the Camera always has to include a comment from Cowles? Don't they know most in Boulder do not care what he has to say? Aren't there other Council members they can quote? Hopefully after November they stop with Cowles statements. Tue, 4 Aug 2015 22:27:00 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_28582746#IDComment988925818 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28564694/boulder-council-discusses-plans-limit-greenhouse-emissions#IDComment988256841 While Boulder talks about climate change and the need to reduce our carbon footprint, we've really made no progress at all. If only the Council understood a bit more about the necessary significant steps to reducing our carbon footprint. Cowles statement that "Boulder took a strong step in the direction of environmental protection with its new "right-sizing" experiment with protected bike lines on Folsom Street" is a perfect example of the Council foolishness. Whether one wants the changes in lanes or not, this will not be a meaningful step toward reducing our carbon footprint. Cowles is leaving but will we have a Council that has any understanding of the key steps necessary to reduce global warming? Fri, 31 Jul 2015 16:51:29 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28564694/boulder-council-discusses-plans-limit-greenhouse-emissions#IDComment988256841 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28552510/boulder-postpone-right-sizing-bike-lane-project-iris#IDComment987853420 Amazing isn't it that with 9 on the Council the Camera so often goes to Cowles for some ridiculous comments. Perhaps the reporters just want to agitate us early in the day. Most of us cannot wait for Cowles to be off the Council but I expect more of his foolishness until then. Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:26:36 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28552510/boulder-postpone-right-sizing-bike-lane-project-iris#IDComment987853420 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28546259/kim-mitchell-will-this-be-revolving-door#IDComment987658751 Kim, one might wonder if Cowles ever in the past profited from Council actions? Well, I do recall at least one case not too long ago. Ballot issue 2A proposed by the Council had a political consultant named Cowles - Macon's wife. She was paid by the Museum and the Dairy. Each was to get $4 million if the issue passed. The fact the Dairy gets basically free rent for their building from the City (I think they pay $1 per year in rent) meant to me the Cowles family was paid with City money going through the Dairy. While perhaps not illegal, it was certainly immoral. So I agree if the muni was ever allowed to be established it is highly likely one or both of the Cowles will somehow get paid as consultants. They seem to have no sense of shame. Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:42:46 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28546259/kim-mitchell-will-this-be-revolving-door#IDComment987658751 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28546044/boulder-weighs-2-alternate-locations-bandshell-within-civic#IDComment987656913 Totally shocking to see not only do we have a city planning dept manager in charge of planning the Civic Center changes but that he is so inept as to not understand what leave it where it is means. Of course our Council expanded the Planning Dept budget/staff this year - they are so busy with such activities. Time to cut back on this department, get rid of our City Manager who on so many issues has shown herself to be inept, and change the Council (in November). Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:29:03 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28546044/boulder-weighs-2-alternate-locations-bandshell-within-civic#IDComment987656913 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28533383/josh-kuhn-muni-is-one-way-address-climate#IDComment987097046 Thank you for pointing out that Boulder has in fact made no progress. It seems our City Council feel saying we are national and world leaders in reducing our carbon footprint makes it so. Cowles was quoted yesterday in a Camera article saying we are showing the world and of course Applebaum thrilled to have had a trip to Rome says the same. All this erroneous talk while some cities like Portland are making progress. I tried at the start of the muni movement to explain to Appelbaum and others on the Council that timing was important and establishing a muni would take too many years and not be the most effective way to reduce our carbon footprint. Those who responded told me I did not understand the importance of reducing our footprint. So here we are spending millions and accomplishing nothing. They will never back off this effort so we need to get rid of them ASAP. Sat, 25 Jul 2015 17:06:32 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28533383/josh-kuhn-muni-is-one-way-address-climate#IDComment987097046 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28474483#IDComment984623594 What percentage of our potholes could have been filled by these crews working on this crazy plan? We never seem to have the crews to work on potholes so I wonder what is not being done while "right sizing" is worked on. Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:36:02 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28474483#IDComment984623594 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28429543/boulder-mayor-attend-vatican-summit-climate-change-modern?source=rss#IDComment982841221 I have no idea of the city's travel budget but am surprised Applebaum did not ask for a special immediate change in his salary to cover additional expenses at the Conference. Let's remember some of these perks when the Council asks for more pay for the hours they spend at meetings. I recall in recent years the city sending representatives to an environmental meeting in Scandinavia and the City Manager going to some meeting in Japan. Did any of them or others ever report on what was gained from their trips? Sun, 5 Jul 2015 18:12:52 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28429543/boulder-mayor-attend-vatican-summit-climate-change-modern?source=rss#IDComment982841221 http://www.dailycamera.com/columnists/ci_28423537/bob-greenlee-pause-mischief-making#IDComment982839750 Sorry to have to tell you our property tax increases are not at all related to the issue being discussed in Greenlee's op-ed. Unfortunately most voters will just figure new development is not paying its way and no one will be indicating the increased taxes brought in. I'm not necessarily for large scale growth in Boulder but let's get the facts straight before passing conditions that convince developers to go elsewhere due to added costs of building here. Sun, 5 Jul 2015 18:03:02 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/columnists/ci_28423537/bob-greenlee-pause-mischief-making#IDComment982839750 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28431576/gary-meyer-is-there-cost-benefit-analysis-anywhere#IDComment982838737 The cost of "right-sizing" is not quite as much an issue as the lack of justification for many higher expense items in Boulder. Read Greenlee's contribution in the Camera today to see several mentioned such as the huge additions to staff, etc. Boulder residents may have noted our fire chief asked for funds to replace a fire house within the flood plain, city sewers continue to back up into dwellings, and many complain about potholes on our streets. To each our City Manager and Council merely say they wish they had the money to respond more quickly. So instead of making clear their priorities for the annual city capital budget, they put forth 2A last November on the ballot to spend about $9 million for unspecified changes to the Civic Area. No mention was made of the anticipated total cost to redo the Civic Area much less justifying it. What would have dropped off our capital list if that expense were added to the list - one never found out. How can fixing our sewer system in a timely manner and replacing a fire house (I am assuming the fire chief is right) not be priorities? Mentioned in a few articles about possibly buying the Community Hospital building on Broadway was the fact the city has plans to build several new buildings downtown to use as offices even though land there costs so much. Why one might ask do offices need to be downtown at all - no answer from the Council or Planning Dept. Sun, 5 Jul 2015 17:56:42 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28431576/gary-meyer-is-there-cost-benefit-analysis-anywhere#IDComment982838737 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28394825/joel-gilbert-dont-fear-monger-road-diet#IDComment981628302 Glad to see so many others found Mr. Gilbert's terminology - that is intellectual honesty - so misused. I really do not care too much about the issue although I agree with the many who have criticized the city for not producing any statistics before the trial is to begin. However I accept the opinions from both sides of the issue - those who favor it and the many who oppose it. Say the others are wrong Mr. Gilbert but don't label them as being intellectually dishonest. You go on in your letter to be as biased as anyone who has contributed a letter or op-ed on the subject. Mon, 29 Jun 2015 18:30:08 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28394825/joel-gilbert-dont-fear-monger-road-diet#IDComment981628302 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28393761/phil-stern-my-day-council-wasnt-money#IDComment981473877 Many who are not "well-off" nor retired find they spend a lot of time doing volunteer work. One reason the Council job takes so much time is they never set priorities, do not let the large city staff run most functions without their needless oversight, and go on and on at meetings talking and talking with little purpose. Not only are you upset about their actions to up their pay but many of us who have put forth much effort without pay for public good are as well. Some of them are at least consistent though. Macon Cowles argues for much higher pay while his wife did a small amount of consulting last year on the 2A ballot issue for which she was paid several thousand dollars. That was a real disgrace as the money was in a round-about way from our taxes. So it seems both Macon Cowles and his wife cannot see doing anything without compensation. I fear the rest of the Council either feels that way or just is afraid to step up and disagree. Thank you Mr. Stern for speaking out. Will the voters get rid of those from our current council who are running again - most do not pay attention but we can hope. Mon, 29 Jun 2015 01:19:34 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/letters/ci_28393761/phil-stern-my-day-council-wasnt-money#IDComment981473877 http://www.dailycamera.com/guest-opinions/ci_28395173/james-palmer-why-abandon-cwas-institutional-memory#IDComment981472995 Thank you Mr. Palmer for this enlightening contribution. I am not sure why you included any positive comment about DiStefano who may have in the past been supportive in a positive way of CWA but he certainly has not been the last half year. I must also wonder why Spear would take on leading an effort to write a strategic plan when such lies about CWA never having one were being put forth. Didn't he know or is he functioning as part of the CU administrative effort to take over the conference in so many ways. I began neutral about Griffin and the many vague complaints looked to me that many were just following the herd in complaining. Now reading your thoughts on the matter I am no longer neutral for sure. How CWA can get back on track is not clear to me but I certainly hope it does. We can all find some things that might be improved to make the conference even better but a new strategic plan is hardly going to make positive small tweaks as it seems like an effort to completely modify the conference. Mon, 29 Jun 2015 01:12:34 +0000 http://www.dailycamera.com/guest-opinions/ci_28395173/james-palmer-why-abandon-cwas-institutional-memory#IDComment981472995