The massive LifeBridge church development has indeed changed Longmont’s landscape. Politically speaking, at least. After Longmont annexed the 348 acres for a mega church development, voters, who’d already sent the issue back to a special election, elected a bloc of candidates adamantly opposed to the project and the direction of city council in general. The slate includes councilmember Karen Benker, who lost a bid for the mayor’s seat, and newcomers Brian Hansen, Sean Patrick McCoy and Sarah Levison. A Jan. 29 vote will decide on LifeBridge and a new council member to fill the at-large seat left by new mayor Roger Lange.

What’s Next: The bloc could strengthen if the annexation is overturned and Richard Juday, a staunch supporter of the winning slate, wins the vacated seat.

January 2008

Basic Needs
Boulder Shelter for the Homeless
4869 N. Broadway, Boulder, 303.442.4646
Provides safe shelter, food, support services for homeless adults in our community.

Conscious Alliance
2525 Arapahoe Ave., Suite E4-182, Boulder, 720.406.7871

Community Food Share
6363 Horizon Lane, Longmont, 303.652.3663
Improves the lives of the hungry by delivering nutritionally balanced meals each.

Emergency Family Assistance Organization
900 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303.442.3042
Provides community safety net for families who can’t meet their basic needs.

Flatirons Habitat for Humanity
2540 Frontier Ave., Boulder, 303.447.3787

Longmont Meals on Wheels
910 Longs Peak Ave., Longmont, 303.772.0540
Provides hot, nutritious meals for seniors and for individuals unable to prepare meals.

Louisville United Methodist Food Baskets
741 Jefferson St., Louisville, 303.666.8812
Delivers food baskets to low-income residents of Louisville and Lafayette.

Boulder County Meals on Wheels
1255 Centaur Village Drive, Lafayette, 303.665.0566
Provides home-delivered meals to the needy.

Outreach United Research Center
303 Atwood St., Longmont, 303.772.5529
Unifies resources to help people with short-term hardships meet basic needs.

Sister Carmen Community Center
701 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette, 303.665.4342
Offers non-discriminatory emergency assistance to area residents.

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center
11968 Mineral Road, Longmont, 303.652.9131
Serves those with special needs through therapeutic riding and equine activities.

Health
Boulder County AIDS Project
2118 14th St., Boulder, 303.444.6121
Provides support, advocacy and education to those infected with or affected by HIV.

Clinica Campesina Family Health Services
1345 Plaza Court, Lafayette, 303.665.3036 x236
Serves as a medical and dental care provider for low-income families.

HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield
2594 Trailridge Drive, Suite A, Lafayette, 303.449.7740
Provides compassionate end-of-life care and education to our community.

Longmont Emergency Unit Inc
1010 Alta St., Longmont, 303.776.6180
Responds to emergencies 24 hours a day, including first aid, extrication and water rescue.

Sense of Security
P.O. Box 6098, Broomfield, 303.480.3558
Provides financial help and enhances quality of life for breast cancer patients.

Dental Aid Inc.
877 South Boulder Road, Louisville, 303.665.8828
Provides affordable oral care for low-income residents of Boulder and Broomfield counties.

Social Issues
Attention Homes
3080 Broadway Suite C, Boulder, 303.447.1206
Provides residential treatment and counseling to at-risk youth in a home-like environment.

El Comite de Longmont
455 Kimbark St., Longmont, 303.651.6125
Acts as a negotiating body for concerns brought forth by the Boulder County Latino community.

Empowerment International
2339 Santa Fe Drive, Longmont, 303.823.6495
Breaks the cycle of poverty and creates lasting change throughout Central America.

First Nations Development Institute
703 Third Ave., Suite B, Longmont, 303.774.7836
Works to restore native control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own.

Intercambio de Comunidades
2885 Aurora Ave. #36, Boulder, 303.996.0275
Builds bridges of understanding across cultures and creates a more integrated community.

Native American Rights Fund
1506 Broadway, Boulder, 303.447.8760
Defends the rights of Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide.

Safehouse Progressive Alliance
835 North St., Boulder, 303.449.8623, 24-hour Crisis Line: 303.444.2424
Provides safety to victims of domestic violence and strives to end violence against women.

Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley
P.O. Box 231, Longmont, 303.772.0432
Provides safety and support to women and children who are affected by domestic violence.

The Inn Between of Longmont Inc.
250 Kimbark St., Longmont, 303.684.0810
Offers transitional housing and services for the homeless to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

Education
Alternatives for Youth Inc.
24 9th Ave., Longmont, 303.776.8184
Provides services that promote social and academic success for youth and their families.

Boulder County Partners
1430 Nelson Road, Suite 206, Longmont, 303.772.1411
Helps in the lives of at-risk youth by building a positive self-image through mentoring.

Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center
6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, 720.974.1864
Fosters an appreciation of butterflies while educating the public about conservation.

Center for Safe Schools and Communities
450 Tynan Court, Erie, 800.221.4125 x04
Helps disturbed students achieve academic and behavioral success.

Jared Polis Foundation
1725 Walnut St., Boulder, 303.442.1130
Encourages the community to be proactive by supporting education and technology.

Rocky Mountain Equi-Rhythm
7156 Johnson Circle, Niwot, 303.919.3946
Uses the healing power of the horse-human relationship to assist at-risk populations.

St.Vrain Valley Parenting Center
803 E. 3rd Ave., Longmont, 303.776.5348
Provides the building blocks for healthy families through education and support services.

WOW! Children’s Museum
110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette, 303.604.2424
Engages families in learning.

Project YES
104 West Baseline Road, Lafayette, 303.926.0306
Provides leadership opportunities for young people through the arts and service learning.

Animals
Birds of Prey Foundation
2290 South 104th St., Broomfield, 303.460.0674
Treats injured and orphaned wildlife, primarily raptors, such as eagles, hawks and owls.

Colorado Horse Rescue
10386 N. 65th St., Longmont, 720.494.1414
Provides emergency relief and care services for abused and neglected horses.

Creative Acres
P.O. Box 1143, Brighton, 303.659.4792
Offers a no-kill free-roam animal sanctuary and training center.

Humane Society of Boulder Valley
2323 55th St., Boulder, 303.442.4030 x655
Protects the lives of companion animals by promoting relationships between pets and people.

Knick O’ Time Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation
9993 N 65th St., Longmont, 303.359.2273
Rescues and finds new homes for abused and slaughter-bound horses and other equines.

Longmont Humane Society
9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, 303.772.1232
Prevents cruelty to animals, and strives to instill empathy and appreciation for animals.

Wild Animal Sanctuary
1946 WCR 53, Keenesburg, 303.536.0118
Rescues exotic wildlife and endangered species such as lions, tigers, bears and wolves.

Environment
Center for ReSource Conservation
1702 Walnut St., Boulder, 303.441.3278
Leads Colorado residents, businesses and governments towards a sustainable future.

The WILD Foundation
3025 47th St., Boulder, 303.442.8811
Works to protect wild places because wilderness areas provide essential benefits.

Western Resource Advocates
2260 Baseline Road, Boulder, 303.444.1188
Protects the West’s land, air and water.

December 2007

There’s More Than One Issue. Really.
Judging by the recent press clippings, you’d guess Longmont is a one-issue town. But there is much more to discuss in these races than the Lifebridge annexation, even if that is the issue that will have voters picking their candidates. Longmont faces major redevelopment projects from the so-called “Parking Structure” on Main Street to potentially razing Twin Peaks mall and starting over. There’s also the issue of playing nice with others—something the current council shied from when other Boulder County cities asked for some cash to study a regional tax-sharing program. Council simply said no, which could be something it regrets down the line.

Mayor
Karen Benker over Roger Lange and Doug Brown (withdrew)
Lifebridge. Lifebridge. Lifebridge. Lifebridge. Are there any other issues of importance in this race? Of course, but since two current city council members are vying to lead the city, their take on the controversial annexing of the church development has its place. Karen Benker is the one candidate who voted against bringing the development into Longmont limits—she thinks legit questions like how much of a tax shelter the church will try to claim were answered too vaguely since the city will end up supplying $800,000-plus a year in services. Moving on, Benker is a fresh voice who wants to redevelop Main Street and the Twin Peaks Mall simultaneously so they can coexist and not steal business away from each other. Proposing an urban renewal district encompassing both projects is an idea that could have some legs. This is not to say Roger Lange won’t be a good mayor. He shares some similar ideas and takes a moderate, practical approach to improving the city of Longmont. And we’ll certainly be happy in knowing we’ll still see him serve on council for another two years.

Ward I
Brian Hansen over James De Vore and Aaron Rawlings
We love smart people. Brian Hansen has a Ph.D in analytic chemistry from the University of Colorado and has spent the last 10 years building his R&D Pharmaceutical Company in Longmont. He’s incredibly intelligent and is using a green platform to solve many of the city’s issues. Although Longmont’s utilities aren’t large enough to qualify for mandatory renewable energy levels dictated by the state legislature, Hansen would like to see Longmont meet them anyway. He also thinks with some incentives and proactive marketing, the city can lure more small businesses such as his own. The city could take advantage of a renewable energy push by bringing in companies that feature eco-friendly research and development. Oh, he thinks the city jumped the gun in approving Lifebridge and would like to see Longmont at least sit at the regional tax-sharing discussion table. Despite disagreeing with many of The Yellow Scene’s stances—Lifebridge, revenue sharing—Aaron Rawlings almost grabbed the endorsement with an intelligent, youthful approach to running for office.

Ward III
Sean Patrick McCoy over Bonnie Finley
You couldn’t have two more opposite candidates running for office. In our notes for each respective candidate, we worried Bonnie Finley was too friendly to growth, and Sean Patrick McCoy wasn’t friendly enough. When it comes down to it, however, Sean Patrick McCoy will be the one that better leads Longmont into the future. He wants to tie the rate of residential growth in Longmont to school capacity. He’d like to see new development take place in the urban, downtown corridor, replacing areas of blight and serving as infill for Longmont. McCoy also wants to lure a cultural and performing arts complex (privately funded, to boot) that could generate millions for the local economy. His work with the city’s planning and zoning commission and Boulder County parks and open space combined with his enthusiasm has us believing he can pull it all off.

At-Large
Sarah Levison over Paul Tiger and Gabe Santos
This race has already received plenty of attention, and not necessarily for good reason. One candidate, Paul Tiger, plead guilty recently to charges he pulled a gun on a construction worker. Tiger joked about the incident, in which he was ordered to give up his guns for two years, saying it has given him a boost in notoriety in this race. Pulling a gun on anyone is far from a laughing matter, something we couldn’t overlook. Sarah Levison has a long history of fighting for what she believes is best for Longmont. She thinks the city erred in approving the Wal-Mart on Highway 119 and County Line Road. She also would have like the city to pitch in $7,000 to participate in a Boulder County tax revenue sharing study. Levison didn’t just let her protest go unnoticed—Google her name, and you’ll see it splashed all over newsprint as a voice at city meetings. And, she has a bold idea that could help keep Longmont’s shopping dollars inside city limits. It’s called retail rewards, which would essentially give residents a say in how a portion of their sales tax dollars are spent.

Yes on ballot issue 2A
Lodging tax
What’s one of the best ways to increase revenues for a city? Tax someone else. Which is essentially what a lodging tax does. Tax the folks who sleep in Longmont’s many hotels. Err, hotels? There really aren’t too many lodging options yet, but that will change, and the city should grab those lucrative dollars when they are available. It will be add 2 percent to hotel bills and will still keep Longmont’s tax lower than many of its neighbors. It’s expected to bring in $290,000 annually to the Longmont Area Visitors Association. That number could spike significantly once Main Street lures a chic boutique hotel.

Yes on ballot issue 2B
Storm water projects
It’s always better to be proactive with infrastructure projects, which is why it’s a good idea to give the city the OK to issue 20-year bonds for four storm water projects that will help protect businesses and homes in the event of a 100-year flood. Basically, get these projects done before a major flood happens. It’ll be much cheaper that way.

Yes on ballot issue 2C
Open space tax extension
There’s one constant throughout Boulder County: Residents love open space, which is why extending the sales tax of only 2/10ths of a penny is a no-brainer. The money raised will help acquire, improve and maintain open space in Longmont through 2034 instead of 2020. �

November 2007

Yellow Scene Magazine's Endorsements For All the North Metro Political Races

It’s always tricky endorsing candidates, especially when we’re talking about wannabe elected officials on the local level. We don’t like hurting feelings, and the 80-plus people running for various offices in the North Metro area have gone out of their way to spend countless hours campaigning to get picked to carry out an often thankless job. We commend everyone for running, even those we didn’t select. (more…)

November 2007

by Jim Spencer

However you describe LifeBridge Church’s Union project, never call it the city of Longmont versus the Lord. The battle over a giant planned unit development on the outskirts of the city is not about the Almighty. It’s about the almighty dollar. So when you look at the 348 acres near the intersection of Weld County roads 26 and 3 1/2, don’t think separation of church and state. (more…)

November 2007