Jeffco letters to the editor: June 23, 2016 edition - #lakewoodnews

One less labor pain

Today in Colorado, employees who are pregnant now have the right to ask for simple workplace accommodations. This is the result of hard work from advocates for reproductive health and legislators like my State Representative -- Brittany Pettersen. Representative Petterson helped pass HB-1438, the Employer Accommodations Related to Pregnancy Act.

While many employees have been fortunate to not have issues at their workplace, there have been many exceptions. These exceptions often hit those in lower wage positions and in particular job categories. Before this law passed, even something as simple as extra bathroom breaks, a glass of water, or a request for adequate seating were not guaranteed. This meant that pregnant workers may have been forced to work long hours without breaks or water, putting stress on them and their baby during their pregnancy. Now, EVERY employee has protection during pregnancy.

Representative Pettersen, thank you for ensuring that EVERY family has the protections in place to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. This is good for all Coloradans!

Jodi Lundin,Lakewood

 

Educate yourself about amendments

There are four proposed constitutional amendments that are likely to appear on the ballot this fall - all target the oil and gas industry. I don't think this is an evil movement, I think it's a naïve one. Any of these proposed amendments would make oil and gas development in the State virtually impossible.

So before we fall into the fervor of unproven sound bites, let's take a true look at what high production, and low costs do for our community.

Where would we be without dependable energy sources? People would be very angry if they couldn't get into their cars and drive anywhere they want, whenever they want. How happy or comfortable would you be if you lived in a cold house when it drops below freezing in the winter? How about the clothes that you wear or the medical devices and medications we have - many, if not most, at least partially comprised of petroleum based products. I cannot point to anything that isn't positively impacted by the oil and gas energy industry in some way.

The energy industry is a huge job producer with good wages. The industry is highly regulated and will typically leave behind an environment that is cleaner than before it arrived. If there is a spill I would prefer to have Exxon or BP do the cleanup. They have the money and the resources to do it right! And they always go above and beyond.

So as you consider these amendments, don't be a follower, educate yourself! See through all the lies in all of the bluster. You are smart, filter out the misinformation.

Susan Bender, PresidentLinc Energy SystemsWheat Ridge

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Jeffco-letters-to-the-editor-June-23-2016-edition,220513

My Name Is: Greg Ibsen - #lakewoodnews

About me ...

I am 65 years old and was born on March 9, 1951 in Williston, North Dakota. My parents, Vernon and Arlene Ibsen, reared me in Montana on a farm homesteaded by my grandfather, who immigrated to the U.S from Denmark in the early 1900's. The farm remains in the family today.

I am an avid outdoorsman, hunter, motor head and water sports enthusiast. I especially enjoy Hydrofoil Skiing in my back yard on Riviera Circle Lake. I am also an avid Nuggets fan ... I guess that makes me a masochist.

My career ...

As a young adult and a few years prior to starting my first business, Summit Service Group, Inc. in Lakewood, I worked for the City of Lakewood as a Parks District Supervisor and later as Superintendent of Parks for the Rio Blanco Parks and Recreation District on the Western Slope of Colorado.

Since then, I have embarked on a number of business ventures and continue to operate Summit Service Group, Inc. which I founded in 1981 and currently employ approximately 250 people.

NextFifty Initiative ...

Since I served on the InnovAge Board and was one of the founding members and past chairman of the InnovAge Foundation, it was a natural transitional fit to help with the development and founding of the NextFifty Initiative. The mission of the Foundation is to support senior care initiatives and programs for Colorado's aging and aging-disabled citizens and their caregivers.

The foundation's name, NextFifty Initiative, establishes our belief that everyone's next fifty years of life should be as vibrant as their first. Our intent to be on the forefront of new and expanded services for seniors. NextFifty Initiative will work to fund advances and solutions to address the most challenging needs of aging.

Serving the elderly ...

There is a tsunami of "baby boomers" entering our senior population with a myriad of needs that are potentially expensive and financially burdensome to our children and grandchildren. Colorado's senior population is expected to increase by 150 percent by 2030, according to the State of Colorado's Department of Local Affairs State Demography Office.

It is our vision to support initiatives that have the potential for new, cutting edge and expanded services for seniors and to help mitigate the rising costs of aging.

If community members are interested in getting involved or applying to serve on the board, contact NextFifty Initiative at info@next50inititiave.org or by visiting www.next50initiative.org.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/My-Name-Is-Greg-Ibsen,220509

Public comment wanted on proposed shooting range - #lakewoodnews

Jefferson County residents are invited to attend a community meeting on a proposed public outdoor shooting range in Jefferson County, 6-8 p.m. June 28, at Ralston Valley High School, 13355 W. 80th Ave., in Arvada.

The planned location for the shooting range is just east of State Highway 93 and south of 82nd Avenue on land owned by the City of Arvada. The shooting range would be roughly six acres on the far northwest corner of a 1,600-acre property that is currently primarily undeveloped. The closest residential area part of the City of Arvada is about 1.3 miles away, unincorporated Jefferson County residents are about a quarter of a mile away from the proposed area, said Tom Hoby, director of Jeffco Open Space.

The county is proposing the gun range, with the intent of using a public/private partnership to develop and operate it.

The shooting range would be used for target practice only, and would allow rifles and pistols --; no shotguns, Hoby said.

For some county residents, a public outdoor shooting range is desired, but there are concerns, Hoby said. The main concern, he said, is noise. The final report from a recent noise study conducted on the proposed site will be presented at the meeting.

Other concerns include how it would affect property values, impacts on wildlife and how environmental issues --; such as contaminants --; will be addressed.

Public comment will be accepted at the meeting. Each person will have up to two minutes to speak. Attendees may sign up online to be placed on a list to speak.

To learn more about the proposed shooting range or to be placed on the speaker list, visit www.jeffco.us/bcc/board-programs/shooting-range.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Public-comment-wanted-on-proposed-shooting-range,220506

Editorial cartoon June 23 - #lakewoodnews

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Editorial-cartoon-June-23,220501

Youngster fatally shot at campsite

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

Boating on Alamosa ponds? Why not?

from Valley Courier - News http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php

The U.S. Army's war on American soil - #lakewoodnews

There is a war being fought in our communities by the U.S. Army.

For background, Army recruiters are tasked by the U.S. Army Recruiting Command to provide men and women to voluntarily serve our nation, in contrast to a military draft, which ended in 1973. These recruited individuals must be intelligent enough to perform varied duties, to think critically if given unlawful orders, to solve problems --; sometimes under extraordinary stress --; and to regularly adjust to new technology.

One serious battle in finding recruits has to do with service eligibility of America's youth. As recently as 2012, estimates were that less than 24 percent of 17- to 24-year-olds in America are eligible to serve. Some of the disqualifiers include obesity and lack of physical fitness, various medical conditions, criminal background and lack of education. With less than one in four youth eligible, it is a formidable battle to provide the U.S. Army with capable soldiers.

There is also a substantial battle finding those willing to serve.

In December 2015, Harvard University's Institute of Politics published results from its 2015 Survey of Young Americans' Attitudes Toward Politics and Public Service. Among the 18- to 29-year-olds surveyed, 60 percent support troops fighting the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL). But when asked if the U.S. needed additional troops to combat ISIS, only 13 percent would definitely or strongly consider joining. This indicates a motivational disconnect within a group that mostly supports military service, but who would probably --; or definitely not --; fight.

Despite the aforementioned odds that work against Army recruiting, perhaps the most uphill battle involves negative attitudes toward military service.

While you may see television commercials that superficially support soldiers, and you may hear people thanking those in uniform for their service, I can assure you that there is not large support for education about military service. Despite being armed with benefits such as free college, health care and retirement, Army recruiters often have already lost the battle for young people to consider with open mind all their options, due to unsupportive communities and schools.

Fortunately, for America to win this war, the solution is simple and costs nothing. Allow youth to simply consider the possibility of military service, in addition to all potential careers. Rather than fear that our youth may be informed about all opportunities, we should fear uninformed youth who make poor decisions about an artificially limited future.

I do not advocate for war. But if we go to war, because of those we elect, I want an intelligent and well-trained Army to fight for us. I want casualties reduced, when possible. I want conflicts avoided, when possible, because problem-solving military leaders enable alternatives. Army recruiters are fighting for this every day in your community.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://westminsterwindow.com/stories/The-US-Armys-war-on-American-soil,220268?branding=15