...we have a bridge with pretty lights that have failed, powder coat that has failed, and a partner in CDOT who is very constrained for maintenance too. We have investigated the bridge to the degree necessary to ensure it is safe, but it is still shabby.

“For some people, sleeping outside is their only option.” That the local laws impose fines and potential jail time for people “sleeping anywhere in public at any time, including in their cars, if they use as little as a blanket to keep warm or a rolled-up shirt as a pillow” effectively punishes people for being homeless, she wrote. “That is unconscionable and unconstitutional,” Justice Sotomayor said in reading her dissent from the bench, a rare move that signals profound disagreement.

While acting as their representative, I shall be governed by their will, on all subjects up one which I have the means of knowing what their will is; and upon all others, I shall do what my own judgement teaches me will best advance their interests.

Tearing down this hateful symbol required a trespass on my part. So be it. It also brought to mind another incident of actually destroying public property.

I am VERY concerned that passage of limitations on the ability of the city council to make prudent fiscal decisions for all voters will result in worse strategic planning, worse maintenance of infrastructure, and a degradation to our quality of life.  If offered a chance to sign the petition, I'd ask you not to do so. 

The idea that there are no borders, no countries, no wars…you get the idea. So, so much of our conflicts in this world are based on barriers. Our property, street, neighborhood, city, county, state, country, continent, sure, physical barriers. But they are a completely man-made construct that we have become habituated to.

after a stressful city council meeting, I’m awake for another couple hours trying to “decompress”. I think the message is, A quiet mind is untroubled.

What I ultimately learned on my vacation?

• My wife Carol is the best and I am so lucky to have her in my life (I knew this but was reminded of it ALL the time just being in her presence).

Yes to food trucks, in the ROW, but in limited locations and properly licensed. Read more and see the data here.

I reached out to the City Streets supervisor, Steve Kurtz, and the director of public works Anne Bierle. Steve said he would add it to the work plan. THE NEXT DAY, the concrete and the corner were torn up and framed in. The ADA ramp, which was not there, was installed immediately after. That’s it!

I need no more data telling me that vapes are less harmful than cigarettes.  It will make no difference to me if someone finds another source to back that up.  Many speakers asked us to do more research between first and second reading.  I did so, but if I care more about the additive behavior of nicotine and I look at the decades long history of the tobacco industry to create that addiction and continue to find new customers for their products, it is NOT going to get me into the pro-tobacco camp.

A very powerful read about how social media is hurting relationships, and media in general is taking away so much of what we value in life. Does creating safe spaces make room for conversation? Or stifle it?

I can’t summarize a book in a sentence, but basically the idea is that by suppressing wages, corporations gain greater benefits for their shareholders. Raising wages gives landlords leverage to raise rents, so wage gains don’t really “help”. The best predictor of success is sadly your zip code. The best way to improve your lot in life is to live in a better neighborhood. Period. Let me repeat that, “The best way to improve your lot in life is to live in a better neighborhood”

Homophily - the tendency for people to seek out or be attracted to those who are similar to themselves. Think of the old trope, “birds of a feather flock together”.

Golden has limited resources, cannot grow forever, and if it does nothing STILL has unsustainable pressures that impact the quality of life for the current residents. It is completely unreasonable to just bar the door as many of our current residents are rent/cost burdened and their quality of life is impacted. So yes to more CSM housing, and yes to more housing that fits our character. In my opinion doing nothing is a dereliction in duty, and it doesn't help keep Golden awesome. Click for the picture to read the full post.

There are definitely people opposed to dropping the speed limit. And they rightly point out that road design is likely the controlling factor on the speed at which people drive. I have previously written about Stroads. And Ford is very much a Stroad. It is neither a well designed street, nor a well designed road. As such, it feels unsafe for most users. Ford needs a serious redesign so that all users have a better experience, and it is not going to be easy or cheap given the constraints. Click for the picture to read the full post.

Have an issue you want fixed? Click here to see who to call. Hint…it’s unlikely to be me!

I recently borrowed and read some of a book called The High Cost of Free Parking, by Donald Shoup. But at over 700 pages I must say I focused on the highlights. I’ll share my takeaways in this post. Click for the picture to read the full post.

I was told, but never did the research to find out, that I was called, “an idiot” on Nextdoor. And the same person asked, “who voted for this guy?” To prove their point I suppose, I respond to their concerns about retail marijuana sales and a carve-out for an “equity” seller. Click for the picture to read the full post.

I want people to share with me their concerns about Golden, and changes they seek. They may not agree with me, or my approach, but I do hope they will have empathy for me, as I will offer empathy for them. My world view is mine, yours is yours. I will try to offer, as Bill Fisher said during the community celebration on our resilience, “grace”. Click for the picture to read the full post.