Parents Seek Recall of Dysfunctional Jeffco School Board Majority

Jeffco United for Action, a group of parents from both the political left and right, has begun gathering signatures in an effort to recall Jeffco's dysfunctional school board majority.

The three school board members in question-- Ken Witt, Julie Williams, and John Newkirk-- have angered a broad range of Jeffco citizens with their attempt to censor AP US history, their refusal to build new schools in the overcrowded Arvada area, and their efforts to change school enrollment boundaries without consulting parents. Parents and teachers that I've talked to have spoken about a lack of transparency and respect, including the use of ever changing rules to limit public comment at board meetings and the hiring of a private attorney (with public funds!) to get around Colorado's sunshine laws and to redact contracts and other documents that have no reason to be kept from the public. Much of the anger seems to be coming from a petty, even vindictive attitude on the part of Williams, Witt, and Newkirk, who have adopted a tone at school board meetings that could be seen as verbally abusive of parents, students, and teachers. They don't seem to know how to work with others, and they don't appear to value compromise. 

It's a shame, because school boards members are supposed to be the grown ups. Well run schools are essential for any community, and even more so for an area like downtown Lakewood, which is undergoing so much urban renewal.

I'm supporting the recall effort, and I hope you do too. You can learn more at:

http://jeffcounitedforaction.org

Is Belmar Up for Sale?

I've heard a rumor that GF Properties Group, the investment arm of the Southern Utes and the majority owner of Belmar, is looking at putting Belmar on the market. The speculation is that the Southern Utes, whose reservation sits on large natural gas deposits, need to free up cash to compensate for falling energy prices. 

The Southern Utes, through GF Properties Group, have been good for Belmar, staying true for the most part to the original vision of Belmar as a vibrant, urban center. 

If they do decide to sell, we'll have to look carefully for signs that the new owners remain as committed to that vision.

Belmar Loses Its Farmers Market

Belmar's summer farmers market-- which for nearly a decade set up shop along Alaska Drive before moving last year to the Best Buy parking lot-- is officially gone for good, according to a press release issued last month on www.belmarcolorado.com.

I don't have any information as to why Belmar and its farmers market parted ways. I personally enjoyed having it around, but more as background ambiance. I rarely bought anything at the market. If this was a common experience, then that may be the explanation. Or maybe it has something to do with Sprouts opening up their new downtown Lakewood store. Really, I don't know.

The press release from Belmar mentions a new farmers market setting up shop later this summer/fall on the corner of Alameda and Garrison. This is outside of walking distance from most of downtown Lakewood, but would be an easy bike ride following the Alameda bikeway.

Jeffco School Board in the News Again. Sigh.

Our far-right, tea party backed Jeffco school board majority is at it again, causing both Republicans and Democrats here in Lakewood to cringe. Here's a sampling of the latest headlines, along with links:

From Westword: Jeffco School Board's Julie Williams apologizes for posting anti-LGBT link

From Chalkbeat: Jeffco board member apologizes for sharing link to hate group on Facebook

9News: Jeffco school board member explains Facebook post

Click the links and read about Ms. Williams' "apology," if you're so inclined.

Meanwhile, the best response so far has come from Michele Patterson, President of the Jeffco PTA, who tweeted: "You only see bigoted posts in your FB feed if you're liking hateful, bigoted FB pages in the first place."

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Update:

Concerned about the actions of the Jeffco school board majority? Interested in learning more? Here are some grassroots organizations working on the issue:

Citizens for Responsible Education

Support Jeffco Kids

Jefferson County School Board Watch

Plans for a New Restaurant: Belmar Roadhouse

Lane Bryant recently completed their move one block north on Teller St, leaving the clothing retailer's former space open. It's a prime location, directly across from the Century 16 Bel Mar theater and the Grappa Italian Bistro, and I'd been hoping a restaurant might be shoehorned in.

The problem, apparently, has been the ventilation system in the Plaza Building, which was built for retail and residential, not food service.

But now it looks like a restaurant is indeed going in. The Roadhouse Hospitality Group owns 17 restaurants in Colorado-- about half in Denver and half in the mountains. Their first, Spanky's Urban Roadhouse, opened near the University of Denver in 1991. Their newest is LoDo's Wazee Supper Club, which Roadhouse purchased earlier this year.

I don't have a lot of details on their new downtown Lakewood location. Despite the "Belmar Roadhouse, LLC" notice on the front door, I've heard it won't be "roadhouse" themed, and that instead it's going to be more of a white tablecloth kind of place. Spanky's Urban Roadhouse serves breakfast, but I haven't heard if breakfast service is planned for Belmar. I have my fingers crossed, though, as I'd love more breakfast options for Belmar.

The new restaurant apparently won't be opening any time soon, however, as extensive renovations are required for the former retail space, including, I've heard, the installation of scrubbers to make sure restaurant odors don't impact residents living above.

In Photos: New Streetscapes in Downtown Lakewood

Lakewood Earth Day Celebration - Saturday, April 18th

This year, the City of Lakewood's Earth Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 18th from 10 am to 3 pm at the Lakewood Heritage Center. This is the event's fifth year, but its first at the Lakewood Heritage Center, having outgrown its former location at the Lakewood Cultural Center.

There will be events for kids and adults, including two free movies: The Greenest Building, about repurposing and restoring existing buildings, and Bag It, about the environmental impact of single use plastics. There will also be electronics recycling, and over 30 vendors and exhibitors. It should be both fun and informative!

For a list of events and showtimes, visit the City of Lakewood's Earth Day website.