by Mark Smiley | Aug 31, 2015 | Editorials
While the country as a whole is in a slow growth mode, Colorado is booming and the Denver real estate market is going wild. Denver has been rated the hottest home buying market in the entire country according to the Standard & Poor’s city home price index. Finally all of those in the political and big business coterie are going to get their chance to tax the lumpenproletariat into a spending oblivion. Yes, it’s true that because of the annoying TABOR Amendment to the state constitution, the little people must approve new tax measures, but that is where the more recent marriage of the politicians and big business comes in handy.
In more antediluvian times the business class often opposed new taxes sought by the political class. That was before big business learned that new taxes could be fun and profitable. Take for instance sales tax and property tax hikes. Big business figured out how to direct a significant portion of those taxes to themselves in the form of “tax increment financing” and tax rebates. A perfect example is the Colorado Regional Tourism Act which was designed by Colorado Springs businessman Steve Schuck to have the public pay for his proposed NASCAR race track in Aurora. When his project fell through, the folks from Gaylord Entertainment in Nashville glommed on by hook and by crook all of that potential tax money for their proposed Aurora hotel. Sure it got tied up in litigation, but someone had to take the public for a bath.
Government entities are prohibited by law to spend money to back new tax initiatives so business groups like Colorado Concern and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce foot the bill provided mem
bers of the Chamber and Colorado Concern get their cut of the action. We here in Denver love new taxes of virtually any sort as our esteemed mayor knows. When Mayor Hancock planned to quietly move the National Western Stock Complex from Denver to Aurora for the benefit of the incredibly greedy Gaylord Entertainment, he proposed that the move be paid by Denver taxpayers and not those in Aurora. Killjoy City Councilman Charlie Brown managed to thwart that con job, but few doubt that if it had gotten to ballot we Denver voters would have approved it despite the fact that it would have significantly harmed the city as a whole.
Now is the time to get any and all new taxes approved as the voting taxpayers are feeling flush. Moreover, Hancock and the City Council are counting on the contention that Denver voters are probably too dumb to figure out that massive increase in home values also means that there will be a massive increase in the property taxes we have to pay. If you live in an apartment complex don’t worry you won’t miss out on the fun as your landlord will simply add the cost of the tax increase along to you by bumping up your already exorbitant rent.
But we have to act fast, as those future property tax increases will become apparent to even the dullest homeowner in a couple of years. Where will all that increased property tax money go? It will go right to employing more municipal employees and provide large raises to one and all but in particular those represented by public employee unions. Don’t worry your city councilmember already voted herself/himself a hefty raise last year which will kick in over the next couple of years.
The Denver City Council as a whole is doing its part in the courageous tax effort. Just this last month it voted to put a .08 percent sales tax increase on the ballot for the so called Denver College Affordability Fund that will reimburse nonprofit organizations that provide scholarships as well as paying down the loans of graduates saddled with debt. So do you think you will ever see any of that money? Well, of course not. Only the politically connected need apply which of course includes the children and relatives of elected officials. O.K. you had to a pay a small fortune for your own college degree and that of your kids so why should you have to also pay for the politically favored to go to college? Because that is the way it works and if you are even thinking about voting “no” it proves you have no community mindedness or human compassion.
But what about the things like the hotel tax and the car rental tax. Can’t we raise those too? Don’t worry the mayor and the City Council have a massive proposed bond issue to pay for a makeover of none other than the National Western Stock Complex. At least because of Councilman Brown the National Western Complex will remain in Denver at least for a little while.
But what about also adding on some more taxes to our load through the auspices of the state? Now you’re thinking smart. A new group entitled “Building a Better Colorado” has been formed according to The Denver Post headed by none other than our beloved octogenarian, bipartisan, philanthropist Daniel L. Ritchie. Forget about the fact that some who know him call him a smug, unctuous Harvardian snob who loves to turn up his nose at anyone who doesn’t have a net worth of at least eight figures. This time Ritchie is working hard for all of us in coming up with a whole plethora of new state taxes we can approve this fall and next in order to build a better Colorado for himself and his business buddies. Hopefully, by our next issue we will know more about some of the fruits of his and his group’s Herculean labors on our behalf. Yes, if we can all work together we can take the average Denver taxpayer for a ride she/he will never forget or recover from when the good times end as they inevitably will.
— Editorial Board
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 31, 2015 | Valley Gadfly
This will be a September to remember if summer’s mugginess soon dissipates into the crisp exhilaration of cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. To rephrase Earth, Wind & Fire’s September lines: Ba de ya, say do you remember life in September? Heading outside after the stultifying heat and rain of summer is a perk of autumn.
During fall the Cherry Creek Valley becomes a natural playground. It is a time to embrace the great outdoors as the refreshing autumn breeze begins to blow our way.
Here are our choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to kick those end of summer blues and fall into the Valley’s golden, cozy fall season:
3 You’ll harvest a belly full of laughs at the quirky, witty fall comedy playing at Lowry’s John Hand Theater on weekends this month. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., matinees 2 p.m. Sunday. Information: 303-562-3232.
3 The bridge to fall fun is the Greenway Foundation’s music and dinner gala at the 19th & Platte Historic Bridge Sept. 10, 6 p.m. Information: 303-455-7109.
3 See Indian dances, drum groups and more at DAM’s Friendship Powwow on Acoma Plaza Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-865-5000.
3 For a colorful fall fling attend Four Mile Park’s fall fundraiser with food, spirits and fun in the park Sept. 16, 5:30-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Discover a happy, safe and fun early education environment for your kids this fall by attending the Grand Opening of the Primrose School at Colorado Station Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 303-757-7727.
3 Cook up fall feasts from menus at Seasoned Chef Cooking School’s Fall Harvest Food Class Sept. 23, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Information: 303-377-3222.
3 Gypsy Cattle Drive stomps out end of summer blues at grand finale Inn at Cherry Creek’s rooftop show Sept. 25, 5-9 p.m. Information: 303-377-8577.
3 Make this a September to remember by attending Denver Public Library’s month-long BrewHaHa events. It is a celebration of all things brewed from the delicious smell of a fresh cup of coffee, to the quiet conversations had over tea and the social scenes created around craft beer or kombucha, to the ideas that flow from a start-up collective. Learn more at any of library’s 26 locations around town and attend a series of special events, tasting and informational programs highlighting all things brewed. Information: denverlibrary.org/brewhaha.
We know it’s not an easy task to say goodbye to those carefree days of backyard BBQs, weekend strolls and late nights of patio lounging and pitchers of sangria, but it’s time to face the inevitable: With fall only weeks away and summer’s heat beginning to fade, now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy all our Valley has to offer.
Fall begins on Sept. 23 as the center of the sun crosses Earth’s equator. The days begin to get shorter and nights longer, especially noticeable at our higher altitude.
Ahh, one of the popular things to do in the fall is watch football games and cheer our favorite teams loudly! You’ve also gotta love seasonal drinks like pumpkin spiced lattes, apple cider and hot cocoa. Fall is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. Now, if money did in fact grow on trees this would truly be a September to remember.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 31, 2015 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Men (and a handful of women) everywhere are gearing up for yet another season of Fantasy Football. Excited fans of the NFL just spent weeks studying stats, watching preseason games and scouting players in order to assemble a fantasy football team that they can be proud of. Hey listen, if you play fantasy football you know what I’m talking about. You want your team to be so well assembled that they steamroll the competition earning you bragging rights for being the best and also a shot at a winning a little pool of money. It actually takes some effort to have a good fantasy team. You need to have a good draft to ensure you have some quality players on your team who will score you some big points! Beyond that, you need to have…
- A roster that has depth so you have options. Nothing worse than losing a game because you didn’t prepare for player bye weeks and unexpected injuries.
- You need to have a well-rounded roster with standout talent in key positions who hog the ball and get their name called a lot on game day.
- You have to be ready to make a big trade when you feel like unloading someone on your roster for a potential new addition who will help your team go all the way.
- You have to constantly monitor the waiver wire for unsigned players who could potentially benefit your team while replacing underperforming players who have become dead weight on your squad.
- Lastly, you have to stay involved with the team of players you have assembled making sure you’re up on all the latest news and reports in order to field what you believe to be the best lineup on any given week.
Sounds like a lot of work doesn’t it? Having a competitive fantasy football team takes a lot of time, commitment, research, attentiveness and last but not least, the desire to have and be the best.
Now if we could get you to put half this effort into your dating or romantic life. Guys, sometime we’re so dumb when it comes to dating it takes a fantasy football analogy in order for you to understand how to date successfully and with a purpose. Let’s break it down…
Why not apply some of the things I just outlined on what it takes to have a bad ass fantasy squad and apply some of that same effort in finding good women to date? Here’s how…
- You are dating, that means date! Assemble the most qualified roster of women you can find and get involved with their lives. The more options you have the less needy or desperate you’ll be come game day, errrrr, I mean date night.
- Constantly monitor your roster of women for the performers and the underachievers. Be prepared to cut the dead weight for better options and don’t forget to reward the ones who are bringing it!
- Get involved! Don’t just date to date. You’re going to lose a good woman to a man who takes interest in their lives and pays attention to their needs. That’s like drafting a killer fantasy team that is destined to win but doesn’t because you neglected it all season long leaving you with a losing effort.
- Don’t waste your time on unproductive players (women) because of emotional ties. Men are pretty loyal, to a fault at times. Once we become a fan of a player (woman) it’s hard for us to let go and accept that love affair may hold a place in our heart forever, but they should no longer be on our roster.
I know a lot of these correlations are pretty tongue in cheek but the more serious point here is this… Guys if you want a kick ass life with a beautiful, productive woman who contributes to your life then put some effort into to the process of getting on. Get in the dating game and spend the time that it takes to ensure you have the odds on your side. Put yourself in the position of being more informed than the next guy out there. You know what it takes to win at fantasy football… Start using that same desire, ambition and attentiveness into your romantic life and you just might land yourself a winner. Now that would be something to really brag about. Good luck on the field and stay safe out there.
Your pal, Sheik
by Mark Smiley | Aug 31, 2015 | Feature Story Middle Left
by Brian Zabroski
I recall my jobs in college. Bartender, receptionist, warehouse receiver, insurance agent intern, bookkeeper… Holy cow, I had a bunch of jobs throughout college. My best decision may have been to work at the campus bookstore. I was given a generous discount for books and merchandise. I was also able to pick the best used books before they went on sale. Geez, I hope whomever highlighted this book before me knew what they were doing! The used books and employee discount helped offset much of my expense, but the cost was still significant. This was almost 20 years ago!
Why am I sharing my college jobs and bookstore story with you? I nearly fell off my chair after hearing my nephew share the cost of his college textbooks. The cost? $800. Seriously? Isn’t a tablet less than $800? I asked how many of his classes offer the option of a digital textbook via tablet. A couple, but they charge the same price as the textbook!
A few minutes later while at the coffee shop, getting my hourly caffeine dose (thanks Baby App for waking us up at a random hour. You fell back to sleep, but I didn’t! I love you!), I see a few high school students carrying loaded backpacks. They look like Sherpas ready to tackle Everest, except they are tackling Math and Science with 25 pounds of textbooks. What did they have in their hands? Oh come on… guess… their mobile phones! Not their textbooks!
Here’s my issue, students as young as kindergarten are using mobile and PC technology for learning, yet our school system throws textbooks their way. Why are we continuing to embrace teaching methods that were in use when I was in grade school during the 1980s?
Now, I understand there are a few outliers. For those who are outliers, I salute you. I’m concerned that we are not properly arming our children to be ready for the workforce. Are you using a textbook to learn your job? Most likely not. Businesses are adopting online learning for employees. This change has to begin for our youngest population, and not just in “computer” class during school. Let’s begin by embracing technology in place of yesterday’s learning and teaching methods. Start with one or two classes using tablet learning in place of textbooks.
What’s in it for the school system? A financial gain. I learned that Mrs. App’s elementary school charges $75 for supplies for their students. Budgets are tight whether you’re a business or a school. A recent study examined the financial impact to a 500 student school of replacing textbooks with digital books. The study estimates that a business can save upwards of $250 per student per year. That’s $125,000 per year, or put it this way, two to three more teachers to reduce classroom size. Wouldn’t that help offset the added expense for supplies? For schools, such as universities, that require purchasing textbooks, this can be a profit center. Offer the use of textbooks as a recurring revenue model, with one exception; don’t charge the same high cost of a textbook.
It’s not only a financial advantage for the school system. The ability to always have the latest edition of a book will serve our students more efficiently. It reduces the cheating concerns. I’m not talking about those lovable New England Patriots, but rather the students that skate by because the text and curriculum hasn’t changed year over year. Yes, this means less highlighted books passed down.
It improves our students’ health. No longer will we notice our students walking around as Sherpas. Research shows nearly 14,000 students are treated for backpack-related injuries each year. Check out this link for backpack safety tips: http://goo.gl /6EaBPt.
I truly believe the biggest influence of this transition will be for our children. They use this very technology as the medium for communication and learning, except when they’re within the walls of their school. We need to embrace this change, from the school districts to the teachers. In fact, there need to be more progressive teachers to lead this change.
School districts need grant help to procure the equipment. Businesses need to be involved by sponsoring grants. These students will be in the workforce in the not too distant future. This is an amazing way to gain a larger footprint and build a bench for any business. Whether it is my nephew or your child, we should work together to reduce the cost of school. It’s my hope that this column sparks conversations during this “political season.” Make technology part of our education system. Our workforce and future truly depend on it.
There are a large number of apps available for students, teachers and parents. A couple that caught my eye were Nearpod and Remind. Nearpod allows teachers to share their presentation and content to students’ devices. The sharing is fun and engaging, but the biggest advantage is the interaction. Teachers can view, real-time, each students’ activity on the app. Here’s a way this app helps: A teacher shares a math lesson via the app. The students are tasked with completing the lesson within the app on their device. In real-time, the teacher can view the answers and work with each student, which allows the teacher to engage, assist and celebrate success immediately.
Remind allows teachers to text parents and students. Face it, texting is here to stay so let’s embrace a medium that students understand. The app hides the phone numbers for confidentiality. In addition, parents and students can engage in private conversations. Just two of the many ways we can begin to embrace technology in the classroom.
Remember, Apples still make teachers smile. Welcome Back!
Do you have a favorite educational app you’d like to share? Contact Brian at brian @brianzabroski.com, on Twitter @BrianZab or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/bri anzab.
Brian, a Corporate Account Executive with NetSuite, has spent nearly 20 years in the telecommunications and software industry. Businesses use NetSuite software to run and manage all of their business applications. It’s web-based, so businesses can access their information from anywhere; It’s flexible, which allows the software to be customized for their business; and, it is built on a single platform, which businesses appreciate since they can often eliminate multiple software solutions. Trending companies, such as Box, GoPro, FitBit and Dropbox use NetSuite software to run their business. Reach out to Brian to learn how your business can benefit with NetSuite.
