by Ashe in America | Sep 26, 2023 | Feature Story Bottom Left
ASHE IN AMERICA
OPINION
Our republican form of government requires representation. When the US Congress first convened in 1789, each congressman represented about 33,000 constituents. Now that number has grown to over 700,000, so it’s no wonder many of us feel we are not being adequately represented.
Take my Congressman, Republican Representative Ken Buck (CO-04). During the 2020 campaign season, as I was knocking doors and making calls for President Trump, I was also encouraging voters to re-elect Mr. Buck. I am embarrassed about this now. Over the past three years, Buck has consistently sided with the regime over his constituents.
On a GOP-wide virtual call on December 2, 2020, Buck attempted to pacify Colorado voters by stating:
“It is so important that people have confidence in their elections, and that people understand that in Colorado — I can’t speak for other states, but in Colorado — we’re doing it the right way and we have confidence in our election results.”
Buck continues to double down on Colorado’s elections, despite the evidence revealed in the Mesa County Forensic Reports One, Two, and Three, the USEIP Colorado Canvassing Report, and the April 24, 2021 system vulnerabilities report.
This evidence is public, and Buck has access to all of it. He ignores it, and he continues to peddle the regime’s messaging about 2020 being the safest and most secure election in history.
Strike One: Ken Buck believes Joe Biden is legitimate and that he received 81 million real, lawful, American votes.
Earlier this month, Buck spoke to CNN’s Jake Tapper and declared that he would not be supporting the upcoming impeachment inquiry. His reasoning for this was shocking:
“They are looking to see if there is a connection with Joe Biden. If they reach that point where they could find evidence of a connection, fine. I think that the Republicans will move forward with an impeachment inquiry. Right now, I’m not convinced that that evidence exists. And I’m not supporting an impeachment inquiry.”
Since the Marco Polo Biden Laptop Report was published, every member of Congress received the report multiple times. The report details 459 violations of US law by Hunter, James, and, yes, Joe Biden, going back several years.
The laptop has been authenticated, as affirmed by the NY Times, but Buck is not convinced that there is evidence of Biden’s corruption.
Strike Two: Ken Buck denies Biden’s corruption, despite repeatedly being sent evidence of Biden’s corruption.
Buck’s latest viral moment denying reality is the most egregious.
Todd Watkins is a veteran, a retired US Border Patrol Chief, and the current Vice Chairman of the El Paso County GOP. On August 21, Watkins sent a letter to the Colorado Republican Party, regarding the treatment of the January 6 political prisoners. More than 200 Coloradans, many of them Republican officials, signed on in support of the letter.
On September 1, 2023, Ken Buck responded, claiming that Watkins, “makes a number of factually incorrect claims, and then proceeds to overstate the threat to our Republic based on these false claims.”
The threat to our Republic in 2023 cannot be overstated, but Buck claims that J6ers:
Had charging and detention decisions by the book.
Received the exact same treatment as all other inmates.
Were not denied medical treatment.
Were not denied contact with counsel.
Did not have their rights violated.
For these false claims, Buck cites AP News, The Guardian, NY Times, CBS News, Just Security, and CBS WUSA9. All of Buck’s claims are provably false; subscribe to my substack for a much longer piece breaking down all Buck’s claims in detail.
That a so-called conservative would place so much trust in the mainstream media as to condone civil liberty and human rights violations of Americans is stunning.
Strike Three: Ken Buck believes J6 was an insurrection and condones the civil and human rights atrocities against J6ers.
Effective Representation demands truth. By denying the truth about the election, Biden’s corruption, and the J6 operation, Buck disqualifies himself and disserves those he represents.
Should Ken Buck decide to run again, he must be defeated after failing his constituents for so many years.
Last time I checked, we are still in America. In America, three strikes mean you’re out.
Ashe Epp is a writer and activist. You can find all her work at Linktree.com/asheinamerica
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 26, 2023 | Valley Gadfly
Hello October, we’ve missed you. Awe, “pumpkin spice and everything nice!” Fall is finally in full swing. Albert Camus called autumn, “a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
Breathtaking views of colorful leaves, a chance to go pumpkin picking at local festivals, and sporting comfy sweaters. A time to appreciate what we have, and look forward to the future.
As Halloween grows hauntedly close, here are our choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment to ensure witches fly across the sky, that black cats yowl, and ghosts howl:
Attend Parasol Patrol — Colorado-based non-profit to protect kids from protesters — fundraiser “A Queen’s Cabaret” backed by a live band at the Clocktower Cabaret downtown Oct. 1, 6 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Don’t miss the John Denver Tribute with John Adams and Blue Tulip Music playing at the Newman Center Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
For musical magic, hear violinist Emily Switzer perform Beethoven Symphony No. 5 at the Lakewood Center Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-987-7845.
Aerialists entertain, followed by Halloween movies, as Wings Over the Rockies celebrates Friday The 13, Oct. 13, 6:30-9:15 p.m. Information: 303-369-5360.
After 14 Jane Austen Mysteries, Stephanie Barron brings the series to a close. With wit, character, and suspense, the Ex-CIA analyst reveals final volume at The Bookies Author Event Oct. 28, 4-5 p.m. Information: 303-759-1117.
For a fun, nutty, and earthy start to the month, attend the Film, Chef Talk Back and Hummus Appetizer Reception at the Elaine Wolf Theatre Oct. 3, 2 p.m. Chef Reggie Dotson of Ash’Kara shares Hummus tips. Information: 303-399-1146.
Enjoy music & performances, plus pick pumpkins at Four Mile Historic Park’s Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 14-15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Take a spine-tingling stroll through pumpkin sculptures at Glow In The Gardens for eerie Denver Botanic Garden fun, Oct. 17-27. Information: 720-865-3500.
Take the kids for fang-tastic bites & games at Children’s Museum Harvest Hoot on the Marsico Campus, Oct. 27-28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-433-7444.
Featuring music from films & TV, the Halloween Spooktacular at Boettcher Hall is a concert for boys and ghouls, Oct. 29, 2:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
After a four-year hiatus, make plans to attend Alliance Francaise’s fundraising gala at DU’s Fritz Knoebel Event Center on East Evans Ave. Oct. 14, 6-11 p.m. The Cocktail Attire affair is themed as “La Bella Epoque,” which was the beautiful era of Paris that lasted from 1871 to 1914. Bid big on event’s donated auction items. The magical evening features drinks, accompanied with dinner and French desserts, followed by dancing. Information: 720-568-9976.
The summer sun is fading as the year grows old, and darker days are drawing near. October trees hardly sway before a breeze, as the winter winds begin to feel much colder.
Soon the old autumn sun will bed down in cloud blankets, and there will be days of gray rain before it finally snows. But with reds, golds, and yellows, there’s grandeur in the gloom.
October creates fun family times and gives your home personality. What is the best thing about October? All the cobwebs and dust in your house just become Halloween decorations!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Sep 8, 2023 | Uncategorized
hello
by Valley Gadfly | Aug 28, 2023 | Main Articles
Waste Management Struggles To Clear Garbage Glut Due To Funding, Staff, Policies, Plus An Aging Truck Fleet
by Glen Richardson
Scraping By: City Auditor Timothy O’Brien says Denver’s new trash collection program is not effectively designed to ensure stable funding, thereby worsening service and delivery to residents.
Welcome to the “Denver Dump,” where garbage and debris are overtaking our streets, highways, and neighborhoods. The city’s stunning landscapes are gasping in garbage.
What’s behind the Mile High waste management mess? Certainly, we’re all individually responsible. Coloradans create 47 tons of waste per person, ninth in the nation. Moreover, Colorado is creating the nation’s third most new waste per capita.
Cause of Denver’s growing garbage glut is complicated and confusing. It ranges from decisions such as removing dumpsters (to give police clear alleyway sight lines), to cutting extra trash collections from every four weeks to eight weeks. Lack of policies, data, funding, and staff are heightened by an aging waste collection truck fleet. Furthermore, the first citywide change in trash routes in 15 years is increasing spikes in missed trash pickups.
Mess Along Highways
Thoroughfare Trash: CDOT cleans up trash on highways and interstates around Denver, but their job focuses on debris blocking the road, not the trash. Credit: 9NEWS
In addition to Denver’s Waste Management, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation or CDOT, cleans up debris and trash along the highways and interstates around the city. Reports of trash piling up on the shoulders, medians, and off ramps are constant. The agency says their maintenance section is seeing an increase in littering based on debris calls, costs, and pickups. Workers say the most serious problem is drivers failing to secure loads. Illegal trash dumping also continues to be a top problem complicating their work.
Pickup Problems: A 21% driver vacancy rate last year may double this year due to expanded recycling-compost service. First route change in 15 years has added to missed pickups.
Debris cleanup uses 5% or more the department’s budget, amounting to $2 million or more in Metro Denver. Maintenance crews must daily prioritize their work based on road repairs and hazards to drivers. Priority is given to blocked traffic lanes, guard rail repairs, and sign replacements. Snow and ice removal during winter months moves to the top of their list.
CDOT also relies on the Adopt-A-Highway programs, which involve groups cleaning litter from small stretches of roads at least four times a year. Metro Denver residents can call CDOT customer service at 303-759-2368 or report concerns on their customer service website.
Trash Talk
Trashy Town Trek: Metro area streets and alleyways have been overflowing with trash since January. Residents fear blocked drains, flooding, and the spread of waterborne diseases.
Denver has a gargantuan waste problem. Trash cans around the metro area have been left overflowing since January of this year. Waste that goes uncollected can lead to blocked drains, flooding, and the spread of waterborne diseases. The problem isn’t new; as early as July 2021 Denver was receiving up to 1,000 trash-related complaints daily. A 2020 Solid Waste Master Plan was supposed to aid Waste Management’s staff and city leaders move Denver forward.
Beginning in January, Denver launched a new trash collection program known as “Pay As You Throw.” Approved by a split City Council, the policy was intended to motivate residents to recycle and compost more and keep trash out of landfills. The program faltered from the start — not a surprise as City Auditor Timothy O’Brien, CPA, warned the city wasn’t ready to implement the policy in November of 2022.
The city eliminated the $9.75 fee for composting, but sharply raised pickup fees based on the size of bins. Charges range from $9 per month for a small bin, $13 per month for a medium-sized bin, and $21 per month for a large bin.
Pay To Throw Blow
City Auditor O’Brien’s staff audited residential trash, recycling, and compost services late last year, releasing the report on Nov. 17, 2022.
His audit of Solid Waste Management — a Division of the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure — warned the city, the “pay-as-you-throw” program is not effectively designed to ensure stable funding or to advance Denver’s environmental goals. Furthermore, O’Brien warned, “it may worsen existing service and delivery to residents.”
At the January launch, around 30,000 residents traded in their large plastic carts for smaller ones to save on their trash bills. However, an investigation by CBS News found that 3,000 or more of the carts — which the manufacturer says are recyclable — were crushed and dumped in an area landfill by the City of Denver.
Rust Bucket Trucks
Dreamscape Dumpsite: If City gets its act together, Denver’s DADS dump site could look like Copenhagen’s waste-to-energy power plant that doubles as a ski slope and hiking trail.
The report stressed that the city is providing trash recycling and compost services using an aging fleet of trucks with a severely understaffed team.
Nearly half of the division’s fleet — including both waste collection trucks and other vehicles — have an estimated two years of useful life. Expected useful life for waste collection trucks is eight years, however, one truck still being used is 18 years old. The city spent more than $10 million between 2019 and 2021 on repairs for the aging trucks. Meanwhile, a new truck costs approximately $350,000. Drivers told auditors that equipment failures had kept them from completing their routes in the past six months.
Additionally, the city had a 21% vacancy rate among drivers as of June 2022. That vacancy rate could nearly double this year as more positions are needed for expanded recycling and compost service under volume-based pricing. Since 2021, drivers have been required to work overtime to complete routes and work voluntary overtime to clean up illegal dumping sites. Most of the drivers auditors heard from said they are looking to change jobs in the next 12 months.
Trash Route Trouble
Administrators, moreover, couldn’t explain or show documentation describing how they decided to change trash and recycling pick-up routes and schedules in 2022.
The first citywide change to trash routes in 15 years, it was intended to make collection reliable and consistent.
On the contrary, the route changes are blamed for accelerating spikes in reports of missed trash pickups. Managers told auditors the person who designed the new routes retired and the division did not keep the documentation.
Photos: Kevin J. Beaty & Ehrborn Hummreston
