Dreaming for A Dream

By JTavarez

FORT COLLINS, Colo – We all have dreams. For some, its money and fame, but for others, an education is all they seek. Thousands of students graduate from high school in the United States each year, and nearly 12% of that population is undocumented. They are students without an identity, but with a common goal. Their students dreaming for a dream.

The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is aimed at providing certain “inadmissible or deportable alien students” who graduate from U.S. high schools the opportunity for legal permanent residency. Those who are of good moral character, arrived in the U.S. as minors, and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment, have the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency if they complete two years in the military or two years at a four year institution of higher education. It is providing a venue of education to students all over the country not available before, even to those in our own community.

Cristal Silerio is a front desk student clerk at El Centro, which is an organization that seeks to help Latino students get through college as well as provide a familiar avenue for which they can get to know more students. Silerio has a 3.4 GPA and has two jobs to help out her parents as well as try her best to pay for most of her school.

“We work hard for what we have. Nothing is given to us for free, and sometimes we even have to work harder just to get the same opportunities’ as others. That’s what’s not right! Not me being here, but the inequality,” Silerio said.

With the enactment of this bill Silerio would have the opportunity to receive government financial aid and the availability of many more resources to further aid her already successful educational career.

“ All I want is to get and education like everyone else, I have a right to that too,” Silerio says.

On the other hand, many believe that this bill is encouraging illegal immigration and is rewarding individuals and their parents for breaking the law.

“We don’t want to be giving out a message that makes our country seem like a hypocrite to its own agendas. Yes! We encourage strict boarder restrictions, but if you’ve already broken the law, then I guess, don’t do it again and here’s a passport while you’re at it,” says Stephan Woodruff sarcastically.

Stephan is a junior criminal justice major and grew up in Fort Lupton, Colorado, where he says the majority of his high school is of Hispanic decent.

“I am not at all racist, most of my friends are Hispanic. I just don’t think it’s the best thing for our country,” says Woodruff.

“States are encouraging aliens to violate federal immigration law. Indeed, in some of the states, breaking federal law is an express prerequisite to receive the benefit of in-state tuition rates. Those states expressly deny in-state tuition to legal aliens who have valid student visas. And in all 10 states, an alien is eligible for in-state tuition rates only if he remains in the state in violation of federal law and evades federal law enforcement. In this way states are directly rewarding this illegal behavior,” Woodruff read.

It is a debate on whether basic human civil rights overcome nation federal laws. Who gets to justify the right to an education?

Many people who came to this country on the American dream are being forced to wake-up and realize that that may not be possible anymore.

The Future of Bullying

By T.M. Luker

FORT COLLINS, Colo-- Everyone has seen the actions and effects of bullying. Even this reporter, who was 6 feet tall in eighth grade, saw her fair share of teasing. The reality is that 88 people die by suicide each day in the U.S. Based on numbers from 2001, those who are victims of bullying are between 2 and 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, showing just how extreme the effects of bullying can be.

High school has always been the stereotype of teenage awkwardness and raging hormones. This also makes it one of the worst times for a child to be different, and has high numbers of sports hazing and a seniority mind set. Chuck Zulanas IV, a senior at Cheyenne Mountain High School recently wrote his own article about the hard times of pre-adulthood. When I interviewed him about the bullying at Cheyenne, he seemed very optimistic about the future.

“I feel as though the bullying situation has gotten better as the years progressed.”

He also mentioned the new ways that Cheyenne has used extracurricular activities to instill unity in the school and help tackle bullying and discrimination.

As far as how college might go for him, Zulanas was not as hopeful.

“More people will have their guard up in the new surroundings.” “I believe bullying may be more of an issue in college than at my school with fraternities and sororities with their brutal initiations and such.”

There is no doubt that discrimination can be seen in every age, race, and gender group. Maturity is definitely a factor when looking at the small decline in bullying as teens leave high school, but according to Chris Lee, ROTC Army, there is more that causes people to stop the bullying.

“It’s easier to bully in high school. You mature and you have more things to do in college.”

In regards to whether or not there are cases of bullying still in college, however, Lee still believes that it is a problem, even if it is just behind closed doors.

“You just don’t really ‘see’ it in college. In high school, it is more out in the open with kids being shoved into lockers.”

The headliner Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, which discriminates against openly homosexual people into the military because of the ‘interruption of discipline and morale in military capability’ implies that the marginalizing of one group is always a factor in society.

The DADT policy also led to some questions to Lee’s about his opinion on what would happen if a member of ROTC came out to their peers.

“I’d accept them, but our friendship would change. This is a common thought for guys. You don’t want to be associated with someone who’s gay because then people might also think that you’re gay.”

Obviously, this is one of those situations that can not only be eliminated by time.

The ‘It Gets Better’ project that has recently caused governmental interference, has been started to help give hope to those being bullied and discriminated against. This project promises that things will change in young peoples lives who are struggling against oppression from peers because of their sexuality. The ‘It Gets Better’ website has set up a pledge forum that allows kids to promise to treat others equally and ignore their differences. There are also many celebrities joining the pledge and popularizing the movement. The website also takes videos of personal stories, and donations to go toward helping people rise above prejudice.

In present day truth, there are still issues with people discriminating others. Some argue that this has become a psychological norm, while others are trying to defy that claim. The fact on if bullying does get better is different with individual cases. Although an uncertainty, it is the numbers of pledges and people talking about the situation that is providing the hope for those who struggle with bullying.

Shhh...The Times they are a Changin'

By Spenser Hanson

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Black, white, gay, straight. There are a lot of different people in the world, all of which were created equally.

Despite the views of some people, one young local lesbian woman has always wanted to join the military. She prefers not to give her name because of privacy issues she has with her sexuality. She’s been afraid to pursue her goals because of primitive laws that prohibit openly non-heterosexual applicants from being accepted into armed services.

Over the past several weeks there has been uproar in congress about how constitutional the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT)” policy is in the military.

This policy is used to restrict recruitment officers in their respective branches of the United States military from asking the sexuality of applicants. It also forces a recruiter to disallow openly homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual applicants from becoming members of the service.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell keeps me in a flux. Should I stay open about who I am, or go back in the closet?” asked the prospective woman recruit.

Since December 21, 1993, the DADT policy has kept persons of specific sexualities “closeted,” yet is only now getting intense speculation from all sides of the spectrum. Virginia Phillips, federal judge for Riverside, California, ruled on September 9th, that the statute of DADT is unconstitutional, and could no longer be enforced.

This unexpected ruling ushered in praise by homosexuals. However, it also brought in a hurricane of criticism by conservative citizens across the country.

ROTC hopeful Mark Dasani has a very conservative view of this policy. “At times I feel that openly homosexual people can cause tension and possible issues with other soldiers.” said Dasani. “Conservative views are common throughout the military, and these openly gay people would become targets for other soldiers.”

The only problem that exists with the conservative bias in the military is that they aren’t the ones who make the legislation. In the past week President Barack Obama has met with liberal bloggers who were critical of the him, and gave them his plan on what to do with DADT.

The general idea of the presidents plan is to abolish this sort of discrimination from happening in any setting, but more immediately in the armed service sector. President Obama specifies that he does have a plan for correcting DADT, but it requires 2 out of 5 Log Cabin Republicans to be swayed to his vote.

However, Sean Bielat, a Massachusetts congressional candidate, has a firm conservative view on the DADT policy. “There’s no absolute right to serve. Men under the height of 5 feet, 2 inches can’t serve — I don’t see anybody protesting.” Bielat told the Boston Herald in reference to the protests seen by homosexuals in response to DADT.

This sudden movement, from Fort Collins all the way to Washington D.C., is no different from the civil rights movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s, or the campaign for women’s suffrage in the early 20th century. All of which argued for equal rights because it says in the Declaration of Independence, “...all men are created equal.”

CSU Football Dedicated to Safety

By Nick Hensley

FORT COLLINS, Colo. —Imagine a three hundred pound football player running as fast as he can at you, then lowering his helmet and crashing into you. This is an everyday occurrence for most NFL and NCAA football players. With these violent hits happening on a daily basis many injuries are concussions. Football by nature is a violent sport, but where do NFL commissioners and NCAA officials draw the line to protect athletes from serious head injuries?

The NFL and NCAA first recognized that the number of head related injuries were too high several years ago. And at that time the league implemented strict testing for players who have sustained head injuries. If the players could not fully pass the testing, then they could not return to practice or a game until they pass the test. However, having rules and actually following them are two separate things. But for football players at Colorado State University, concussions are taken very seriously.

According to Grant Stucker, a former football player at CSU, “There was always a serious emphasis on the severity of a concussion no matter how minor it could be.  There were never any of our coaches that told us to suck it up.  It is treated very cautiously and carefully in most levels of football.”

In the NCAA all student athletes are required to take an impact test before they are cleared to play in the upcoming season. The impact test records your quickness to answer questions and your accuracy towards simple questions as a constant. Then once a player suffers a concussion they are asked the same questions and judged on their ability to answer them. If the player does not match the same level of performance as before, he is not cleared to play.

“CSU takes concussions very seriously and never rushes their athletes back on the field especially in a high contact sport such as football,” said Doug Collins who is a sports medicine major and current trainer and equipment manager for the CSU football team.

CSU has been using the impact test for many years and always hold their student athletes health above anything else. Stucker says that, “concussions were pretty normal but not frequent.” This comes as an encouraging statement for CSU fans hoping that their home team doesn’t lose any of its players to concussions.

Currently in NCAA football there are no rules that give athletes suspensions or fines for hitting another player too violently. However, it is a different story for the NFL. Last week three players were fined a combined $175,000 dollars for hitting an offensive player too violently. And the NFL issued a warning to all defensive players that if a violent hit looks intentional; the player will face possible suspension from the league.

Many people feel that the current concussion issue is being blown out of proportion and altering the game so many people love. But on the other hand, players and doctors think you can’t have enough safety rules when it comes to head injuries.

Dr. Mike Reeder of Rocky Mountain Orthopedic thinks that concussions are a serious injury. According to Reeder, “concussions are when a player receives a blow to the head, causing the brain to shake inside the skull leading to loss of brain function during the time of injury.” Concussions have many symptoms and have no cure. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: headache, nausea, blacking out, loss of memory, and in severe cases contusions could appear. And the symptoms can last up to several days.

Stucker feels that, “nothing that has to do with the safety of players and student athletes can be blown out of proportion.  Obviously the league and the NCAA wants to protect the players as much as they can, and they are just trying to figure out the best way to do that without altering the love of the game.”

The Final Push for the Young Vote

By Chadwick Bowman

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — CSU student government touts the fact that they were able to register 2,330 students for this year’s mid-term elections. The Associated Students of Colorado State University has partnered with the national young voter awareness program, Rock the Vote, and hopes that students cast ballots en masse, such as we saw in the 2008 presidential election.

"We're clearly at a crossroads and a defining point in our country,” said Chase Eckerdt, Director of Community Affairs for ASCSU. “Students can really influence the outcome of that."  

This year’s ballots affect young generations with candidates focused on issues such as the national student loan programs, financial allocations for higher education and the concern over a national increasing debt, where the future generations will foot the bill.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Michael Bennet has spent time on the campaign trail motivating students to vote. He appeared on campus in the Lory Student Center Plaza last month to stump his platform issues that affect students.

“There couldn’t be any more important reasons for students to vote,” Bennet said. “I hope students will come out all across the state. Every single vote is going to count in this election.”

Bennet hopes to ensure a future of good high paying jobs. The economy and jobs are at the forefront of student’s concerns this year.

“I will vote for the candidate that assures me most that I will have a job when I graduate,” said Courtney Stuard, a senior journalism major.

According to political science professor at CSU, Dr. Scott Moore, young voters do not participate in high numbers in mid-term elections, and each new cohort of voters produces a more moderate electorate. This will force politicians to make decisions as to whether they want to campaign to appeal to the young swing voters or to write off them off as apathetic participants.

Across the country, the push to get young voters involved has been multi-faceted. Rock the Vote uses online social networks—which are flooded with young users—to communicate and organize. Newspapers such as the Denver Post and the CSU’s student-run paper The Rocky Mountain Collegian are valuable resources to the Rock the Vote campaign.

“Outside of the media and social networks, Rock the Vote also interacts with young people through good old peer-to-peer contact,” said Ian Doran, spokesperson for Rock the Vote. “We have a group of volunteers spreading Rock the Vote's message and encouraging young people to vote.”

ASCSU and Rock the Vote both say that the challenge of student participation is getting students registered, especially in Colorado. Colorado’s voting laws make it difficult to register compared to other states. In Colorado you must be registered 29 days prior to Election Day, unlike Minnesota which has same-day registration, and North Dakota which requires no registration.

However, Colorado makes it easy to actually cast ballots with their no-excuse absentee balloting program. Colorado offers mail-in voting and other forms of non-traditional polling place voting.

ASCSU and involved students express that the concern and implications are too great for students to avoid participation.

“There will be significant economic decisions made in the next few years,” said Stuard. “We need to show that we care.”

The Colorado River: From the Horsetooth Reservoir to the Hoover Dam

By C. May

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Imagine a warm, sunny afternoon in Fort Collins, Colo. There are people hiking, picnicking, and boating at the Horsetooth Reservoir. A child in town fills a glass of water from the tap. A woman waters the flowers in her garden. Meanwhile, water is flowing through a tunnel under Rocky Mountain National Park, and farmers are faced with a growing water crisis.

Water use is a hotly debated issue. According to Joel Schneekloth, the Regional Water Resource Specialist for Colorado State University, urban areas are growing and competing with farmers for water. In the coming years, farmers will need to switch to different crops and downsize their irrigation systems.

On October 19, a new bridge opened on US 93, dramatically shortening driving time between Arizona and Las Vegas. For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, drivers could cross the Colorado River near the Hoover Dam. The new bridge offers scenic views of the area immediately downstream from the dam and the canyon below.

The Hoover Dam, built in 1935, was one of the first dams built to supply water to the growing population in the arid West. The dam now supplies water to 8 million people living in Arizona, Nevada, and California, and irrigates over 1 million acres. The dam is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world.

The Hoover Dam is one of the most well-known dams in the United States, but many people don't know where their own water comes from.

When students at Colorado State University were asked where they thought their water came from, answers ranged from “the ground,” to “rain,” to “the mountains,” and many students admitted that they had no idea.

Northern Colorado and much of the Denver metro area get their water from nearby reservoirs. The reservoirs are all part of a vast water diversion system that moves water from one side of the Continental Divide to the other.

“The water diversion system is fascinating,” says John Orr, who works in the Wastewater Management Division in the Department of Public Works in Denver. “So many people have no idea that our water comes from the Colorado River.”

The Colorado-Big Thompson Project consists of 10 reservoirs, 18 dams and dikes, six power plants, and a tunnel. The project was conceived in the late 1930s as a way to divert water from the western side of the Continental Divide to the eastern side. 80 percent of the rainfall in Colorado lands west of the divide, while 80% of the population lives on the eastern side.

The water diversion system begins in Grand Lake, Colo., one of the first towns that the Colorado River flows through, after its headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park. Water is diverted into a tunnel, where it will travel more than 13 miles under Rocky Mountain National Park. The water flows under the park and the Continental Divide and empties into Estes Lake in Estes Park, Colo.

The Horsetooth Reservoir, above Fort Collins, is the main water supply for the city and several surrounding communities. Most of the water, however, irrigates the South Platte River valley, which stretches across the state of Colorado.

The human need for water will soon surpass the supply in the Colorado River basin. “The big question here is, ‘do we have enough water to sustain the current ecosystem?'” asks Tom Siller, a civil engineer and the associate dean of Colorado State University’s engineering college. “Do we have enough for everyone?”

Meningococcal Disease: CSU Educates Students

By Chelsea Metheny

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Larimer County health officials are working with Colorado State University to address the recent cases of meningococcal disease in the city of Fort Collins, which claimed the life of one CSU student last week.

Cristina Adame, a CSU sophomore International Studies major, died on Oct. 20 from Waterhouse- Friderichsen Syndrome, a rare form of meningococcal disease.

“It is a bacterial infection of the adrenal glands,” said coroner’s investigator, Louis Greek. “It means the adrenal glands can’t fight off infection.”

The adrenal glands are small organs on the top of the kidneys that are involved in the stress response of the body.

Greek also explained that 10-15 percent of people carry the Waterhouse-Friderichsen bacteria in the back of their throats, but very few become ill from it.

The other two diseases caused by meningococcal bacteria are meningitis and meningococcal sepsis. Meningitis is the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord; Sepsis is the infection of the bloodstream with the bacteria.

To protect against the strains of meningococcal bacteria, Dr. Adrienne Lebailly, director of the Larimer County Health Department, encouraged all CSU students to receive the meningitis vaccine. It is most effective the first year after it is administered.

Lebailly also encouraged those who were vaccinated more than four years ago to obtain a booster shot of the meningitis vaccine.

Adame received the vaccine; however, it had been over four years ago, making her more prone to the meningococcal bacteria.

The CSU Health Network can provide students and staff with vaccines and more information.

The CSU Public Safety Team issued an announcement on Wednesday to students and staff responding to the recent scare of meningococcal disease, stating that “there is no indication that the university community is experiencing an isolated, heightened meningococcal disease health crisis.”

As it is true for all college students, CSU students have a greater risk of contracting the disease. This is due to the age of students and typical behaviors in college, like kissing and sharing drinks. According to health officials, teenagers and young adults are also the most common carriers of the bacteria, which occur naturally in the back of the nose and throat in 5-15 percent of people.

Since meningococcal bacteria are spread through the saliva of an infected person, students are encouraged to not share food, eating utensils, drinks or cigarettes.

The strain of meningococcal bacteria that caused the death of Cristina Adame is also linked to several other cases in the Front Range.

The first outbreak was traced to a Metropolitan State student who died on April 8, from an invasive meningococcal disease. The student contracted the disease after attending a party in Boulder. The student may have gotten the disease from sharing drinks during the party.

“I think it’s so scary that meningitis can be spread through sharing drinks. People need to be really careful at parties, especially with beer pong games,” said Jessica Astley, a sophomore CSU student.

The eruption of meningococcal disease that clouded headlines occurred earlier in the summer, with the deaths of three hockey players in northern Colorado.

Hockey players Brian Wormus and Nick Smith, both died in June from illnesses linked to the same strain of meningococcal bacteria.

The third hockey player was William Jubert, who also fell ill in June. After a long battle with the disease, he passed away on Oct. 11.

To prevent more outbreaks of the strain of meningococcal bacteria in the Front Range, CSU’s goals still aim to educate students about the spread of the disease, and also encourage vaccinations. The CSU Health Network had dedicated a hotline for meningococcal disease questions: 970-491-2147.

Chinese Exchange Rate Change Affecting Retailers in Fort Collins

By Erin Eastburn

FORT COLLINS, Colo -- Economic downturn has forced many Fort Collins store owners out of business. Due to high costs and little sales profit, local entrepreneurs have hit hard times in the Fort Collins retail community.

Fort Collins store owners are adjusting orders and increasing discounts from economic trouble. Seeing the direct impact from previous sales compared to 2010 sales, many store owners look for cheaper wholesale prices.

Store owners are concerned about their loss of sales compared to previous years, but many are shifting their focus on offshore production, creating lower production costs and ultimately creating higher revenues for stores. Due to offshore production, local stores are able to produce items in non-domestic countries, creating cheaper costs and high markup strategies.

According to Dr. Molly Echman, a merchandising economics and globalization professor at Colorado State University, “Fort Collins store owners have been utilizing these off-shore production facilities in primarily China, India, Mexico, and Turkey.”

The United States, including many Fort Collins retailers use the Chinese apparel and textile industry for off-shore production based off their cheap rates and minimum transportation restrictions. Though, for the past several years, the Chinese government has created a fixed exchange rate that keeps prices low for companies who contract business out to them, restricting economic growth in China, according to lectures given by Echman.

For local Fort Collins retailers, vendors and wholesalers, if the Chinese Government were to move towards flexible exchange rates, prices will rise, not only from exchange rates, but from tariffs as well.

By creating flexible exchange rates, the Chinese government would be providing a better standard of living for the Chinese people, in addition to room to grow as a democracy aimed country. From these exchange changes, the countries economic growth could expand, making them manufacturing leaders.

“Today, 70 percent of all apparel and textile companies use is offshore production in non-domestic countries,” said Echman.

Problems arise when countries use the Chinese apparel and textile manufacturing industry for offshore production. If the exchange rate were to rise, US companies have the option to stick with their Chinese partners or move to cheaper countries, such as India.

Kelly Parker, a sales associate at Sole Mates in Old Town Fort Collins, helps with purchasing orders for the store.

Parker said, “Sole Mates works with wholesale buyers and vendors. If we were to switch production location from China to another offshore location, it would be up to the designer of the brand, not us.”

Like Sole Mates, many other local Fort Collins store owners purchase their merchandise through wholesale markets, like MAGIC Fashion Convention hosted in Las Vegas. These wholesalers work with contractors and ultimately have the final say of where to get and produce merchandise to sell.

Parker continued by saying, “But if we had to pay a much higher price on an item, we may drop that brand from our store.”

From this response, wholesalers may be pressured if China were to remove their fixed exchange rate. This would increase the wholesale price, which in-turn would increase the retail price the store would mark their merchandise. From this chain effect, customers may not want to shop there anymore, if the prices were no longer affordable or consistent with the stores target market.

Though still being discussed, if the Chinese exchange rate were to become flexible, the prices for national and Fort Collins retailers could create many merchandise, markup and brand changes.

Cans Around the Oval Eases Hunger in Larimer County

By Kristen Scheirman

FORT COLLINS Colo. - Splotches of sunlight fell in patches across The Oval, which buzzed with activity as hoards of volunteers collected cans and loaded them into trucks during collection day at Colorado State University’s 23 annual Cans Around The Oval.

The event is sponsored by a CSU organization, Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement, or SLiCE, and is a competition to see which community organization or student organization can collect the most cans and monetary donations. All of the money and goods go to the Food Bank for Larimer County which operates one food bank in Fort Collins and one in Loveland.

“We collect the food and money and give people receipts and judge the competition that way,” sophomore Pilar Delgado, Cans Around the Oval student coordinator, said. “The food bank supplies the trucks and [volunteers] load them.”

The recession has taken a toll on Colorado residents and the number of clients using the food bank has increased 55 percent in the last two years, making this year’s event more important than ever.

“I wanted to volunteer in case I need to use the food bank because my husband has been unemployed for almost a year-and-a-half,” said Kelly Cincere, whose company, Weston, paid their employees up to four hours for volunteering.

“And I wanted to volunteer because I have a friend who utilizes the food bank,” her coworker, Elizabeth MacQueston chimed in, lugging some cans into a box.

More people are hungry every day.

The number of Americans using food stamps has increased by 10 million in the past two years. The Food Bank of Larimer County distributes over seven million pounds of food per year. Across the nation, one in six people suffer from hunger every day.

The staff members who work at the food bank serve 30,000 clients per year and 50 percent of the people being served are children and senior citizens. Luckily for the food bank, community and donor support have increased along with the increased need for food.

Korrie Johnston, Communications Manager at the Food Bank of Larimer County, has seen what it is like for people to struggle with not having enough food to eat on a day-to-day basis and appreciates the effort that goes into Cans Around the Oval

“[I love] being at the food bank the day following the event and watching pallet after pallet of food be sorted and stored by all of our awesome volunteers [because you have] the opportunity to see the results first-hand and how the collection will impact our clients,” Johnston said.

In 2009, $27,000 and 90,000 pounds of food were collected during Cans Around the Oval. By the end of this year’s event, $37,000 and 61,000 pounds of food had been collected. The College of Business won the competition by collecting $17,000 and 15,000 pounds of food.

Brett Rundle is the only full time SLiCE staff member who helped organize the event along with four other student workers. They worked on Cans Around the Oval from the start of the school year up to collection day, recruiting collectors, handing out supplies, and organizing several related events, such as Canstruction, a competition to build the best buildings out of cans.

“We had a lot of people involved in fundraising and collecting and we did an awesome job,” Rundle said. “But what we are doing is just a small slice of what the food bank does to provide food to those in need. So you have to feel great about the effort but understand there’s obviously more to do to alleviate and end hunger in Fort Collins.”

Sexual Harassment from Washington, the Classroom and to the Workplace

By. J.A. Dandridge

Fort Collins Colo. — Everyone has seen the movie where the boss takes an inappropriate interest in the classic secretary. In reality sexual harassment has potential to take place in the workplace and classroom between a range of positions, careers and genders. It could also take place at Colorado State University, even while the Office of Equal Opportunity continues to fight against it.

It even happens in Washington, as most have been reminded, with Anita Hill’s story floating back to the surface of media spotlight in the past weeks. She had a career working for Supreme Court Justice Nominee at the time, Clarence Thomas, at the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. By 1991 Hill became overwhelmed with the alleged sexual comments from her boss. Hill’s speaking up created a domino effect from her case to the media, almost destructing Thomas’ career.

CSU’s Office of Equal Opportunity and New Media Learning have teamed up to prevent events like the above from taking place on campus, since 2009.

According to CSU’s Office of Equal Opportunity’s Coordinator, Michelle Havens, “an email dated November 11, 2009, Provost Miranda notified members of the Campus Community that the online New Media Learning Sexual Harassment Awareness Training was mandatory for all current employees to complete by January 15, 2010.”

The office of equal opportunity at CSU defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature by one in a position of power or influence. When a trade off takes place, for example, between sexual favors and employment or grades, it is defined as quid pro quo sexual harassment. When excessive sexual jokes, stories or requests for dates take place, it is defined as hostile environment sexual harassment.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics wrote that, in 1986 the U.S. Supreme Court held for the first time that unwelcome sexual advances at work create a hostile work environment which constitutes gender discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Times are no longer the same and maybe that is why some CSU students and employees do not feel sexual harassment in the future or current workplaces will be at such a high risk as in the past, even when it comes to gender.

Lenae Andersen, a statistics department teacher’s assistant at CSU, considers “At the time this sort of thing was happening to Anita Hill, people weren't inclined to believe the woman and I think they are now. Fortunately times have changed, so that people who are being harassed have something that they can do about it.”

Susan De Long, one of CSU’s civil and environmental engineering assistant professors, says she never witnessed or had firsthand experience with sexual harassment at CSU. She personally felt like the Preventing Sexual Harassment Program helped her to further understand the definitions of sexual harassment as well.

Andersen provided another valid view on the situation. She mentioned how, most people would not choose to partake in sexually offending their peers or co-workers because they are building a professional bridge and they don’t want to burn it.

“any person who has those kinds of attitudes would probably get weeded out before they get here. Before you get into graduate school you have to have letters of recommendation from faculty members from previous schools, and I think those are kind of hard to get if you burn bridges.”

CSU Police Department’s Safety Report 2010 showed that between 2007 and 2008, harassment and sexual misconduct have been reported a total of 157 times.

Although the numbers reported are low, some cases go unreported and the Office of Equal Opportunity continues to find solutions to keep students and employees aware and safe.

Havens reminds that the campus works as a whole and other resource are working in favor of extending education and support too.

“There exist additional training sessions, coaching and education that serve to raise awareness. CSU has an established Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure and in addition to the OEO, the Victim Assistance Team, the Counseling Center, Conflict Resolution, Student Conduct Services, and Human Resource Services.”

To Poke Smot or Not?

By Janelle Kienast

FORT COLLINS, Colo--“The Healing of a Nation?” This is what some frequent pot smokers like to call the new medical marijuana movement. People have been smoking cannabis for decades and it has ultimately been a taboo topic; that everyone was exposed to but no one really talked about it until now.

Since President Obama took office, there has been an overall increase in the demand for medical marijuana. He proposed that state laws have the ability to legalize medical marijuana and that federal laws would not intervene. There are currently 14 states that have adopted this new idea. However the states that have the highest possession limit are Washington, allowing 24oz, Oregon also allowing 24oz, and lastly Colorado which limits medical marijuana possession to 8 oz or eighteen plants.

Colorado’s green rush started in 2000, however its popularity hit the roof around 2008. On average there have been between 60,000-70,000 cards issued to date and there are no signs of this slowing down anytime soon. Many people argue that marijuana is a lot safer than Vicodin or many depression medications that were previously prescribed to patients.
One of the cities that may appreciate the new marijuana movement more than anyone is Fort Collins. This city has a population of approximately 138,736, and houses a college based community surrounding Colorado State University. Fort Collins currently houses 108 Marijuana Dispensaries.

“Pot is natural, makes people happy and I’ve never heard of anyone dying from a THC overdose.” Stated an unnamed Fort Collins local that claimed she has smoked since she was 12.

Although this city does have a very young population and strives to keep the college town image, that’s still a very high amount in relation to the population. That’s to say if everyone in this community had a medical marijuana license, then approximately there would be a dispensary for every 1000 people. Although there are a handful of people that dislike this medical marijuana movement, most people in Fort Collins are happy about the growing demands for dispensaries.

“I think it’s a good thing. It’s the best way for our country to do it. I mean I don’t think our country should be like the city of Amsterdam, but I do think that if people want to go to the trouble of getting a card, they should be able to smoke in their house.” Stated a current Front Range Student.

Whether people like it or not marijuana has become a big part of business in Colorado. In addition it appears as this trend will only increase in the next decade, and Colorado is along for the ride.

Students Need to Know the Risks

By K.M. Spence

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Over the past decade, police have been trying to teach high school and college students to not use any illegal drugs. These have been a common problem for the Fort Collins area schools and need to be stopped. Students, who use these, are more likely to fail out of school and have many health problems in their lifetime. Police have tried to influence students to take an alternate route and have attempted to end the drug usage around Colorado State University’s campus.

“We have really tried to crack down on and around CSU’s campus,” said Colorado State University Police Department Corporal Rodney Smith. “Drugs have become a larger problem in the past years than normal”.

Around the United States, police have been trying to stop the use of drugs. The Drug Enforcement Agency for the past few years have been trying to stop the drug trade between the U.S. and Mexico. Drugs are a huge problem for Colorado in both the Northern and Southern parts. The different drugs that come from Mexico are eventually put into students hands and the DEA are trying hard to stop this.

The main drug problem that is seen around Fort Collins is marijuana. Many students come in contact with this drug sometime in their life and police are trying to stop this from being the trend. According to Saferchoice.org, “47% of students have tried marijuana, along with many other addictive drugs including alcohol”.

According to CSUPD Officer Michelle Inge, “The main drug that we see around Fort Collins is marijuana. Each weekend as we patrol the neighborhoods, some parties that we stop have either the smell or some residue left from marijuana.”

Also, through the common problem of medical marijuana, law enforcement officials have been trying to stop the illegal abuse of this. More people have been trying to pass documents off as doctor’s notes to seize marijuana.

“This has also become an issue. Many college students see these dispensaries around town and see it as an open opportunity,” said Smith. “It is more common for this problem to arise in Denver, but we do see it.”

Colorado has been known for being a huge drug filled state, for especially, meth. The state has tried to stop this by using different marketing campaigns and law enforcement stepping in. Many cities around the state have been known to have had drug related problems with them.

“I grew up in Greeley and saw many people from my high school go to jail for drug related crimes,” said a student who chose to remain anonymous. “Now my younger sister goes there and the problem is even worse, police really need to start getting involved.”

On Thursday, Oct. 21, the DEA ambushed some homes in Colorado Springs to seize illegal drugs out of Mexico. This operation was a part of the nationwide investigation called, “Project Deliverance”. There are many U.S. based cells suspected of bringing illegal drugs over the border.

“We are trying our hardest to stop the use of drugs in northern Colorado,” said Smith. “The first thing on this list is to make sure that students know fully the complications that come along with using drugs”.

Health Care Reform Bill Burns Local Tanning Salons

By: Sam Hernandez

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - It has been almost five months since the “tanning tax” began, making salon owners nervous for business and customers upset about higher prices. On July 1st of this year, President Obama’s health reform addressed that tanning salons would have to initiate a tax on tanning by 10 percent.

“It has affected business,” says Erica Michel, owner of Sunset Beach tanning salon in Fort Collins. With increased prices, Michel has had to adapt to the tax in order to keep doors open.

The tan tax is expected to bring in $2.7 billion over a period of ten years and go towards the health care plan. The tax was created when health officials claimed exposure to UV rays, including from tanning beds, greatly increases the chance of developing melanoma or other types of skin cancer.

Michel explained that the government doesn’t want people to tan because, “they don’t want you to hurt yourself, but when you do decide to do it, they want money from you.”

According to the FDA, tanning increases the risk of melanoma by 75 percent when women start tanning before the age of 35. This caused great concern since 30 million people frequent tanning beds over the U.S. and 75 percent are below the age of 30.

“I don’t think the tax will make people stop; I think it will make them tan less often,” Michel says.

Most average salon owners, usually middle class females, are not happy about the tax. With 9,000 jobs in jeopardy and more than 1,000 salons at risk, owners are having to think of ways to compensate for the increased prices.

“Of course I’ve had to cut back on spending because of the economy, but the tan tax does not help,” explained Michel.

With about 17 tanning salons in the college town of Fort Collins, businesses have always had to compete with each other. Now that the tan tax has been implemented, salons are thinking of new ways to attract customers. Sunset Beach tanning salon has always done half price tanning before 11 a.m., but now that the tan tax is in effect, their prices have risen.

Michel explained spray tans and sunless tanning options have increased at salons dramatically since the tax was implemented. And with the weather beginning to get cooler, more visits to the salon are expected.

CSU student, Katie Benjamin has been tanning for almost two years. Benjamin was not aware of the 10 percent increase on tanning, but she still goes tanning and has a two year contract that ends in February 2011, which she plans to renew.

“I’m already paying $54 a month,” Benjamin explains, “I’m paying enough to be tan, I don’t need more money added.”

“If they ask me why there is a change in prices I let them know and tell them to thank their president,” says Michel. With a slight pause she continues, “I say it nicely...”

Students Struggle to Build Future

By Tara DeMuth

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Even at a school with a top ranking construction management program, Colorado State University students pursuing a major in construction management have experienced extra difficulties in finding employment after graduation.

“Many jobs lost in Colorado last year were construction related,” said Kristen Haller, the key advisor for construction management. “Our department and industry have definitely been affected.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate of 9.6 percent has left 14.8 million without work. For those ages 23-27, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc., the unemployment rate is 5.9 percent, while, for the construction industry, it rose to 27 percent this year.

For students majoring in construction management, the effects of the economy have been apparent.

“It scared me because I applied for 44 internships and didn’t get any,” said Kristen Gropp, a junior majoring in construction management. “It was a wake-up call.”

In a recent response to the economy, advisers in the department at CSU have made extra efforts to talk to students about realistic expectations about working in the construction industry.

“Prior to 2009 students would have six to eight interviews and job offers that included bonuses or use of a company car,” said Haller. “We have had to talk with students that this is no longer the case.”

The department has also made extra efforts to host a career fair with 65 to 90 companies in attendance, provide a full service placement office to give resume critiques and hold recruiting opportunities on the campus.

The campus and Fort Collins have also been helpful in offering jobs to students. CSU facilities, transport and the construction of buildings on the campus and in the city have offered employment.

Generally, however, many companies have been reluctant to employ new workers.

“Our company reduced over 50 percent of our employee base,” said David Steinke, the general manager of the Infinity Home Collection in Denver. “Until there is evidence that things have at least stabilized, we won’t be adding many new employees.”

According to Steinke, the success of students finding construction related jobs in this economy will depend on who they know and how they use their degrees.

“These graduates need to apply their skill set in different ways than originally anticipated,” said Steinke. “They need to be creative in their search for employment and find ways to use what they know so that it doesn’t get wasted.”

After receiving so many rejections in the internship process, Gropp personally experienced the importance of having a diverse background and connections in the industry when looking for a job.

After later declaring a minor in business and making use of her connection with Kellogg, Brown and Root, Gropp finally landed an internship and was even offered a job at KBR.

“Networking is the key to the construction industry,” said Gropp. “You have to establish yourself to get your foot in the door.”

As everyone in the construction industry looks to the future, many are optimistic that things will turn around. For now, however, those pursuing a major in construction management will continue to see the undeniable effects of the economy and the difficulties of finding work.

Obesity Strikes U.S. Military

By Tasia DeMuth

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado remains resilient against the ever growing problem of obesity that is not only effecting the health of individuals, but also inhibiting military recruitment and performance.

Across the nation, the military has been struggling to fill its ranks because an increasing number of people are too heavy to serve. Since Colorado is the thinnest state with an 18.6 percent obesity rate in 2009, the state’s recruitment has been effected less.

“We (CSU ROTC) have been very fortunate that the majority of our cadets embrace the physical fitness aspects and have excelled in that regard when compared to most cadets from other Army ROTC programs,” said Peter Bleich, the enrollment and scholarship officer for Colorado State University’s ROTC program.

Though Colorado is the most fit, no state met the Healthy People 2010 obesity target of 15%. Instead the obesity rate increased by 1.1 percent nationwide. Thus, obesity is increasing in its prominence in every state.

“Obesity has been a growing problem for America in several areas, and the military is not exempt,” said Marine Corp Recruiter Sergeant Adams, who prefers to go by this name for privacy reasons.

According to statistics from Mission: Readiness, a non-profit group of retired senior military leaders, 27 percent of Americans ages 17-24 weigh too much to be in the military. Subsequently, nine million people are ineligible to serve their country because of their weight.

“A higher percentage of young people that enter the military need to work harder to meet the physical requirements,” said Bleich.

Current military participants are effected by weight as well. According to data from the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 58.4 percent of soldiers, age 21 and up, are overweight.

“We just had our PT (physical training) test and a handful failed,” said ROTC member Stephen Yoxheimer.

CSU’s ROTC PT test measures if the individual can run a mile and a half in 10 minutes, can do 68 push-ups in one minute, and can do 58 sit-ups in one minute. If the test is failed on the first attempt, ROTC allows two more attempts before deeming the applicant ineligible. If a participant passes the first test but fails a later test, then they must make it up or be cut.

According to Mission: Readiness, each year, the ranks lose 12,000 or more recruits that have been trained but have not completed their first enlistment because of weight issues. Furthermore, 48,000 recruits have failed their weight standards since 2005.

It is estimated that more than 300,000 members of the military have served three or more terms in Afghanistan and Iraq. This causes increased stress and trauma on those soldiers that must be deployed multiple times. The military needs more people to participate, but it is difficult to fill positions when applicants are too heavy and have to be turned away.

Despite the fact that Colorado is one of the more fit states in America, weight is still a factor in recruitment and soldier fitness.

“We have had a few cadets that have had to work very hard to pass the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) and meet height/weight standards and we seem to always have a few who continue to struggle with weight and physical performance,” said Bleich

One of America’s biggest opponents, obesity, is gaining momentum against the country’s military as well as its individuals. If America is to continue to have a powerful military, then it cannot afford to lose this battle at home.

What CSU Does for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Demi Sullivan

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — October is breast cancer awareness month, and not only people in Colorado, but also at Colorado State University participate in finding a cure. From races and volunteering, to self-check and silent reminders, Colorado State University emphasizes that early detection is the key.

With 50,000 participants, the Suzan B. Komen annual Colorado “Race for the Cure,” raised three million dollars. CSU had two teams go to the race in the beginning of October, to represent the school; a running team, and walking team.

Wearing “CSU supports pink” t-shirts, two teams of 10 headed to Denver. James DeHerrera, a senior at Colorado State was captain of the walking team. He shared that whoever wanted to race was more then welcome to join.

“I lost my mom to breast cancer so I think it is really important to check early and check often,” said DeHerrera. “I made the team for my mom, and to remind all the ladies how important it is to check.”

Race for the cure was not the only event CSU participated in during Oct. DeHerrera, along with 60 other CSU students, made it their goal to participate in awareness events all around Fort Collins and on campus. One event that really effected CSU was handing out little pink ribbons.

“Everyone got really excited about the little pink ribbons, they put them on their shirt or backpack, some students even still wore them towards the end of the month,” said DeHerrera, who helped compile the ribbons.

Another student at CSU, who is very influential to fighting cancer and also participated in the race for the walking team, is Kati Ledall. She is a junior and president of a group called “College against cancer.” This group was in charge of putting together the little pink ribbons.

Ledall said that the group’s main event, and the only one members are required to participate in is the relay for life, which is healed every spring. The group doesn’t have a set meeting time, but their goal is to reach out to students and fight for a cure.

“It is nice to have someone to help you cope with your loss, most of the students have lost a family member or close friend. It is a good way to meet people and partake in great emotional stories and fun crafts,” said Ledall.

Another group that has been active in breast cancer awareness is the CSU Health Network. The Health Network has a special women’s department that specializes in women’s needs. Helen Tensley, a health tech in the woman’s clinic shared some insight on how important it is to self-check.

“If you detect a lump early the five year survival rate is 98 percent, and 70 percent of all cases of breast cancer are found from self examinations,” said Tensley.

Tensley also shared what the Health Network does to promote awareness month for CSU students.

“We hand out fliers, packets, and self check sheets, as well as offer free breast exams all year round for CSU students,” said Tensley.

Many at CSU seem to realize just what an impact a walk, or a silent reminder can do for the cure. For one month students are encouraged to become aware of this epidemic, and make sure to check early and check often.

“We do it so that our kids won’t have to, I want there to be a cure so that no one has to know what it feels like to lose a mom to breast cancer,” said DeHerrera.

Hard Hitting Players Hit Hard By Rule Enforcement

by Chris O'Toole

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — One of America’s favorite pastimes may have begun its decline and, surprisingly, it isn’t the lethargically-paced game of baseball.

Like Grand Theft Auto did for video games, brutality displayed by players like Steelers linebacker James Harrison is causing the American media to postulate that football has become too violent. Other sports writers, like ESPN's Rick Reilly, suggest that football has always been too violent and a shroud has just now been lifted, as though these concussing hits ironically led to clarity.

Harrison was fined $75,000 by the National Football League, specifically for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns receiver, Mohamed Massaquoi. But he was just one of several players fined for dangerous hits that week; among others were Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson and Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather.

The next few weeks in the NFL were a receivers’ heyday as defensive players avoided harsh tackling and offensive weapons, like Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe, were able to brush off the cautious wraparound arm tackles for easy touchdowns.

This issue was significant in the NFL, but it could have even more significance for college athletes. The violence could cause parents, like Eileen Sienkiewicz, to dissuade their children from entering the NFL and even collegiate sports if the trend of soft tackling does not persist.

“I worry about Michael’s safety a lot on the field," said Sienkiewicz, who is a CSU alumna and sees the danger firsthand at her 12-year-old son’s football games. “Those kids are huge.”

However, it's also possible that some athletes, like former CSU linebacker Rich Morean, would choose jobs over football if they can’t play the game with some degree of physicality.

“It’s brutal, but it’s part of the game,” said Morean. “You know what you’re getting yourself into.”

Although the NFL is making a valiant stride towards improving player safety, the specter of hypocrisy still looms over football. After all, the NFL and NCAA generate billions of dollars in revenue off of violence and the promotion of huge hits.

“These (players) have spent their entire careers being taught, ‘If anyone goes over the middle, you deck them’ and being glorified on segments like ‘Jacked Up’ -- in which multiple announcers cackled in delight during a weekly montage of players getting laid out with hard hits,” said ESPN columnist Bill Simmons.

Worsening the situation was the fact that NFL.com was selling a poster of Harrison’s hit on Massaquoi at the time of the announcement of his fine.

The hypocrisy of demanding change is not just the NFL’s, however. It’s football at every level, including Colorado State’s. Students don shirts with “RAM U” emblazoned across the front. Hulking linebackers flex their muscles behind posters with the words “Defend the Fort”. Crowds erupt after devastating tackles. Collegiate football may not be glorifying violence, but it accepts it for the very least.

Then again, perhaps it’s not hypocrisy for the culture of football to change. Malcolm Gladwell, a famed New Yorker columnist, believes that an issue must get really ugly before it gets exposure, like Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal.

Gladwell cited the example of Kyle Turley, former All-Pro offensive tackle, whose collapse in a bar was linked to football-related brain injuries.

“One wonders whether, had he (Commissioner Goodell) spent as much time talking to Kyle Turley as he did to Michael Vick, he’d start to have similar doubts about his own sport,” Gladwell said.

Time will tell if the precautions of the NFL seep down to the collegiate level, but it’s time that could cost student-athletes their post-football livelihoods.

Council Members Meet to Discuss Budget

By Nick Hensley

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—On Tuesday evening the Fort Collins City Council met to discuss the economic future and recommended budget for 2011-2012.

During the work session the staff presented three sections of the budget. They sections included: economic health, high performing government and environmental health.

A big topic was the sales-tax proposal, which is issue 2B on the November ballot. If the proposal was approved, there would be a 0.85 percent increase of sales-tax. The sales-tax increase is estimated to bring in $18.5 million in revenue a year. From the revenue, 50 percent of the money would go towards roads and transportation. The extra money would be pushed towards police, fire services and parks and recreation. The tax would also have a 10 year existence.

Critics of the proposal think it is a lot to ask in tough economic times. Some critics commenting on a Coloradoan.com blog say that “the only people supporting this tax increase are government employees.”

However, supporters say that the tax increase is necessary due to the budget decrease and decrease in revenue.

Revenue and economic health was also one of the topics discussed at the meeting. According to Jim Clark of the Fort Collins Visitor Bureau, economic health is a big concern for the years to come. Fort Collins has seen a big decline in lodging. This could be due to tourism here in Fort Collins, but the members think that the city needs to start changing the way people hear about Fort Collins and start to visit. The idea to move towards search engines was brought up as well during the meeting. However, in a public relations sense, Fort Collins is very good at promoting itself through breweries here in town such as New Belgium Brewing Company. Clark also said that Fort Collins is behind on cutting edge technology involving advertising, and the city needs to catch up in that department.

The meeting was the 3rd of 4 work sessions discussing the 2011-2012 budget. The next meeting will be held on October 19th, and will be open for public comments during this meeting. The next work session will be on October 26th.

City Council Debates Future Budget

By: Chelsea Metheny

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Fort Collins City Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 12 for the third installment of four work sessions to discuss the 2011-2012 budgets. Three specific areas were covered at the meeting: economic health, high performing government and environmental health.

Mike Freeman, the chief financial officer for Fort Collins, opened the meeting by discussing economic health and how it would affect the recommended budget.

Freeman explained that money to pay for services comes from a general fund, which has continued to decrease since 2007. As a result, many programs have been left unfunded, such as a large reduction in the duties of the Crime Prevention Specialist.

Many city council members believe that in order to increase revenue for the general fund, Fort Collins must focus on marketing. Freeman offered his suggestion of changing how people get their information about Fort Collins by focusing on electronic marketing.

Revamping the Fort Collins website to target both tourists and the community might attract more business.

Although the city has seen a strong trend in attracting visitors by hosting softball and baseball tournaments, hotel revenue has plummeted. Hotel revenue was about 14 percent in 2009 and is currently 7 percent in 2010.

“It is going to be a slow growth. It won’t be until 2013 when we see how the economy was in 2007,” said Freeman.

Other suggestions to increase revenues included raising the lodging taxes and adding additional fees to the Fort Collins/ Loveland airport. These additional fees would include tickets and parking.

Among the Front Range, Fort Collins has one of the lowest lodging taxes. An increase in lodging taxes would bring a significant increase in revenue to the city.

Kelly Ohlson, Mayor Pro Tem, changed gears from economic health to environmental health by bringing up sidewalk cleaning. Ohlson expressed concern that the power-washing of the sidewalks and street corners would be eliminated with the new budget.

“The street corners get power-washed six to seven times per year. This would be eliminated with the new budget,” Marty Hefferman said, a city council member.

The $200,000 reduction to the budget is responsible for the elimination of cleaning.

“This would be a significant and noticeable impact on downtown, I have no doubt about that,” Darin Atteberry, city manager.

Not only sidewalk cleaning has been eliminated with the reduction of funding, but also programs that are designed to protect the community.
The budget has cut the duties of the Crime Prevention Specialist by one half.

This position is responsible for neighborhood night watch programs, presentations on crime and community safety and manages alarms for the businesses of Fort Collins. This includes managing false alarms and allocating crimes, which takes up about 30 percent of the position.

“This is the most proactive position we have on in Police Services right now,” Jim Szakmeister said, head of Fort Collins Police Services.

The reduction of programs like this, along with other factors that affect environmental health, will continue to challenge decision makers until the budget it finalized.

City Council Discusses Budget at Work Session

By C. May


FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Fort Collins City Council met on Tuesday evening to discuss the 2011-2012 budget. Three sections of the budget were discussed: Environmental Health, High Performing Government, and Economic Health.

Economic health, downtown beautification, and tourism were discussed at length.

Jim Clark, the executive director of the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, spoke about the tourism industry in Fort Collins. He reported that numbers were high this past summer, but that people tended to limit their stays and shop around for the best rates.

At previous public hearings, citizens have suggested raising the lodging tax in Fort Collins. Council members discussed a raise in lodging tax and will discuss it further in the future.

Council members expressed concern about the appearance of alleys and sidewalks downtown. Kelly Ohlson, Mayor Pro Term, was adamant about the appearance of the city. He believes Fort Collins must put money into beautifying the downtown area.

Benefits, building maintenance, and other government programs were discussed in the ‘High Performing Government’ section of the budget.

Ken Mannon, Operation Services Director, reported on the state of the city’s buildings. According to Mannon, no major maintenance has been done on the buildings in six years. In the next five years, an estimated $7 million must be spent on maintenance.

The city’s “Homeward 2020” program, however, is doing very well. “It’s been a phenomenal effort,” City Manager Darin Atteberry said. The city will stop funding the Homeward 2020 program in the near future.

The council also briefly discussed the proposed sales tax increase in Fort Collins. In November, voters will decide whether or not to raise the city sales tax to 7.55%. This would be an increase of 0.85% and could potentially bring in an additional $18.5 million in revenue.

The Environmental Health part of the meeting focused mainly on renewable energy, the effectiveness of recycling programs, and water use.

Throughout September and October, the City Council has held a series of work sessions and public hearings to discuss the budget. In November, the finalized 2011-2012 budget will be adopted. A second public hearing will be held next Tuesday evening to discuss more of the budget.

Economic Health in Fort Collins

By: Sam Hernandez

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Fort Collins City Council members met Tuesday to discuss the city’s recommended budget for the upcoming year. As Chief Financial Chair, Mike Freeman went over what will be funded and what will be cut in 2011; it was obvious that some council members were upset some projects could not be funded.

Kelly Ohlson, Mayor Pro-Team, was concerned about sidewalk cleaning, which is a service that will not be funded in downtown Fort Collins. “I cannot get enough of sidewalk cleaning,” Ohlson said sarcastically. Downtown Fort Collins sidewalks normally gets power washed six to seven times a year and corners are maintained on a regular basis. However, due to the budget cuts, the city is going to have to rely on store front owners to keep them clean.

The “Quiet Zone Study” will also have to be delayed because of budget cuts. It is a $75,000 study, which city council member, Ben Manvel, “[thinks] is important.” The study is on quieting the railroad. Darin Atteberry, City Manager explained that it is not a top priority for the city right now but with later funding the study could happen next year.

Jim Clark, Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau head, explains if the 2B issue is passed that the city can raise lodging taxes. “Shorter stays and people watching dollars,” said Clark about the current trends in visitors this summer verses last summer. The city of Fort Collins lodging taxes are currently at 9.7%.

If issue 2B is passed, the city could potentially raise up to 18.5 million, which would help the city grow. City projects, such as the quiet zone study and upkeep with city sidewalks could be funded. City council members could not be reached for further question on the recommended budget for 2011-2012.

Sales-Tax Increase

By Jaime Tavarez

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Fort Collins City Council met with detailed discussion on the purposed budget for the New Year, including the proposal of the cities increase sales-tax, 2B.

“Fort Collins has a healthy, sustainable economy reflecting the values of our unique community in a changing world,” said Chief Financial Advisor, Mike Freeman.

In order to maintain that image, city council is discussing a 0.85 sales-tax increase bringing revenue of $18.5 million a year, according to some sources.

With this proposal, Fort Collins will have a more expensive tax then the surrounding areas including Loveland Centerra, but lower than those of Denver. City believes that consumers will be forced, in a way to abide by such increased tax, because the cost of going out of the city will be much more than just paying the new sales-tax.

According to City Manager, Darin Attnbury, The revenues of this proposal will be used for “the pressing and long-term needs” of fire, police and city recreation.

The current sales-tax in Fort Collins is the second lowest among the Front Range cities and has not been increased since 1982. With unfunded city resources this is the only answer according to many to increase the “healthy, sustainable economy” of Fort Collins.

Scissors on Budget

By J.A. Dandridge

Fort Collins Colo. - Snip, cut, decrease are the sounds you would hear during the Tuesday Fort Collins city council work session. Reductions and tight finances were being squeezed over a discussion on economic health, high performing government and environmental health budget recommendations. This gathering was a part of four sessions on 2011- 2012 finances. These future plans seemed to consistently reflect the current unfortunate economic times of the United States throughout each section on the issues.

Fort Collins tourists are pinching pennies; the city must leave behind important projects. There are possible job and crime prevention cuts that reflect the larger scale of rough economic times in America.

The City of Fort Collins has a beautiful downtown, lots of community events, and it still is not enough. A large sum of city council budget is behind the idea of attracting new visitors to increase growth in a slow moving economy. That is why Convention and Visitors Services is one of the funded services that may be replacing the second phase of a previously funded railway quiet zone study.

Each day the familiar sound of thunderous and obnoxious train chimes make their entrance upon the ears of Fort Collins residents and echo their way onto the Colorado State University campus among other areas. This problem could be solved after the completion of a $75,000 phase two study on quiet zones. Mayor Pro Tem, Kelly Ohlson reminds the audience that the Downtown Development Authority no longer has the funds to complete this project. They ran out of funds even during the development. Although the project is important, there would be zero funds to actually execute the study, so it simply must be abandoned for 2011-2012.

The city wants to spend its time nurturing elsewhere, because even when it comes to tourist, they are cutting back on their own personal budgets too, making the city’s pocket even thinner. Jim Clark of Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau tells how people are only interested in softball or baseball games for their children when they come to Fort Collins. Corporate travel has also caused lodging taxes to go down, where other cities like Boulder and Loveland will soon be voting to raise their sales taxes. Denver has the highest sales tax at 15%, while Fort Collins lags behind. With the new budget leaning towards increased advertisement through online media hopefully new visitors will be coming this way.

It is clear that some will lose and some will gain, even when it comes to jobs and safety. The Crime Prevention Program Specialist of district five will be reduced down to compensate for things like Urban Renewal Authority. Reduced Advance Planning staff for city council will also mean more lost jobs.

The next work session will be Tuesday October19, the fourth and last work session before further revision or recommendations are finalized.

City Council Discusses Cutbacks and Future Improvements

By Chris O'Toole

FORT COLLINS, Co — The Fort Collins City Council members met Tuesday to discuss the economic future of the city. Among the topics of debate were city maintenance and the distribution of funds.

In particular, several council members raised questions as to why the police budget had been trimmed and redistributed. The budget for safety services is expected to take a hit in the area of crime prevention, but Captain Jim Szackmeister assured the council that the cut was strategic.

“The reduction to loss prevention and Neighborhood Night Out was handled by a specialist, but something has to give so she can manage (her other duties),” said Szackmeister. “Our priority is to maintain alarm response.”

Upon questioning from Lisa Poppaw, City Councilmember, Captain Szackmeister clarified that the sworn position wouldn’t be lost, just civilianized.

Another concern of the council members was to ensure that visitors continue to frequent Fort Collins and boost the city’s commerce. Concern over shorter stays and a 7.7% decrease in corporate travel in Fort Collins was addressed by Jim Clark, President and CEO of the Fort Collins Visitors Bureau.

“We are working on how people find out about Fort Collins,” said Clark, adding that targeted advertising on the internet should help tourism. “The economy won’t get back to where it was before the crash in 2007 until 2013.”

Clark cited brewery tours, youth baseball tournaments, hotels, public relations and cooperative partnerships as major sources of income for Fort Collins. Clark also announced an increase in lodging taxes that would yield $18.5 million in revenue, noting that Fort Collins lodging tax is about 5.3% less than Denver’s.

Mike Freeman, Chief Financial Officer of the City Council, also readily addressed the city’s present need for cutbacks, particularly regarding water innovation, quiet zones and historic preservation would be targeted for trimming.

Under the cutbacks, power washing of downtown city streets would be eliminated to decrease spending. City Manager Darin Attenberry opposed this measure, citing the need for continual upkeep to maintain tourism.

“Reduction of power washing will have a significant effect on the downtown area,” said Attenberry.

Proposed renovations to the midtown area of Mason Corridor were also put on hold temporarily, largely due to a lack of funding. Joe Frank, Advanced Planning Director, stated that the project was not scrapped, but merely undertaking more research.

“The follow up analysis is funded and Phase 2 will focus on the mall,” said Frank.

Frank added that a large issue was that the renovations raised the issue of city property versus private property and who would be responsible for funding.

City Council Budget Workshop

By Chadwick Bowman

FORT COLLINS, Colo. —The Fort Collins City Council met Tuesday evening to discuss the future of Fort Collins governmental funded entities, controversial legislation being voted on by citizens, and the difficulties the city faces amidst the trying economy.

“In addition to the basic city services,” said Wade Troxell, city councilmember, “I think in these tough economic times, one of the things we should be doing is creating an environmental job growth.

The work session focused on the budget, specifically the economic health of the city as well as managing a high performing government

In order to fund the cities unfunded and underfunded entities, the community members will be voting on a proposed sales tax increase known as 2B on the November ballot. It would increase sales tax .85 percent on the dollar.

Keep Fort Collins Great, the organization backing the proposal, says on their website that the tax increase can help fund major projects that would otherwise be ignored.

“We face destruction of our infrastructure - streets, bridges, buildings - if we do not resume regular maintenance.”

The concern is that whether the increase sales tax will motivate shoppers to take their business elsewhere, out of Fort Collins. Critics also say that the increase is too much to ask from residents and that the city should be doing more to cut, and find funding elsewhere.

Keep Fort Collins Great also threatens the voters that if 2B is not passed, it creates more pressure on the city council to again tighten budgets.

“If this measure does not pass, then some big decisions will have to be made.” Keep Fort Collins Great says on their website.

Mayor Doug Hutchinson commended the council for the work that they have done thus far on the budget.

“Most of those things are very frustrating to have to have some of these things reduced.” Hutchinson said. “What we’ve heard is good rational as far as prioritization goes.”

The council also discussed city duties such as mail service that can be delegated out to the private sector.

City Manager Darin Attenberry said that the private sector is always a viable option, but only if they can be more efficient and complete the tasks effectively at cost.

The 2011 budget will be voted on by city council members in April.

City Council Cleans the Budget

By Demi Sullivan

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – On the evening of Tuesday the third of four city council meetings were healed in Old Town Fort Collins. The meeting focused on three topics; economic health, high performing governments and environmental health. Mike Freeman started off each segment with short power point presentation explaining areas of budget cuts, funding sources, and places the city will continue to fund and focus on. All of these slides can be referenced on fcgov.com/budget.

In the first section the council worked through issues of tourism, transportation, airport funding, event planning, neighborhood services, and the mid-town coder. One of the most heated subjects was neighborhood watch. Fort Collins has a reputation for being a very safe area. With neighborhood watch and house alarms being a main priority.

Captain Jim Szakmeister explained that both neighborhood watch and false alarms make up 30 percent of the job. This is an area of the budget that will be cut; there will no longer be an attendant to cross check alarms and make sure that police don’t dispatch to false alarms. This is a major cost to alarm companies and will be cut in the 2011 budget.

Lisa Poppaw a city council member added her input asking why the cut is important, and asking if a retiree couldn’t do it. The chief said that it uses to be a sworn in position but former budget costs made it a civilian position.

“We don’t want to cut another sworn position,” said Szakmeister.

After coming to an understanding and exhausting economic health the council moved along to high performing government. Health care was the main concern under this topic, with a budget of 7.3 million dollars. Amy Sharkey compensation and benefits manager broke down the components of health care for the council. The breakdown is as follows; 13 million dollars to medical services, 1 million dollars to dental, and 5 million dollars to retirement.

“Claims costs make up most of our budget,” said Sharkey.

After much debate on health care the council took a ten minute break to reconvene on the topic of environmental health. The tired council touched briefly on West-Nile and the impotence of recycling. The main focus is to not lose sight on the simple things we are known for. Mayor Doug Hutchinson closed the meeting with the simplest most meaningful words; Most of these cuts are very frustrating to watch take over Fort Collins.

Hopes for City Improvements Cut Short

By Tara DeMuth

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — City officials met Tuesday night to discuss economic health, high performing government and environmental health in the proposed recommended budget for 2011 to 2012.

In the third of four work sessions, the City Council discussed the positive uses of the budget and the items that, because of a lack of money, were unable to be funded. In the meeting, the community had the opportunity to give input and ask clarifying questions about the three specific budget issues discussed.

In the discussion on economic health, officials felt positively about the potential revenues from visitation and the Fort Collins/Loveland Airport. Ballot issue 2B, which would bring revenues through an increased sales tax, was another positive discussion in the meeting.

For visitor services, the community has focused on increasing visitation by using both print and electronic forms of recognition. They have also held brewery tours and baseball and softball youth tournaments to bring families to the city. The hope, as discussed by Jim Clark of the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, is for Fort Collins to become a competitive travel destination like Estes Park, Breckenridge and Boulder.

According to some estimates, an $85,000 contribution to the Fort Collins/Loveland Airport is expected to increase revenue and generate income. Further, the approximate .85 percent increase in sales tax from 2B, if 2B is passed in the November elections, is expected to contribute around $18.5 million to the city per year. Money would be used on roads, transportation, police and fire services.

These additional funds are important to the city because, currently, there is a lack of funds for many programs. One such reduction is the decrease in funding for the District One police services that serve the northeast section of the city.

Jim Szakmeister, from the District One police services, discussed the issue of budget restraints. With the lack of funds, crime prevention specialists have been dropped and funding for alarms has decreased. The concerns that arose from this discussion were that of the safety to the city and hidden costs. Community members were concerned, with the reduction in alarms, that there would be more safety concerns. Further, the concern of a lack of adequate response sources leading to damages was also discussed.

Under high performing government, there was discussion on a decrease in staffing positions and a lack of funding for building maintenance and repair.

Because of the decreased levels in staffing, it has been a struggle to respond to comments from the public and the council, called SARS. Further, as a result of the lack of funds to the city, the repairs to buildings have been postponed and some buildings are continuing to deteriorate.

The final topic discussed was environmental health. This discussion included input on purchases that would implement renewable energy, recycling, and water and waste water utilities. However, enhancing parks, environmental improvements and solar gardens were examples of items that would have a reduction in funds.

In all, the atmosphere was split between those positive about future budget and those negative about the cuts that were proposed.

In the eyes of Darin Atteberry, the city manager, however, the city is constantly doing its best to address issues and focus on improvements to the city.