Candidate Blog

Yes on 201

A letter to the Colorado Daily:

Once a parcel of open space is developed into another prairie McMansion Ranchette, it is lost forever! How short sighted is it to fail to preserve these important parcels of land as Open Space because we couldn't agree ahead of time whether or not dogs, bicycles, trails, etc. should or should not be allowed?

Full letter:

The Daily Camera has, for tenuous reasons, opposed the Open Space funding initiative Number 201 in its "Silent Owls" editorial. Contrary to the impression left by this editorial, a large portion of the funds generated by this measure will be devoted to restoring the recent scale backs of Open Space maintenance. Holding the acquisition of more Open Space hostage until the Visitors Plain and other unknown potential regulations are settled makes no sense. If Regulations are "too restrictive" or "lenient", for that matter, they can, from time to time, be changed through the political process. At least there will be something to argue about if the additional Open Space land is preserved. Once a parcel of open space is developed into another prairie McMansion Ranchette, it is lost forever! How short sighted is it to fail to preserve these important parcels of land as Open Space because we couldn't agree ahead of time whether or not dogs, bicycles, trails, etc. should or should not be allowed?

Our Boulder Open Space is a wonderful legacy created by generous Boulder citizens who were willing to tax themselves. Nevertheless, the job is not yet done. 7,500 more acres of land have been identified as important to preserve. We as a City should continue this legacy for us and our children's children by finishing the job before it is too late.

There is a Catch 22 in the Camera's argument to rely on an improving economy to fund Open Space later instead of acting quickly. The more the economy and tax revenues improve, the greater the pressures for more development will become and hence the remaining parcels will be much more costly to acquire.

As Mayor Will Toor recently stated in support of 201 in the Boulder Weekly, Boulder's sales tax will go from a total of 3.26% to only 3.41%. Broomfield, our biggest competitor for sales tax revenue, has a rate of 3.75%. We can afford this. Let's not unnecessarily silence more owls with unwanted development. Please Vote yes on 201.

Jim and Maura Christoph

Boulder