While I think the absolute need for the public-safety initiative has been well established and support ballot measure 2A is there, what is less understood is the need for the city to be able to respond to growth in a rational and thoughtful way.

Because of the Riverside Parkway and the unrealistic limits set on the city by the revenue caps in TABOR, many capital improvements have been postponed or even cancelled due to a lack of funding. The reality of life in Mesa County is that we are in a strong period of growth. Most people agree this growth is not going to slow down anytime soon.

As such, limiting the ability of the city to provide services to those who live, work and visit here and then connecting that limitation to the Denver/Boulder Consumer Price Index is not only short sighted but irresponsible. The Denver metro area is in a state of stagnation while we are going to continue to grow. There is no real expectation that the CPI in Denver/Boulder is going to improve in the short term.

By voting for both 2A and 2B, the citizens of Grand Junction will allow the city to pay for the public-safety campus and three new fire stations years ahead of schedule and allow for much needed basic capital improvements such as roads, buildings, and parks.

It is time we stop hindering the ability of our elected officials to provide basic services by connecting our “excess revenues” to the other side of the mountains.  I urge everyone in the city to vote yes on both 2A and 2B.

DAVE STASSEN
Grand Junction

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