LovelandPolitics
| Loveland's Independent News Source |
Loveland, March 25, 2015
Loveland food shoppers can no longer expect to see a 1% drop in their food bill beginning
in November along with another 1% the following year and finally a 3% total drop by 2017
as we reported previously. Loveland's controversial 3% sales tax on food items will
remain intact for the foreseeable future.
The Loveland City Council reversed its vote last month to repeal Loveland's 3% food sales
tax only two weeks after pledging it would do no such thing. Five members of Loveland's
City Council voted against final passage of the measure they proudly endorsed two weeks
earlier. Councilman Ralph Trenary lectured his colleagues that the reduction was
irresponsible despite arguing for it (and even taking a pledge not to later reverse his
decision) only two weeks prior. (see the video clip of Trenary's March 24, pledge and later
betrayal of that same pledge last Tuesday)
During the March 24, meeting where the unanimous vote to repeal the grocery sales tax
was recorded, Councilman Chauncey Taylor complained to his colleagues that he preferred
to see the question put before voters in the municipal election to be held this November.
His suggestion was echoed on April 7, by Mayor Gutierrez along with Joan Shaffer and
Ralph Trenary who used the ballot idea as their excuse for abandoning their prior support
to phase out the tax.
This time their support for the repeal only as a ballot measure was even shorter lived than
two weeks. When Councilman Hugh McKean made a motion seconded by Councilman John
Fogle to refer the repeal to November's ballot, the five who changed their vote on the
repeal also changed their tune on a ballot question saying they would need to hear more
public input before making any final decision.
Councilman Lectures Colleagues
The normally reserve and polite Councilman Dave Clark broke out into a long and
sometimes angry lecture to his colleagues about the partisan divide on council and his
apparent disgust at what he described as "a lot of crap."
"I have never been more disappointed in this council than I am tonight. I don't care
about losing the dam vote." Clark went on to explain that in previous meetings when the
public's input was sought the council and staff ignored them and did what they wanted to
do anyway. He continued, "I think we had a valid solution up here that we hashed-out
abnosium two weeks ago and we just threw it out." see video of Clark's comments
Councilman Ralph Trenary responded, "Councilor Clark I know you had to make that
statement." to which Clark quiped, "Make your statement and leave me out of it."
Shortly after Trenary lost his temper and began shouting across the chamber. see video of
Trenary losing his temper
Clark and Trenary were not the only two council members to trade barbs last Tuesday.
Following comments by Councilman Hugh McKean which included a "shame on all of you,"
Councilwman Joan Shaffer replied, "Shame on you Hugh because it is your
self-righteousness...." see video of the exchange
After the vote to consider a ballot measure failed, Mayor Gutierrez, who apparently
believed it had passed, began telling colleagues he was going to ask that the effective date
of their decision be postponed. When told the vote had failed he broke a large smile than
asked that the staff bring the matter back in the future but only with a direct linkage to cuts
in various critical services for the city. In asking for a vote to bring back the matter the
council voted 7-2 (Krenning and McKean opposed).
Loveland food shoppers can no longer expect to see a 1% drop in their food bill beginning
in November along with another 1% the following year and finally a 3% total drop by 2017
as we reported previously. Loveland's controversial 3% sales tax on food items will
remain intact for the foreseeable future.
The Loveland City Council reversed its vote last month to repeal Loveland's 3% food sales
tax only two weeks after pledging it would do no such thing. Five members of Loveland's
City Council voted against final passage of the measure they proudly endorsed two weeks
earlier. Councilman Ralph Trenary lectured his colleagues that the reduction was
irresponsible despite arguing for it (and even taking a pledge not to later reverse his
decision) only two weeks prior. (see the video clip of Trenary's March 24, pledge and later
betrayal of that same pledge last Tuesday)
During the March 24, meeting where the unanimous vote to repeal the grocery sales tax
was recorded, Councilman Chauncey Taylor complained to his colleagues that he preferred
to see the question put before voters in the municipal election to be held this November.
His suggestion was echoed on April 7, by Mayor Gutierrez along with Joan Shaffer and
Ralph Trenary who used the ballot idea as their excuse for abandoning their prior support
to phase out the tax.
This time their support for the repeal only as a ballot measure was even shorter lived than
two weeks. When Councilman Hugh McKean made a motion seconded by Councilman John
Fogle to refer the repeal to November's ballot, the five who changed their vote on the
repeal also changed their tune on a ballot question saying they would need to hear more
public input before making any final decision.
Councilman Lectures Colleagues
The normally reserve and polite Councilman Dave Clark broke out into a long and
sometimes angry lecture to his colleagues about the partisan divide on council and his
apparent disgust at what he described as "a lot of crap."
"I have never been more disappointed in this council than I am tonight. I don't care
about losing the dam vote." Clark went on to explain that in previous meetings when the
public's input was sought the council and staff ignored them and did what they wanted to
do anyway. He continued, "I think we had a valid solution up here that we hashed-out
abnosium two weeks ago and we just threw it out." see video of Clark's comments
Councilman Ralph Trenary responded, "Councilor Clark I know you had to make that
statement." to which Clark quiped, "Make your statement and leave me out of it."
Shortly after Trenary lost his temper and began shouting across the chamber. see video of
Trenary losing his temper
Clark and Trenary were not the only two council members to trade barbs last Tuesday.
Following comments by Councilman Hugh McKean which included a "shame on all of you,"
Councilwman Joan Shaffer replied, "Shame on you Hugh because it is your
self-righteousness...." see video of the exchange
After the vote to consider a ballot measure failed, Mayor Gutierrez, who apparently
believed it had passed, began telling colleagues he was going to ask that the effective date
of their decision be postponed. When told the vote had failed he broke a large smile than
asked that the staff bring the matter back in the future but only with a direct linkage to cuts
in various critical services for the city. In asking for a vote to bring back the matter the
council voted 7-2 (Krenning and McKean opposed).
| Loveland's Council Flip-Flops On Repeal of Grocery Sales Tax |
| How they voted April 7, 2015 Motion by Joan Shaffer to approve on second reading the March 24, 2015 unanimously approved ordinance to repeal grocery tax over three years by 1% reduction each year YES (4) Troy Krenning David Clark John Fogle Hugh McKean NO (5) Cecil Gutierrez Joan Shaffer Ralph Trenary Chauncey Taylor Phil Farley Motion by Hugh McKean to refer the repeal of the grocery tax beginning January 1, 2016 than over three years by 1% reduction each year YES (4) Troy Krenning David Clark John Fogle Hugh McKean NO(5) Cecil Gutierrez Joan Shaffer Ralph Trenary Chauncey Taylor Phil Farley |
| Loveland Councilman Hugh McKean (far right) speaks as Counclmen Ralph Trenary (second from rght) and John Fogle listen. |
| Mayor Cecil Gutierrez smiles at his colleagues upon learning the vote to refer the grocery sales tax to voters for a decision had failed. |
| Councilman Dave Clark |