| NEWS BLOG |
Loveland - January 6, 2012
Boulder Congressman Jared Polis' tour of Loveland divided Loveland's City Council mostly along
partisan lines today as only the Mayor and three councilors chose to attend. At issue is whether
the city sponsored tour, press conference and rally in a private office used frequently by the
Democratic Party of Larimer County was an appropriate use of city tax dollars.
Congressman Polis represents the 2nd Congressional District of Colorado centered in Boulder
and areas to the south and west of Boulder along I-70. The 2nd Congressional District will change
in 2013 due to redistricting and encompass mostly the cities of Boulder, Loveland and Ft.
Collins.Currently, Loveland remains in the 4th Congressional District represented by
Congressman Cory Gardner. Polis hopes to be re-elected to congress in November so he can
represent the new 2nd Congressional District in 2013 which will include Loveland.
Because Polis does not represent Loveland, he has no official purpose to visit Loveland and
therefore must use personal or campaign resources for such visits instead of federal dollars. The
City of Loveland is also prohibited by law from supporting any political campaign therefore raising
questions among the council about the city coordinating and paying for the events associated with
what Polis staff described as a campaign event.
Councilors Excluded From 'Windshield Tour' With Polis
Perhaps the most contentious part of Polis' visit to Loveland was a "windshield tour" of Loveland
staff coordinated using a City of Loveland van to help familiarize Polis with the city. Numerous
councilors learned about the city sponsored tour through an article in the Loveland Reporter-Herald
newspaper and were later told there was no room for them in the van.
Mayor Gutierrez and Councilwoman Joan Shaffer, who coordinated the visit, had seats reserved
for themselves with the Congressman in the van tour before staff had informed their colleagues of
the plan to provide Polis a "windshield" tour of Loveland.
Councilwoman Cathleen McEwen sent an email Wednesday to Betsey Hale stating,
"This is the first I've seen of a tour. When was that set up?"
Hale responded to McEwen along with others;
"Just to confirm.....there is a tour of the Agilent Buildings but we do not
have room for the entire council in the van for the windshield tour. I wish
we did but resources are short as well as time. Thanks!"
Councilman Questions The Purpose of Visit
Agitated he had to learn about the plans for the Polis visit through a newspaper story, Councilman
Daryle Klassen wrote to Assistant City Manager Rod Wensing,
"Rod,
Is the only purpose of Polis coming to town to "Meet and Greet" at private offices, or is there
some touring and inspection of the C & W Buildings to take place ? If so, I would like to have
the specific date, time, and locale of this "meet" and the purpose. Anything beyond the meet
and greet in private offices ?
thanks, Daryle Klassen"
Wensing responded that Betsey Hale and her "team" were coordinating the visit and would
provide councilors a schedule of events. Only a select few Democrats on council were allowed on
the van tour along with advanced details of the visit while the Republicans on council were left in
the dark about much of the visit.
Speaking off-the-record, one staff member sympathetic to Polis told LovelandPolitics, "this would
have never occured if Bill was here." Bill Cahill, Loveland City Manager, is on vacation to attend
his daughter's wedding. Assistant City Manager Rod Wensing has been in-charge during Cahill's
absence allowing Mayor Gutirriez and Councilwoman Shaffer a free hand to "optimize" the political
impact of the visit according to one staffer who wondered about the legal ramifications of the city
sponsoring a camapign tour of the city.
Reception Or Campaign Rally?
Polis' tour of Loveland finished with a 5:00 PM reception in the private offices of Councilwoman
Joan Shaffer's husband, Mark Shaffer, law office and adjoining office used frequently in the past by
Democratic candidates for and party activities.
Congressman Polis was provided a Loveland Police escort of four officers during his tour
throughout Loveland. As he entered Shaffer's offices, the police stood gaurd at the doors to the
building.
The public and press were invited to attend the event that at times sounded more like a political
rally than a non-partisan reception for a visiting officicial. Former Democratic candidate for State
Senate and party activist, Richard Ball, commented to Polis during his speech that finally Loveland
will have a Democrat to vote for in Congress. Before Polis could respond, the crowd errupted in
thunderus applaus and cheers. A number of city staff members who arranged the visit and
attended the tour particiapated in the cheers and appluading.
Majority of Council Didn't Approve or Attend Event
Mayor Cecil Gutierrez, when asked why only three of nine councilors were in attendance at the old
Agilent Campus press conference, responded the absent council members couldn't attend due to
conflicts with employement obligations. He pointed out only two attended the Governor's visit to
Loveland. In fact, city staff informed local media that councilors would be attending even before
the Republicans on council were informed of the city's plans.
A majority of the council failed to attend the morning events and tour. Councilors Cat McEwen,
John Fogle, Hugh McKean, Daryle Klassen and Chauncey Taylor were absent.
LovelandPolitics contacted Councilman Hugh McKean late in the day to inquire about the reason
for his absence from the events. McKean responded,
"I was uncomfortable with the purpose of the visit and whether city taxpayers were being asked to
support a campaign activity."
Others who were contacted declined to make any statements on the record but instead shared
their frustrations with being kept in the dark by the Mayor and Councilwoman Shaffer regarding the
event with Polis.
Pictures and story by Brendan W.
More pictures below - click on picture to see larger version
Boulder Congressman Jared Polis' tour of Loveland divided Loveland's City Council mostly along
partisan lines today as only the Mayor and three councilors chose to attend. At issue is whether
the city sponsored tour, press conference and rally in a private office used frequently by the
Democratic Party of Larimer County was an appropriate use of city tax dollars.
Congressman Polis represents the 2nd Congressional District of Colorado centered in Boulder
and areas to the south and west of Boulder along I-70. The 2nd Congressional District will change
in 2013 due to redistricting and encompass mostly the cities of Boulder, Loveland and Ft.
Collins.Currently, Loveland remains in the 4th Congressional District represented by
Congressman Cory Gardner. Polis hopes to be re-elected to congress in November so he can
represent the new 2nd Congressional District in 2013 which will include Loveland.
Because Polis does not represent Loveland, he has no official purpose to visit Loveland and
therefore must use personal or campaign resources for such visits instead of federal dollars. The
City of Loveland is also prohibited by law from supporting any political campaign therefore raising
questions among the council about the city coordinating and paying for the events associated with
what Polis staff described as a campaign event.
Councilors Excluded From 'Windshield Tour' With Polis
Perhaps the most contentious part of Polis' visit to Loveland was a "windshield tour" of Loveland
staff coordinated using a City of Loveland van to help familiarize Polis with the city. Numerous
councilors learned about the city sponsored tour through an article in the Loveland Reporter-Herald
newspaper and were later told there was no room for them in the van.
Mayor Gutierrez and Councilwoman Joan Shaffer, who coordinated the visit, had seats reserved
for themselves with the Congressman in the van tour before staff had informed their colleagues of
the plan to provide Polis a "windshield" tour of Loveland.
Councilwoman Cathleen McEwen sent an email Wednesday to Betsey Hale stating,
"This is the first I've seen of a tour. When was that set up?"
Hale responded to McEwen along with others;
"Just to confirm.....there is a tour of the Agilent Buildings but we do not
have room for the entire council in the van for the windshield tour. I wish
we did but resources are short as well as time. Thanks!"
Councilman Questions The Purpose of Visit
Agitated he had to learn about the plans for the Polis visit through a newspaper story, Councilman
Daryle Klassen wrote to Assistant City Manager Rod Wensing,
"Rod,
Is the only purpose of Polis coming to town to "Meet and Greet" at private offices, or is there
some touring and inspection of the C & W Buildings to take place ? If so, I would like to have
the specific date, time, and locale of this "meet" and the purpose. Anything beyond the meet
and greet in private offices ?
thanks, Daryle Klassen"
Wensing responded that Betsey Hale and her "team" were coordinating the visit and would
provide councilors a schedule of events. Only a select few Democrats on council were allowed on
the van tour along with advanced details of the visit while the Republicans on council were left in
the dark about much of the visit.
Speaking off-the-record, one staff member sympathetic to Polis told LovelandPolitics, "this would
have never occured if Bill was here." Bill Cahill, Loveland City Manager, is on vacation to attend
his daughter's wedding. Assistant City Manager Rod Wensing has been in-charge during Cahill's
absence allowing Mayor Gutirriez and Councilwoman Shaffer a free hand to "optimize" the political
impact of the visit according to one staffer who wondered about the legal ramifications of the city
sponsoring a camapign tour of the city.
Reception Or Campaign Rally?
Polis' tour of Loveland finished with a 5:00 PM reception in the private offices of Councilwoman
Joan Shaffer's husband, Mark Shaffer, law office and adjoining office used frequently in the past by
Democratic candidates for and party activities.
Congressman Polis was provided a Loveland Police escort of four officers during his tour
throughout Loveland. As he entered Shaffer's offices, the police stood gaurd at the doors to the
building.
The public and press were invited to attend the event that at times sounded more like a political
rally than a non-partisan reception for a visiting officicial. Former Democratic candidate for State
Senate and party activist, Richard Ball, commented to Polis during his speech that finally Loveland
will have a Democrat to vote for in Congress. Before Polis could respond, the crowd errupted in
thunderus applaus and cheers. A number of city staff members who arranged the visit and
attended the tour particiapated in the cheers and appluading.
Majority of Council Didn't Approve or Attend Event
Mayor Cecil Gutierrez, when asked why only three of nine councilors were in attendance at the old
Agilent Campus press conference, responded the absent council members couldn't attend due to
conflicts with employement obligations. He pointed out only two attended the Governor's visit to
Loveland. In fact, city staff informed local media that councilors would be attending even before
the Republicans on council were informed of the city's plans.
A majority of the council failed to attend the morning events and tour. Councilors Cat McEwen,
John Fogle, Hugh McKean, Daryle Klassen and Chauncey Taylor were absent.
LovelandPolitics contacted Councilman Hugh McKean late in the day to inquire about the reason
for his absence from the events. McKean responded,
"I was uncomfortable with the purpose of the visit and whether city taxpayers were being asked to
support a campaign activity."
Others who were contacted declined to make any statements on the record but instead shared
their frustrations with being kept in the dark by the Mayor and Councilwoman Shaffer regarding the
event with Polis.
Pictures and story by Brendan W.
More pictures below - click on picture to see larger version
LovelandPolitics
| Loveland's Independent News Source |
| Council Divided Over City Assisting Candidate for Public Office |
EMAILS
Rod Wensing
Sent: Wednesday, January
04, 2012 8:55 AM
To: Bill Cahill; John Duval;
Mayor - Cecil Gutierrez; Council
Subject: Congressman Jared
Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Hi Mayor & Councilors,
As requested, please find
below the specifics to
Councilor Shaffer's
invitation during last night's
City Council meeting.
WHAT: Loveland Community
Leadership Meet and Greet
with Congressman Jared Polis
WHERE: Law office of Attorney
Mark Robert Shaffer, LLC
218 E. 6th St
Loveland, CO 80537
DATE: Friday, January 6, 2012
TIME: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
With Regards,
Rod Wensing
Assistant City Manager
City of Loveland, Colorado
970-962-2301
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 1:02 PM
To: Rod Wensing
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Rod,
Is the only purpose of Polis
coming to town to "Meet and
Greet" at private offices, or is
there some touring and
inspection of the C & W
Buildings to take place ? If so,
I would like to have the specific
date, time, and locale of this
"meet" and the purpose.
Anything beyond the meet and
greet in private offices ?
thanks, Daryle
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 2:06 PM
To: Ward I - Daryle Klassen
Cc: Temp CCMAIL; Betsey
Hale; Dawn Wirth
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Hi Daryle,
Betsey and her Team are
handling the Rocky Mtn.
Innovation & Tech. Park
Tour that same day. With this
email, I am asking them to
contact you
directly with the specifics.
Take care!
Rod
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 2:10 PM
To: Rod Wensing; City Council
Cc: Temp CCMAIL; Dawn Wirth
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
The official schedule is :
2:00pm: Tour of the RMCIT
3:00pm: Van Tour of the City.
Only room for 9 in the van and
we are full.
4:30pm return to RMCIT to
pick up cars.
Betsey
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 2:19 PM
To: Betsey Hale
Cc: Rod Wensing; City
Council; Temp CCMAIL; Dawn
Wirth
Subject: Re: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
This is the first I've seen of a
tour. When was that set up?
Cathleen
Sent from my iPad
Sent: Wednesday, January
04, 2012 3:54 PM
To: Ward IV - Cathleen
McEwen
Cc: Rod Wensing; City
Council; Temp CCMAIL; Dawn
Wirth
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Just to confirm.....there is a
tour of the Agilent Buildings
but we do not
have room for the entire
council in the van for the
windshield tour. I wish
we did but resources are short
as well as time. Thanks!
Betsey Hale
Rod Wensing
Sent: Wednesday, January
04, 2012 8:55 AM
To: Bill Cahill; John Duval;
Mayor - Cecil Gutierrez; Council
Subject: Congressman Jared
Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Hi Mayor & Councilors,
As requested, please find
below the specifics to
Councilor Shaffer's
invitation during last night's
City Council meeting.
WHAT: Loveland Community
Leadership Meet and Greet
with Congressman Jared Polis
WHERE: Law office of Attorney
Mark Robert Shaffer, LLC
218 E. 6th St
Loveland, CO 80537
DATE: Friday, January 6, 2012
TIME: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
With Regards,
Rod Wensing
Assistant City Manager
City of Loveland, Colorado
970-962-2301
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 1:02 PM
To: Rod Wensing
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Rod,
Is the only purpose of Polis
coming to town to "Meet and
Greet" at private offices, or is
there some touring and
inspection of the C & W
Buildings to take place ? If so,
I would like to have the specific
date, time, and locale of this
"meet" and the purpose.
Anything beyond the meet and
greet in private offices ?
thanks, Daryle
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 2:06 PM
To: Ward I - Daryle Klassen
Cc: Temp CCMAIL; Betsey
Hale; Dawn Wirth
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Hi Daryle,
Betsey and her Team are
handling the Rocky Mtn.
Innovation & Tech. Park
Tour that same day. With this
email, I am asking them to
contact you
directly with the specifics.
Take care!
Rod
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 2:10 PM
To: Rod Wensing; City Council
Cc: Temp CCMAIL; Dawn Wirth
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
The official schedule is :
2:00pm: Tour of the RMCIT
3:00pm: Van Tour of the City.
Only room for 9 in the van and
we are full.
4:30pm return to RMCIT to
pick up cars.
Betsey
Wednesday, January 04,
2012 2:19 PM
To: Betsey Hale
Cc: Rod Wensing; City
Council; Temp CCMAIL; Dawn
Wirth
Subject: Re: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
This is the first I've seen of a
tour. When was that set up?
Cathleen
Sent from my iPad
Sent: Wednesday, January
04, 2012 3:54 PM
To: Ward IV - Cathleen
McEwen
Cc: Rod Wensing; City
Council; Temp CCMAIL; Dawn
Wirth
Subject: RE: Congressman
Jared Polis Meet & Greet Invite
Just to confirm.....there is a
tour of the Agilent Buildings
but we do not
have room for the entire
council in the van for the
windshield tour. I wish
we did but resources are short
as well as time. Thanks!
Betsey Hale
| "I was uncomfortable with the purpose of the visit and whether city taxpayers were being asked to support a campaign activity" Councilman Hugh McKean |
| Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez (left) listens to Boulder Congressman Jared Polis (center) along with Loveland Councilman Ralph Trenary (back-right) during a city sponsored tour of Loveland. Councilors Daryle Klassen, Hugh McKean, Cat McEwen, Chauncey Taylor and John Fogle were not in attendance in what the Loveland Reporter-Herald described as "officially a campaign trip into new political territory" |
