The summer rains left us a rich reward in the health of our trees, shrubs, and flowers. Driving around Arapahoe County this past week the trees are beautiful with colors of yellow, gold and red.
Thankfully the leaves are starting to shed and hopefully will be gone before the first snowfall that usually hits about Halloween. Mother Nature has a cruel, but effective way, to trim foliage by breaking off tree limbs.
No need to head to the high country where colors are starting to fade with cool weather and snow flurries. Just take a drive down University, Quincy, Holly, et. al. and you will gasp at the beauty of the trees and flowers. Joyce Kilmer describes the trees so eloquently:
TREES
by Joyce Kilmer
“I think that I shall never see
A Poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast.
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.”
“Trees” by Joyce Kilmer was written in February 1913 and was first published in Poetry: A magazine of verse. It was then included in Trees and Other Poems,” one of Kilmer’s most popular volumes.
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In Arapahoe County and statewide, voters are confronted by some difficult decisions regarding the upcoming referendums on the Nov. 7 ballot. Statewide, Proposition HH asks if we want lower taxes by voting “yes.” However, there is far more behind Proposition HH than the poorly worded ballot question.
Several months ago, property assessments rocketed skyward, which means nearly every property owner in the state will pay higher taxes in 2024. Propositoin HH, while promoting a way to reduce the sting of that inevitable tax hike, also contains wording that when investigated does just the opposite. Approval of Prop. HH would give property owners a year of reduced, limited relief from the large forthcoming tax hike. However, at the same time, HH’s passage will mean the state will keep most of your future TABOR refunds while your property taxes will rise again beginning in 2025.
As one pundit explained it, “Prop. HH is like someone reaching around your back and taking $100 out of your wallet while handing you a $5 bill explaining, “It’s good for you.”
Voters are usually wise and when you don’t understand the issue it is usually best to vote “NO.”
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I’ve known Mike Coffman for over 40 years. He is a dedicated public servant and should easily be re-elected Mayor of Aurora. Mike wanted to do more than just be a public relations figure for the city. As a former legislator, state treasurer, combat veteran, and U.S. congressman, he wants to lead Aurora forward.
Aurora has a city manager form of government, the last one came from Tulsa, OK. He’s left, and the city council will be hiring another stranger to manage the city where Mike has lived his entire life. It is unusual for an elected public servant to want to do more, not less. Mike failed in his awkward attempt to increase the duties of mayor of the city. He observes the disparity of some city council members and wants to make the third largest city in Colorado the best city in the state. Aurora is the major city in Arapahoe Co. and has land use that can stretch to Kansas. Mayor duties should be meaningful and powerful, answering to local voters at each election. Coffman should have been given that opportunity to really lead his hometown forward. At least vote for him to continue as mayor and be a positive force in city government. VOTE FOR MIKE.