CIMARRON HILLS CITIZENS ALERT

From two of the newest (and most concerned) board members to the citizens of Cimarron Hills.

We, Andy Anderson and Gayle Jones, are two board members voted on in last election, May 2006. We did support the water restrictions we all have had to work with, but are glad to report that the future for Cherokee and our water is now very strong and healthy. We have a new manager, a legal dream team, and water acquisitions working for us long-term. We are still working at the fire department to put in place checks and balances that any fiscally responsible organization should have as standard operation procedure. We are doing this in order to protect the district. Going against the history of the fire department board and old regime, we have brought to light the consequence of constantly increasing the mill levy all that is allowed without bringing to a vote of the people, (a 34% increase just since 2004) while simultaneously receiving property tax revenues that had increased over 32%!

Who wouldn't love to have an increase in their spending budget of 32%? But that wasn't enough. The long-standing philosophy constantly preached to us was we needed to raise the mill levy every time to the full amount possible. Well, we don't think so, and we want you to know why.

Cimarron Hills is no longer an isolated, outlying community. We cannot afford to continue the song, "but we've always done it that way before." What worked 10, 20, 30 years ago may have been fine, but not today. Tax revenues that come in from new commercial construction has always been welcomed, but Cimarron Hills is 98% grown out, with a mature community wanting and needing to keep rates/taxes controlled, while working to maintain good service.

We can't stay in denial and be fiscally responsible. We have just negotiated a service contract with Falcon Fire District for administrative services and support. You may have heard a lot of hollering about that expense (we certainly have), but the bottom line is, it is still thousands of dollars a month cheaper than staying "independent." We're concerned that the opposers are not telling you that part of the financial scenario. Guess it's no wonder some are fighting so hard to keep the job separate of Chief or Administrator - they were paid very, very well. With this service contract our firefighters benefit with better training, including opportunities to advance in their preferred fields of interest, and full managerial, administrative and operational support that will include not only the Chief, but also the Deputy Chief and Training Officer available 24/7.

The upcoming election on May 6 th, for both Cherokee Metro Water District and Cimarron Hills Fire Protection District is critically important to you for several reasons. There are only two positions on each of the boards, but there are an unprecedented number of people running. However, once you eliminate the husband and wife "teams", the previous supervisors, and/or relatives of employees, there aren't many candidates left. And for the record, no, we don't feel they should have been running in the first place. How is that not a breach of ethics, a conflict of interest? That leaves a number of others that we believe want to get on so they can give a former board member a job! Dave Hacker has been a board member for years, and is presently on the water board. He is a candidate to run again. We do respect Dave and work well with him.

Now, as for the long list of new candidates; this we have studied long and hard. We have observed, worked with, argued and eventually determined there are only two new candidates we strongly support and here are our reasons:

Steve Hasbrouck - a resident of CH since 1972. That's not reason enough, but he has been a business owner here all of those years, and he is a strong political mentor to many, such as Amy Lathen. Steve knows the meaning of working hard for a living. He respects the responsibilities that come with serving the people, and is especially well grounded in the TABOR laws, and state legislation issues. Steve is very patriotic and believes in giving back to a community that has been good to him.

Sean Byers - is the other new candidate we are grateful is running. Sean is currently a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch , and has a strong understanding in regards to finance.
He has also traveled the North American continent performing quality, environmental, business planning and engineering audits in both the public and private enterprise sectors.
He has run production plants and owned his own business with great success. He lives in the district with his wife and four children. We appreciate his astute business focus and
willingness to serve. Between these two candidates, good old-fashioned values and common sense will prevail.

Remember that this is your district. We do have a voice on our precious water and fire protection. These highly qualified candidates would bring much needed fresh, clear thinking and sound business logic. Please study the issues here, and come vote May 6 th. And we encourage you to attend the once a month public board meetings. Cherokee Metro's is always the 2 nd Tuesday of the month at 5:30, and Cimarron Hill Fire's is the following evening, the 2 nd Wednesday. They are at Tuskegee and Palmer Park, in their respective buildings across from the golf course, where you vote. Thank you.