Our Town
A Publication for the Town of Bennett Vol. 7, No. 1 January / February 2004
THANK YOU! It’s such a joy to live in a small community where residents pull together when needs arise. Such was the case this year when two of our favorite Town activities, Breakfast with Santa and the Parade of Lights almost didn’t happen. The sponsors in the past were the Bennett Jaycees. This year they could not provide all the preparations to pull these events off. The grapevine worked overtime, and once again, citizens stepped up to the occasion! Breakfast with Santa Thanks go out to David and Linda Dummar for their organizational efforts of this event. The Dummars worked tirelessly making sure that area children had a visit with Santa. Other volunteers also stepped forward to make the breakfast a success. These included Angie Tiedeman, Julie Lewis, Christy O’Dell, Harriet Stewart, Christine Stewart, Alyssa Ostigaard, Ravon Krueger, David Martinez, Carol Small, John Small, Peg Mancuso, Neal Mancuso, Tam Intermill, and Arden Intermill. The Girl Scouts were wonderful waiting tables and serving the visitors. In the spirit of Christmas they even performed bunny hops around the tables. Proceeds went to the Victim’s Advocates for special Christmas gifts to selected families. Tree of Lights The Tree of Lights program was, as in the past, a wonderful event. Clergy from five area churches, including Pastor Jeannie Sweet, Pastor Kent Bull, Pastor Robert McCullough, Pastor Dennis Schoonover, and Bishop Bruce Lee participated in officiating the program. The Prairie Chorale performed a variety of Christmas carols and the Cub Scouts sang their rendition of the popular Twelve Days of Christmas. Kudos goes to the High Five Plains Foundation under the direction of Frank and Patty Doyle for organizing the Lighting of the Tree. Parade of Lights/Chili Supper David and Linda Dummar stepped up again and organized the Parade of Lights. Though the parade was small, the weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed the parade. The delicious Chili Supper was sponsored by the Victim’s Advocates. Santa appeared and handed out gift bags donated by the High Five Plains Foundation and the High Plains Bank in Bennett. We are so grateful to have all these wonderful people in our community. The spirit of Christmas is not lacking in Bennett. Please contact the Town Hall if you are interested in being involved in projects like this in the future. Bennett Community Food Bank Distributions The Bennett Community Food Bank sends special thanks to the I-70 Corridor businesses and residents who gave diligently of their time, efforts, and FOOD. We distributed twenty-four (24) boxes containing turkeys and other Thanksgiving foodstuffs to nominated families, on November 22, 2003. And just in time for Christmas on December 20, 2003, we again distributed twenty-five (25) boxes to area families who were in need of a helping hand. WHAT? HARVEST FESTIVAL TIME ALREADY?!? Okay, Bennett residents, we asked if you wanted to become involved…. well, here is your opportunity! Did you enjoy last year’s Harvest Festival? Do you have suggestions or ideas for this year’s Festival? Your ideas and support are welcomed and needed in the preparation for a once-again-successful event. The Committee will be meeting monthly on the second Monday, at 7:00 p.m. at the Bennett Community Center, 1100 W. Colfax Avenue. If you have questions, contact the Town Hall at 303-644-3249. AND THE WINNERS ARE... Congratulations to the winners of this year’s annual Bennett Holiday Lighting Contest! Each year the competition becomes more intense. The 2003 winners are: 1st Place Michael and Vicki Whalen, 700 Green Gables Way 2nd Place Robert and Trish Lancaster, 375 Kiowa Avenue, #6 3rd Place Keith and Betty Greenwood, 180 Viewridge Court Honorable Mention Paul and Sharon Phelps, 515 5th Street Keith Yonts, 290 Elm Street The Entire Block of 200 Cleveland Court As you may have noted, the block of 200 Cleveland Court outdid themselves. The entire Court joined in the festivities and did an outstanding job decorating. It is truly decked out in its finest! The Mayor and Board of Trustees wish to thank all the residents who took the time and effort to join in “Lighting the Town.”
CHRISTMAS TREE REMOVAL The Public Works Department will pick up Christmas trees until January 17th. Place your tree at your curb for Public Works to pick up. We will not pick up artificial trees. BENNETT MUNICIPAL ELECTION Have you ever wanted to have a strong voice in the decisions made that directly affect Town issues? Now is your chance. The Town will conduct a municipal election in April. Positions open for election include the Mayor and three Trustee vacancies. Persons interested in running for office may pick up a petition packet from the Town Clerk’s office at 355 4th Street, beginning on Tuesday, February 17, 2004. Petitions are due back no later than Friday, March 5, 2004. Candidates must meet the following criteria: U.S. citizen At least 18 years of age Resident living within the town boundaries of Bennett for 12 consecutive months preceding the date of election Registered voter The election will take place Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at the Bennett Town Hall, 355 4th Street. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Should you have questions, please contact the Town Clerk at 303-644-3249. 2004 ANNUAL CITIZEN SURVEY In keeping with established tradition, the Town of Bennett announces its eighth annual survey. Citizens’ surveys will be mailed or hand delivered to all households within the Town limits the last week in January. The purpose of the survey is to gather input from citizens on a range of important issues, including growth and development and overall satisfaction with Town services. The survey will also help guide us as we continue several community-based planning projects that were started as a result of past surveys. As more commercial developments move into town, it is important that we know how our citizens feel about the projects. Previous surveys indicated an overall desire for more commercial development, and it became evident that more inclusive and carefully constructed planning efforts were needed. The success of the Town Board continues to depend on the level of response to the survey and the participation of citizens in public discussions during the planning process. Every household in Bennett will receive two (2) surveys and a return envelope. The deadline for returning the survey is February 13th. All citizens are urged to take a few minutes to respond. If you have not received your survey by February 6, or if you have questions about the survey, please call Jill Certain at the Town Hall at 303-644-3249. Thank you for your input in our community planning goals.
HEATING BILLS ON THE RISE! Heating homes and businesses is expected to be more expensive this winter than last year. Here are four tips to help you even out the higher costs: 1. Ask your utility company about budget billing, which averages your payments for the year so you don’t have “highs” or “lows”. 2. Invest in some low cost but highly effective weatherization techniques. Ask your local hardware store for details. 3. To see if you qualify for FREE energy improvements for your home, call Energy Saving Partners Hotline at 1-888432-8546. 4. To see if you qualify for assistance with your utility bill, call LEAP at 1-800-782-0721 or CEAF (Colorado Energy Assistance Foundation) at 303-825-8750. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT The Public Works facility at 365 Palmer Street has a waste oil furnace that heats the shop area. The Public is encouraged to bring all used motor oil, including all fluids from vehicles, except antifreeze, to the shop for recycling. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. If these hours are not convenient, drip-free oil containers may be left by the double gates on 3rd Street, or call 303-644-4009 for pick up arrangements. SNOW REMOVAL The Code Enforcement office has had numerous complaints in the past regarding the accumulation of snow on sidewalks. According to BMC Ordinance No. 125, Chapter 9, Section 1, 9-1-2 Duty to Keep Clean and 9-1-4 Notice of Removal of Encroachments, sidewalks and curbwalks are to be free and clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt, debris, rubbish, and filth. Shoveling, plowing, or dumping snow from driveways and sidewalks onto the street is also prohibited. Remember to park vehicles off the street during snowstorms so the Public Works Department can clear roads as early as possible. The upcoming months are typically heavy snow months, and all residents should remember to keep their sidewalks clear. Failure to do so could result in a summons into Bennett Municipal Court. Please shovel snow onto your lawn where the moisture is badly needed and not into the street. RABIES/DISTEMPER SHOT CLINIC The Bennett Veterinary Clinic, 820 Shari’s Court, will be holding a reduced-price rabies and distemper shot clinic for dogs and cats on Saturday, January 17, 2004, from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. If it snows, the clinic will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2004. The Town of Bennett will also be on hand to issue Town licenses for your pet. The license fees are $5.00 for a spayed or neutered pet, or $10.00 for an intact pet. Town Ordinance No. 339 requires that all dogs and cats within the Town be licensed. Failure to do so could result in a summons into Bennett Municipal Court. Licensing your pet also allows us to contact you if he/she gets lost.
PAPER RECYCLING BIN Most of you are familiar with the Town’s paper recycling bin located in the Bennett Super’s parking lot. We have recently had to remove items from the bin such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard. Please do not put these things in or around the recycle bin. The bin is only for newspapers and “office” paper. Thank you so much for your recycling efforts and improving our world. HARASSMENT BY A MINOR
By Jill Certain
The Judge may also order an NFV (No Further Violations) for one (1) year, which means when the minor comes to court on the original summons and the Judge enforces a monetary fine and suspends a portion of it, the minor is required to pay the difference. There is also a stipulation that the minor cannot have any other convictions for up to one (1) year. If the minor receives a summons within one (1) year of the original violation and is found guilty, the Judge will revert to the SS (Suspended Sentence) and will order the minor to pay the entire original amount, plus the costs and/or fines of the current summons the minor has received to appear in court. If the minor fails to appear on the Court date, a Bench Warrant and/or an Outstanding Judgment Warrant will be issued, which is automatically sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The minor’s driver’s license will be revoked. The only way he/she will be able to get his/her drivers license reinstated is to complete what the Judge has ordered in the Bennett Municipal Court. A Show Cause Order will also be issued for the parents of the minor, which means that the Judge has ordered the parents to appear in Court to explain why the minor did not show up on his/her court date. If the parents do not respond, a Bench Warrant will be issued for the parents’ arrest. Every time a minor is summoned to Bennett Municipal Court the penalty becomes more serious and more costly to the minor, parents, and/or legal guardian. If you would like more information regarding this article or other types of Court procedures, fines, penalties, etc., please contact Jill Certain, Court Clerk at (303) 644-3249. BENNETT FIRE/RESCUE NEWS The Bennett Fire/Rescue Department is growing by six new members and four new cadets beginning in January 2004. The new members must complete the Bennett Fire Academy, which includes First Responder (Colorado Safety Association follows the DOT Curriculum); with 2 months of medical training, including CPR. The second portion of the Academy includes 3 months of Firefighter training. Once they have completed the Academy, they will be Green Cross First Responder certified and Colorado State Firefighter 1 certified. The cadets go through the same training. They can be First Responder certified but cannot be state Firefighter certified until they reach the age of 18. The CPR class for this academy will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2004. There are a few openings for the public. If anyone is interested, contact the Bennett Fire District office at 303-644-3572 and ask for Lynnda Bek. BENNETT LIBRARY NEWS Look for a few new opportunities in classes and programs at the Bennett branch of the Adams County Library System in January 2004. The library is starting a scrap booking and a genealogy class. Anyone interested in joining must sign up at the library, located at 495 7th Street, or call 303-644-3303.
Bennett Municipal Court would like to take this opportunity to explain harassment by a minor and the penalties that may be imposed: It is a misdemeanor for any person to harass another person. A person commits harassment if, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, he/she: Strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise touches a person or subjects him/her to physical contact; or In a public place directs obscene language or makes an obscene gesture to or at another person; or Follows a person in or about a public place; or Engages in conduct or repeatedly commits acts that alarm or seriously annoy another person and that serve no legitimate purpose; or Communicates with a person, anonymously or otherwise, by telephone, telegraph, mail, or any other form of communication, in a manner likely to harass or cause alarm; or Makes a telephone call or causes the telephone to ring repeatedly, whether or not a conversation ensues, with no purpose of legitimate conversation; or makes repeated communications at inconvenient hours or in offensively coarse language; or Repeatedly insults, taunts, or challenges another in a manner likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response.
The first offense for “Harassment by a Minor” with no other violations is a minimum of a $100.00 fine, $30.00 Court costs, and $10.00 will be added if the minor is unable to pay the night of Court. The Judge may order a Court Related Educational Program that is an 8-hour day class and could cost up to $100.00. The Judge may also order the minor to serve 24 hours of Community Service. The second offense for “Harassment by a Minor” holds a minimum of a $500.00 fine, plus $30.00 Court costs, and $10.00 will be added if the minor is unable to pay the night of Court. The Judge may order a two-day Court Related Educational Program, which the parents of the minor must also attend. The third offense for “Harassment by a Minor” holds a minimum of a $1000.00 fine, plus $30.00 Court costs, and $10.00 will be added if the minor is unable to pay the night of Court. The Judge may order a two-day Court Related Educational Program, which the parents of the minor must also attend.
Some of the library’s favorite programs will continue throughout the New Year. Preschool story times will continue every Monday and Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. at the branch. Older readers will enjoy the book club which meets the first Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. and the first Friday of every month at 10:30 a.m. The book for January is Walking Across Egypt. Rotating art displays will also continue at the library during 2004. The exhibits have proven to be a great success, both for the artists who can showcase their work and the viewing public. January’s art will include: drawings and cross-stitch by Michele Meiser, and the collectable dolls of Linda Walls. Look for something out of the ordinary in February. Artist Paul Little will feature textile pieces created by the ancient dyeing technique known as tritik. Photographer Robyn Lydick will feature some of her photographs and share her collection of ethnic textiles from around the world, including Huichol yarn painting.
NEW BENNETT BUSINESS: Wild Creations Taxidermy and Sporting Goods Local resident Zachary Ewing has opened a taxidermy gallery and sporting goods business at 552 Colfax Avenue in Bennett. He states that he produces quality work for a fair price. His taxidermy includes birds, fish, and life-size game heads. He also stocks hunting, fishing, shooting, and camping supplies. The store is open 7 days a week. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit his website at: WILDCREATIONSTAXIDERMY@YAHOO.COM
MEETING SCHEDULES
2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Planning & Zoning Last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Municipal Court 4th Wednesday of the month unless otherwise posted at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 355 4th St., unless otherwise posted. The public is always welcome. For further information please call (303) 644-3249. Town Board
This newsletter is a volunteer publication with the goal of addressing the public interest of Bennett residents. It welcomes club news, questions, announcements, and suggestions. Your feedback is important and useful for the development of future newsletters. Contact the Town Hall at (303) 644-3249. Many thanks for newsletter volunteer services from Pat Raborn, Peg Mancuso, Eileen Church, Debra Martinez, Ruby Johnson, Irene Blacker, Alice Bollinger, Nancy Ficht, Judy Braun, and Pam Gerber.
TOWN OF BENNETT 355 4TH STREET BENNETT, CO 80102-7806
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