BENNETT PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 5A:

SHALL BENNETT PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT DEBT BE INCREASED UP TO $500,000, WITH A MAXIMUM REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $1,100,000, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $55,000 ANNUALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUPPLEMENTING AWARDED GRANT MONEYS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500,000 AND FINANCING THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING AND EQUIPPING OF AN INDOOR SWIMMING AND AQUA THERAPY AREA, AND ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY AND CLASSROOM SPACE, WITHIN THE REGIONAL RECREATION FACILITY OF THE DISTRICT, SUCH DEBT TO CONSIST OF THE ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, WHICH BONDS SHALL BEAR INTEREST AT A MAXIMUM NET EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE NOT TO EXCEED 7.5% PER ANNUM AND BE ISSUED, DATED AND SOLD AT SUCH TIME OR TIMES, AT SUCH PRICES (AT, ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) AND IN SUCH MANNER AND CONTAINING SUCH TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY DETERMINE; SHALL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES BE LEVIED IN ANY YEAR, WITHOUT LIMITATION AS TO RATE OR AMOUNT, TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH BONDS AS THE SAME BECOME DUE; AND SHALL THE EARNINGS ON THE INVESTMENT OF THE REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS (REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT) CONSTITUTE A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE?

SUMMARY OF WRITTEN COMMENTS FOR BALLOT ISSUE 5A:

THE MONIES BEING ASKED FOR ARE FOR LEGITIMATE REASONS.  WE NEED THE MONIES TO FINISH THE PROPOSED ADDITION TO THE SWIMMING POOL, AQUA THERAPY AREA AND ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY AND CLASSROOM SPACE.  WE WILL BE USING THESE MONIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH AWARDED GRANT MONIES.  IT WILL BRING A GREAT SUPPLEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY.  HAVING ANYWHERE TO GO BUT TO AURORA OR TO THE METRO AREA TO DO ANY KIND OF AQUA THERAPY OR LOW IMPACT JOINT EXERCISE WILL BE A WONDERFUL ASSET TO OUR RECREATION CENTER AND DRAW PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY WHICH IN RETURN WILL HELP PROVIDE REVENUE FOR OUR TOWN.  WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A FUN ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILIES, SWIMMING YEAR ROUND, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, SCHOOL EVENTS, SWIMMING LESSONS, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS.  I AM IN SUPPORT OF BALLOT ISSUE 5A.

I FEEL THE MONIES BEING ASKED FOR IN BALLOT ISSUE 5A ARE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE PROJECTS – POOL, THERAPY POOL, OFFICE AND ADDITIONAL ROOMS FOR USE BY THE COMMUNITY.  THIS ADDITION TO THE BENNETT PARK AND RECREATION CENTER CAN ONLY ENHANCE AND ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY UP AND DOWN THE I-70 CORRIDOR TO USE IT.  THE POOL FACILITY WILL ENCOURAGE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ADD PROGRAMS TO THEIR CURRICULUMS SUCH AS SWIMMING LESSONS, RED CROSS LIFESAVING COURSES AND SWIM TEAMS FOR COMPETITIONS.  THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE CLASSES IN MOTHER/TOT SWIM CLASSES, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WATER EXERCISE CLASSES THAT WON’T HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON DISABILITIES.

THE ADDITION OF THE POOL AREA AND CLASSROOM WILL ENABLE THE COMMUNITY TO USE THEM FOR ADDITIONAL CLASSES OFFERED BY THE RECREATION CENTER, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, GAME ROOM FOR INDIVIDUALS (CARDS, ETC.) AND AS A MEETING PLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS.

I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS BALLOT ISSUE.

BALLOT ISSUE 5A IS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNITY’S DESIRE FOR AN INDOOR SWIMMING FACILITY.  AS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BENNETT PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT TO THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS IT, THE POOL WILL BE AN ENHANCEMENT NOT ONLY TO THE IMMEDIATE DISTRICT, BUT ALSO TO THE ENTIRE I-70 CORRIDOR.  THE MONEY TO COMPLETE THE POOL PROJECT IS NOT ONLY JUSTIFIED, BUT ALSO NECESSARY AND IS SUPPORTED BY THIS BOARD MEMBER.

SUMMARY OF WRITTEN COMMENTS AGAINST BALLOT ISSUE 5A:

NO COMMENTS FILED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEADLINE.