54 Elected Sheriff’s all across Colorado – signed on to the lawsuit – filed in Federal District Court (Denver) last week, to protect our U.S. Constitution and in particular – to protect Your Rights as provided to you by the 2nd Amendment.

Eagle County Sheriff – Joe Hoy’s name IS NOT on the list of Plaintiff’s (54 Sheriff’s) who signed on to this new Colorado Lawsuit (Click Here) for a PDF copy of that Lawsuit.  For the record there are a total of 64 Counties in Colorado (Click Here)  – that makes 84% of those elected Sheriff’s ready to defend your Rights.

Except our Sheriff Joe.

Side Note:  Summit County Sheriff (John Minor) – Garfield County Sheriff (Lou Vallario) DID SIGN on to the Lawsuit to protect your Rights.

Colorado Lawsuit Filed in Federal District Court – week of May 13 2013

Long time ECT readers are aware that Sheriff Hoy has never been our favorite Eagle County Sheriff.  Other notable items when reviewing Sheriff Hoy’s record…shows that our Sheriff Hoy was also (MIA) when it came to the issue of recommending to the Eagle County Commissioners (not to violate Federal Drug Law) Sheriff Hoy was no where to be found.  Your Eagle County Commissioners went onto violate Federal Drug Laws – when they voted to allow the so called “Medical Marijuana Dispensaries” to operate here in Eagle County.  (Click Here) for your documented proof.

Frankly, the ECT folks don’t know what Sheriff Hoy actually “stands for” – unless it is to avoid any public controversy – while constantly promoting a larger budget for his Eagle County Police force.

Keep in mind Eagle County drivers – to always keep you seat belt fastened, come to a complete stop at local Stop Signs and never ever, drink and drive.

Ever wonder why the people who work for the Daily Fishwrap – won’t tell you these facts?

Dateline:  Eagle County, Colorado – 2nd week of May 2013

Topic:  Eagle County’s (elected) Public School Board votes to refinance existing School Bond debt at a lower interest rate.  Alleged annual savings – $531,219.00

ECT Comment:  Good.

School Board member – Kate Cocchiarela’s comment:  “The savings go directly to the taxpayers through slightly lower property taxes, not to the school district, said Kate Cocchiarela school board member.” (Click on graphic for full story)

Say What?  What is Kate talking about?

FACTOID:  No Eagle County Property Taxpayer will see “slightly lower Property taxes” because the School District is re-financing their existing Bond Debt.

What this means Kate (and others) is that the District will pay a little less in annual interest out of their annual budget each year through 2026.

At at time when our Public School Districts (over all) Math scores are being called into question…it is very disturbing to see an elected member of our School Board having statements like this – attributed to them!  How can Taxpayers reasonably expect good decisions from elected School Board members, when it seems (at least some of them) don’t understand the process?

FACTOID:  Because of Colorado’s TABOR law – it is true that our School Board must go to the voters to ask to “raise” the Public School Mill Levy – it is also a FACT that the School Board can (and already has) raised your Property Tax Mill Levy for the (exclusive) purpose of paying existing Bond debt – without asking the voters permission.

The School Bonds, Ms. Cocchiarela are “secured” by our Eagle County Real Property and the Mill Levy that is already assessed against our Property.  Turns out that the Bond holders require that the District be able to continue to pay that Bond debt – in the event that Property Values in Eagle County are assessed – lower.  Obviously, the protection of the Bond holders is assured by allowing the School District to compensate for lower assessed Property Values (by raising their Mill Levy – without voter approval) for the exclusive purpose of securing their ability to pay the Bond holders.

Got it, Ms. Cocchiarela….and et al?

Ms. Cocchiareal – the Eagle County Assessor (elected) is Mr. Mark Chapin (a very nice and affable fellow) he can be reached at 970.328.8640 and our Eagle County Treasurer (elected) Ms. Karen Scheafer is at 970.328.8868 – if you would like more information.

Going Forward:  The ECT folks request that Ms. Cocchiareal and Fishwrap reporter Randy Wyrick, work harder to assure Eagle County Taxpayers – more accuracy in printed statements attributed to the both of them!

The Waste:   Eagle County’s total geography is over 75% “open space” today.  News Flash:  Lack of open space is not Eagle County’s #1 problem today.  Why do the Eagle County Commissioners insist on spending millions more of your Tax Dollars on Open Space?  Below a recent letter printed in the Daily Fishwrap.

The Fraud:   Committed recently by the combined inaccurate reporting efforts of the Town of Avon and Eagle County’s Open Space Director – Toby Sprunk.

Note:  last bullet point below.

FACTOID:  The 86 acres referenced above (by Sprunk and the TOA) is not, nor was ever was part of “the Avon Village parcel”.  A quick email to contact the principals at Traer Creek (the owners of the land known as the Village at Avon) – confirmed (see below) that the land referenced here in the above press release belonged to the Forest Service, not the “Avon Village Parcel” as described in the above press release.

This kind of (above) reporting by Open Space Director Toby Sprunk begs the obvious question – what else in this press release has Director Spunk also got wrong?

The Abuse:  To all the Public School, teachers and administrators, district pensioners, bus drivers, Moms and Dads with children in our Public School system, the ECT folks ask:  What is YOUR priority for how Eagle County spends your Tax Dollars?

The ECT asks – Open Space in a County already over 75% open space – or your child’s Public School education?  Isn’t it about (past due) time to repeal the County’s Open Space Tax?

No, the ECT folks weren’t invited to their “gathering to celebrate” (above) nor would we be motivated to attend even if the ECT was.

It seems there is no shortage of Dummies who voted to support this open space agenda in Eagle County last November 2012.  Let’s hope YOUR child is in a local well funded, private school.

Dateline:  Monday, April 22nd 2013 – the so called “Earth Day”

Location:  Vail, Colorado

Question:  Does this look like the so called “Global Warming Trend” to you?

FACTOID:  One year’s evidence does not – a trend make.

What about last years evidence?  OK, here it is.

The ECT folks still run into folks from time to time that believe in the myth of “Global Warming”.  Some Scientists have been caught promoting falsified data, (Click Here) that supports their “Global Warming” agenda (that’s how some make their living…by the way).

April 2013:  Denver Weather sets record low temperature (Click Here)

Our agenda here at the ECT is to supply evidence and let our readers draw their own conclusions.  By the way the ECT folks don’t believe in…witches, voodoo, leprechauns, vampires, warlocks nor little green men…er…(little green persons) we suppose we should say…

Here are a few more photos from Vail sans…Earth Day 2012 vs. Earth Day 2013.  Note the dates on the ECT photos, please.

		Global Cooling – Earth Day 2013 vs. Earth Day 2012 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Topic:  Gun Control Legislation

Dateline: Published on Apr 5, 2013

Who:  Denver’s Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives – Diana DeGette (D)

Even the liberal Denver Post – has called into question Rep. DeGette’s knowledge of Firearms and how they work…as a precursor to introducing legislation putting limits on magazines used by these firearms…

The ECT folks believe that (regardless of which side you are on) you have a right to expect your Representative in Congress know what they’re talking about.  The ECT folks also believe our elected so called “Representatives” should READ the proposed Legislation before voting on it.

Does this seem RIGHT to you?  Well Town of Avon insiders are insisting it’s happening.

So Avon’s local Wal~Mart (and their Corporate Legal Department) got tipped off this past week.

What’s going on?

FACT:  The multi-year lawsuit between the Town of Avon (TOA) and Avon Developer (Traer Creek) is currently crafting a combined Settlement Agreement.

The legal provision that is allegedly being included, with the endorsement of both litigants – is an item to increase the existing Sales Tax (they’re calling it a “Fee” in the Settlement Agreement) of 0.75% – which if implemented will bring the “total Sales Tax” you pay for any items purchased in the “Traer Creek Metro District” (that’s Wal~Mart, Home Depot, Castle Peak Grill, the liquor store, Game Stop…etc) up to 9.486% almost 10% of your purchase price.

So what’s “the Rub”?

More than one person in our Community believes that the legal term “Fee” is being used as opposed to increased “Sales Tax” because if it were being proposed as an increase in Sales Tax – TABOR would require a Vote of registered Avon voters – to approve that.

Enter Wal~Mart Legal….

There are some BIG questions that need to be answered.

1 – Why should folks who choose to shop at Avon’s Wal~Mart/Home Depot be compelled to pay ANY additional “Fee” – ECT calls it an increased “Sales Tax” because two litigants have spent Millions between them – fighting each other in Court for several years?

A bigger question?

2 -  If this so called “additional Fee” is implemented (and left unchallenged) – what’s to STOP ANY Colorado Home Rule Municipality (Avon in this case) from imposing (via a simple Ordinance) any new “Fee” against any Big Box store located in their Municipality?

Indeed, would a Big Box Store just become a kind of (Municipal ATM machine?) for any Town- that decides it needs more money?

The ECT will keep you posted…lots of good legal questions need to be answer here…

In the context of Global Warming (‘er…Climate Change, right) what can be shown here in Eagle County?

Well how about a photo comparison of last year (2012) vs. this year (2013)?

Meanwhile on Sunday, April 7th 2013….with more Snow in the Eagle County forecast for Sunday afternoon, Monday and Tuesday the 9th, 2013.

These photos taken in on the valley floor in Avon, easy walking distance from the so-called Walking Mountains Science School.

Global Warming?  ECT doesn’t think so…and it seems our camera doesn’t think so either!  In any event we’ll take the additional moisture Mother Nature is providing us currently!  Happy Spring time in the Rockies!

		Eagle County Daffodils – 2012 vs. 2013 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL