Monday October 26th 6:30 pm

Arvada City Council had a study session last night, one of the chief topics was the Arvada Harvest Festival. Numerous volunteers from the Festival showed up including Festival Chairman Renee Nelson and Parade Chairman Ed Tomlinson. These Festival volunteers were invited have a discussion about Festival budget items; instead they were walking into an ambush.

Lorraine Anderson made three motions (all voted down) to have power over this community organized event. Her intent was to give control to the city, through the Festivals Commission. Members of the Festival Commission were at the meeting too, Nancy Bentzen (President), Maryjo Giddings, and Brenda Berg. Wonder, how they knew to come? Wonder, who invited them?

Aaron Azari pointed out the fact that without volunteers running the Festival it would lose creativity. Don Allard noted that the city should not be running a parade. Bob Frie admitted that the council was not prepared to discuss or vote on these items as council similarly, thought they were walking into a budget meeting; but that didn't stop Lorraine.

Currently, the Arvada Harvest Festival is run entirely by volunteers and is privately funded - the three day community event is NOT RUN BY THE CITY. That didn't stop Lorraine either. No, Mrs. Anderson and her cronies continued to make illegitimate claims and accusation while giving the festival organizers no opportunity to talk or defend themselves. The budget wasn't even mentioned. Why call it a study session at all?

All other Council members and Mayor, the citizens' thank you of your support for the Arvada Harvest Festival

If you would like Lorraine Anderson to leave the Arvada Festival alone please call her and let her know:

Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember, District Three
Lorraine Anderson
303-424-5664 (h)
landerson@arvada.org