To the Citizens of the
City of Centennial

My congratulations on the formation of the Home Rule Charter Commission and the start of the process to become Home Rule.

Having been the Chairman of the Home Rule Charter Commission in Sheridan, I applaud the effort it took to get to this point and the efforts of the elected Commission in coming up with a Charter.

You are now taking steps toward having the power to control your own destiny as a City.

The sales tax collection problem that our city suffered with for years was a very big part of why we got Home Rule in Sheridan. With the several different municipalities with the same zip code surrounding you, I assume you are having the same problems. Businesses assume that if you are in a certain zip code, you are in that city - which as we know from our experience is simply not the case. Being Home Rule allows you to collect your own taxes and see that new (and old) businesses within your community know who to pay sales taxes to.

In addition, being able to make decisions about local issues without going through the state legislature is much better for the community. You don't need a senator or congressman in Trinidad or Alamosa telling you what's best for Centennial. As a home rule city, you will have that option.

Our Charter Commission also grappled with the idea of an appointed City Treasurer and City Clerk as opposed to those positions being elected. For over 100 years those positions had been elected in Sheridan. But times change and the necessity for making those positions professionals, with adequate experience for the job, seemed the logical way to go. Even small cities these days need professionals in those capacities. The decision by the Sheridan Charter Commission to make those positions appointed rather than elected has proven very wise and I most heartedly recommend it to the Centennial Commission and the voters approving the Charter.

There are now 96 Home Rule municipalities covering over 90% of the population of the State of Colorado. I hope we can welcome Centennial to this growing number.

Mary L. Carter, Mayor
City of Sheridan