A growing chorus of Lakewood citizens are taking a simple message to the people of our City this holiday season - Vote FOR Rooney Valley Open Space in the upcoming special election. A vote FOR the proposed open space will benefit all of the citizens of our city at absolutely no cost to taxpayers.

To learn more about this important issue visit voteforrvos.org.

The truth of the matter - plain and simple - is that a vote FOR the open space corridor proposed in the election will provide our city with a permanent and protected connection between the two crown jewels of our city park system - Bear Creek Lake Park and William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain.

Hundreds of people use this piece of land already to traverse back and forth between Lakewood's two largest city parks, not knowing that the property is privately owned and not protected. If the open space measure proposed in the special election fails, we all lose. The land would be developed as houses!

That is why I have joined my neighbors, as well as Mayor Steve Burkholder, Councilmember Ray Elliott, Councilmember Bob Murphy, Alameda Gateway Community Association, Lakewood Business Leadership Committee, West Colfax Community Association, Jefferson County Board, The West Chamber, Jewell and Wadsworth Business Association, West Colfax Community Association - and even the current owner of the property - in providing this open space to the people of Lakewood.

You should to.

The members of the "Vote FOR Rooney Valley Open Space" Committee, led by fellow Ward 4 resident Lisa Scott, welcome your questions and participation and we are willing to visit with individuals or groups who wish to know the facts about this measure (also visit voteforrvos.org). Here are the basic facts:

•The 22-acre open space wildlife and outdoor recreation corridor that will be created if you vote FOR the measure and will cost taxpayers nothing.

•This measure was approved UNANIMOUSLY by our planning commission in a 6-0 vote.

•The measure also was approved UNAMIOUSLY by our city council, in TWO 11-0 votes.

So, why are we having a special election? Frankly, because someone decided that our city leaders - the representative that we elected - should be challenged by a special election at a cost of $240,000!

I believe that is wrong and let me tell you why:

•The open space corridor, that will be created when you vote FOR the measure, was first envisioned in the Rooney Valley Joint Master Plan that was developed over a 10-year period and adopted by the City of Lakewood, Jefferson County and theTown of Morrison. Countless citizens provided input to that plan and its superior vision. This special election threatens that vision forever. That is wrong.

•Our elected representatives voted unanimously to support the creation of this very special wildlife corridor and so did our planning commission. It is a rare occasion when our representatives speak with such a unified and clear voice. Now, this special election is going to cost us, the citizens of Lakewood, $240,000! That is also wrong.

Please, vote FOR the wildlife corridor proposed in the upcoming special election, to protect our open space and to send a clear message to those opposing this measure - stop wasting valuable and limited city resources to twist the will of the people who have already spoken very clearly - we wish to protect our Rooney Valley Open Space!