http://denver.yourhub.comThe latest blog posts in The Denver Newspaper Agency YourHub.comen-usnews@yourhub.com(c) 2009, YourHub.com5How will I approach the office of Mayor? During my career as a city manager it was my job to give my city councils good advice, protect them from mistakes and to carry out their decisions to the best of my ability.I do not think the job of mayor should be much different since the mayor report...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Your-Voice/Blog~665154.aspx10/9/2009 2:10:53 PMGene Wieneke I am seeking your support to change the fiscal mentality that is compromising our ability to remain a viable city. (Mayoral Campaign August 2, 2005) Four years later and five million dollars poorer, the crucial issue still remains the re-establishment of our financial security. As a resul...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~662215.aspx10/2/2009 3:34:48 PMGene Wieneke State law and local charters give cities the right to adopt emergency ordinances when circumstances demand that an issue or problem is addressed as soon as possible. An emergency, as defined by the charter, must be "for the preservation of public property, health, peace or safety." In consi...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~653847.aspx9/8/2009 7:11:35 AMGene Wieneke I am a single issue Mayoral candidate: Re-establish the financial security of Northglenn. If you believe that is the crucial issue at hand I would appreciate your support. Four years ago, I came in second during Mayor Novak's re-election thanks to the support of Bill Goodspeed and 1,808 vote...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~650301.aspx8/26/2009 5:30:15 PMGene Wieneke In 2009 the City's General Fund annual revenues were expected to be 9.8% higher than the amount received in 2000. The Fund's annual operating expenditures were budgeted to be 48.7% higher than in 2000. In my research I found a consistent pattern for the intervening years. During the tenure of ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~645947.aspx8/12/2009 3:22:06 PMGene Wieneke In the last article I summarized the need for budget reductions as follows: "We will be addressing the third error of $646,800 in the immediate future. A truly balanced general fund is only $1,523,449 away assuming the recession does not deepen and revenue projections hold. The Council and Cit...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~589910.aspx3/10/2009 8:18:50 PMGene Wieneke This week I would like to summarize some actions and policies that were not taken or instituted by the Council during 2008. Keep in mind that I have a much different perspective than the other members of the Council. At the same time, several share some of the disappointments. The most recogni...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~580384.aspx2/15/2009 1:08:46 PMGene Wieneke After one year as a member of the Northglenn City Council, I would like to summarize a few actions taken by Council that I feel are a positive change from the culture that has existed since 2001. With the addition of Ervin Baker and me, the three existing members who frequently called for ch...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~578015.aspx2/8/2009 6:07:07 PMGene Wieneke If you haven't read the bilge published by Rosie Garner in YourHub first, please do as the following are responses. The City of Northglenn does not have financial problems. City employees providing residents with expected services are not going to be laid off. The Council is cooperating wit...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~536949.aspx10/18/2008 5:43:00 PMGene Wieneke Would you intentionally plan on over spending your annual salary by 23% percent each year just because you had the money in the savings and didn't want to give up any of your "feel good" activities? The City of Northglenn has for years. I'll finish up with some surprising numbers; but first. Th...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~492318.aspx7/4/2008 12:06:53 PMGene Wieneke The Council Members spent two days together in early April for the purpose of discussing their working relationship and a joint approach addressing various municipal issues. For the last two months you have seen one result; meeting decorum. This last Saturday we met with staff and shared our pri...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~481219.aspx6/8/2008 7:19:18 PMGene Wieneke On the evening of May 22nd the council met in two executive sessions for the purpose of discussing two unrelated subjects. The following morning AJ Krieger agreed to submit his resignation effective that day after a settlement agreement was negotiated. The two previous managers resigned in e...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~478023.aspx6/2/2008 9:46:05 AMGene Wieneke The issue of purchasing new software for the City is coming to a conclusion following some vicious, inaccurate attacks in the blogosphere and some discussions at meetings of the City Council. Some of the attacks contain blurbs of information known only to the Council and staff. Is Innoprise the ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~465772.aspx5/4/2008 5:58:27 PMGene Wieneke At the meeting of March 13th, the City Council unanimously agreed to partially restart the selection process for new financial software. While not all members agreed, the action was taken in order to address an alleged conflict in the selection process and a disagreement over the age of the soft...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~445666.aspx3/23/2008 12:21:15 PMGene Wieneke A meeting of the City Council was held at one o'clock pm on Sunday in City Hall on February 10th. Notice of the meeting was posted Friday and the local newspaper received personal notice. The Sunday meeting was agreed to, publicly, at the meeting held Thursday evening. The meeting was held to ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Thornton/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~427136.aspx2/10/2008 5:19:41 PMGene Wieneke Let's recall Gene right now. Darn, we can't even file a recall petition until after July 10th. I guess it's time to build a case on "what he is going to do" and let's start before he is sworn in. What's our strategy? I know, create a monster in people's mind and then tear him down. Exaggeratio...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~403762.aspx12/13/2007 11:30:43 AMGene Wieneke A former, fellow retired city manager friend of mine, Bill Christopher, recently wrote in his column an article about "lame duck" city councils. The thrust of his article was that the time between the election of new council members and their taking of office was months too long. His reasoning w...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~402124.aspx12/8/2007 6:53:40 PMGene Wieneke The new $55 recreation center proposed by the city council was defeated for a second time and not by just 12 votes; try 67%. The residents also elected new representatives who intend on stopping the unreasonable spending binge that has plagued the residents since 2001. The existing building i...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~395661.aspx11/23/2007 3:05:52 PMGene Wieneke I thought I had a good plan in my attempt to win a seat on the City Council. Personally deliver a calling card to every active voter in Ward Four. Provide insightful and accurate answers to surveys from interest groups and news media. Place my qualifications and positions on an easy accessible w...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~383586.aspx10/26/2007 6:05:57 PMGene Wieneke The City Council is proposing a balanced budget for 2008; according to them. Let's see if you agree using your own household budget for comparison. Perhaps you believe that your budget is balanced on a yearly basis if the money spent is less than or equal to your income. The Council Majority doe...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~367179.aspx9/24/2007 5:38:35 PMGene Wieneke It looks like my previous posting on the 104th Ave. strip park got the City's attention. Or, maybe some of you expressed your opinion to the right people. I noticed on Monday past, the 17th, that the city had a contractor taking some remedial action on the newly constructed sidewalk ponds. The...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~364970.aspx9/19/2007 3:46:49 PMGene Wieneke Urban Inc, based in Greenwood Village, CO, manages 3,500 apartments in over 40 properties throughout Colorado and Wyoming. As is custom in the industry, one of the security services provided tenants is a prohibition against soliciting on the premises. I certainly can not quarrel with Urban Inc...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~359244.aspx9/7/2007 9:47:19 PMGene Wieneke After a year long traffic mess along 104th Ave and a million dollars are spent, the construction along the north side of the right-of-way is finally completed. There are several story lines surrounding the project including the project's origination, design, funding, planning, and engineering. I...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~356352.aspx9/2/2007 1:24:41 PMGene Wieneke Over one-third of residents on the Northglenn voter registration list will not be able to vote in the November 6th election unless they act soon. Ballots will not be automatically sent to their homes and there will be no polling places. This applies to all Adams County inactive voters as well. T...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~353990.aspx8/28/2007 1:11:32 PMGene Wieneke You might have read the article in the Sentinel by Chris De May advocating passage of the ballot issue for the new, enlarged 57 million dollar recreation center. Last week he also sent an email to several city employees and residents in an effort to organize a campaign in support of the issu...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~351893.aspx8/23/2007 12:21:37 PMGene Wieneke I understand my previous article picked up a little attention at a meeting Monday night. Since my posting, Zing and Prime West have signed the agreement approved by the City Council last May per the Mayor and City Manager. Since NURA has not signed it, the clock or count down on the performance ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~350992.aspx8/21/2007 1:37:41 PMGene Wieneke If you think the development of the City-owned property at 120th Avenue and Grant is going well, I have some disturbing news. The so called "investment" of ten million dollars in tax payers' money is in jeopardy. Let's begin with the information given to the City Council at the meeting of July 2...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~348400.aspx8/15/2007 5:45:11 PMGene Wieneke The City is in the process of hiring another $100,000 a year employee. He or she will be joining six other employees who also earn $100K or more. In that group, three are actually making over $110,000 a year. The position currently being filled is that of Director of Planning and Development. ...http://denver.yourhub.com/Thornton/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~343836.aspx8/5/2007 5:58:36 PMGene Wieneke Unfortunately there is a new trend in our cities that is gaining popularity. Most of you haven't notice it because it is occurring under your radar. Slowly but surely, your cities have been adding non-essential services and unnecessary overhead. Because of the ever increasing staff and operati...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~337745.aspx7/22/2007 2:02:22 PMGene Wieneke My comments are too long for an article posted by two members of the Northglenn City Council on YourHub and in their ward newsletter. Take a look at: http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Stories/News/Government/Story~335853.aspx It is not uncommon for elected officials to be dependent on in...http://denver.yourhub.com/Northglenn/Blogs/Archive/Politics/Local-State-Politics/Blog~336401.aspx7/18/2007 3:28:37 PMGene Wieneke