Coyote Gulch

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Colorado Water
Jim Spencer writes about Denver Water's decision to raise rates in his column in today's Denver Post [August 17, 2004, "Denverites soaked for saving H20"]. Spencer writes, "Those of us who face higher water bills can only frown and feel duped...The surcharges the water board placed on excess water use during the drought were 'incentives to reduce demand,' said Kerry Kuykendoll, the utility's manager of rate administration. They were not based on operating costs. Projected operating costs for 2005 are $167.1 million, Kuykendoll said. Projected revenues are $154 million. On Sept. 25, the staff will recommend new individual rates to make up the difference."
The Denver Water Board's decision to raise rates dramatically is the subject of this opinion piece from the Rocky Mountain News [August 1, 2004, "Speakout: Water Board should fine-tune its own ambitions"]. From the article, "If board members were running their own company and spending their own money, they would immediately consider cutting their capital budget. Yes, they are cutting back expenses and, yes, they are not filling open positions. Those are the first two steps in cost-cutting. The final step, though, cuts the big bucks: trim those future construction projects with the giant price tags. The board asked the public to re-examine its fundamental needs. Perhaps, its own ambitions could use a bit of fine-tuning."
Updated Ed Quillen thinks that Greg Walcher is vulnerable in CG3 here in Coloado due to his support for Referendum A. [Denver Post, August 17, 2004, "What is Walcher's stand?"]. Not the first time that water policy has effected an election.
5:59:05 AM

2004 Presidential Election
From the Rocky Mountain News, "First lady Laura Bush on Wednesday will tour Design Net Engineering in Lakewood then give a campaign speech on the economy."
Electoral-vote.com is discussing Amendment 36 on Colorado's fall ballot. From the website, "The big news today is in Colorado. The Colorado secretary of state, Donetta Davidson, has certified that the petition to change the way Colorado allocates its electors has gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot. On Nov. 2, Colorado voters will be asked if they approve a change to the state constitution that divides its nine votes in the electoral college in direct proportion to the popular vote. If it fails, George Bush will most likely get all nine electoral votes. If it passes, probably Bush will get five electoral votes, Kerry will get four, and the Supreme Court will get a world-class headache. Badly polarized as it is, the Court probably does not want to decide another election."
Here's a story about a poll from the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) that shows President Bush trailing Senator Kerry 75% to 22% amongst Jewish voters.
Taegan Goddard: "Here are the latest state polls from the presidential race: California - Kerry 54%, Bush 36% (Public Policy Institute); Maryland - Kerry 53%, Bush 40% (Gonzales Research)."
Update: The White House has an Internet Director who's name is Jimmy Orr. No relation to the 'Ol Coyote. Thanks to beSpacific for the link.
Update: Daily Kos: "North Carolina (SurveyUSA), 8/13-15, MoE 4.1%, Bush 51, Kerry 45."
5:47:13 AM

Denver November 2004 Election
Jim Martin confirmed that he is out of the race for C.U. Regent despite winning the primary last week, according to the Denver Post [August 17, 2004, "Martin officially out of CU race"]. From the article, "The Democratic Party has five days to convene a vacancy committee to select a new candidate, party chairman Chris Gates said. If there is no quorum, the task falls to Gates. Possible candidates include Stealey and Howard Gelt, who lost the regent's Democratic primary in the 1st Congressional District to Michael Carrigan. Others also may be considered, Gates said." Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News [August 17, 2004, "Martin says no again"].
Peter Coors' strong victory in last week's primary was due in part to his campaign wooing non-traditional primary voters and independents, according to the Rocky Mountain News [August 17, 2004, "Coors recruited infrequent voters"].
Update: MakesMeRalph: "I've been telling everybody and anybody that the 3rd is Colorado's best shot for a Democratic pickup, and with the way the primary turned out, it's pretty much a lock."
Update: 9News is pointing to a Survey USA poll for the U.S. Senate race in Colorado. From the article, "According to a 9News poll conducted by SurveyUSA, if the election were held today: 48 percent of Coloradoans would vote for Coors, 47 percent would vote for Salazar. The poll also shows voting results according to race and gender. Coors leads with male voters (54 percent), while Salazar leads with female voters (53 percent). Seventy-five percent 7of Hispanic voters, 62 percent of black voters and 53 percent of other minority voters chose Salazar, while 53 percent of white voters chose Coors." The same poll has the presidential race neck and nect at 47% each.
5:33:43 AM

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