Issue 2B is on the city of Thornton's ballot this year.  In a nutshell it has to do with the rezoning of a piece of property to allow the building of a "big box" store.  Naturally this has caused a lot of fighting.  Here is a letter to the editor that I wrote that were published recently. 

From the October 27, 2005, Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel

No on 2B

Rarely has there been an issue that has spurred such heated debate as that of retail developments in Thornton.  The strong feelings of some prevent them from seeing the forest for the trees. 

Last year a small group cost the city $1.5 million in tax revenue by chasing Wal-Mart away and sending that tax money to Westminster.  This group even had a catchy name (Residents United for Thornton) and promised to hang around and work to improve the city in other ways.  In the end they were out to protect their own self interests, the needs of the city as a whole be damned.  Having served their real purpose, the group disappeared and is now defunct. 

Here we are a year later and another small group, sans the catchy name, is fighting the development on 128th and Quebec.  This small but vocal group's actions are threatening to derail a much needed retail development.  The selfishness of these groups is self apparent and once again ignores the needs of the entire city of Thornton.  These are the same folks that clamor for a recreation center in their area, improved city services and other great ideas.  Of course they have no idea how to pay for these ideas – especially considering their actions would send away the tax revenue that is needed to fund these projects! 

The simple fact of the matter is that tax revenue drives the city.  Without tax revenue, nothing happens – no new fire stations, no more police officers on the streets, no new recreation facilities.   The vote on 2B is not so much about a new store; the city will do its usual outstanding job of addressing any concerns.  The real issue is do you want improved city services like those mentioned?  Should we do what is best for the city as a whole?  If the answer to these questions is yes, then I urge you to vote NO on 2B.