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Contact Your Commissioners |
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Kevin McCasky
Kathy Hartman, Chair
Jim Congrove
303.271.8525
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| Why Wait in Line? Vote by Mail! |
Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Pam Anderson announced a campaign by her office to inform voters about mail-in ballots. Jeffco voters can now sign up to permanently receive paper ballots by mail. Informational mailings were distributed the week of March 10 to all registered voters in Jefferson County who have not already signed up as permanent mail-in voters.
The mailing included a pamphlet explaining how to apply for a mail-in ballot and an application to update voter registration information, including address changes or party affiliation. Also included was an easy-to-fill-out application form to become a permanent mail-in voter for all future elections, and a self-addressed postage-paid return envelope.
"The purpose of this voter outreach campaign is to educate voters about the ease and convenience of voting by mail in a pivotal election year in which turnout is expected to be high," said Anderson. "Many voters may not be aware that they can vote from the comfort of their own home, and this campaign is aimed at informing them about one of the many options they have available," she added.
Prior to 2008, voters were required to apply each year to receive a mail-in ballot. Now, a voter is signed up for the new option of permanent mail-in ballots, his/her ballot packet will be automatically mailed to them for each Primary and General election.
The Clerk & Recorder's office has received more than 55,000 completed applications from voters in Jefferson County who want to be permanent mail-in voters. That brings the total to more than 110,000 registered voters in Jefferson County who are permanent mail-in voters; nearly half of the total number of active, registered voters.
Turnout for the 2008 Presidential Election is expected to be higher than previous years, and Jefferson County election officials are anticipating that as many as 95% of all Jeffco voters will cast a ballot this year. An increased number of mail-in ballot voters will help to alleviate the potential for crowded polling places in such a politically active election year.
Which is why Anderson says, "Why wait in line? Vote by mail."
For more information about the permanent mail-in ballot option available to Jefferson County voters, please visit www.votejeffco.com or contact the Elections Division at (303) 271-8111.
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| Make a Difference During Public Health Week |
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Colorado, as well as communities across the country, will be celebrating National Public Health Week 2008, which will be observed April 7-13. The theme is "Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance."
Despite the direct connection between climate change and health, few are aware of the very real consequences of climate change on the health of our communities, our families and our children. During National Public Health Week 2008, the American Public Health Association, the Colorado Public Health Association and hundreds of partners will help make the connection between our impact on the planet and the planet's impact on our health.
There are simple things you can do to make a difference during public health week and everyday. A few things that made the list by the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment:
Use Compact Florescent Bulbs: Replace three frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Saves 300 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $60 per year.
Fill the Dishwasher: Only run your dishwasher with a full load. Saves 100 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.
Adjust Your Thermostat: Move your heater thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer. Saves 2000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $98 per year.
Take Shorter Showers: Showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs. Saves 350 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $99 per year.
Buy Products Locally: Buy locally and reduce the amount of energy required to transport your products to your store.
Reduce Garbage: Recycle paper, plastic and glass and buy products with less packaging. Purchasing products with less packaging could reduce your garbage by about 10%. Save 1,200 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $1,000 per year.
Plant a Tree: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and make clean air for us to breathe. Saves 2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year.
Unplug Un-Used Electronics: Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Saves over 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $256 per year.
Turn off Your Computer: Shut off your computer when not in use and save 200 lbs. of C02. Conserve energy by using your computer's "sleep mode" instead of a screensaver.
Put on a Sweater: Instead of turning up the heat in your home, wear more clothes. Saves 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $250 per year.
Insulate Your Home: Make sure your walls and ceilings are insulated. Saves 2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $245 per year.
Bring Cloth Bags to the Market: Using your own cloth bag instead of plastic or paper bags reduces waste and requires no additional energy.
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| The Heart Gallery |
The Heart Gallery, a traveling photographic exhibit of children waiting for an adoptive family, will be on display in the atrium of the Jefferson County Administration & Courts Facility through May 5, 2008.
A nationally renowned, annual exhibit, the Heart Gallery features photographs of children in Colorado who have been waiting the longest for an adoptive family. Professional photographers volunteer their time to capture the true essence of each child in their photographs. A total of 62 children from across the state participated in the 2007/2008 Heart Gallery. Fourteen of Jefferson County's very own children are featured.
The first Heart Gallery opened in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in March 2001, the brainchild of Diane Granito, an adoption recruiter for the state of New Mexico. It proved so successful at increasing adoptions that professionals in other state child-protective agencies discovered the idea. Heart Galleries displaying portraits of hard-to place teens, sibling groups and special needs children have opened across forty-two states.
Please take a moment to look at these wonderful children and their photographs and continue to spread the word about the importance of adoption.
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| Community Development Promoting Volunteer Opportunities |
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Jefferson County marked National Community Development Week with an awards celebration and the unveiling of a new Web site to promote volunteer opportunities.
The awards ceremony recognized and highlighted the special projects of The Family Tree, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver and the City of Edgewater - three outstanding agencies that have partnered with Jefferson County Community Development over the past year.
To bring greater awareness to the many projects and programs that have received Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and other funds through Jefferson County Community Development, a new Web site was developed to promote volunteer opportunities within these agencies. Information on Jefferson County Community Development and current volunteer needs can be found there.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and locally by the Jefferson County Division of Community Development within the participating jurisdictions of Edgewater, Golden, Mountain View and Wheat Ridge.
The grants enable these jurisdictions to meet the needs of its neighborhoods by undertaking physical improvements and by providing public services, such as new homebuyer assistance programs, urban renewal, public facility improvements and rehabilitation of rental or owner-occupied housing for low and moderate income residents. Director Jacqueline Marie touted the great work of Jefferson County Community Development by pointing out that the county's program has funded more than $19 million in CDBG activities since 1994 to improve the quality of life for its residents.
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| Jefferson County Historical Commission Awards |
The Jefferson County Historical Commission is sponsoring its annual Writers' Award contest as well as accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame.
The Jefferson County Historical Commission's (JCHC) Writers' Award Contest is an annual event with a submission deadline of May 1st. The purpose of the contest is to stimulate interest in research and writing about Jefferson County history. Rules and entry forms (pdf) are available on our Web site or by calling 303-271-8865.
The mission of the Jefferson County Historical Commission is to inspire, encourage and coordinate historical activities in the county - get more information on their Web site.
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| Discover Spring in all of Our Open Space Parks |
Spring is in the air - snow is melting, the grass is becoming green and flowers are being spotted around Jefferson County. With the support of our residents, Jefferson County Open Space has been able to preserve, protect, and maintain one of Colorado's most valuable assets and develop opportunities for outdoor recreation, education and conservation.
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| Helping Park County Dig Out |
 Park County, Colorado, is used to heavy snowfalls, but on Monday, February 11, county officials were forced to declare a state of emergency due to blowing and drifting snow that stranded many residents in their own homes.
Cory Day, the District 4 Supervisor for Jefferson County's Road & Bridge Department, said that Park County's need for assistance was obvious. Park County was buried in snow and could not meet the safety needs of residents. As experts in snow removal and good neighbors, Jeffco Road & Bridge decided to offer assistance.
Day led Jefferson County's response to Park County. Jeffco dispatched a team of snow plows and a D8 Dozer on Tuesday, February 12, and added two more pieces of large equipment the following day.
"We sent equipment to Park County that would help dig them out from under all that snow quickly, but not take any essential snow removal equipment away from Jefferson County in case we needed it," Day said.
According to Day, the Colorado Department of Transportation, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and many other counties - including El Paso, Baca, Arapahoe and Clear Creek - were there to help Park County as well.
The Jefferson County Road & Bridge Department stayed on the job in Park County through Friday, February 15. At that point, enough roadways had been cleared that safety needs could be met and residents could access basic needs such as propane, food and other provisions.
"Park County made us feel welcome and very, very appreciated," Day said. |
| Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic in Evergreen |
The Sheriff's Office Animal Control unit is hosting a low cost spay/neuter clinic with the Table Mountain Animal Center, on April 26, 2008. The TMAC's mobile spay/neuter RV will be held at Chow Down in Evergreen and surgeries are by appointment only. Available slots fill up fast so please call early.
Spay/Neuter, by appointment only
Dogs $60 (under 55 lbs. only)
Cats $40
Rabbits $75
Surgeries include take-home pain medication.
There also will be a walk-in vaccination, microchip and dog licensing station from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visit www.tablemountainanimals.org for further information. Chow Down is located at 3719 Evergreen Parkway, Evergreen CO 80439.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for surgery call 303-278-7575 ext.105.
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