My name is Peter Newman and I am an annual visitor to your fine city of Wheat Ridge and being from another fine city, Montreal, Canada. It is most unusual of me to complain, especially being a foreign guest and a Northern neighbour, with whom I wish to remain an old friend. However as reluctant as I am I feel the need to write to you concerning some of the users of the bicycle path around The GreenBelt, on one recent September day. Despite the clearly marked sign posting a speed limit of 15mph, most of the cyclists far exceeded that speed, silently & without warning speeding by our family, who were just out for a leisurely stroll around the lake. It was to say at the least, unsettling, a beautiful day spoiled by some selfish uncaring cyclists who should know better. What can be done to curb this behaviour I don’t know, maybe speed bumps, just enough to cause some discomfort but not to cause a problem when snow clearing or cleaning when needed. Other than that unfortunate episode during my two week stay in Wheat Ridge it was most enjoyable & I hope to return in the future.
Sincerely yours,
Peter Newman, Candiac, Que., Canada
After three months of meetings, a group of enthusiastic neighborhood volunteers recently pulled off a grand “block party” that was a smashing success. The Fresh Fest of Bel Aire held on August 29th, brought neighbors in the Bel Aire neighborhood together. Alex Gouldsmith, the event organizer, wanted to provide an opportunity for neighbors to meet each other and connect while celebrating the neighborhood. He sent out emails to those he thought might be interested in creating the event and the project was on its way. Neighborhood businesses became sponsors or donated to a raffle and silent auction, with proceeds funding event costs and future “Fresh Fests.” There was live music, food vendors, a corn hole tournament, two bouncy houses, and Sweetridge Studios provided art activities for the kids. A party in the dog-centric Bel Aire neighborhood would not be complete without a dog parade. The parade crowned four winners in the Crowd Favorite, Little Dog Big Attitude, Biggest Clown and Most Creative categories. Alex secured permission from the Jeffco School district to hold the event at the former Wilmore Davis grade school campus, which was the perfect location for the block party. Alex emphasized that this event could not have been the success it was without the volunteers and their enormous contributions.
When ballots arrive this October, voters in Wheat Ridge, Applewood, Mountain View, East Pleasant View, and parts of Lakewood, will notice something unusual in House District 23: there is no Republican candidate on the ballot. That leaves voters with a clearer choice between party politics and an independent-minded local candidate. For me, that choice is Ross Metler.
Ross lives and works in this community. As a software developer and data analyst, he spends his career sorting through complex information, separating facts from spin, and focusing on what the data actually shows. Those are skills Colorado could use more of in state government.
Affordability remains the issue residents feel most. Rising grocery, utility, and everyday costs continue to strain household budgets. Politicians often promise to lower costs, yet new fees and charges seem to appear regularly. Ross takes a simple view: government should be transparent about how taxpayer money is spent. Before asking for more, elected officials should be able to clearly explain where existing funds have gone and what results they achieved.
That same principle applies locally. Utility rate increases should come with clear explanations. Property owners deserve flexibility on their own land without unnecessary state mandates. And taxpayers should not be expected to subsidize well-connected interests while absorbing the costs associated with water, roads, schools, and other public services. Legislators should be able to point to specific bills, specific votes, and specific outcomes when discussing their records.
Ross is also the only candidate in this race consistently focused on civil liberties. He opposes expanding automated surveillance systems that collect citizens’ data and supports stronger limits on civil asset forfeiture when no criminal conviction has occurred. His belief is straightforward: people should not be treated as suspects by default.
Local elections directly affect taxes, utility costs, and the balance between personal freedom and government authority. I’m supporting Ross because I want a representative who shares the same challenges as his constituents and answers to the people and not to a political party that tells him what to think or how to vote.
Ross is holding a town hall on Sunday, October 11, from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Carnation Room at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. Go ask the hard questions. Learn where he stands. You can find more information at Ross4CO.com.
Ihor Figlus, Wheat Ridge
Investing in the Community That Invested in Us
My family has been part of Wheat Ridge for generations. My father started his first business here, Pietra’s Pizzeria in 1964 built on community spirit and supporting the schools and events that have come to define Wheat Ridge. He and my mother quickly fell in love with this wonderful community that took care of them as they took care of the business. My wife and I chose to raise our family here as well and will always be part of this community. I own restaurants and businesses in other cities as well, but none compare to the amazing folks that work for, and in Wheat Ridge.
Community involvement has always been important to me. That’s why I’m proud to help put on the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival each year. It’s more than an event on the calendar, it’s one of those opportunities for neighbors, businesses, and city employees alike to come together, connect, and celebrate the community we share. These are only a few of the reasons I live and spend most of my time here.
That’s also why I support the opportunities that 2A, the proposed sales and use tax increase on the November ballot will afford us. such as a much-needed Anderson pool upgrade, maintaining the neighborhoods that have lost schools recently, and most importantly upgrading our police headquarters and city facilities at the changing Lutheran Legacy Campus, a soon fast changing neighborhood where we will also welcome new neighbors and friends.
Wheat Ridge enjoys the lowest property tax levy of any city in Jeffco, some nearly 5X less. Our parks are supported solely by our sales and use tax without a recreational district like many of our neighboring cities do. Our Staff, Mayor and Council have remained available and transparent over the years thanks to oversight of many involved citizens like me. I intend to hold them accountable if I am here. When we invest in our streets, parks, public spaces, and infrastructure, we aren’t just improving individual projects, we’re investing in the environment that allows local businesses and families to thrive and maintain the character that makes Wheat Ridge special.
Investment creates opportunity. I’m ready to stand up for this city that has been so good to my family for decades. I hope you are too.
Joe DeMott
