Farewell JMC 352 & Happy Blogging

Another semester has passed, and if JMC 352 has taught me anything, it’s how to cover current issues and to not lose my voice as a journalist with a blog.

            This was the first opportunity I got to report on something as crucial as a presidential election and then put it on the internet for the world to read. Having a blog made me excited for the possibility of having a larger audience than just a professor. What I was writing about the election and Greeley city council meetings had the potential of reaching hundreds of curious internet browsers. This is what I enjoyed most about the blog; and the fact that I was able to use my personal voice instead of that of a strict reporter.

            After reporting on such a strenuous topic as the presidential election, and considering that my writing would be on my blog, it helped me learn that facts are crucial, highlighting both sides of every issue is essential and a writer’s audience should always be kept in mind. I also learned that covering an election on a college campus means many opposing viewpoints, but keeping my own opinion out of it all was critical. This ended up being the most difficult part. As students voiced opinions that I disagreed with, I put my reporter face on and still gave them their part in every story.

            For journalism students preparing for this class, my advice would be to not be afraid. It can be intimidating as a student forced to interview prestigious figures like the Mayor. And although phone interviews would suffice, nothing compares to interviewing and getting to know a source face-to-face. Even if his/her opinion differs from your own… suck it up and report.

Last City Council -- lucky enough to hear about the budget

It’s that time of year again for the Greeley City Council. Budget appropriations for the fiscal year of 2013 were discussed tonight and the city will begin making adjustments within the next few weeks to compensate the new and improved budget.

            The council concluded that the budget, like always, will be followed as close as possible in order to keep the city moving forward and away from debt.

            “The challenge for the city is balance,” said councilmember, Donna Sapienza. “We will push programs we want to see that help to create less spending. I appreciate employees’ efforts to propel us forward to better times.”

            One of the main concerns about the 2013 budget, which was voiced by councilmember Mike Finn, is increased salaries and benefits that Greeley employees will receive. Both are planning on increasing to award Greeley’s hard working employees. The slight increase of salaries and adding spending for health insurance and work compensation is predicted to make a small but beneficial change.  

            “The increase is justified by the negotiations between the union and general employees,” Finn said. “To get the city in balance, I agree with these increases.”

            After concerns about salary and benefit increases, the public was invited forward to voice personal concerns. After a couple of reassurances from the council, the budget moved forward to approval. The fact that Greeley’s population is on the rise played a huge factor in the budget. Greeley Finance Director, Lezlie Philp, along with help from city employees, was able to accommodate Greeley’s needs and formulate a financial plan with high hopes of improvement for the community.

             “The budget is definitely a tedious task,” said John Gates, Mayor Pro Tem. “We look forward to looking at the 2014 budget in 6-7 months.”

            Talks of the 2014 budget has council-members laughing now, but let’s just wait and see how the 2013 budget does first – it’s coming faster than we know

Fracking: Fracturing Greeley resident's standpoint on oil drilling

Concerned Weld County residents and students from the University of Northern Colorado filled the University Center ballrooms Tuesday night to witness the powerful speech presented by hydraulic fracturing activist.

Josh Fox is known for his academy award nominated film, “Gasland” where the majority was shot in Weld County displaying the frightening affect of what has been known as “fracking.” Fracking is the deep extraction of natural gas processed by well drilling causing interference between this and water wells. Once a well is drilled, 2-7 million of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are deposited down the well at excruciating pressures. This pressure is what ultimately causes the fracturing of the shale causing a free flow of natural gas. Weld County, Colo. is one at major risk for harmful chemicals being released into drinking water and air around the drills. With much of Weld being taken over by the drilling, the danger is at its ultimate high.

“There are severe health problems for people living by these things,” Fox said. “Oil and gas wells in Northern Colorado are extensive and causing the area to become a toxic wasteland.”

In 2008 when the film was shot, three stories were highlighted from different Weld families. One woman admitted to showering in the dark because she was afraid of one of her bulbs sparking and catching the water on fire. One man became famous for his act of lighting his water that he drank and bathed with on fire. Another woman was forced to move out of the area because of extreme health issues with her and her family. This is just a number of examples of residents being negatively affected by the hazardous consequences of what fracking can cause.

“I think fracking is an issue that needs a lot more attention, not only in Northern Colorado, but everywhere.” Said Steffon Fisher, junior criminal justice major. “If more people knew about the extreme conditions I think we would make the necessary progress to stop it.”

According to UNC Geography professor, Karen Barton, Fox was invited here to “ignite” this important conversation and get educated about these dangers. In 2011, UNC was thrown into the equation with possible drilling to occur on campus. Although nothing has happened yet, Fox thought UNC was the perfect place in Colorado to voice the frightening facts about fracking.

“There’s something different happening in Colorado that’s different than in 2008,” Fox said. “Air quality has become worse than LA pollution in some areas due to drilling.”

Fox discussed how he witnessed expert after expert lie to Congress about the effects of drilling saying that it’s safe and not important enough to investigate. Although this dishonesty has occurred in many areas around Colorado, some cities have taken the next step in preventing the harmful health affects by banning the act of fracking. By popular vote, Longmont passed the amendment this past election of outlawing fracking within city limits.   

“I’m proud to be from a city that’s actually trying to make a difference in such a devastating issue around Colorado.” Said Jennifer Friesner, sophomore psychology major. “I’m afraid for the future of Greeley.”

Although Longmont’s action of outlawing could potentially push Coloradans in the right direction, Fox said that there’s still plenty of work to be done to stop the disturbing effects. He wants everyone to know that the danger is not just in the backyard of Greeley, but also in the backyard to our 7 billion neighbors.

“We wouldn’t be here if we were giving up,” Fox said.  

America and UNC students have witnessed history

 

The usual work out crowd has gathered at the University of Northern Colorado’srecreation center on Tuesday evening. The televisions are set to the election results on Fox and students working out seemed less amused than expected.

            Tonight is the night that PresidentBarack Obama is either going to be reelected or replaced by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Students ride the bike with their headphones in their ears and glance up at the changing results every once and awhile. Other students look at their Ipods and seem almost annoyed by the history going on around them. Students who are steadily jogging on the treadmills look up at the television but still have an empty expression plastered on their face. Maybe because they’re out of breath and any emotion besides exhaustion seem impossible while running that fast. Others have their eyes permanently glued to the TV as they watch what states fall into what candidate’s hands. Whatever the case, within the next few hours the 2012 presidential election will be over.

6:00 p.m.

            Polls are beginning to close around the country and votes are being tallied. This is just the beginning of the race with not even half of the states being accounted for yet. But at this point, some students at the recreation center seem hopeful for the candidate they have chosen.

“If Obama wins he will be able to finish what he started if given the opportunity to do his job as president” said Jasmine Oglesby, senior elementary education major. “Romney has great ambitions, but he has not given a plan which makes me not trust his word and essentially sway to the other side.”

            This is just the beginning of what seems like a long road ahead to victory.

7:00 p.m.

            At this point in the night, the main controversy is what candidate is going to win over the state of Virginia. If Obama wins Virginia there’s a good chance he could win the entire election. If Romney is in favor, Obama will be left to rely on states like Ohio, Florida and Wisconsin to beat Romney.

            At 7:45 p.m. the states of Virginia, Florida and Ohio are the closest in numbers. Virginia keeps going back and forth with Florida in a close running with Romney winning by .02 percent. When politicians said it was going to be a close race, they weren’t lying for a change.

            Within Colorado specifically, votes are also being tallied for the controversial issue of Amendment 64. The amendment, if passed, will allow Colorado citizens 21 years of age and older to legally carry and use a small amount of marijuana. If the amendment passes, marijuana will be taxed and regulated under the same circumstances as alcohol. Although there are still possible restrictions within city limits by the federal government, UNC students agreed that this was an important issue to vote on this election.

            “I voted no on 64,” said Terra Cozzolino, senior nursing major. “Legalizing marijuana could potentially lead to even more illicit drugs being legalized in the future. If there’s no starting point than we won’t have to worry about a stopping point.”

 

8:00 p.m.

            More people have been piling into the recreation center for their Tuesday night routine. But it becomes more apparent that in the back of their minds the likelihood of a new president is a possibility as numbers begin to flash across the screen. At about 8:45 p.m. Obama is in the front of Colorado with a 51 to 47 percent lead. Obama voters seem to get nervous and Romney voters still seem to have hope.

9:00 p.m.

            A male student starts to chant “Obama!” as more results begin to flash on the screen. At 9:20 p.m. Obama had a total of 257 electoral votes with Romney falling behind at 203. Swing states like our own, Florida and Nevada are too close to call at this point, but Obama fans are slowly beginning to exhale.

“If Obama wins I think it will be relief for women around the country,” said Sarah Rigato, sophomore elementary education major. “Some of the things Romney was proposing felt like they would have taken drastic measures to regress women’s rights.”

10:00 p.m.

            Cheers start to echo through the recreation center from Obama fans as they find out that he won Ohio and Colorado. Those were the last two states the final result was lying upon. Along with the news of Obama pulling forward, Amendment 64 results showed that the amendment would pass. Hickenlooper appeared on the screen with announcements about the fact that it will still depend on federal government regulations. Students all around the recreation center stare at the screen in either relief or astonishment.

            Obama fans exhale and Romney fans take in the fact that another four years will go by before a Republican will run for president again. It’s been a long road to victory, but Amendment 64 regulations will soon be announced and Obama’s proposition to “Move Forward” are in full swing.

Greeley City Council on the notorious Amendment 64

Greeley’s police chief, Jerry Garner, addressed city council on October 16 about the importance of voting against Amendment 64 this election in association with the resolution that was unanimously voted in favor of to encourage opposition from Greeley citizens, as well.  

 

It’s been an ongoing issue, you know, that one about the little green plant called marijuana, and how people around the state want it to be legalized. But it’s not just the people that are fond of the drug, its people who might not fully understand what the Amendment is all about. That’s why Garner stepped forward Tuesday evening in attempt to make the details clearer regarding what would happen in the city if the Amendment passed.

 

There are several details that go into the Amendment. People planning on voting on it should obviously research it and understand exactly what will happen if it were to pass. A strong reasoning for voting yes on the Amendment regards the fact that the state will receive taxes from the sales. Another reason is legalizing the drug will stop illegal drug deals and drug dealers from operating in the black market. According to Garner, every law enforcement official in the state of Colorado strongly opposes the approval, and consider it important to voice that opposition.

 

“Drunk driving is already a problem in the state,” Garner said. “Putting marijuana out there will just make the roads worse.”

 

He goes on by explaining that even if the drug was limited to the public 21 years-of-age and older, there’s still young individuals out there who would find a way to access it – similar to what young people do with access to alcohol. Another issue at hand that is significant to law enforcement agencies when it comes to the Amendment.

 

“It will put law enforcement in conflict with federal law,” Garner said.

 

Just because the drug could possibly be legalized, towns will still have individual laws regarding the use of the drug. This means the likelihood of every city in Colorado approving the legalization within the city limits is very low considering the disapproval from so many law enforcement agencies.

 

With the election coming up, it’s important for individuals to understand that approving Amendment 64 is just the beginning of what needs to be done to get marijuana legalized. However Greeley citizens decide to vote, let’s not get hopes up by pretending smoking in public will be OK from then on, because it won’t – sorry to be the bearer of what some people would think is “bad news.”

A final farewell to one of Greeley's finest

Greeley City Council was put on hold for a brief moment this week as Mayor Tom Norton gave an emotional speech saying farewell to one of Greeley’s finest employees.

Timothy Nash, Greeley’s Financial Director, who has been working for the city nearly 30 years, is transferring to Encinitas, Calif., which is about 25 miles north of San Diego, where he will bring his many talents as financial director to the city. Nash resigned from the city of Greeley to accept the new job on the west coast, and although he calls the leave bittersweet, he admits to being very excited about the move and being closer to his mother and siblings.

“This was an incredible career,” Nash said. “I’ve worked with tremendous city councils,” and proceeds to call other employees of the city his family.

With several awards of financial success tucked under his belt, he accepted his gift from the city council that read, “[Because of you] we are a better organization and you will be missed.” Inside was a bottle of wine that he said he will enjoy on the beach.

“His service is worthy of special notice,” said Norton. “And his smiling face will be missed by all.”

Councilmember Sandi Elder wiped away tears as they all shared their last laughs with a man that they will remember as one of Greeley’s hardest working and most reliable employees – and a friend.

“I’ve had one of the greatest pleasures of my life for the last 30 years of working with our friend, Tim Nash,” said councilmember, Charles Archibeque. “He’s probably the greatest employee that the city of Greeley has ever had.”

Getting Started

I have created this blog in my Reporting Contemporary Issues class at the University of Northern Colorado. My blog will be filled weekly with topics about the upcoming presidential election and every two weeks, details about Greeley, Colo. city council meetings.  I am a senior journalism major with an emphasis in news-editorial and an English minor. This means I adore writing and reading -- two hobbies that will come in handy this semester when keeping up on news around the nation and city.

Last year I created a blog about dancing, which was also for one of my journalism classes. Dancing is something I know a great deal about, which guided me while blogging. In the case of this class, writing about the election and city council meetings is going to be a challenge, but educating nevertheless. The frightening thing about blogs is the fact that it’s completely open to the public, anyone, anywhere, anytime. But this fact is motivating at the same time; it makes me want to write something that everyone will enjoy even if they have no idea who I am.

Personally, I think blogging is a much more exciting way to write my stories than turning in a paper to the professor. This way, the topics I cover are available to more than one person, which I think will make me work harder in the long run. Through blogging, I hope to gain confidence in my writing because I know that it’s out there for good once I hit “publish.” It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to doing this semester, even though it’s nerve-wrecking now, I think I’ll learn to love it. Who knows, this could be the beginning of my blogging career.