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.”