| LovelandPolitics.com |
Loveland - May 4, 2009
Loveland High School (LHS) Assistant Principal, Athletic Director Devin Anderson recorded a message sent to hundreds of
parents last week using the automated phone calling system maintained by the Thompson R2-J School District. The recorded
message didn't provide information regarding the spreading swine flu epidemic or the recent stabbing in the park near the
school but instead was a call to political action.
The school administered automated call asked parents to attend Loveland's regularly scheduled council meeting on May 5,
2009. The Assistant Principal Anderson finished his recorded message by encouraging a big "turn-out" by parents at the
upcoming Loveland City Council meeting.
Built in 1965 using funds from both the city and school district, LHS pool was taken out of service in 2002 following a report
that it was no longer structurally sound or safe. Subsequently, LHS's swim and diving teams were unable to practice in the
City of Loveland Chilson Center pool and have been sharing space in the pools of other area high schools.
On April 21, 2009 the Thompson R2-J School District Bond Administrator, Jay Earl, sent a letter to Loveland's City Council
requesting the city fund $1.1 million of an estimated $3.2 million to restore Loveland High School (LHS) pool. The request
is for a one-time lump sum and buys residents of Loveland indefinite use of the pool at no annual cost obligation to the city for
operations or maintenance in the future. A similar agreement exists between the city and school district for the Mountain
View High School pool.
Community Support
A detailed website is maintained by community volunteers and the Thompson Education Foundation to raise money for the
pool's renovation. Nick Hanson of The Group Inc. has been active along with his extended family in raising money to assist in
the pool's restoration. Last January a number of Loveland residents attended the city council's annual retreat to request the
LHS pool be included in the city's capital improvement plan.
Local artist Jane De Decker even created a bronze sculpture named, "The Last One In" to raise money for the pool's
restoration. A number of prominent community members have also called for the funding of the pool's renovation during
previous council and school board elections.
Loveland Parks and Recreation Director And Two Councilors Already Against Proposal
Gary Havener, Director of Parks and Recreation, also sent a letter to Loveland's City Council questioning the efficacy of the
cost estimate by comparing the Thomson RH District estimates to repair an existing facility to estimates the city obtained to
build a new facility at the Chilson Center. Havener's letter stated;
"There seems to be nearly three times the cost differential between two very similar pools with the LHS structure
already in place."
According to members of the Parks and Recreation Committee the issue was discussed during their meeting last March.
While the online notes of the meeting did not record the discussion, LovelandPolitics has been informed the council liaison to
the committee, Councilman Glenn Rousey, spoke against the city funding any part of the LHS pool at that meeting. In
addition, Councilwoman Carol Johnson has also been quoted making similar statements about not funding the LHS pool
out of fear the city manager will cut funding to downtown projects she favors. Some councilors have reported receiving as
many calls for the pool funding as against from the community.
Budget Snapshot And Runaway Health care Costs May Be Reason To Say No
Loveland's City Manager, Don Williams, has conveniently scheduled a budget "snap shot" during the same meeting where he
will likely introduce the possibility of city employee lay-offs.
According to his report, "The City’s health care claims paid year to date is $1,902,458 or 97.7% of budget.
Compared to 2008 for the same period, claims paid in 2009 increased $219,550 or 13%."
Another problem area for the city is sale tax revenue. Year to date collections of only $7,625,482 or 88.7% of the year to
date budget forecast creates trouble. This means Loveland is nearly $1 million short on sales tax ($975,598) while the
budget for 2009 health care for employees has already been spent this early in the year. Laying-off city employees is one
option the council may be facing sooner rather than later.
Supporters of the LHS pool will be hard pressed to counter arguments that by funding the LHS pool the City of Loveland
may have to let certain employees go. Of course, the millions of dollars used for speculative land purchases by the city along
402, annex agreement grease money and Don Williams' recently approved extended health benefits if he quits are unlikely to
be mentioned in reference to areas where they could have saved enough money to contribute money towards this valuable
long missed community asset.
Loveland High School (LHS) Assistant Principal, Athletic Director Devin Anderson recorded a message sent to hundreds of
parents last week using the automated phone calling system maintained by the Thompson R2-J School District. The recorded
message didn't provide information regarding the spreading swine flu epidemic or the recent stabbing in the park near the
school but instead was a call to political action.
The school administered automated call asked parents to attend Loveland's regularly scheduled council meeting on May 5,
2009. The Assistant Principal Anderson finished his recorded message by encouraging a big "turn-out" by parents at the
upcoming Loveland City Council meeting.
Built in 1965 using funds from both the city and school district, LHS pool was taken out of service in 2002 following a report
that it was no longer structurally sound or safe. Subsequently, LHS's swim and diving teams were unable to practice in the
City of Loveland Chilson Center pool and have been sharing space in the pools of other area high schools.
On April 21, 2009 the Thompson R2-J School District Bond Administrator, Jay Earl, sent a letter to Loveland's City Council
requesting the city fund $1.1 million of an estimated $3.2 million to restore Loveland High School (LHS) pool. The request
is for a one-time lump sum and buys residents of Loveland indefinite use of the pool at no annual cost obligation to the city for
operations or maintenance in the future. A similar agreement exists between the city and school district for the Mountain
View High School pool.
Community Support
A detailed website is maintained by community volunteers and the Thompson Education Foundation to raise money for the
pool's renovation. Nick Hanson of The Group Inc. has been active along with his extended family in raising money to assist in
the pool's restoration. Last January a number of Loveland residents attended the city council's annual retreat to request the
LHS pool be included in the city's capital improvement plan.
Local artist Jane De Decker even created a bronze sculpture named, "The Last One In" to raise money for the pool's
restoration. A number of prominent community members have also called for the funding of the pool's renovation during
previous council and school board elections.
Loveland Parks and Recreation Director And Two Councilors Already Against Proposal
Gary Havener, Director of Parks and Recreation, also sent a letter to Loveland's City Council questioning the efficacy of the
cost estimate by comparing the Thomson RH District estimates to repair an existing facility to estimates the city obtained to
build a new facility at the Chilson Center. Havener's letter stated;
"There seems to be nearly three times the cost differential between two very similar pools with the LHS structure
already in place."
According to members of the Parks and Recreation Committee the issue was discussed during their meeting last March.
While the online notes of the meeting did not record the discussion, LovelandPolitics has been informed the council liaison to
the committee, Councilman Glenn Rousey, spoke against the city funding any part of the LHS pool at that meeting. In
addition, Councilwoman Carol Johnson has also been quoted making similar statements about not funding the LHS pool
out of fear the city manager will cut funding to downtown projects she favors. Some councilors have reported receiving as
many calls for the pool funding as against from the community.
Budget Snapshot And Runaway Health care Costs May Be Reason To Say No
Loveland's City Manager, Don Williams, has conveniently scheduled a budget "snap shot" during the same meeting where he
will likely introduce the possibility of city employee lay-offs.
According to his report, "The City’s health care claims paid year to date is $1,902,458 or 97.7% of budget.
Compared to 2008 for the same period, claims paid in 2009 increased $219,550 or 13%."
Another problem area for the city is sale tax revenue. Year to date collections of only $7,625,482 or 88.7% of the year to
date budget forecast creates trouble. This means Loveland is nearly $1 million short on sales tax ($975,598) while the
budget for 2009 health care for employees has already been spent this early in the year. Laying-off city employees is one
option the council may be facing sooner rather than later.
Supporters of the LHS pool will be hard pressed to counter arguments that by funding the LHS pool the City of Loveland
may have to let certain employees go. Of course, the millions of dollars used for speculative land purchases by the city along
402, annex agreement grease money and Don Williams' recently approved extended health benefits if he quits are unlikely to
be mentioned in reference to areas where they could have saved enough money to contribute money towards this valuable
long missed community asset.
| Above: The empty pool at Loveland High School. |
| School Lobbies Parents To Support City Funding of LHS Pool Renovation |
| Funding Request: Letter Requesting the funds by Thompson School District Rebuttal: Letter by Gary Havener, Director of Parks and Recreation |