| June 5, 2007 850 New Residential Units Approved - Brown & Pielin Mock Colleague for Asking Questions The addition of 850 new residential units east of I-25 as part of the McWhinney’s proposed “Grand Stationâ€� required also amending the consolidated service plan for Centerra for Metro Districts 1 through 4. This accompanying resolution also required passage at the June 5, 2007 City Council meeting to ensure the previous change would be reflected in the service plan agreements with Centerra. Councilman Walt Skowron questioned the amendment as it depends on certain actions being taken by the Metro District controlled by the landowner. Skowron posed the question to staff whether a change in property ownership could jeopardize the needed amendment to the service plan and its implementation after the City Council had agreed to include the 850 additional residential units. Councilwoman Jan Brown became agitated with Councilman Skowron and complained openly that his questions regarding the resolution were delaying the meeting schedule. At one point, when Skowron stated he did understand appoint made by the city attorney, Brown interjected the sarcastic comment, “Good, can we go home now?â€� Loveland’s City Attorney ultimately did acknowledge Skowronâ €™s concerns and admitted they could have done more to provide assurances that the property owner would act accordingly. At this late date, however, the McWhinney apologists on the City Council were anxious to pass the resolution which finally passed on a 7-1 vote (Dozier absent and Rousey no) identical to the previous vote allowing the 850 additional residences in the overall Centerra development East of I-25. Still appearing bitter over Councilman Skowron’s questions regarding the resolution, Councilwoman Jan Brown (who remained mostly quiet regarding the substantive issues of the resolution) lashed out against Councilman Skowron during Council comments time on the agenda. “Walt, you must carry a lot of insuranceâ€� she stated several times in a sarcastic tone putting emphasis on a lot. Walt Skowron, appearing somewhat confused by the tone of the question, asked, â €œwhat is all that about?â€� Again she asked him with Mayor Pro Tem joining in to accuse Skowron of needing a lot of “assurancesâ €� to get through life. Click here to listen to the sarcastic attack. LovelandPolitics didn’t cover this issue when it first occurred but received multiple emails from residents angry with Jan Brown for her lack of decorum and the personal nature of the attack on Skowron. It appeared to our readers that a little due diligence by Councilman Walt Skowron on an important issue was rewarded by personal attacks on him by two colleagues, Jan Brown and Gene Pielin. Both Brown and Pielin appeared angry that Skorwon wanted to better understand the potential risk to the city if the resolution were passed and the property later changed hands – certainly a question our readers found legitimate. Councilman Walt Skowron ignored the condescending comments and the City Manager finally interrupted what appeared like school yard harassing with the comment, “moving right along.â€� |
LovelandPolitics.com
| Queen of Mean? Councilwoman Jan Brown Attacks Colleague for asking tough questions about McWhinney deal. SEE VIDEO |
| File photo of Walt Skowron asking questions regarding resolution before City Council |
| Councilman Walt Skowron |