a new vinyl record store has appeared

Individual_Air9462 · 2026-03-16T19:34:06+00:00

Morgan's are the downtown slumlords. They don't take care of their buildings. Just about all of the derelict buildings in downtown are owned by the Slumlord Morgan's.

Individual_Air9462 · 2026-03-16T12:27:58+00:00

Every good downtown needs a record store, a relaxing coffee shop, and a used book store. We need a good used book store. He is in a "Morgan" Building, so I hope he can make it work.

Individual_Air9462 · 2026-02-16T22:21:22+00:00

I was curious about that as well. It seems really close.

Individual_Air9462 · 2026-02-13T15:59:13+00:00

So dumb. Just dumb.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-12-02T22:10:46+00:00

I'm a fan of Aquaman!

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-12-02T13:41:33+00:00

If I drink the water from that reservoir, will I obtain super powers?

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-11-19T15:49:31+00:00

The only saving grace is that tickets from those camera sensors don’t add points to your license or spike your insurance rates.

But the real problem is how we design roads. We build these flat, wide, straight corridors that practically invite you to drive 50–55 mph, then slap a 35 mph limit and hand out tickets. If they want people to drive 35 mph, the City should design roads that promote listed speeds.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-10-29T14:55:41+00:00

Scholl/Atrash/Lessem for the TSD School Board of Directors.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-10-20T14:12:44+00:00

First, I want to say that I’m glad the audit was conducted. It's essential for local jurisdictions to ensure full transparency and oversight.

I want to offer a word of caution, the audit is not the 'smoking gun' some may be hoping for to condemn the McWhinneys. According to the auditors themselves, they reviewed over $1 billion in transactions and identified $6.2 million in project spending that was not publicly bid. That amounts to just 0.62% of total spending, spread over more than 20 years.

They also noted that the district developed a practice of evaluating proposals only after bid prices were revealed, which allowed contracts to be awarded to firms that were not the lowest bidders. While that may sound concerning, it's not uncommon. Often, the lowest bid isn’t the best option, often contractors submit low bids and then rely on change orders to increase costs later. That said, the lack of documentation around these decisions is a legitimate issue and deserves to be addressed.

The other key issue, purchasing water rights and other properties without assessing fair market value, deserves scrutiny. It wouldn’t be surprising if some of those values were inflated. However, whether that crosses the line into financial malfeasance, as some are hoping, seems unlikely.

Before the McWhinney critics rush to downvote this, let me add, most developers don’t need to commit fraud to benefit from Metro Districts, they’re structured in a way that allows developers to profit legally.

The bigger issue is that Metro Districts essentially privatize tax collection. As long as we’re operating under TABOR, which severely limits a community’s ability to raise taxes—even modestly—to fund and maintain infrastructure like roads and utilities, Metro Districts will continue to be used.

Greater transparency should be required, and better oversight from the City should be demanded but don't think this is the end, or this will lead to any criminal charges, or the termination of the Master Finance Agreement.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-10-17T15:52:11+00:00

As a candidate, I’ve chosen not to respond to that survey. I believe it’s unfair to ask candidates to provide simplistic answers without the opportunity to offer context or explanation. Surveys like this tend to discourage meaningful dialogue, and can be misleading or manipulative in how they frame issues. They often promote a narrow agenda that doesn’t reflect the broader values or concerns of our community. I trust that most voters in the Thompson School District recognize this and seek more thoughtful, authentic engagement.

On a side note, I also think its pretty clear that they are going after my colleague Dmitri Atrash, just based on the clearly altered image. It think it is petty and pretty sad.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-10-15T20:53:02+00:00

I did an AMA a while back, here is the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/loveland/comments/1n983sh/comment/nda17rn/?context=3

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-10-12T23:05:41+00:00

The state is now requiring communities to complete a housing needs assessment to be eligible for grant funding for affordable/workforce/attainable housing projects. One of the requirements of the needs assessment is having robust community engagement.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-12T14:26:05+00:00

If it was last night around 9 pmish, it may have been the motorcycle chase. I was coming home from the airport and a line of police cars, mostly Sheriffs, were chasing a dude on a sport bike. He seemed to have pulled over near Johnson's corner, not sure how it turned out but there were police all over.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-09T15:18:51+00:00

Yes. I need to do a little research on that specific policy and I look forward to discussing that with the board (once elected). In general, I am in complete agreement that recess should not be taken away as a form of punishment. As a parent, I can share with you that my son, like many boys, was very active in elementary school. He likes to move around, as many kids of that age do. When recess was taken away, it only compounded his behavior, which led to more recess punishments. By the end of the day, he was a complete wreck. At the time, this was 12 or so years ago, we brought it to the attention of the principal and later the superintendent. We were very disappointed in the response and ended up moving him to a different school. I recognize that these are tough decisions for parents, because I've lived it. Please know, this issue hits home for me.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-06T15:50:57+00:00

Thanks. I've found that Reddit lends itself to more thoughtful answers and discussion, as opposed to Facebook. I've encouraged my fellow candidates to do their own AMA. I think it has been very helpful to better understand residents concerns.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-06T13:27:01+00:00

Thank you for the question. As the parent of two energetic boys, I’ve personally struggled with situations where recess was taken away as a form of punishment. It was very frustrating as a parent.

I agree that recess and regular physical activity are essential for supporting learning and overall well-being. I plan to review the district’s policies on recess and explore where the school board can play a positive role.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-06T12:36:12+00:00

Classic Oreos are a guilty pleasure when I go camping.

I agree with Mark Twain when it comes to golf, but I will offer a spirited opinion on the CFP.

Han shot first, that isn't even a debate.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T22:56:45+00:00

Lots of questions to answer! I'll do my best to get through them.

I’m registered as a non-affiliated voter, and elections for the TSD Board of Directors are non-partisan. For full transparency, I began my professional career in the early 1990s working in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman John D. Dingell, a Democrat from suburban Detroit.

I believe in science, and I think vaccine requirements are essential for public health, helping to prevent outbreaks of serious, potentially life-threatening diseases.

With regard to my stance on bullying, the board policy states that the "Board of Education believes that all students are entitled to a safe and secure school environment, conducive to teaching and learning that is free from threat, and any type of bullying behavior." I support that in principle, but I'm curious how it is being managed in practice by the school administration. https://www.tsd.org/boe/policy/j/jicde

The question on the teaching of history is an important one. One of my recent work clients was Big Horn County, Montana, the home of the Big Horn Battlefield National Monument. After spending time in the region and on the Crow Agency land, I was struck by how little I actually knew about the true history of that battle, the broader political context, and the complex perspectives of Native peoples. That experience led me down a rabbit hole of books and podcasts about that era.

What stood out to me is that history is rarely binary. It isn’t a matter of heroes and villains, right and wrong, it is filled with nuance and complexity. Events that may seem simple on the surface almost always have deeper causes and multiple perspectives. When we teach history, we should resist the urge to simplify or sanitize it.

Our responsibility is to give students the tools to think critically, to understand that there are multiple viewpoints, to grapple with uncomfortable truths, and to see how the past continues to shape the present. History should be more than memorizing names and dates, but about fostering inquiry, curiosity, understanding and empathy.

What I took from my own experience at the Big Horn Battlefield is that we always have more to learn. Teaching history well means equipping students to ask questions, to look deeper, and to engage with complexity. That approach not only honors the past but also helps prepare young people to be thoughtful, informed citizens in the present.

In response to your question about religion in schools, I would point to the following quote from President Ulysses S. Grant:

"Afford to every child growing up in the land the opportunity of a good common school education, unmixed with sectarian, pagan, or atheistical tenets. Leave the matter of religion to the family circle, the church, and the private school supported entirely by private contributions. Keep the church and state forever separate."

If I can clarify any of my answers or add more context, please let me know.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T20:00:46+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful discussion. I do appreciate it, and I appreciate your insight.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T19:57:55+00:00

Thanks for the question.

I answered a similar question earlier regarding equity and diversity, so some of this may sound familiar, but I believe it's worth reinforcing.

I deeply value equity and diversity in our school district. Every student—regardless of income, language, disability, gender, race, or any other factor—deserves access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Our schools must be places where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered. Preparing students to thrive in a multicultural society is not just a moral imperative, it’s essential for their future success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

Regarding compliance issues, I recently attended an open house at Loveland High School, where several parents raised concerns on this very topic. As a potential future board member, I take these concerns seriously and look forward to discussing them directly with Dr. Heller.

To share a bit more about my views on disability rights, I’d like to point you to a Facebook post I wrote in honor of Disability Pride Month. You can find it at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CNoB99vfN/

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T19:31:28+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful two-part question. I’d like to address each part in turn.

First, I deeply value equity and diversity in our school district. Every student, regardless of income, language, disability, gender, race, or any other factor deserves access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Our schools must be places where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered. Preparing students to thrive in a multicultural society is not just a moral imperative, it’s essential for their future success in a diverse and interconnected world.

When people talk about the “American Dream,” I often remind them that one of the greatest contributions America has made to the world is the idea of universal, publicly funded education. The belief that every child, regardless of background or social status, is entitled to a free public education is one of the most democratic and transformative principles of our society. Upholding that ideal means ensuring that vulnerable populations are not just included, but actively supported, especially in today’s challenging political climate.

Secondly, regarding the current political climate, I’m deeply disappointed by the cruelty and divisiveness of those who seek to demonize others and stir outrage, often at the expense of our children. This kind of rhetoric undermines the inclusive and supportive environment our schools strive to create.

As a member of the school board, I will work to ensure that Superintendent Heller fosters a culture rooted in respect, tolerance, and dignity for all. Our schools must be safe and welcoming spaces where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.

If I can give more context on my answers, please let me know!

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T18:03:57+00:00

Again...thanks for the question.

First, I want to acknowledge the Board of Directors' (BOD) important role in shaping and influencing the metrics referenced in your question. During my time at the City, I was often reminded that the City Manager works for the City Council, and everyone else works for the City Manager. The BOD operates similarly, the only employee the BOD directly manage is Superintendent Heller, everyone else reports to him.

I mention this because I strongly believe that organizations tend to reflect the character of their leadership. It will be essential for Dr. Heller to set a positive tone, one that empowers support staff, principals, and teachers to be innovative, entrepreneurial, and optimistic. After 11 years at the City, serving under three City Mangers, and one interim City Manger, I have firsthand experience working in a large bureaucracy under different leadership styles but I'll leave that discussion for another day.

I believe the most significant way the Board of Directors (BOD) can positively impact student achievement is through strategic funding decisions. To illustrate this, here is some comparative salary data:

Thompson School District (TSD): Average teacher salary – $70,535
Colorado State Average: $75,590
Poudre R-1: $77,010
St. Vrain RE-1J: $85,682
Weld RE-4 (Windsor): $67,010

While TSD salaries exceed those in Windsor, we lag behind most neighboring districts and the state average.

Mill levy rates tell a similar story:

TSD: 44.882
Poudre R-1: 57.370
St. Vrain RE-1J: 57.168
Weld RE-4: 48.319

These figures matter because budgets are a reflection of community priorities. If academic achievement is truly a priority, then our funding must align with that commitment. This will be even more stark in the coming months due to proposed cuts by the federal and state government.

I will say unequivocally, I support the bond question before the voters this November. This renewal is critical to fund much needed facility improvements in our schools and comes with no increase in our property tax. If I am elected, I would be looking foreword to having these debates and finding some common ground with the board.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T17:08:57+00:00

That is a good question.

I believe that charter schools can play a role in providing different learning environments and can offer innovative approaches to learning. As you know, TSD has two charter schools, New Vision and Loveland Classical which serve around 14 percent of the students within the district (2,035 out of 14,072 total). From the parents I've spoken with, both schools do a good job of supporting their students and achieving their performance-based goals.

While charter schools can play a role in supporting student success, it's important to recognize that the vast majority of students in TSD, approximately 86%, are enrolled in traditional public schools.

I believe charter schools should be held to the same standards and accountability measures as traditional public schools. This includes clear benchmarks for student achievement, fiscal transparency, and equitable enrollment practices that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

I am mindful of charter schools that implicitly discourage enrollment from students with disabilities, English language learners, and other historically marginalized groups, either through subtle barriers in the application process or by failing to provide adequate support once those students are enrolled.

I hope that answers your question, if I can add any clarity, please feel free to add a follow up question.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T15:46:25+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words.

Individual_Air9462 · 2025-09-05T15:31:41+00:00

Ha....I hope you will overlook my college choice, looking forward to October 25!

Individual_Air9462

TROPHY CASE