And she wasn't even involved in politics before:
linky:
LifeBridge will develop its Union project in Weld County
By Rachel Carter Longmont Times-Call
LONGMONT — LifeBridge Christian Church won’t be in Longmont city limits.
The church and its business organization, 4C, will develop the 350-acre Union project in Weld County, leaders announced Thursday.
Martin Dickey, 4C chief operating officer, said board members and church elders decided to drop their plans to annex into Longmont because November’s election brought new members to the Longmont City Council — and more uncertainty to the project’s future.
h/t to Jen C. at ProgressNowaction
The background.
Jen Gartner found the city council of Longmont was about to annex a huge tract of land to a religious organization who set up a 501c4 to develop houses and commercial property. With so many unanswered questions (see below) including those posed to and unanswered by city council, Ms. Gartner began a signature petition to get a ballot initiative started. The goal was to allow the citizens of Longmont to have their say on this issue. They collected enough valid signatures to get on the ballot. Then Gartner and her many volunteers would have to run a campaign for the ballot init. Instead the development company ran with its tail between its legs.
I suppose Lifebridge thinks they'll have an easier time if they do their development in Weld County. Not if the nearby residents in Weld have the energy and commitment of some Longmont residents.
Several of us got to meet Jen at the recent Roots Camp Colorado and hear her story personally. Most shocking, okay not, were the attacks by Lifebridge on Jen's group - that they were anti-Christian, oh, and well funded. Of course, no where did What's In It For Longmont say they were against the organization or religion at all. They simply wanted all citizens to have a say in the process. I love it when the religious-conservatives play their, "Oh, we're being oppressed" card. That would be the tired, worn, ripped, and funny card.
Who says one person can't make a difference? And, Jen, next time you're in Denver, can I buy you a drink?
Some of the questions from What's In It for Longmont:
- Why is the City of Longmont granting so many concessions and variances to LifeBridge/4C?
- Why is the City of Longmont ignoring its Master Plan?
- What is the affordable housing requirement for Longmont? Why can a builder choose to build the "affordables" in a different neighborhood than the development?
- Who provides the water and at what costs?
- What portion of the sports arena is tax exempt?
[and so on]
You might be asking yourself how this affect you beyond a democracy working for the people warm fuzzy story. There appears to be a pattern of this type of questionable land-grab around the country.
Cross posted at SquareState.net