 |
|||||||||
|
|
||||||
Arvada Press Arvadans for Responsible Transportation said they will continue to be seen and heard despite losing a recent lawsuit against the City of Arvada. Arvadans for Responsible Transportation (ART) recently sued the City of Arvada for joining the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority without a citizen vote. Jefferson County District Court Judge Jane Tidball ruled July 29 that the city's involvement with the Authority is not subject to referendum. ART president Russell Weisfield said the group has considered appealing the ruling but has not yet made a final decision. However, ART is planning to have a presence at the Arvada Harvest Festival Sept. 6, he said in an e-mail to members of Citizens Involved in the Northwest Quadrant, a similar citizen group opposed to the beltway. Weisfield could not be reached for further comment about the group's plans. Rob Medina, president of CINQ, said he is disappointed by the ruling but believes the beltway is no closer to being built because of the judge's decision. Huge expenses will ultimately stop construction, he said. "I think a lot of people are disappointed, but there is still a long way to go before a toll road has a chance of reality," he said. "At the end of the day, economics will stop it because the numbers don't add up." The City of Arvada said it is pleased to continue their membership with the highway authority. The authority is a partnership between the City of Arvada and Broomfield and Jefferson counties with the goal of completing the beltway. "The judge was very clear in her decision that not only was the council's vote to join not subject to referendum, but she also noted that they waited too long to even file such a motion in the first place," said city spokeswoman Maria VanderKolk. ART's primary concern is the development of the proposed metropolitan beltway along Highway 128 in Broomfield and Highway 93 near West 58th Avenue north of Golden. ART opposes a potential toll way, but the group would like to see transportation improvements throughout Arvada and along Highway 93. VanderKolk said most residents do not share the citizen group's attitude toward the beltway. "I believe they represent a very small minority of Arvada citizens for them to call themselves Arvadans for Responsible Transportation," she said.
|
The following organizations endorse ART ’s position: Citizens Involved in the Northwest Quadrant (CINQ) |
Home | Documents | Contact Us | Media | History | How to Help |