2012 brings much to look forward to

    As we open 2012, I would like to reflect on 2011 as well as challenges and opportunities our community will face in the new year.
    I have been very fortunate to serve our community as mayor for eight years. We have grown, matured, ventured out and had some missteps. But, overall, we are a stronger, better managed and forward thinking community.
    The financial situation in Frederick is better than many communities because of the prudent and conservative approach we have taken as a town board and staff. We have continued to provide essential services and have built our fund balances to save for those future days when we may need funds. We continue to have an excellent staff providing direct services to residents and development alike. Our building permits continue to show healthy gains with well over 100 new housing starts in 2011. This demonstrates that Frederick is an attractive community to move into and our location allows close proximity to many venues in the region.
    Our continued growth in sales tax receipts demonstrates that we have business and industry that is growing and contributing to our community and is greater than Firestone or Dacono.
    Businesses are finding our community as several new businesses have relocated or will be joining the town, including NAPA Auto and 7-11 off of Highway 52 and Frederick Way, Santiago’s Restaurant on Colorado Boulevard and new primary employers in the various business parks and new development of the Indian Peaks Medical Center during 2012.
    We continue to find ways to work with our neighbors in Firestone and Dacono as well as the recreation center. One of the best initiatives to close this year and start 2012 is the dialogue and discussion that will happen with the three tri towns and the recreation district board on visioning and long term planning for recreation needs in the region. Through efforts of the three tri towns and the recreation district my hope is that a long term plan will be developed and presented to the residents ensuring quality programs and facilities to meet the growing needs.
    We welcomed our new town administrator, Matt LeCerf, Jan. 4 as well as his wife, Kate ,and their two children. This will usher in a new administration taking care of our day-to-day needs as a community and managing our staff as well as community resources. This will be a good step for our community as we look to the future in a positive and visionary way building on the foundational pieces that are in place by both board and previous administrations. Please stop by town hall and welcome Matt.
    Our work on phase two of the Frederick Recreation Area enhancements and moving forward with future phases will provide great and growing recreational opportunities for residents. Implementing and working with downtown businesses on the Downtown Development plan is essential in 2012. The current and new businesses coming to Frederick downtown need to be at the table as plans are implemented during the coming year. I must express my thanks to Ernie Rowe, longtime owner developer of Clark Plaza and Indian Peaks Industrial Park who recently passed away. Ernie was a great supporter of Frederick in so many ways and contributed greatly to who and what we are as a community today. Ernie will be missed but his legacy will live on. The opening of the new high school in the fall of 2012 as well as the conversion of the current high school to a K-8 school will breathe new life and excitement into our educational institutions, which along with other Frederick elementary schools helps new business want to locate in our community.
    Our ongoing efforts as a leader in the discussion about building the Northern Integrated Supply Project for credible and needed water storage will continue as this is important to our community as we grow. Having quality water resources ensure our continued growth and development of industrial and job creation in the community is essential.  We are currently working with United Power on our contract that will provide a clean and efficient electric supply to our community that is also reliable. Additionally, we will be working on a contract with Waste Connections for the trash service in our community.  Keeping the overall costs low to residents since going to a single source for trash service has been a great stride for our community.
    For our residents, 2012 will provide an opportunity for a leadership change at town hall as I complete eight years as mayor preceded by two years on the Town Board. We also have three open sets on the town board. I want to encourage and invite voting residents of Frederick to consider service to the community as a member of the town board or mayor. These are very important positions that require a willingness to listen, study and make decision that sometimes are contrary to your personal view but are in the best interest of the community. I believe that public service is an honorable and noble way to give back to a community and requires compassion and leaving ego and personal desires at the door. Look for more information about running for these offices in the coming weeks on the website or town newsletter.
    So, as we enter a new year, we move forward in Frederick thankful for our continued achievements, learning from our past and boldly moving forward into the new opportunities that await us.