So, what's going on in CPN

My name is Chip Coppola. Although I am starting this blog, it will belong to us all. There should be no censorship, like some other blogs who do not post ALL comments.

My background is that I have been a resident of Castle Pines North for about 11 years and have been involved in the Douglas County community for about 20 years. I (and many others) have become increasingly concerned that the Castle Pines Metro District, while probably well intentioned, if left unchecked, will mortgage our future, as well as what we have today, in its quest for renewable water.
A quest which I have found they are unwilling to opening debate.
A quest that is and will cost each homeowner an enormous amount of money.
And that they have become an organization that takes umbrage at even being questioned;
they are no longer acting as a representative democracy (individuals elected to represents the people) as we believed that they were elected to be. But rather, the board acts as an oligarchy (power resting with a small elite segment).
There needs to be a return to the premise that the metro district, as well as the City, and as well as the HOA's, exist for the benefit of the citizens, that they derive their power from the citizens, and that to a very large degree the funds that they have came from the citizens and will come from them in the future.
It is NOT "the metro districts money" as their recent posting states; and no one is trying to "Raid its (metro district) $28 million in funds".

IT IS NOT THEIR MONEY - IT IS OUR MONEY - THE HOMEOWNERS OF CASTLE PINES NORTH.

No one is trying to "Rob the district of its reserves". (Another of the metro district quotes).

People, these are OUR reserves - not THEIRS. Besides, as people will learn from this blog, the metro district has recently borrowed about $25,000,000 without a single vote of the people. They formed a new entity to get around having to go to the taxpayers and ask permission - and with that new entity - they borrowed this $25,000,000 - and they already had millions in the bank!

Understand that I am a supporter of acquiring renewable water. I have been on a metro district board. As an attorney, I have represented metro districts, including working on the bond restructuring of the CPNMD debt in the 1990's. I served on the Colorado Municipal Bond Advisory Council. I am not an expert, but I understand water issues and financing of water.

However, I do not believe that water is the ONLY issue. I have actually heard metro district board members and supporters use the statement "renewable water is not the most important issue - it is the ONLY issue." And when anyone challenges that assertion, they are heretics; they use scare tactics like saying the value of your house will go down, or we will run out of water. You are treated with disdain and ridiculed.

Well, I for one have had enough of the bullying and believe that the time has come to have a real, open, and honest dialog on water, the cost, the need and how decisions in Castle Pines North are made.

We should have independent board members. I believe that the metro district board should set policy and that staff should implement that policy. NOT that the STAFF establishes the policy and the board members become the mouth piece of the staff.

So, I will compile facts. I will post them. I will encourage others to do so.

I would like to establish some rules for this blog.

1. I strongly prefer FACTS versus mere opinion or speculation;

2. I MUCH prefer people not hide under the guise of anonymous;

3. I require that this be a civil discourse - people can differ in opinions and do so without fear.

So, there you have it. Check in from time to time or subscribe to the feed. I hope it is entertaining and informative. And we can pick on other issues as well. Like why am I still paying so much for master association dues.....

Chip