BLOG: On Parker Water Spending

May 8, 2012 Leave a comment

Taxpayers and people who pay a public utility often struggle when writing out checks they have no choice to write-out.

This is why looking at government spending, even on the micro level, is crucial.  Budgets in homes across the country are tight, so we expect the government to tighten its spending.  The small things, like numerous lunch meetings, can add up.

One dollar may be a drop in the bucket for agencies like Parker Water District, but for those who’ve been hit hard by this economy, that one dollar means so much.

This is why I chose to look at credit card expenses within the Parker Water District.   Often credit card spending can reflect the attitude within a public agency of how well public dollars are treated.

It’s easy to swipe a credit card without thought, but when it comes to public money, public officials should be thinking long and hard about how their constituents would feel about the purchase, no matter how big or small.

If most of us in this country can’t afford a $560 detail job on our cars, should a government official get that perk?

In my Monday night story, you heard District Manger Frank Jaeger refer to Parker Water as a “multimillion dollar corporation.”   It’s easy to say that when your customers have no choice but to pay the “corporation” or have their services cut-off.

In reality Parker Water is not a technically a business.  It’s a government agency created by the state legislature years ago and is considered a political subdivision of Colorado.  It’s beholden to the rate-payers and to the tax-payers.

As water rates rise and homeowners see their taxes go up at the discretion of the “corporation,” the questions must be raised…..is Parker Water a business, a government agency or a monopoly?  Is this good business/government sense?

While some may view my report on Parker Water spending nit picky, often among many struggling taxpayers, principle has a value far grater than price.

Thanks for watching.

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Government Accountability

$1,000.00 public dollars spent to study leaky window

May 7, 2012 4 Comments

Here’s one element I didn’t have time to get into for my story tonight.

Take a look at this letter.  Seems kind of odd.  Apparently it took a lot of time and money to figure out how to fix a leaky window.  Rate-payers covered the cost:

$1,000 spent to study a leaky window? Really?

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Government Accountability

Viewers respond to Shame On report

April 27, 2012 5 Comments

Thanks for your comments!

Here are just a FEW of the responses from viewers regarding my Shame On story.   Spelling and grammar haven’t been changed to preserve accuracy of quotes.

The Positive

“That was an awesome story on the news last night.  Brought a smile to my face.” – John McCollough, via Facebook

“It is about time a news station exposed the truth. I am proud of them.” –Natalie Canaday

“Thank you for reporting on this. I have personally been impacted by the effects of this. I know someone that has run a commercial drywall company for years. One of the owners is the most sincere and honorable businessmen that I have ever known. I respect him and the way he runs his business, I have no reason to believe that he is more than fair with everyone, including his employees. Now because of this unethical protesting, he is losing a significant amount of business, because his clients are afraid to use his company.” - Chris K. via email.

The Negative

“SHAME ON 9News for spreading Right Wing hate and lies!” – Tori Case, via Facebook

“Wow.  Jeremy Jojola is a sleazy reporter.”  – Jack Rivers, via Twitter

AND FINALLY A RESPONSE FROM A UNION MEMBER: 

“I’m a trustee with Local 55, and am very upset with this story! Many of these picketers are out of work carpenters, as well as their family. The $10/ hr these people are getting is more than alot of the people working for these companies being picketed are earning doing very physical carpentry. I know there are more English speaking carpenters on these picket lines, I have been on one myself. Why didn’t you show a clip talking to one of them?” – Michael Gist, via Facebook

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Quick Thoughts

On underwear and a union

April 27, 2012 Leave a comment

The Shame On protestors seen around Denver.

I remember when I was seven years old, a kid at day camp somehow got into my backpack and threw my underwear on the roof of the YMCA.

I know.  It’s pathetic I’m sharing this with you.

It was so bright, every kid saw it.  Like an absurd UFO, my privacy hovered over heads for all to see.  All the kids pointed up and laughed.

Oh man, I hate that memory.

I remember going to the local counselor in tears.

Boy did I LOVE it when she found the perpetrator and sat him down one-on-one and questioned him about the underwear throwing incident.

I loved someone standing up for me despite the bully’s silence.

We all know silence often says so much more than words.  We’ve all been in positions where we don’t want to be held accountable for our actions, so we escape and hide and don’t answer.

What am I getting at?

I don’t know and I apologize for talking to you so much about my stupid underwear.

The memory of that bully comes up when I think about the actions of a labor union that is also silent.

Over the years as a reporter, I’ve learned journalists are expected to be advocates for truth and are expected to hold those in power accountable.

The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters has been using its power to “shame” local businesses who hired non-union contractors.

Many of us have seen the “shame on” signs around town.   It’s a very public protest with strong words on white banners and on flyers accusing businesses of the “erosion of area standards.”

As it turns out, some of the people holding those banners aren’t even receiving union benefits. They’re hired day laborers who often have no clue as to why they are protesting.    They receive $10 an hour to protest.

The public has been bombarded with their “shame on” banners so the public deserves an explanation as to what’s really going on.

So after numerous phone calls and messages with the Local 55, we made our own banner marked with “Comment?” on it.

After all of the effort to get an explanation, all we got was yelled at and more silence.

What a shame.

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Quick Thoughts Tagged with , ,

New scam targets the unemployed

April 19, 2012 Leave a comment

This new scam couldn’t come at a worse time.

And it targets people who are desperate to hear from a state employee about their unemployment benefits.  We’ve heard countless stories of clogged unemployment phone lines taking hours to reach a live human being.

Apparently scam artists are posing as Colorado Department of Labor Employees and asking the unemployed for their PINs to their benefit accounts.   In other cases, the scam artists are asking people to buy pre-paid credit cards in order to receive benefits.

Here’s the alert the state put on the unemployment section of its website:

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has recently learned of a scam targeting those receiving unemployment benefits. Some claimants are reportedly being asked to provide their PINs, Colorado Automated Payment (CAP) Card account, or direct deposit account information. Claimants are also reportedly being asked to purchase pre-paid credit cards in order to receive their unemployment insurance benefits. Please be advised that a CDLE representative will never ask you to provide your PINs, payment account information, or require the purchase of pre-paid credit cards. 

The state says a CDLE employee will never ask for a PIN or ask people to pay for a pre-paid credit card.

If you get a suspicious call, hang up.  The state says it’s trying to track down the source of the scam.

 

Filed under Behind the Scenes

Forest Service Censors information on Prescribed Burn

March 30, 2012 1 Comment

Names blacked out. Names Colorado State Forestry doesn't want you to see.

When you are a government official who makes decisions that may affect the health and safety of the public, part of your job is being held accountable.  That comes with the territory of your job.

Too bad the public won’t know who is responsible for the prescribed burn that got out of control.

The Colorado State Forestry Service has blacked-out the names of government supervisors on documents relating to the prescribed burn.

Here’s the document.  On page one you’ll see the names blacked out.

The reason for the redacted names is “for security and safety reasons,” according to a spokesperson for the agency.  I have written the agency back demanding it cites specific state statute on why they are blacking out names of the supervisors.

The people who lost their homes, their property and their lives in this fire had their safety and security compromised.   They deserve to know who’s responsible for that prescribed burn.  I hope eventually Colorado State Forestry agrees.

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Government Accountability, Uncategorized

Bogus Manning Jerseys Up For Sale

March 22, 2012 Leave a comment

The black market moves fast.

I found several “Official Broncos” websites based in China selling “authentic” Manning jerseys (see example below).

Last winter I reported 150 similar sites were shut down by federal agents for selling bogus goods like jerseys.   One of the websites still has Kyle Orton on their front banner.

 

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Denver!, Quick Thoughts

This Blog Post Sucks – On Peyton and Tebow

March 20, 2012 1 Comment

Salad Sucks.

Salad sucks.

This post is going to suck.

Don’t waste your time here.

This post is going to be horrible like cafeteria salad.

I hate salad.  Salad sucks.    Especially salad with the little cuts of carrots.  I also really hate that salad that comes  pre-wrapped with saran wrap too.

Screw salad.    Next time I see a salad, I’m gonna punch it in the face.

Anyways….

Tonight, I’ve decided to write about the Peyton-Broncos newly announced marriage.

I’m warning you now because I’m not a sports guy.

My sports credibility is just as reliable as a Kardashian wedding vow or that resolution you made a few months ago to start working on your flappy pecs and your tortilla abs.

We Bronco fans are in the audience as we watch Peyton and Elway stand at the altar together and we’re all entitled to say something because this is America.

After all, The Constitution says we have a right to status updates, twitter feeds,  blog posts (this sentence may contain some inaccuracies) and taco shells made out of Doritos.

I’ve invested in several tickets at Mile High as a new Denver transplant and I must say the dividends of Tebow memories have paid off well.

I’m going to miss the guy if he’s traded.  I’m gonna miss him a lot….bro.  Sniff.

[FRATERNITY HUG HERE]

I’m NOT going to miss Tebowing among some of the fans.   Cut it out people.   Go do the Macarena.

Remember the Macarena?   I think I did the Macarena once when I used to buy Oxy acne medication.  I also think I confessed about the Macarena in a Catholic confessional.

I’m really going to miss the excitement when Tebow jogs out the field for the first play of the first quarter.

It’s like Christmas morning.  You don’t know what the guy is going to do, but something exciting always happens.

Yes, sometimes Tebow made some sloppy plays and it felt like getting socks or an ugly sweater as a gift.

No exchanges or refunds, but  at the end of the day when all the wrapping paper is on the floor along with the bud light puke, Tebow made the price of a ticket worth it.

That Steelers game was fantastic.   The Steel Curtain turned into my grandmother’s curtains that night.  What a game.   I remember walking away from the stadium pumped.

As for Peyton, I’m not sure what to think about his arrival in Denver.  Behind the scenes, it’s quite clear business is business with the Broncos and they see more capital in a refurbished Peyton.

Sorry for the lame writing here, but Elway is certainly sticking his neck out on this one and if the $95 million dollar contract is correct, I hope to see free neck-brace day at Mile High for the first 3,000 fans if things turn sour.

Whatever happens, this football season is going to be exciting.  And whatever happens to Tebow, he deserves another good QB job somewhere.

He’s an exciting player to watch, a decent dude off the field who defied the cocky stereotype of NFL players.   That’s respectable.

He made things interesting.

Let’s hope this season doesn’t end up like……….salad.

Good luck Peyton.

Filed under Denver!, Quick Thoughts

Welfare Abuse Reaction & Blocking ATM Transactions

February 28, 2012 2 Comments

These state-issued welfare debit cards can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash....even in strip clubs.

Often when covering polarizing issues like welfare abuse, I’ll get emails from people who feel passionately about the subject.

I like to think my report proved to be objective when I get criticized by people who would disagree with each other:

One viewer said I didn’t focus enough on welfare recipients while another said I was too tough.

I’m glad my report has people talking.

In the mean time, I want to share with you this letter (see below) that was sent out to “prohibited” businesses.

Colorado’s Health and Human Services Department asked Chase Bank (which handles welfare Colorado Quest cards) to send letters to all liquor stores, casinos and bingo halls asking them to block welfare transactions on their property.

The letters were not sent to strip clubs because under Colorado law, strip clubs are NOT considered prohibited businesses.

It’s quite clear the technology exists to block Colorado Quest cards at specific cash machines.  This example is the letter sent to liquor stores:

 

Subject:           Restriction on the use of the State of Colorado Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card at Automated Teller Machines (ATM) located in Retail Establishments Licensed to Sell Malt, Vinous, or Spirituous Liquors

Dear Business Owner:

This letter is to request your cooperation in restricting the use of Colorado EBT Cards to withdraw cash from ATMs located in liquor stores within the state of Colorado. This effort is mandated by Colorado State Law. The Colorado Department of Human Services has requested that J.P. Morgan, as its EBT provider, work with liquor stores to restrict this access.

The State of Colorado Human Services Code 26-2-104 prohibits clients from accessing EBT cash benefits from ATMs in liquor stores:

“Clients shall not be allowed to access cash benefits through electronic benefits transfer service from automated teller machines in this state located in licensed gaming establishments as defined in section 12-47.1-103 (15), C.R.S. , in-state simulcast facilities as defined in section 12-60-102 (14), C.R.S., tracks for racing as defined in section 12-60-102 (26),C.R.S., commercial bingo facilities as defined in section 12-9-102 (2.3),C.R.S., stores or establishments in which the principal business is the sale of firearms, or retail establishments licensed  to sell malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors pursuant to part 3 of article 47 of title 12,C.R.S.”

J.P. Morgan has assigned a Project Manager, Mr. Todd McEwan, to assist you in the steps to take to block the Colorado EBT Card Bank Identification Number (BIN) on your ATM(s).

Please provide the following information to Mr. McEwan to enable him to take action with your ATM processor:

  • Number of ATMs physically located in your business location(s).
  • All ATM terminal Identification Numbers.
  • Name of the ATM owner/operator.
  • Contact information (phone number and address) of the ATM owner/operator.

 

If you would prefer to work with your ATM processor, please take the following steps:

  1. Contact your ATM processor.
  2. Provide your processor with the Terminal Identification Numbers for all ATMs physically located in your business.
    1. Request that your processor block Colorado EBT BIN (507681) from each ATM.
    2. Report the following information that the ATM has been blocked to Mr. McEwan for State reporting purposes:
      1. Number of ATMs physically located in your business location(s) that have been blocked.
      2. Name of the ATM owner/operator
      3. Contact information (phone number and address) of the ATM owner/operator.

 

(Note: I redacted the email and contact phone number of Todd McEwan to spare him from spam).

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Government Accountability, Quick Thoughts

On Gabriel Trujillo and other lost children.

February 18, 2012 3 Comments

Gabriel Trujillo, 4, died of alleged child abuse. His grandmother faces charges.

I am not a first responder.

I am not an officer.

I am also not a paramedic.

I am not sure if I could stomach the horrors these honorable folks see up close when children are involved.

My colleagues will tell you the toughest stories to cover are always those involving the death of a child.

We often get close to families who express grief when they lose someone little and young.

We hear their wails of pain and their anger.   We sit in living rooms with them and we listen.

Sometimes they turn to us for answers.

Sometimes they want justice.

Sometimes we are able to give them a voice when there is no justice.

It’s impossible not to feel loss in our own hearts when we leave such interviews or crime scenes.  The most stoic of us can hide it well and bury it deep.

Others quickly brush it off like water and move on to the duty of the deadline so quickly, I can only wonder if they will remember what they saw and heard.

Sometimes I play this role.

But I know my colleagues remember like I remember.

I can’t count how many scenes I’ve rolled up to where a family is grieving near crime tape or where I’ve met a devastated mother or father.

Too many shootings, too many child abuse cases, too many neglect cases, too many drunk driving cases.

When I worked in Albuquerque, I remember driving around town with my wife on the weekends.

An errand to the grocery store would turn into a silent memorial in my head.  I would drive by a park, a neighborhood or a street where a little boy or girl had their last moments.

I would picture the young dead standing there, like ghosts, looking back at me.

I never knew them, but I told thousands of people about their short little life and showed their faces.

There is a small piece of them in me today because I took piece of them and I shared them.

And sadly another child has arrived and is now ingrained in my memory.

His name was Gabriel Trujillo.  He was just 4-years-old.

Today I saw his family weep….hard.

I met them a few hours after they let Gabriel succumb to death at the hospital.  The little guy was on life support for the past three days.

His maternal grandmother told police he fell off a chair, but police believe she beat him severely.

I flinch inside just picturing the crime in my head like a movie.  I can’t help it.

And like many of these horrible stories, the story of Gabriel involves a simple photograph we used to acknowledge him.

There’s nothing like the innocence of a child captured by a camera.   You can’t express it in words.  This is why we show photographs of children.

The public needs to see their little faces and remember they lived in circumstances that could have been changed and prevented.

But for many of us who share their stories, the mental memory is often so much more vivid.

–

To report child abuse in Colorado, call 303-866-5932.  Even it makes you feel uncomfortable or awkward to get involved, remember your discomfort is far less than what children like Gabriel may be experiencing now. 

Gabriel Trujillo, 4, died of alleged child abuse. His grandmother faces charges.

Filed under Behind the Scenes, Quick Thoughts

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