Approximately 125 citizens attended the Sept. 26 debate over the proposed Left Hand Park and Recreation District, which was held at the Left Hand Grange Hall and sponsored by the Niwot Community Association. The evening was facilitated by mediator Theresa Spears.  The opposition position was presented by Debbie Quackenbush and Steve Clisset, who represent TIP (Taxes in Perpetuity www.niwot-tip.org.) The pro-district position was presented by Bruce Warren and Joel Maguire. (Warren is the managing editor of the Courier.)

There were two issues on which everyone agreed: The county should, but refuses to, provide the maintenance services required by Niwot Youth Sports’ (NYS) facilities; NYS is a worthwhile endeavor, which is in need of support. All other issues were up for grabs.

Clisset began the attack on the county by noting that, "The TDR policy has severely impacted Niwot…let’s join together…and get them to do it." (The TDR program permits the transfer of development rights, the right to build a home, from undeveloped land to selected sites in the Niwot Community Service Area.)

Maguire stated, "The county has not supported active recreation programs for the last ten years," and he indicated that they continue to maintain that position. Warren, who is president of NYS, said he has been requesting help from the county for the last 20 years, without success.

Warren pointed to the $20,000 projected lottery income in the Service Plan. He stated that the county presently collects lottery money and that state law requires that it be shared with a special district. Warren also indicated that the directors of the district can reduce or eliminate the mill levy rate in the future. He noted, "The Niwot Sanitation District eliminated its mill levy several years ago."

Quackenbush labeled the proposal a "tax district in perpetuity." She questioned the Service Plan saying, "There are flaws in every paragraph." She noted that there was no documentation to validate the income from state lottery funds.

The evening progressed with the opponents objecting to the lack of specificity in the Service Plan. Proponents explained that they couldn't tie the hands of elected district directors except to limit taxes to one mill, and to describe the types of facilities the district can or cannot build. 

Residents Euvaldo Valdez, Jon Bartley, Bill Lambert, Dan Knollenberg and Tom Kramer are running for director positions on the board. 

At the end of the meeting four of the five candidates for the board of directors introduced themselves.

• Valdez is a retired teacher who owns commercial property in Niwot and is active in the Niwot Business Association. His children participated in sports in Boulder growing up and he expressed a desire to see other children have the same opportunities. He is not affiliated with NYS.  
• Bartley is a former Softball Director for NYS and continues to serve as a coach and umpire. He has younger children in the program and an older daughter who now plays softball in high school. 
• Lambert is a past board member of NYS and has been active in coaching and fund-raising, spearheading the effort to raise money for the new high school strength and conditioning room. His children are now out of the NYS program. 
• Knollenberg is former Baseball President for NYS and has coached baseball and softball. His children are now in high school and college.   Kramer is a long time employee of the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. He also serves as a coach and clinic coordinator for NYS .