Pubdate: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 Source: Fort Collins Coloradoan (CO) Copyright: 2011 The Fort Collins Coloradoan Contact: http://www.coloradoan.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.coloradoan.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1580 Author: John Clarke Note: John Clarke is a former county commissioner, former City Council member, photographer and 600 KCOL host. LET'S CLOSE MMJ CENTERS, IMPROVE JAIL With an election a week away, I have some thoughts on the issues and candidates: Pot shops: I talked with County Clerk and Recorder Scott Doyle and he told me that a lot of Fort Collins voters already have voted in the current election. Maybe it is because of Initiated Question 300 - the city ordinance that would prohibit medical marijuana centers in Fort Collins. I am opposed to allowing these centers to remain in operation in our town and will vote in favor of Question 300. (This is an issue where you vote "yes" if you are opposed to marijuana shops.) Larimer County and other municipalities already have banned them. We are sending a bad message to the youths of Fort Collins by allowing pot shops to exist in the city. The Poudre School District reports that drug-related expulsions have gone up by 300 percent during the time these "clinics" have come into our community. In addition, marijuana is illegal under federal law, so the U. S. government could come in and arrest anyone selling or possessing pot. If this stuff were really medicine, there are many places that could legally sell it - - pharmacies. A campaign report filed by the committee opposing Question 300 shows it has thousands of dollars that were contributed by unions from Washington, D.C.; Schaumburg, Ill.; and Wheat Ridge. It paid $5,000 to a District of Columbia-based political consultant to advise the campaign. I find this outside interference in a local issue to be outrageous. Please vote "yes" on Question 300. Jail tax: That brings me to the extended reduced tax for public safety (Referred Issue 1A). As a former county commissioner, I know how important it is to operate a safe and effective jail and urge you to vote "yes" on this issue. It will lower the current sales tax rate in the county and provide important funding to improve our ability to deal with crime and criminals in Larimer County. The tax will provide needed money for jail operations and alternative sentencing. One of the important aspects of the funding is that it will also restore mental health and drug treatment programs for offenders. Statistics show that the vast majority of arrests involve individuals with drug addiction and/or mental health issues. The tax also will provide dollars to expand the jail - something that is desperately needed. School board: My ballot will be marked for Barbara Schwerin, Tom Balchak, Stephen Yurash and Teresa Affleck. These folks will provide the policy direction needed to help our schools become accountable to parents and taxpayers while providing our children with a more effective education. Proposition 103: This is a state-wide ballot issue that will raise income and sales taxes with the proceeds earmarked for schools. I was raised by a teacher and have two sons and a daughter-in-law who teach in Colorado. I have six grandkids attending Colorado public schools where the taxpayers spend $8,167 per student to educate them. I have five grandkids who attend Utah public schools where the taxpayers only spend $5,683 each. While they are all receiving a good education, overall test scores in Utah are higher - go figure. Vote "yes" if you want more money for Colorado schools. Vote "no" if you don't want a tax increase. Happy voting! - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.