Eye On Englewood

Link: http://www.eyeonenglewood.com

After one of Matt Crabtree's political groups delivered fliers to owners of campers and recreation vehicles, Matthew Crabtree became the target of retaliation. Why? Because one interested citizen packed out a full house against Representative Linda Olsen's intent to disrobe her neighborhood of their vehicles.

Next thing Matt knew, the City Attorney, Dan Brotzman, investigated his political group to see whether it complied with the Colorado election statutes. He employed the City Clerk, Lou Ellis, to see whether Matt could be prosecuted for running an illegal campaign.

Clerk Ellis and Attorney Brotzman contacted Mr. Crabtree warning him that his political group was not in compliance with the Colorado regulations for backing a candidate, but that since he had registered it in good faith, they would not prosecute him this time.

The warning was clear. "Either back a candidate, or stick to one election topic. Since this wasn't the topic of your flier, your group doesn't qualify as a political action committee under Colorado statute definitions."

"What does that mean?" Crabtree asked. "You don't have the power to regulate me if I don't fall within the scope of your definitions?"

Brotzman snapped that he could not put the committee name on the bottom of his fliers any more, that he must put his own personal name on the flier.

Brotzman then patiently explained that in Englewood's ordinances, any corporation advertising in Englewood, must not only identify themselves as the corporation, but also add the corporate representative and his or her phone number on the flier.

Crabtree was incredulous. "You mean, you would prosecute Breakfast on Broadway for advertisements or Yard Sellers for posting a sale sign without a phone number?"

Nothing more than a chuckle echoed across the air space.

It is clear that where retaliation comes into play in Englewood, the enforcement of ordinances are selectively enforced.

Matthew found a ticket for alley weeds upon his return home from work that evening.

Don't speak up about your opinion on anything in Englewood, and they will not prosecute you for weeds, or building permits, or raising your political voice.

At study session on Monday evening, Linda Olson, District Representative II, asked, "how can City Council stop this kind of thing?"

At that point, District I Representative, Joe Jefferson replied, "Hold on there. You are in the public eye. You cannot stop it. People have the right to respond to our policies." Basically, Mr. Jefferson was upholding the Constitution's freedom of speech clause and the right of the people to redress government.

Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

Is it against the law to be a Town Crier in Englewood? Of course not. Hasn't the NAACP already settled that privacy and freedom of association protects the identity of the members in a group or club? Of course.

The power to regulate does not apply to absolute rights or guaranteed freedoms. Matt and his grass roots convoys may continue to roam freely through their city and campaign however they wish in response to the City's illegal encroachments.

Stink bugs catching the leftovers of the picnic, whether dressed up in black ties and shorty pants or not, are still just bugs to be flipped off.

Link: http://www.eyeonenglewood.com

What Englewood does right certainly deserves Kudos. In this case, it may be the one man band, Jon Cook, who not only owns much retail space on Broadway, but who also serves up his own marketing schemes, and is doing it right.

THE GRAND OPENING of B.I.T.E.S., on S. Broadway and Amhurst will be a sell out on August 6, 2010, if you're one for samies, soups and brekkies. It is located where the popular Auld Dubliner Pub and the one time breakfast spot, Marmalade sat.

Jim and Dave, co-owners, say that BITES is a spin-off of the Blueberry Cafe. All I know is you can get a hell of a good turkey bacon croissant there, and the crab lobster bisque tastes fresh.

The place is well lit and colorful. A roomy, well-healed coffee bar features at the front end. Made fresh daily pastries for the lean at heart entice your digestive juices in the air-conditioned entryway.

In fact, I'd heartily recommend that City Council members eat their fill not only of the pastries, but also of the small business ideas opening up all around them. They, who continue to state they do not have a plan for their main retail district, Englewood's mainstreet, Broadway, should take inventory of the many places bringing paychecks to them.

While City Manager, Gary Sears, has finally recognized his mismanagement of the City budget, cutting jobs, supplies and benefits across the board, entrepreneurs such as the Englewood ma and pa eateries are opening and flourishing in this economy.

Business managers as well as home bodies alike love a good bite out, and Englewood's restaurants are heads above surrounding suburbs.