RMNP Blog & Estes Park Blog

Byron Hall announced the formation of a new municipal issue committee, “Vote Yes by January 12” to support a yes vote on the citizen’s initiative to repeal urban renewal.  “The vitality of our School District, Hospital, and other special districts is crucial to our community’s success,” said Hall.

Hall also announced that the committee will sponsor an exclusive film screening of Begging for Billionaires at 6:30 pm on Thursday, November 9 at Stanley Hall, 333 Wonderview, with the film’s producer/director.  “We are pleased that the director Phillip Klein will be at the screening to discuss his movie,” said Hall.  The committee requests a minimum contribution of $7 per attendee, but all are welcome to attend.  Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be provided at no additional cost.  The 90-minute film will start at about 6:45, with a filmmaker discussion following the screening.

Klein’s movie examines the issue of urban renewal as an attack on property rights.  “The film exposes the truth about so-called economic development,” Klein says.  “Few people realize that their city officials can take homes and businesses away for any purpose — as long they say they’re doing it to benefit the local economy.”  According to Klein, vague, elusive definitions of urban blight, tax breaks for developers and multi-billion dollar corporations, and instances of outright corruption are all part of the equation.  Information concerning the movie can be found at the website www.beggingforbillionaires.com. 

Estes Park residents will be voting in a January 12, 2010 special election on a citizen’s initiative to repeal the Town’s urban renewal authority.  Mail ballots will be sent the week of Christmas, and will not be forwarded.  If you require an absentee ballot, please call the Larimer County Elections office, 970-498-7820.