https://thorntonco.cvlcollections.org/files/original/94b4107be0e43d994379b30a0dade97a.pdf 0d1794d0ee84293c3b31d9f532094765 PDF Text Text ., CITY CHATTER Vol. ---·-- 1 -- No. 9 Februar~ 1973 'The Voice of Thornton Employees' A BUSY DEPARTMENT LADIES TAKE NOTE We have been after Don Rohrbaugh to tell us something about what was new and planned in Data Processing and he took time to supply us with the following information. The Data Processing Department has added 4K (4 thousand) positions of core storage, increasing the computers capacity from 8K to 12K, during the month of February. Also, we have increased the length of the print line from 96 to 132 characters. During December and January the Utilities Billing System was completely revised. Hopefully, the new billing system, using a quick mailer will improve our service to the utilities customers. Among the applications which are presently being studied for possible consideration are programs for the Parks and Recreation, Financial Administration, Public Works, Utilities Administration, Personnel, and Police Department. Most of these systems will be implemented during the next two years and in accordance with the priorities established by the various departments and the staff. The Data Processing Department has proposed a growth plan which will allow us to become more sophisticated in our applications as time passes. The enhancements will not be installed all at once but on a schedule which will allow us to fulfill the requirements of the various applications which are required by the City and Utilities Administrations. Hats off to Bob Donaldson of the Engineering Deoartment for his ability to not only make a lucious cake from scratch, but to decorate it beautifully. Bob casually mentioned at lunch one day his interest in cake decorating and it was suggested that he show off his talents by baking a cike for Charles Rickey's birthday on February 14th. If we were able'to use photographs in the paper you would be able to see the results of Bob's efforts. The cake was decorated to depict our Colorado landscape and was truly a work of art. Needless to say, Mr. Rickey was most honored and the cake was delicious. R. McCullah ·k*;'-;*·k***'\-,~-**'\-'~*-;t--,\-,\--**'l-''\-'\--******'\--*******-;'r;'(ic HELP! Anyohe know how to get rid of Skunk Smell? Last Wednesday night we were called on by Mr. Skunk who left his "c a I l Lng card." We have battled many a RODENTIA, but this one has us treed. The skunk either got into the shop or left his trace at our front door, no one here wants to pause to investigate. We probably now have the only shop where people run in and out the door, somewhat slower coming in, even our coffee tastes a little strange lately. D. King *''c·k-/c;'r:*****'i\--·k;\-,\--·k-;'r:-k;\--*;\--;\--*·k******"k"'"I\--****'\-**'"* ***ic,'r************"'k***'"*'"*''r****i't:*,'(,'r***** .lr BETTER WATCH HIM NEW EMPLOYEES The following employees will be certified March 1st upon completing six months: Richard Martin - Police Dept. Gerald Bender - Utilities Dept. * .k*7,·k"'/:")'clr:*--lck-lck*·k*-l,·k"'l<·k--;'r:7<i<··k*·k******?'<* ..k-l<?\---;,'(** Important notice to all the gals that plan to play softball. The word is out that Lt. Ron Rotello has said, "he plans to poach the soft ball team. 11 Or was it, coach the waterboy? ********,'<*,'r*******'"*i•******************* �Editor's Comments ..... The adoption of a Master Utility Expansion Plan at City Council meeting Monday February 12, 1973, was a milestone in the history of Thornton. The total effect of this expansion on the various departments of the City is a little overwhelming. ..... As employees, we have felt and worked with the growth of the City to this point and every department knoEhow they have been affected . •..•• There have been shortages of personnel, equipment and crowded working areas. Department heads have spent hours trying to determine how much and what was needed to keep pace with additional demands when submitting the budget for the following year. •. ... The ultimate responsibility for planning lies on the shoulders of the City Council and our City Manager, Mr. Castrodale~ Their knowledge of the needs of the City, both present and future, are based on many facts. Their job is to give the citizens of Thornton the most that is possible for their tax dollar. ..... There have been changes and there will be more as the City grows. Every employee needs to recognize the need for change; and, be willing to work with and accept the changes as they occur. ..... The City has shown its concern for employees by continually updating and adding to employee benefits and improving working conditions. The City is aware that some things still need to be done and there are several ways in which as employees, you can assist in future planning. Talk with your supervisor on how you feel your job has or might change, offer constructive criticism, work with the changes . ..... It hurts to grow. The old ways are so comfortable; some routines and accepted practices will no longer exist. New ways aren't bad--just different!!! ·k}.;·k;\··lcki',;}.;~~~'.;~',--A.·*-)..··l,i',;·k~'n'c:,_.'/.,;-A·A,\·;\·;~;\--A-~·:,'"-A ;,\·k,A--.k,\ k:.-\·4,:~•-A,\-;,',;;\'-..~>t-,\·•A·)\·:,\·;~-A:,l-*;~:~t.-,t-*,\':k;,t;t-,t·,~**~-,t·,t·A>'-;l-****'\-'x-***;\-*'\-** CAR 43 WHAT ARE YOU LUNCH ROOM FOLLIES Our vehicles at the Police Dept. don't seem to be in very good shape. A few comments worth passing on (instructions for the shop mechanic). "Car 43, tires need replacing, steering not very responsive at speeds in excess of 40 MPH, right rear tail pipe is loose and rear has a rattle: in it. BUT THE WHEELS STILL GO AROUND. "Un i t 41, engine missing, very bad.11 BRAKES DON'T BRAKE: VASCAR DON'T VAS; STEERING SHAKES: DOME LIGHT WORKS FINE. There has been such a demand for seats for the Noon Hour Lunch Room Follies, that we may have to expand the facilities. This month Is "Star Award" goes to the fellow who always brings a 1 Multi-Mixtured Salad.' If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing noon hour, this is not where you will find it. B. Donaldson *******--;~' . r*·k******-;"r**-;\-;':-;"(***************** D. Rankle YOU CAN'T WIN *·k,·k*--;~·k*'"***;'<;':.-ki\-**'\-**;\-·•·k********'"****··k;'(*** RIGHTLY PROUD Randy Kailey has been nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy by Congressman Brotzman. You will notice that Sandy Kailey is not wearing clothes with buttons on them these days. The pride she has in her son makes them keep breaking off and rightly so. -;\:*i,·k;":-;'c-!c;'-t:'1,:*--l:,':;'c··k*.,~~'c-;\-··k;'<;'c·k,'ck··k-,"*******i~•;k*··k·k** One of our new officers made a routine traffic stop. He walked up to the man, who was very angry. The man said, 1111ve been stopped by you :/fr¢?! cops twice now, and the first time was for going through a green light." The officer replied, with a dimpled smile, (as he wrote out his citation), "This time is for not speeding.· D. Rankle ***********'~******'n"'""kk*****-;'(**********-,': * �STRA IGHT CREEK TUNNEL On January 18, 1973, the Colorado Safety Association and the Colorado Society of Safety Engineers were the guests of the State Highway Department. Mr. Jim Holland, Safety Director for the State Highway Department was our host. There was a great turn out of safety professionals, from cities, towns, industry and business, 150 in all. Our group arrived at the west end of the tunnel at 14:30 and were met by our tour guide. We entered a building to be safety-glo vests, safety g] asses and signed personal release forms. (We all brought our own hard hats.) The first building we entered was the west ventilation ~1ilding, 185 ft. wide x 285 ft. high, this building houses the ventilation fans, four exhaust and four fresh air. Two of the fresh air fans provide tempered air to prevent ice from forming in the tunnel. Each fan has a 100 HP motor to start the blower, 600 HP motors assume the load for running the fans, producing 550,000 CFM. My estimation of the size of the fans is 15 feet wide x 25-30 feet high. After leaving this building we entered the tunnel where we were 900 feet below ground surface, this section of the tunnel is almost complete. At this point we were told we were in the west bound tunnel, (that is when the other tunnel is complete.) and the tunnel size is 34 feet wide, 16. 5 feet high, with overheight warning devises. At midpoint in the tunnel we were 1400 feet below ground. On the south tunnel wall there is a ten inch I beam that runs the entire length of the tunnel, 1.7 miles. This is a monorail track for maintenance crews, below is a sidewalk for walking to emergency call boxes, should you be missed on Closed Circuit TV. The fire system is built under the highway, with under grade fire hydrants at various intervals. The site has its own sewerage plant that is large enough to take care of a town the size of Idaho Springs. Carbon Monoxide will be continually monitored. to About mid-point, I was invited take a side trip up into the pilot bore that was completed in 1964, this was very interesting, hearing about all the safety problems involved in this bore. I was told that this pilot bore will become the eastbound traffic lane when completed. At 110 million dollars we think of this as a lot of money, but I suppose the first time we don't have to cross Loveland Pass, we can relax behind the wheel of our car and shoot through the divide and be at our favorite sporting area, whatever it be. D. King ~AA*A**AAAAAAkkkA~~~A~A~A~~~A~~•~~~~~~~~ i_s,::11ed HAPPY BIRTHDAY Don't forget to wish the following nice people a 'Happy Birthday.' C. J .. F. R. C. E. P. J. S. K. E. B. E. D. B. V. R. L. R. R. R. F. E. F. N. A. L. Amen ................. Mar. Hale ................. Mar. Davidson ............. Mar. Gorsline ............. Mar. Schenfeld ............ Mar. Utterback ............ Mar. Conlin ............... Mar. Sidell. .............. Mar. Dysert ............... Mar. Schmidt .............. Mar. Conrad ............... Mar. Candelario ........... Mar. Chatman .............. Mar. Norden ............... Mar. J. J. Costello ............. Mar. W. E. Monson ............... Mar. I. D. Rohret ............... Mar. 14th 22nd 6th 7th 4th 31st 16th 9th 21st 7th 24th 21st 31st 28th 18th 18th 6th ·k-;'<***''r·k*********-;'(**-;\--;'c-;\-****''(****'i\-**''c** .k** LEAVING US Keith McLaine, City Employee for the last year, has enlisted in the United States Army and will report for duty in Ap r i l . We know that Hank Clark and the rest of the crew will miss him. Best of luck from all of us. *-;'(-;'r:************'~-;'(******;'c**************'i'c* HOW'S THAT AGAIN? Will the member of the Thornton Police Department (male) who was once known by the name of "No La " please stand up? D. Rankle *in'c************''<*'"''r*,'(***''r****''r****-,'r****-;'( �FLU BUG SCHOLARS In the early part of February Ray Zink developed double pneumonia and was admitted to St. Anthony's North Hospital. Ray was very sick for awhile and last Wednesday was released from the hospital and sent home. Ray will be back to work as soon as he gains his strength back and is feeling normal again. Tom Nolte and Larry Amen were also out with the flu. They are back on the job and feeling much better at present. Lt. Kenneth St. Onge has received his Associate Degree in Fire Science from the Community College of Denver, graduating with a final grade average of 3. 85 ! ! ! Six department members have completed the fall quarter at Community College with grade averages in four subjects as indicated. Engineer James Wilson, A,A, A,B,; Engineer Jon Bower, A,A,A,B,; Engineer Norlin Randall, A,A,B,B,; Fireman Greg Sheehan, A,A,A,B,; Fireman Edward Conrad, A,A,A,B,; Fireman Bill Jones, A,A,A,A. Fireman Karol Schmidt has enrolled for the winter quarter at Community College making a total of seven department members attending college. Firemen Greg Sheehan and Edward Conrad have completed Emergency Medical Technician training State of Colorado. M. Nicholls ******>'<**'"'**•'<i<>'<***>'<>'<>'<>'<***************-1<** THEY'LL MAKE IT SIMPLE Take heart, all you good citizens who have been laboring over the complicated Federal Income Tax return. We have been told by "a reliable Washington source" that next year we will all be able to file on a very simple two line return. This return will read as fo Ll ows Line :/fl: How much money did you earn last year? Line :/f2: Send it! E. Stockton ***,'(******** .k"k"l<******;'r************;"<·k**** SECRETARIES NEXT? We understand Utility Inspectors, Bob Donaldson and Bill Knobeloch, received new desks recently and word has it, that though they must share a single phone, that when "secretaries" are issued, they will demand separate ones. ******-I·*******>'<*******************''<***** C. Leiker ;'(**-k****--kk*i<***''**"k*,'(**"J'(***.,'(;~********-k--k* THERE'S A CLOWN AMONG US I know - it's an old expression we've all heard before but we really do have an honest to goodness clown working for the City. Meet Walter KOSCIW from the Engineering Department. His hobby is painting his face, putting on his red hair and funny suit. Walt is a clown with El Jebel Shrine and achieves great satisfaction and relaxation entertaining the younger set. He has clowned at area hospitals, circuses, Western Stock Show and numerous Children's Christmas Parties. His greatest fan just happens to be Cheryl Kay, his 6 year old daughter. "PLAY BALL11 Ruth Mccullah Those words WILL be echoing through Thornton soon, when the Girl's Softball Team takes to the field. To date, seven girls have signed up, including the team manager's wife, Doris. Manager Bob Donaldson is offering a challenge to any City Employee MALE team which may think they are up to~ for his team's debute. More girls are needed and may sign up on the roster posted in the City Hall Lunch ~om. M. Nicholls *************>'<>'<**'"********-I·*******'"***** **************************************** ***********''<*>'<*****************''<******** VACATION TIME Don Mewis and family left last Saturday to vacation and visit relatives in Sarasota, Florida. Don says, "his wife can do the visiting and he will do the fishing.r. �BITS AND PIECES How did you like the way the story came out on the Fire Dept. last month? To refresh yoµr memory it read, 1The City will be hiring seven new firemen and new equipment! Honest, they buy the equipment. Bob Donaldson and his wife Doris will become parents for the first time in Aug. We understand that Jim Wellman is going to ask the City Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting snow. Do you realize that you have had the last vacation day you will get until the 28th of May? I think we were a little spoiled in the month of February. After checking with Doris Rohret we found that her husband brought her a shoe to match one she had at work. If you are not aware of what this means, you didn't read last month's paper. Cel, tell us again what that man told you about black olives. Congradulations to Ron Rotella on his appointment to Assistant Chief of Police and to James Allen as Sgt. We are going to try to do a story next month on two buildings in our City. The new modular and the old building that now houses the Utility Maintenance Crew. This should be worth reading if we can just get it written. For those of you who are wondering when we are going to get around to including a center fold, we want you to know we are working on it. This is the time of year when you feel sorry for Jim Wellman. He spent all winter listening to people gripe about the snow and ice on the streets and now he is having to hear about the number of holes in the streets, etc. Sometime you can't win. Did you know that Sherry Meier says Some that happiness is a warm chair? people are easy to please. *******-,'(**'''*****''(** .k,'(;h'r**********'"****"" WELCOME We want to welcome the following new employees and hope that you will all get to know them very soon. Glenn Donharl Planning Dept. Mitchell Cordover .. Building Dept. William Davis Street Dept. George Pyeatt .....• Street Dept. Barbara Taylor Utilities Dept. Steve Sclutz Police Dept. Linda Wollert ...•.. Utilities Dept. ****"k;'r*********;'(·k**;':·k********'':*;'(******* If you fail, It is not because you planned to fail, but failed to plan. k*;':;'r******.k-;'rlr******'':* **4;':··k;''*******1(;'rk;':··k·k .. �10TH ANNIVERSARY OF UTILITY A history of the Utility System was complied by Assistant Utility Director Gerald Groothuis and presented to City Council on February 12th. We are condensing this history for the paper but if you have a chance to read it in its entirety, do so. 1953 Sam Hoffman incorporated and formed F & S Construction Company, built first model homes on Clarkson Street in a community to be named Thornton, in honor of the former Governor of Colorado, Dan Thornton. The Denver Water Board had in effect a blue line and would not provide water service for the proposed new city. Northwest Utilities Company was granted a certificate of public convenience and necessity to furnish water and s ewe r service to Section 23, Township 2 South, Range 68 West of the 6th P.M. by PUC Decision No. 41671, dated December 8, 1953. The utility system at this time consisted of one deep well, drilled into the Arapahoe Sands, at 91st Avenue and Clarkson Street. This well is still in service. 1954 Bill Barr and Jack Cook formed and incorporated Western Hills Utility Company. Western Hills Treatment Plant was built at this time to serve an area known as Western Hills. 1956 Thornton incorporated June 12, 1956, and also in 1956 General Water Works Corporation purchased Northwest Utilities Company from Sam Hoffman. 1957 Ordinance No. 55 of the City of Thornton, Colorado, granted a franchise by the City of Thornton to Northwest Utilities Company to operate within the City of Thornton a water treatment plant or plants, a sewage disposal plant or plants and works for the purchase, processing and distribution of water and gathering of sewage and to furnish, sell and distribute said water and to gather and collect and process sewage to, from and for the City of Thornton and the inhabitants thereof. Section 1 of said ordinance provided as follows: "At any time after the company shall have delivered water for distribution and sale and collected and disposed of sewage for a period of five (5) years past, or during any succeeding year thereafter throughout the life of this franchise, the City shall have the option, the right and the prf.vilege to purchase the entire properties, plant and water and sewer systems of the company." Enacted on first reading by the City Council on November 11, 1957, published in the Thornton Tribune on November 14, November 21, and November 28, and enacted on final reading on the 9th day of December, 1957, said ordinance became effective on or about the 17th day of December, 1957. Valley Vista entered into an agreement with Western Hills Utility Company for water and sewer service for the Sherrelwood area. 1958 PUC approved the franchise agreement and issued a certificate of convenience and necessity to Northwest Utilities Company in June of 1958. 1959 The first of four (4) Perl-Mack Utility Extension Policy Contracts were entered into with Northwest lTti.Jities Company. �.... 1961 contract between the City of Thornton and Orrel A. Daniel was dated January 23, 1961, and appointed him as Director of the Thornton Utilities Study Committee, provided for his compensation and described his duties and responsibilities. J\ On the 8th day of May, 1961, the City Council of the City of Thornton, by resolution, enacted a resolution creating a Thornton Utilities Study Committee. This resolution provided for five to seven citizen members and two Council members, without the right to vote, and the City Engineer. This committee was to make the determination as to whether the City of Thornton should exercise its option to purchase Northwest Utilities Company. 1962 At its September 19, 1962, meeting at the Thornton Municipal Building the members of the Committee, based on its study and all of the information before it, and agreeing that it was in a position from its study, by roll call vote, unanimously concluded that from the point of view of the City of Thornton, it was desirable and feasible for the City to exercise its option as set out in the franchise Ordinance No. 55. 1963 Thornton and certain additional areas outside the City were served by Northwest Utilities Company, and another affiliated company known as Western Hills Utility Company, furnished water and sewer services to the rest of the territory outside the city proper. In January 1963, Western Hills Utility Company was merged with Northwest Utilities Company to form one corporation. The City of Thornton, Colorado, by contract signed February 4, 1963, purchased the presently, privately owned water and sewer systems serving the City and a rather extensive surrounding area. The properties now were owned by Northwest Utilities Company, a subsidiary of General Water Works Corporation. The purchase was contingent upon a special election to be held at Thornton, March 26, 1963. On February 4, 1963, the City of Thornton entered into a Management Agreement with General Water Works Corporation, said agreement was to run for a period of five (5) years or until March 31, 1968. Said agreement was subsequently terminated by mutual agreement in September 1967. A general election was held on March 26, 1963, and the citizens of Thornton voted to acquire the water and sewer system within 1101 votes for and 85 votes against. On April 1, 1963, City Council enacted Bond Ordinance No. 163 for the acquisition of the water system and Bond Ordinance No. 164 for the acquisition of the sewer system. 1964 In Decision No. 63596 dated September 2, 1964, the sale of the utility system by Northwest Utilities Company to the City of Thornton was decreed to be invalid, solely because Northwest Utilities Company failed to secure the Commission's approval. Said decision was subsequently appealed by the City of Thornton to the Colorado Supreme Court and the Supreme Court subsequently ruled that the PUC had no jurisdiction over the sale of the utility. 1967 The Thornton City Charter Convention of June 20, 1967, authorized the creation and appointment of a Utility Board of nine (9) members to govern the utility operation. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource City Chatter, the Voice of Thornton Employees Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Public Domain: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1972-1982 Subject The topic of the resource Municipal officials and employees--Colorado--Thornton Newsletters Description An account of the resource Drafts and published volumes of City Chatter, a newsletter by and for city employees. It was published for roughly a decade from 1972 to 1982 and contains articles relating to local events, developments in city government, and other topics relevant to city employees. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Thornton, Colorado Type The nature or genre of the resource Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource City of Thornton Language A language of the resource eng Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context COTA-001 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/</a> Title A name given to the resource City Chatter vol. 1 no. 9 Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1973-02-23 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource City of Thornton Description An account of the resource Ninth issue of the City Chatter, internal newsletter for City of Thornton employees Spatial Coverage Spatial characteristics of the resource. Thornton Subject The topic of the resource Municipal officials and employees Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context COTA-001-037 EAD Archive The Encoded Archival Description is a common standard used to describe collections of small pieces and to create hierarchical and structured finding aids. Arrangement Information on how the described materials have been subdivided into smaller units. C:\Users\amilliga\Digital Archive Items