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Week in Review July 9 to July 13, 2007
* Colorado democrats had another successful week moving an agenda that best reflects Colorado.
* Come and Celebrate Colorado Democratic Women. Party Chair Pat Waak invites you to a Summer Cocktail event with Leah Daughtry CEO of the Democratic Convention sign up on line at http://www.coloradodems.org or RSVP to Christine Pokrandt at (303) 623-4762 ext. 102.
* Governor Ritter is leading the way announcing the overhaul of Colorado's Homeland Security structure while Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter begins Mental Health Listening Tour beginning Monday in northwest Colorado (scheduled enclosed).
* Mark your calendars, Vice-President Al Gore Returns to Denver in October To Discuss "An Inconvenient Truth."
* Check out our links to four stories from this week including a Denver Post story noting Forbes ranking Colorado 8th on the list for the best places to do business.
* Last and perhaps least note the Republican Presidential Hopefuls Ignoring Realities in Iraq.
Gov. Ritter Announces Major Changes to Colorado Homeland Security Programs
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced a major overhaul of Colorado's homeland security structure to strengthen and better coordinate state operations and ensure compliance with federal spending guidelines.
The changes include creating the position of Governor's Homeland Security Coordinator, to be filled by retired Colorado National Guard Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney. In addition, former state Auditor Joanne Hill will oversee homeland security's financial component, and Kent Smiley, currently director of safety programs for the technology services division with the city and county of Denver, will direct the Governor's Continuity of Operations/Continuity of Government (COOP/COG) programs.
Upon taking office in January, Gov. Ritter directed his administration to conduct a detailed review of homeland security and emergency management programs. The ongoing review, along with federal audits, has identified continued flaws in the administration of the programs.
"One of state government's most critical responsibilities is to do all we can to keep Coloradans safe and secure and to respond to emergencies," Gov. Ritter said. "I can think of no better person than Gen. Whitney to lead this effort, which will include crafting a unified state strategy, helping us maximize dwindling federal grant dollars and creating a sustainable homeland security program. I'm honored that he is returning to once again serve the people of Colorado."
Currently, the Departments of Local Affairs and Public Safety share responsibility for homeland security programs, along with a coordinating body, the All Hazards Senior Advisory Committee (SAC). The review by Gov. Ritter's administration found this structure inadequate and the responsibilities too diffused to handle a serious terror incident in Colorado. The review also found that federal homeland security grant processes have been flawed, and changes to comply with federal laws and guidelines are critical, particularly because of shrinking federal resources to all states.
"We concluded that a central coordinator, reporting directly to me as Governor, was the best way to ensure that our programs are effective and efficient," Gov. Ritter said.
Whitney, who retired from the National Guard earlier this year, will serve as homeland security coordinator under a one-year, $120,000 contract. He will manage a statewide planning process, overseeing policy and strategy development, federal grants, and collaboration among state agencies, the Governor's Office, legislature and the private sector. He begins Aug. 1 and will report to the Governor.
Whitney served as adjutant general of the Colorado National Guard from 2000 to April 2007. He served as a member of the Governor's Emergency Response Committee, as vice chairman of the SAC and an ex-officio member of the Governor's Expert Epidemic Emergency Response Committee.
Hill, under a one-year, $107,000 consulting contract, will scrutinize homeland security grant standards and audits. She starts Sept. 1 and will provide financial information and opinions, review internal controls, and evaluate compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Hill served as Colorado state auditor from 2001 to 2006. She currently is director of the National Nuclear Security Administration Audits Division, Inspector General's Office.
Smiley will join the state Aug. 1 to revise and redevelop the Governor's COOP/COG plans, which are designed to maintain basic government services and functions in the face of a disaster or terrorist incident. Smiley will be housed in the Colorado Office of Information Technology with a salary of $100,000 a year.
Salaries for Whitney, Hill and Smiley will be paid out of federal homeland security grants.
These appointments follow the hiring of Chris Olson as director of the Colorado Division of Emergency Management. The division will work closely with Gen Whitney and continue its historic function of coordinating responses to natural disasters such as floods, fires, snow storms and tornadoes.
First Lady Jeannie Ritter Begins Mental Health Listening Tour
Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter travels to northwest Colorado on Monday for a three-day tour to discuss the region's mental health needs. She will be meeting with health care providers and community groups in Walden, Steamboat Springs, Meeker and Craig.
"It is important to me that I hear first-hand from the people of Colorado," the First Lady said. "One of the reasons I chose to focus on mental health is because it affects every facet of our lives in every part of the state. This trip is part of my learning process. The Governor and I share a belief that public policy should intersect with where people struggle, and I'm hoping what I learn here will contribute to that discussion."
The trip to northwest Colorado follows a similar listening tour in southeast Colorado earlier this month.
The First Lady's public schedule for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday follows. Note that some events are closed because of privacy concerns, but there will be media availabilities either before or after.
Monday July 16, 2007
Noon - 2:30 p.m.
Public Meetings in Walden
River Rock Café
460 Main St., Walden
Open to public and press
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Media Availability - Walden
River Rock Café
460 Main St., Walden
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Visit to Steamboat Mental Health Center
405 S. Lincoln, Steamboat Springs
Meeting with Tom Gangel, Division Director, CO West Regional Mental Health Center for demo of Telepsyche Equipment Closed to press
Tuesday July 17, 2007
9:30 - 11:20 a.m.
Meet with Providers in Routt County
Yampa Valley Medical Center Conference Room
940 Central Park Drive, Steamboat Springs
Closed to press
11:30 a.m.
Meet with Public Officials
12:30 p.m.
Courthouse Annex Building, County Commissioners Meeting Room
136 6th St., Steamboat Springs
(Annex is attached to back of old Courthouse Building)
Open to pubic and press
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Media Availability
136 6th St., Steamboat Springs
Outside Courthouse Annex Main Entrance
2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Tour of Mental Health Facility in Craig
439 Breeze St., Craig
Closed to press
2:40 - 4:30 p.m.
Meet with Providers and Community Members in Craig
School Administration Building Conference Room
775 Yampa Ave., Craig
Open to public and press
4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
Media Availability
School Administration Building Main Entrance
775 Yampa Ave., Craig
Wednesday July 18, 2007
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Meetings with providers and Community Members
Mountain Valley Bank Community Conference Room
400 Main St., Meeker
Open to public and press
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Media Availability
400 Main St., Meeker
Vice-President Al Gore Returns to Denver in October To Discuss "An Inconvenient Truth"
Former Vice President Al Gore speaks live regarding "An Inconvenient Truth," a stunning multimedia presentation confronting environmental issues and their impact on our world at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 in the Wells Fargo Theatre at The Colorado Convention Center.
Tickets available online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 303-830-T-I-X-S
Further Reading
Forbes Article:
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_6352787
Pine Beetle Article:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5625634,00.html
Energy Policy:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5625370,00.html
Republican Presidential Hopefuls Ignoring Realities in Iraq
Washington, DC - President Bush and the Republican presidential hopefuls continue to ignore the facts on the ground in Iraq. Despite today's Iraq report which made clear that the surge is not working, the Republican presidential candidates continue to blindly follow President Bush and his failed Iraq policy, ignoring the will of the American people, military experts and the Iraq Study Group.
Leading GOP Candidates Stand with Bush's Failed Plan on Iraq
Giuliani On Iraq: Stands With Bush Plan; Says Success "In The Hands Of Other People." Giuliani omitted Iraq from his "12 Commitments" and said "Iraq may get better, Iraq may get worse, we maybe successful in Iraq, we may not be. I don't know the answer to that. That's in the hands of other people." And Giuliani "warns even more starkly than Bush that withdrawing troops from Iraq could have disastrous consequences. [New York Times, 6/13/07; Boston Globe, 4/4/07]
McCain On Iraq: This Plan "Can Lead To Success." "General Petraeus and his commanders believe that they have a strategy that can, over time, lead to success in Iraq. General Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker will come to Washington in September to report on the status of their efforts, and those of the Iraqis. They ask just two things of us: the time necessary to see whether their efforts can succeed, and the political courage to support them in their work. I believe that we must give them both." [McCain Senate Floor Statement, 7/10/2007]
Romney on Iraq: "I Support the President...and I Think He's on the Right Course." Despite its unpopularity with voters, Mitt Romney affirmed his support for President Bush's troop surge, saying there was a "reasonable probability" of success. "At this stage, I support the president," he said. "He's the commander-in-chief, and I think he's on the right course." [Miami Herald, 2/18/07]
Thompson On Iraq: "I Would Do...What The President Is Doing." Asked in March 2007, Fred Thompson said "I would do essentially what the president's doing." [Fox News Sunday, 3/11/07]
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