March/April, 2004
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:
Steve Hutt, Denver County
Even in these months between Seminar and Conference, our Association is hard at work behind the scenes. Staying on top of state legislation is a big chore, even in a year like this when our Association is not pushing any new legislation.
But we have had to react quickly and strongly to several bills which have been introduced without any advance consultation with Treasurers about what they would do to our offices. One which we helped kill late last month would have seized upon the abatement process (of all things!!!) to give annual refunds to businesses which make certain payments to child care centers on behalf of their employees - - a worthy cause, but clearly the wrong way to make it happen.
As this goes to print, we are working hard to kill a bill that would require the Assessor to assign two different values to every new piece of equipment for personal property tax purposes: one value to which school levies would be applied, and a lower value to which all other levies would be applied. This would be a nightmare not only for the Assessors to handle, but for us as Treasurers to handle for collection and distribution purposes! Fortunately, chances of this one passing seem pretty slim, but we can't take any chances.
Hearty thanks go to our Legislative Committee chair, Roxy Huber, and our lobbyist, Peg Ackerman, for staying on top of all this, getting our input as necessary, and mobilizing us when necessary to make phone calls to certain legislators from our counties. We all appreciate what you are doing on our behalf.
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Fremont County: Gini Woltemath, Treasurer
Former Fremont County Treasurer/Public Trustee, Fern Hamby passed away February 23, 2004. Fern was appointed Fremont County Treasurer in 1977 after the retirement of Francis S. Young and served as County Treasurer until she retired in 1986. Fern had worked in the Treasurer's office for 44 years. She leaves behind one son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
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ROSTER CHANGES:
Gini Woltemath, Fremont County Treasurer
email:
gwolt@fremontco.com
email:
patriciam@fremontco.com (this is Pat McFarland's email and will remain for
any and all Public Trustee email)
Mary Wenke, Arapahoe County Public Trustee
email:
mwenke@co.arapahoe.co.us
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Eastern Division Report:
The Eastern Division held on March 18th and 19th was again a huge success. With the weather cooperating, the meeting was attended by approximately 25 to 30 Counties. We had an interesting presentation by Ken Venekamp on "Advantages of a Powerful Memory". All in attendance agree, we all needed to attend a month long seminar to accomplish that. Jim Wills, Boulder County, and Jack Arrowsmith, Douglas County Public Trustee, gave a most "understandable" report on eRecording affecting the Public Trustee office. And lastly Cynthia Barnes, CTSI, gave a very fine presentation of "Privacy and Responsibility in the Workplace". THANK YOU - Eastern Division Officers for the very fine meeting.
And for and added "Highlight" we had 3 former Treasurers join us at the South Side Restaurant for dinner Thursday evening. Gaynell Holcomb, former Teller County Treasurer; Suzie Graeff, former Elbert County Treasurer; and Bobbie Spore, former Montezuma County Treasurer. It was fun talking about the "good Ole days and a lot of Pool playing".
The next Eastern Division meeting will be held September 23 & 24, 2004.
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A Message from Myrna Rodenberger, Larimer County Treasurer:
Dear CCTA,
What a great group to belong to!
Thank you for the most beautiful flowers. I also so appreciate your calls of support.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Myrna
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"FOOD FOR THOUGHT"
To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or students - - here's a thought for you.
Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that eve God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.
After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing He said was, "DON'T".
"Don't what?" Adam replied.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said.
"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey, Eve - we have
forbidden fruit!!!"
"No Way!"
"Yes way!"
"Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God.
"Why?"
"Because I am you Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering why He hadn't
stopped creation after making the elephants. A few minutes later, God saw
His children having an apple break and He was ticked!
"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God asked.
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you?" said the Father.
"I don't know," said Eve.
"She started it!" Adam said.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"DID NOT!!"
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve
should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has
NEVER CHANGED!!!!!!!!!