12.11.2019 Views

November Newsletter

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

GOVERNMENT<br />

MAYOR RON reports<br />

TRANSITION<br />

Life is composed of transitions. Kindergarten to grade school.<br />

Being single to married. By the time you read<br />

this I will be about to transition from being<br />

Mayor to private citizen status.<br />

Shortly I will hand over the gavel to our<br />

presumptive Mayor George Lantz. He has<br />

devoted many years of service to the Village:<br />

City Council, Planning and Zoning, and Board<br />

of Adjustments and Appeals, to name a few of<br />

his efforts. I ask that you give him the same<br />

support I received from you.<br />

At this point in retirement remarks, the speaker<br />

Ron Rakowsky<br />

rrakowsky@ usually would recite a litnay of statistics. I will<br />

greenwoodvillage.com note the Village has no short-term, long-term,<br />

303-486-5741 or pension debt, and ample reserves for<br />

unexpected contingencies. Furthermore, we<br />

have funds for future capital improvements.<br />

We have seen spectacular buildings added to our tax base:<br />

CoBank, Spectrum, Granite, and my favorite AMG National<br />

Trust Bank. The Village’s new Maintenance and Parks<br />

building will be finished in early 2020. The Curtis Center for<br />

the Arts expansion was particularly important to me. Our<br />

Park improvements, with significant assistance from the<br />

Arapahoe County Open Space Fund, are the envy of many of<br />

our neighboring jurisdictions.<br />

As great as our 47 miles of trails and nonpareil snow removal<br />

operations are, the special asset of this Village are the people<br />

of Greenwood Village. The residents, businesses, schools,<br />

religious organizations, and the people who populate them<br />

have been great to work with. They are the essence of this<br />

Village. My frequent interaction with other Mayors tells me<br />

how fortunate I have been not to face the issues that have<br />

confronted my peers.<br />

I am the 13th Mayor of Greenwood Village. My predecessors<br />

left a magnificent legacy for me to add my stewardship to<br />

their accomplishments.<br />

The Mayors Pro tem with whom I have served were all very<br />

special in their own way. The Village benefited from their<br />

dedicated service.<br />

COUNCILMEMBERS<br />

I have often said I have been blessed to have had Blue<br />

Ribbon City Councils. Of particular note have been the<br />

female colleagues. Both present and past ladies on the City<br />

Mayor Ron Rakowsky and Mayor Pro tem George Lantz.<br />

Council brought the actions of the body to a noteworthy<br />

level that might not have been otherwise reached.<br />

At this point in retirement remarks, speakers frequently decry<br />

the succeeding generation. I will not do so as I am excited<br />

about their capabilities. The future is in good hands.<br />

Kenneth, Emily, Joey, Ethan, Molly, Spencer, Grayson, Sean<br />

Patrick, Joseph Paul, Nick, Abbie, Troy, Lori, Katie, and Jon<br />

are just a few of those young leaders in our Greenwood<br />

Village community I have had the privilege of meeting that<br />

will take our Village, community, region, and world to new<br />

heights.<br />

My most unshakable opinion of greatness centers around the<br />

Greenwood Village staff. The depth of talent is truly<br />

remarkable. I have learned much from virtually all of them.<br />

Take the time to listen. You will all benefit from hearing their<br />

thoughts. Your tax dollars are being well spent.<br />

I hope my tenure would be measured by a quote from<br />

Secretary of Defense James Mattis: “You have a role to play<br />

for a little while, play it well, but don’t let it go to your<br />

head.”<br />

Serving as your Mayor for almost nine years has been a<br />

singular honor and special privilege.<br />

As I always said at the end of my Village Showcase program<br />

on GVTV 8 and YouTube, that’s a wrap. GV<br />

PG. 2 GV NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2019

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!