Tajiks!

The Tajikistan delegates, several Trustees, and the band, Gipsy Moon

Tajikistan – A group of Tajikistan delegates came to Boulder as part of the sister city program. To get a sense of America, they toured places like Target, reviewed infrastructure, and learned about the Four Mile Fire recovery effort. For one day of their trip, they scheduled a trip to Nederland to tour our water and waste water plants.

I wanted them to get a sense of our community, so I added the Carousel of Happiness, Town Hall, and during lunch with our Trustees at Kathmandu, I asked our local band, Gipsy Moon, to provide some “jamming bluegrass”. The Tajik delegates were so impressed that they wanted to have their picture taken with the band, and one of them grabbed a guitar for the photo. Even though we spoke through an interpreter, I think they got a real sense of our mountain community. I received a note later from the sister city program that Nederland was the highlight of their week.

Insurance – Our town's insurance comes from the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA). We keep our insurance rates down by employing certain techniques for safety of our citizens, employees and town property. One of these methods is the Technical Review Committee (TRC). We conduct a TRC for every event, and it is where each special event organizer meets with our town marshal, public works and other staff to review the procedures of the event to improve safety, operations, and making the event successful for our town residents.

I have also heard some awful stories of insurance companies DROPPING PEOPLE's HOME-OWNER's INSURANCE because they didn't have a 30 foot defensible space around their home. These reports come from our neighbors in Jamestown. We have free brochures at Town Hall regarding Wildfire & Insurance.

Saws & Slaws – The town is implementing “Nederland Saws and Slaws” (i.e. chain saws and cole slaws). This community based effort brings neighbors and volunteers together to conduct fire mitigation on a group of adjoining properties within a neighborhood. Work in the morning, then have a potluck in the afternoon. In the process, everyone becomes a little more chipper. It is modeled after a successful program of the same name which is ongoing in Coal Creek Canyon. We need plenty of non-skilled workers (4 people for each person with a chainsaw) and people who can provide snacks, coordinate activities, and even photograph/document the event.To sign up as a volunteer for the next event or to express interest in having an event in your neighborhood please e-mail: Nedforesthealth@gmail.com

It is a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors, build community, and have an impact on the fire danger within our town. The Parks and Open Space Advisory Board (PROSAB) is organizing the effort. Please visit PROSAB's forest health website to get detailed information on the program and see a list of proposed dates for events during the Summer.

Water – If you don't have a new water meter by now, call Town Hall (303) 258-3266 for an appointment. The new meters are installed free of charge. No questions asked.


[Here is a Video Valediction] This is Gipsy Moon performing Man in the Moon: at Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe, Utah (2012). [What is a Video Valediction?]